Regularly on Tuesday the preliminary round should have ended at the 2010 European Championship in Stuttgart, Heidenheim and Neuenburg. But due to the rainouts on Monday three first-round games will be made up on Wednesday. In the morning Croatia and Greece will give their “B” players a chance to take the field in Stuttgart in a meaningless game.
In the afternoon Sweden hopes to upset Italy and book a ticket for the final round. But it is not going to be easy. During the Italian Baseball Week, the “Tre Kronors” had no chance. The Squadra Azzurra also cannot take the game lightly since they would take an eventual loss into the second round, if they are not winning against Sweden.
Later in the afternoon the Netherlands and Germany make another try to play their highly anticipated duel for first place in Group A in Heidenheim. There is again rain in the forecast, but the game is still on. Leon Boyd (NED) and Tim Henkenjohann (GER) will take the mound as starting pitchers.
In the evening the first classification game will be played in Stuttgart between the Ukraine and Croatia. The winner will take 11th place in the tournament. Both teams will have to play a qualifier next year, trying to win a spot for the 2012 European Championship in the Netherlands.
Schedule, Wednesday, July 28:
10:30 Croatia – Greece (in Stuttgart)
14:30 Sweden – Italy (in Stuttgart)
17:30 Netherlands – Germany (in Heidenheim)
19:00 Classification Game for 11th Place: Ukraine – Croatia (in Stuttgart)