by Michal Hanus
SUMA Open tournament which is also the European qualification for worldwide final in August in Lafayette (IN) finished on Sunday evening with final game between Czech cadets national team and USA Ambassadors, a team consisting of players from the US base in Rammstein, Germany. The same team won a few years ago the Little League EMEA Zone in Kutno and qualified for the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport (PA).
Thursday, Friday and Saturday was dedicated for group play. The best two teams from each group were promoted to Sunday’s playoff games. From group A there were the Czech National Cadet Team and Team Israel, winner of group B Germany was followed to quarterfinal Kotlarka Praha (CZ). From group C BC Vilnius (LT) and Cheetahs Zory (PL) reached the quarterfinals and finally from group D the USA Ambassadors and Brest Zubrs (BLR). All favorites won in the quarterfinal games to clinch the ticket to the semifinal. First semifinal between Germany, represented by the German Baseball Academy and USA Ambassadors was a very good and tough game. USA Ambassadors won 5-4 and became the first participant of the final. The second semifinal between Czech National Cadets team and BC Vilnius was also close, Czech prospects won 6-4 and followed Ambassadors to final. Final game finished with big by the win Ambassadors 12-2 and with a summer ticket to Lafayette.
The quality of the tournament is increasing, also the prestige of the tournament is getting higher and higher. Organizers from SK Krc Praha (Eagles Praha) demonstrated very high professionalism and did a very good job on all four days.
Results from tournament can be found here as well as the standings in groups here.