by Michal Hanus
Europe and Africe was represented at Little League World Series by team Southern Moravia from Czech Republic. They didn’t travel to Williamsport in position of favorite, but with dream to win at least one game and follow their older friends Junior League team, which finished with 2-2 at Taylor, Michigan a week ago.
In the first game against team from Japan nobody expected big surprise and win against one of the strongest team in whole World Series. Team finally lost in the first game of the tournament 3-7, but it was a win for the European team which played the whole six inning game and had two-run home run (D. Stoudek).
The second game against team Canada was different. Opponent on the same skills level was tight till the end. Although European team won on hits, finally two close runs of canadian team after passed ball and steal base decided that Southern Moravia was relegated from main competition (lost 3-4). D. Stoudek hit his second home run in tournament.
The last game against region Great Lakes represented by team from Michigan was the last chance to bring home first ever win of European team on LLWS. The start was poor for team from Czech Republic, when in the second inning they earned two runs after two solo home runs. When team from Michigan scored for the third time in third inning, it became as a big challenge for team to turn over game, but immediately in the bottom of the same inning scored also team from Southern Moravia. After that, only Southern Moravia scored till end of the game and turned over the game and finally won 5-3.
This game was historical for European teams in Little League World Series, because of the first ever win of an European team in history of this tournament. R. Vavra earned the first win for European team.
For Southern Moravia finished Little League World Series with big success and many positive feedbacks not only from organizers, where the quality of their skills was highlighted.