The Netherlands and Spain will play in the championship game of the European Championship 2016. After the Dutch team already had clinched their participation, the Spanish squad advanced to the final thanks to a 3-0 shutout over Germany in their last game in the Winners Round Robin on Saturday. It’s their first participation in the final since 1955. The Dutch national team has reached the final in each of their 31 European Championships. They have won the title 21 times.
In the other games on Saturday Italy downed the Czech Republic 3-2 in the morning. With the victory Italy is winning their fourth bronze medal in tournament history. They had reached the final at the 2010, 2012 and 2014 European Championships. They last won a bronze medal in 2001. In the evening game the Netherlands remained undefeated in the tournament with a 12-3 win over Belgium.
The championship game on Sunday at 5pm CET will be broadcasted live on the Dutch TV stations NOS and Ziggo Sport Totaal. The game is sold out. Tim Collins and Ty Eriksen will be on the radio at www.meinsportradio.de. Live play by play will be available as usual through www.baseballstats.eu.
Results Day 9:
Winners Round Robin:
Italy – Czech Republic 3-2
Czech Republic 000 100 010 2 6 2 Italy 100 200 00X 3 9 1
Italy is remaining alive in the race for the final at the European Championship in Hoofddorp. While they also need a Spanish loss on day three of the Winners Round Robin on Saturday they at least did their part. In the morning game they edged out the Czech Republic 3-2. With the loss the Czech team finishes in fifth place in the final standings of the tournament. Full recap.
Spain – Germany 3-0
Germany 000 000 000 0 0 0 Spain 000 000 03X 3 4 0
Spain has reached the final at the European Championship in Hoofddorp with a 3-0 shutout over Germany on Saturday afternoon. It’s their first finals participation since 1955, when they won the title. It was a thrilling pitcher’s duel, which was decided by a three-run home run by Jesus Martinez in the eighth. Germany is finishing the tournament in fourth place. Italy has won bronze. Full recap.
Belgium – Netherlands 3-12
Netherlands 100 041 420 12 17 1 Belgium 003 000 000 3 7 0
The Netherlands overcame an early 1-3 deficit to beat Belgium 12-3. in the last game of the Winners Round Robin at the European Championship in Hoofddorp on Saturday evening. Four runs in the fifth turned the score around and the Red Hawks missed out on the upset. The Dutch national team already was qualified for the final prior to the game. Belgium finishes the tournament in sixth place. Full recap.
Standings Winners Round Robin:
Schedule Day 10:
Complete results, box scores, schedule, statistics and live play by play is available through www.baseballstats.eu
Live radio from two games each day is available through www.meinsportradio.de
Photo by Ezio Ratti/FIBS