On Sunday the third game day in the preliminary round will be played at the European Championship and we should get a better picture how the final round could look like. Four teams are still undefeated in the tournament. Italy and Germany are 2-0, leading the two groups. The Netherlands and Belgium won their first games on Saturday after the Friday rainouts.
The day starts in Stuttgart with the Great Britain – Italy matchup. The British team received a strong start by Brian Essery, but still lost to Sweden, as they couldn’t take advantage of a few opportunities against Joakim Claesson, hitting into five double plays. Italy crushed Greece in Heidenheim thanks to two grand slams and four homeruns overall.
The Tre Kronors will travel to Heidenheim for the first game, playing against Croatia. Sweden is 1-1 and still on course to the final round, while Croatia already has its backs to the wall after two losses. But they will send Ernesto Pereira to the mound, probably their best starter on staff.
In the afternoon Germany will try to improve to 3-0 against Belgium. They had beaten the “Red Devils” twice in exhibition games before the tournament, but won’t take things lightly, as the team of Sven Hendrickx also had a nice start into the event with a shutout over the Ukraine. Andre Hughes is pitching for Germany, while Kenny Vandenbranden could be the guy on the opposing side. Germany’s head coach Greg Frady gives Chris Howard the start behind the plate.
The Czech Republic, which probably has to suffer most from the rescheduling after the rainouts, will play France in the lone game in Neuenburg on Sunday. Leos Kubat takes the mound for head coach Arnost Nesnal. The French team used Joris Navarro against the Dutch team and should send one of the trio Samuel Meurant, Anthony Piquet and Pierrick Lemestre, as starting pitcher into the game.
After two shutout losses the Ukraine faces another tough assignment, as they are taking on the Netherlands in the evening game in Heidenheim. It is quite possible that Jim Stoeckel empties the bench, as they will play twice on Monday. The game between Spain and Greece in Stuttgart concludes the day in the evening. Both teams are 1-1 and still have their fate in their hands. However the loser already would be on verge of elimination.
Schedule Day 3:
July 25:
10:30 Great Britain – Italy (in Stuttgart)
13:00 Sweden – Croatia (in Heidenheim)
14:30 Germany – Belgium (in Stuttgart)
15:00 France – Czech Republic (in Neuenburg)
18:00 Netherlands – Ukraine (in Heidenheim)
19:00 Spain – Greece (in Stuttgart)
Complete Schedule and Live Play by Play on Competition Website of CEB