Ireland and Ukraine won U18 European Championship Qualifiers in Varazdin, Croatia and Zurich, Switzerland this past week to qualify for next year’s U18 European Championship. In Zurich the Irish team dominated the opposition in most of the games. In the final they beat Belgium 12-0 in seven speedy innings behind a no-hitter from Kevin Brady. Ireland had won all four games during the first round. Belgium won three out of four, but had to work much harder surviving a ten-inning game against Poland and erasing seven-run deficits against Switzerland.
Final Standings Zurich:
|
1
|
 IRELAND |
|
2
|
 BELGIUM |
|
3
|
 RUSSIA |
|
4
|
 SWITZERLAND |
|
5
|
 POLAND |
In Varazdin the TQB had to decide which teams reach the final, as Ukraine, Austria and Sweden all finished the first round with three wins apiece. Austria and Ukraine eventually reached the final, where Ukraine prevailed 7-4.
Final Standings Varazdin:
|
1
|
 UKRAINE |
|
2
|
 AUSTRIA |
|
3
|
 SWEDEN |
|
4
|
 CROATIA |
|
5
|
 SLOVAKIA |
Complete results are available through www.baseballstats.eu