The two dominating teams in European Championship history have reached the finals again. Italy will face the Netherlands on Sunday at 2pm CET at the TVC Stadium in Stuttgart, Germany. Both teams already met on Saturday with the Squadra Azzurra taking an 11-3 win. But it was more or less a meaningless game for the Dutch team, although they lost home field advantage due to the defeat.
While managers Jim Stoeckel (NED) and Marco Mazzieri (ITA) didn’t announce their starting pitchers on Saturday, it is not much of a secret, who will take the mound. Diegomar Markwell and Leon Boyd will probably split the workload for the Netherlands. Roberto Corradini is the most likely option for Italy after Cody Cillo, Tiago Da Silva and Chris Cooper pitched on the last two days.
The Netherlands have won the title in each of the last five European Championships, but every streak ends from time to time. It should be an exciting and thrilling game between the two arch rivals in European Baseball. Tickets are still available in all categories at the box office.
Schedule August 1:
- 14:00 Italy – Netherlands
Live Play by Play available at the Competition Website of the Confederation of European Baseball
Photo: Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de