The Olympic Sports School 42 from Moscow, Russia and KNTU Elizavetgrad from Ukraine have won the European Cup Playoffs, which were played in Brest and Prague this past weekend. They both secured A-Pool spots for their respective federations.
The Olympic Sports School defeated the North Stars Moscow 5-2 on Friday and Brest Zubrs 13-9 on Sunday to clinch first place in Brest. The North Stars had lost 0-2 in ten innings to Brest on Saturday following a pitcher’s duel between Dennis Leonov and Aliaksei Lukachevich. Viacheslav Vasilyev went 8-for-10 with three RBI overall to lead the way for 42. Andrey Lobanov struck out 14 in nine innings on Friday.
In Prague KNTU swept a three-game series 3-2 and 9-8 against Kotlarka Prague. On Saturday Elizavetgrad scored three runs in the top of the fifth to decide the game. Serhiy Shapura overcame a solo home run by Jakub Sladek and went the distance to beat Marek Cervenka on the mound. On Sunday KNTU came through early against Marek Minarik, but blew a 6-1 lead in the process. But two runs in the seventh tied the game and another score in the eighth handed Elizavetgrad the win. Martin Cervenka and Rubenagel Fuenmayor went deep for Prague. Konstyantyn Chukhas pitched 3 1/3 innings of one-hit relief for the win.