According to a report on honkbalsite.com, the Russian Baseball Federation gives up the opportunity to hold the European Baseball Championship (EC) 2009 in Moscow. The European Baseball Association (CEB) now has to decide what to do.
The CEB examines to move the EC to 2010. In this way they can avoid to collide with the Baseball World Cup. Germany would be a candidate to host, as they already have expressed interest for the EC 2011. The most logical organizer then for 2012 would be the Netherlands due their 100th birthday of their Baseball and Softball Federation in the same year. Italy wants the BWC 2009 and it would be a stretch to hold two big events in such a small period of time.
A decision to reschedule the EC is expected for the next CEB congress in Malta on March 27.
The Dutch national team had won the last EC in 2007 held in Barcelona, Spain. They dominated the tournament with a 100-14 run differential. Great Britain, Spain, Germany and France completed the top five. Italy finished in a dismal seventh place.