Team Europe defeats men’s softball world champion New Zealand in exhibition game

In another showcase of men’s softball continuous development in the Old Continent, the newly established Team Europe beat world champion New Zealand by a score of 6-5, in a 10-innings exhibition game played in Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic.

The Black Sox scored one in the top of the first inning, but Europe answered with two in the bottom of the same frame, to take the lead for the first time in the game. One inning later the world champions tied the game, but Team Europe retook the lead in the third with a solo shot off the bat of Daniel Julenon (DEN), and they never looked back. French catcher Anthony Cros and Czech second baseman Vaclav Svoboda also homered for the winner.

Team Europe was composed by the best players in the Old Continent from 12 countries, including Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. The 20 players in the European roster saw action during the game.

This game followed New Zealand’s win at the Intercontinental Cup last week, also held in Czech Republic. These events have increased the awareness of men’s softball in the Old Continent, ahead of next year’s WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship, to be staged in Europe (Prague and Havlickuv Brod) for the first time in history.