Marco Mazzieri talks Global Baseball Games: "These players made me proud"

Team Europe coach Marco Mazzieri said he was full of pride with his players after the Global Baseball Games CARNEXT SAMURAI JAPAN SERIES, which the hosts Samurai Japan won both games.

"It is unforgettable. Working with the top players and coaches in Europe was a privilege. I was lucky enough to be on the 2015 staff and am grateful for that. This said we didn't score a run in 18 innings. We can't be happy with that."

Mazzieri's analysis started from game one.

"We played perfect defence. We were impressed by their pitching and didn't think they could get any better. Taira, Miyagi, Yamashita and Kuribayashi will play in the Major Leagues soon."

He added: "Wednesday, our pitchers missed a couple of spots, and we paid for that. We played as a team until the end and got three hits against Kuribayashi. It is some accomplishment."

Japan's pitchers gave Europe no chance on Thursday.

"In the second game, our pitchers did very well. We had a plan and followed it inning by inning. We gave up two unearned runs. Unfortunately, two runs proved more than enough for Japan to win."

"We had a pair of chances to get back into the game, added Mazzieri. "Delano Selassa had what I thought was a leadoff double in the seventh, but their centre fielder got to that ball. It was an amazing play. That guy [Misho Nishikawa] plays on a different planet. Wednesday centre fielder [Yasutaka Shiomi] was possibly even better. Wander Encarcion has not been lucky in this series. His deep fly was only centimetres out of fair territory."

Mazzieri emphasised his pride in his players: "They gave all they had and came together to play as a team. It turned out the way we had hoped. We stayed together for three days and then went out to face the No. 1 in the world. Don't forget that March 5th is quite early for European players."

Meanwhile, WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari took the time to talk to Team Europe's players and coaches after the series.

"We enjoyed a wonderful event, with over 50,000 spectators in the two games. The WBSC wants this type of relationship with the professional leagues. Team Europe is one of a kind. I met the European Union Ambassador to Japan [Jean-Éric Paquet]. He congratulated me because baseball is the only sport fielding a European selection."

Fraccari added, "Marco [Mazzieri] told me you played as a team, which delights me. I will meet some of you at the Premier12 this Fall. Hopefully, I will see the others at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics."