Softball Europe has revealed new dates for the 2021 Women’s European Softball Championship. The continental event will take place from 27 June to 3 July in Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. The winner of the continental championship will represent Europe in The World Games 2022 Birmingham.
Originally planned to take place in 2020, the event was first postponed to 4-10 July 2021 amid the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, but now the continental governing body has moved the tournament to an earlier date, with the opening day slated for 27 June and the final scheduled for 3 July.
The tournament will be played just weeks ahead of softball’s historic Olympic return at the Tokyo 2020 Games and will serve as a tune-up for Italy’s third Olympic participation.
Italy, the home team of the 2021 Women’s European Softball Championship, will enter as the defending champions, after having won the 2019 edition with a 3-2 win over arch-rivals Netherlands. Weeks later, Italy went undefeated at the WBSC Softball Europe Africa Olympic Qualifier, punching their ticket to Tokyo 2020.
The 2021 European season will include five qualifying tournaments for WBSC Softball World Cups.
