On Friday the European Championship got underway in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. The favorites prevailed in all six games, in five of them there was a lot of action on the scoreboard. In the morning Germany shut out Sweden 4-0 behind a strong pitching performance and Matej Hejma hit two home runs in a 12-0 win of the Czech Republic against Russia. In the afternoon France beat Croatia 16-1, Italy downed Greece 21-2 and Spain drove past Belgium 11-1. In the evening host Netherlands defeated Great Britain 11-1. On Saturday matchups between the Netherlands and Germany, as well as Italy and France will highlight the schedule.

Player of the Day:

Mattia Reginato (Italy). The catcher of the Squadra Azzurri hit for the cycle on day one against Greece. He collected four hits (home run, triple, double, single), four runs and six RBI in the game.

Stat of the Day:

Oscar Angulo (Spain) doubled in four of his five plate appearances against Belgium.

Surprise of the Day:

Sweden got relegated following the 2014 European Championship. On day one they showed great promise, keeping Germany on its toes, while losing only by a score of 0-4. In the ninth they had the tying run in the on-deck circle.

Fact of the Day:

Do you know that only four countries have won European Championships in the history of the tournament? Besides the usual suspects Netherlands (21 titles) and Italy (10), also Belgium (1) and Spain (1) have been European Champion in the past.

Results Day 1:

Group A:

Germany – Sweden 4-0



Sweden 000 000 000 0 3 2 Deutschland 101 011 00X 4 5 0

Box score

Germany had a successful start into the European Championship in Hoofddorp. They shut out Sweden 4-0 behind a strong pitching performance and some small ball. Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez, Jan-Niclas Stöcklin and Tim Stahlmann kept the Scandinavians to three hits and four walks in nine innings. Full Recap.

Russia – Czech Republic 0-12



Czech Republic 022 006 2 12 16 1 Russia 000 000 0 0 5 1

Box score

The Czech Republic won their first game at the European Championship in Hoofddorp on Friday morning by a score of 12-0 against Russia. After a scoreless first the Czech team added two runs apiece in the second and third to take the lead. Six runs in the sixth blew the score wide open and led to an early ending due to ten-run rule. Full Recap.

Great Britain – Netherlands 1-11



Netherlands 303 014 0 11 12 1 Great Britain 010 000 0 1 2 2

Box score

The hosting nation successfully started into the European Championship. The Netherlands beat Great Britain 11-1 in seven innings on Friday evening. Three runs in the first and three in the third gave them an early 6-1 advantage. Five more ended the game due to ten-run rule. Great Britain scored its lone run in the second. Full Recap.

Group B:

France – Croatia 16-1



Croatia 001 000 1 2 1 France 240 253 16 8 0

Box score

France took advantage of wild pitching en route to beat Croatia 16-1 in six innings in their first game at the European Championship. The game in Group B was played in Nieuw-Vennep. France didn’t waste any time and led 6-0 after two frames and blew the score wide open with ten runs between the fourth and the sixth. Full Recap.

Greece – Italy 2-21



Italy 504 302 7 21 15 0 Greece 000 020 0 2 5 3

Box score

Italy didn’t have any problems in their opening game at the European Championship in Hoofddorp. At ETO Ballpark they scored five runs in the first en route to a 21-2 blowout. They already led 14-2, when they added seven more runs in the seventh to end the contest. Greece only managed to avoid the shutout. Full Recap.

Belgium – Spain 1-11



Spain 300 350 0 11 13 1 Belgium 000 100 0 1 9 1

Box score

Spain slugged their way past Belgium 11-1 in their opening match at the European Championship in Hoofddorp. On Friday afternoon Spain scored three runs in the first and eight combined in the fourth and fifth to earn the victory. Belgium only scored in the fourth. Full Recap.

Schedule Day 2:

Complete results, box scores, schedule, statistics and live play by play is available through www.baseballstats.eu

Live radio from two games each day is available through www.meinsportradio.de

Tickets are available on the official website www.ekhonkbal2016.nl

Photo by FIBS