Day number three consumated a shock early exit for one of the historic big three. It was also a watershed moment in the history of both British and Swedish baseball. The Netherlands and Spain again made statements while Israel bounced back from a surprise loss to again reach the last eight. The Czechs will now look towards reaching the medal rounds for the first time at their Euros.
Israel 11 - 8 Belgium
Belgium almost pulled a shock, but ultimately fell short. Israeli bats woke up to the tune of eleven runs and sealed a spot in the next round. Belgium led after a half inning but Israel immediately responded to lead 3-2 after one. Six in the next two seemingly put it out reach but Belgium made it interesting with four in the ninth. Ben Rosengard homered in the win and Team Israel WBC and Olympic vets Ty Kelly and Ryan Lavarnaway both drove in two as did Rob Paller. Jonathan Zeevi stole two bases. Israel pitching was sketchy but former Marlin Jake Fishman was able to close it out. Belgium bowed out Witham a fine 3 RBI day from Drew Janssen and 2 RBi from Axel Poesmans.Belgium bow out at 0-3. Israel will see the last eight for a third straight time.
France 10 - 0 Ukraine
France followed up a tough win over Croatia with a mercy rule win over Ukraine in seven innings to make the last eight. France exploded for five in the third and three in the bottom of the seventh walked it off by mercy rule. Three French pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts across the seven shutout innings. French hitters logged seventeen hits in the win. Catcher Fabian Kovacs led the way with three and he also cashed in three runs. Mael Zan drove in two. For Ukraine, Kostiantyn Chukhas logged a hit and a steal to finish his tournament with a .364 BA and a .909 OPS. Roman Boiko went 2 for 3. France will look towards the knockout stages now after going 2-1. Ukraine are done at 0-3.
Sweden 17 - 7 Hungary
Sweden were expected to heat Hungary and did so, showing no hangover effect from their upset of Italy. It was 7-0 after three and the Swedes simply had to tack on a few more late to seal an eight inning mercy rule win and a surprise trip to the quarter final round. The legend of Oskar Jerfsten continues to grow going 4 for 5, scoring and also driving in two runs to wrap up pool play with an eye popping .545 BA and 1.174 OPS. Joel Johnson stole a base and pitched 1.1 scoreless. (The Los Angeles Angels might want a word with him) Victor Wahlberg finishes with an 1.139 OPS and Thomas Paulich with an 1.116 after a 3 for 3 day with 3 BB to boot. Hungary was again done in by walks, their pitchers issued eight. Graeham Luttor was impressive again though and finishes with an impressive. 571 BA, 1.743 OPS and 6 RBI total. Sweden will see if they can pull one more big win to reach the medal rounds. Hungary bow out going 0-3.
Greece 11 - 6 Austria
This battle between two eliminated teams featured 29 hits, 17 runs, and 5 HR. The fireworks in Ostrava were first Greek but the Austrians did take a lead in the fifth. The Greeks took charge the rest of the way though. Kasey Caras homered again and finished group play with a 1.200 OPS. Ari Sechopoulos and Michael Dudunakis also homered. Peter Maestrales pitched 2.1 scoreless to earn the win. For Austria, Felix Zimmerle homered and had 4 RBI. Sammy Hackl had three hits to finish with a .364 BA. Georg Stemmer had three hits also to wrap up a solid tournament himself. Greece finished 1-2 and Austria 0-3. Both teams are out.
Netherlands 15 - 2 Croatia
The Dutch didn't exactly feel like coasting, as evidenced by yet another mercy rule win. It was 12-0 after three. JC Sulbaran pitched six innings of two run ball to win and Ray-Patrick Didder pounded out 4 RBI more to finish group play with a 2 HR, 8 RBI and 1.475 OPS line. Ademar Rifaela and Sicnarf Loopstok each drove in two. MLB vet Roger Bernadina finishes group play with a 1.567 OPS. Croatian pitching was simply overpowered but Duje Papic did manage 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Kruno Gojkovic went 2 for 2 plus a walk to finish his tournament with a .636 BA and 1.303 OPS. Croatia bow out going 1-2 to finish third in group C. The Dutch are perfect going into the knockout stages where they'll seek yet another gold medal.
Spain 9 - 0 Czechia
Spain were bent on revenge for being denied a WBC spot and got it, battering the Czechs at home. Four run innings in the second and third made sure of it. The Czechs managed but two hits off Spanish pitching as Pablo Guillen struck seven in five frames to earn the win. Four relievers sealed the deal. Edison Valerio and Gabriel Lino again cashed in a pair of runs. Wander Encarnacion added 3 RBI and Omar Hernandez also drove in two. Spain win the group and finish a perfect 3-0. Czechia will still go through on account of their two earlier wins.
Germany 15 - 5 Switzerland
Germany looked to be in a nail-biter, but found a second gear and pulled away to win group D, scoring at least once from the fourth onwards to win. Vincent Ahrens, one of the heroes of the upset over Israel, popped off a brilliant 5 RBI, going 4 for 5 and walking once. Alexander Schmidt added 3 RBI from the ninth spot in the order and Simon Gross logged three scoreless frames for the W. For Switzerland, Noah Williamson homered to cap off a tournament where he hit .385 and logged a 1.429 OPS. Poor fielding compounded issues on the mound though. Germany are the surprise group winners and get France in the quarters. Switzerland finish their maiden European Championships 1-2.
Great Britain 11 - 10 Italy
A giant has fallen! Italy are out! Great Britain are perfect in group B. Mariners wonderkid prospect Harry Ford raised the Union Jack with 6 RBI, homering twice to finish group play with a 1.761 OPS and a .556 BA. Nick Ward also homered and finishes Round Robin with a 1.715 OPS of his own. British pitchers struggled a bit against a strong Italy lineup, but the bats were more than enough. A wild bottom of the ninth made it 11-10, but Demoi Hodge was able to strike out a dangerous Robel Garcia who had homered earlier to send the 32 time medalists home in round one for the first time ever. The Brits go perfect through round one for the first time in their history and will look to build upon their WBC experience with a European medal. Italy are left out of the medals for the first time in six tournaments and are left with an all-time worst showing at the Euros.
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