And bang! Just like that, the first upset of the tournament and it's a huge one. In a tournament often derided because the same countries medal very often, an upset is a breath of fresh air. There were laughers too, but day two was one of surprises and seemingly done-deal groups being thrown into limbo.
Switzerland 7 - 2 Belgium
This is not a huge upset necessarily but it is a pleasant surprise by a Swiss squad debuting in the main tournament. It was also a show of resilience after a rough showing against Israel. The Swiss struck with three salvos in the first and third to seal the game then tacked on one in the ninth. James Sanders popped off 7.2 innings of one-run ball and Noah Williamson homered, drove in three and put up 7 TB. Dennis DeQuint had an RBI double in a losing cause. Belgium are now most likely out. Switzerland can now make the last eight if they shock neighbors Germany.
Netherlands 16 - 3 Ukraine
What if I told you Ukraine actually LED this game for four innings against the 2021 champs. Well, they did before an eight run implosion in the fifth. The Dutch would tack on eight more for good measure to all but seal group C. Roger Bernadina, Ray Patrick Didder, Juremi Profar and Ademar Riffaela all homered. Didder had 9 TB and he and Bernadina each drove in four. The Dutch are almost certainly through and will wrap group play against Croatia. Ukraine are out and will bow out versus France.
Great Britain 22 - 3 Hungary
This is not a typo. Team GB really did score 22, in five innings! A first inning run was innocent enough. But then the Hungarian pitchers totally lost the strike zone as the Brits scored twelve in the second and nine in the third and coasted to a five inning mercy rule win thereafter. Nick Ward homered, Harry Ford stole a base and 13 BB from Hungary pitchers was a fine supplement to the British attack. Graeham Luttor drove in another run for Hungary and scored one. The less said about the pitching the better. The Brits can seal a quarter final slot and knock off heavyweight Italy tomorrow. Hungary will bow out against Sweden.
Spain 13 - 1 Austria
The last laugher before we get to the good stuff. Spain played like a favorite again running the Austrians out in eight in spite of it being 2-1 after five. Jorge Balboa was excellent through seven and hitters eventually rewarded his good work with lots of runs. Edison Valerio and Andres Angulo each drove in four and Valerio also scored four. Hot prospect Engel Beltre pitched in two ribbies. Austrian SP Julian Faulhaber was solid before he kind of lost it in the sixth. Shortstop MO Hackl drove in the lone Austrian run. Spain plays the host Czechs for group supremacy (and revenge). Austria get Greece. Both are eliminated.
France 3 - 1 Croatia
A close, competitive game featured more suspense than scoring. Two in the second for France were enough but Croatia made it a game. Ben Couvreur gave six solid to earn the win in spite of erratic command and Nolan Soliveres was the difference offensively with 2 RBI. Quentin Moulin struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save. Jose Diaz was strong through eight frames for Croatia but it was not enough. France will try to earn a last eight spot against Ukraine. Croatia need to upset the Dutch to advance.
Sweden 8 - 3 Italy
What you came for. Italy is one of the big three with over thirty European medals to boast. Sweden has none. And yet it is Italy who have it all to do now. It all fell apart in a seven run fourth for the Italians as Joel Johnson continued his fine tournament with a grand slam. Per Sjors was masterful for much of the game pitching eight frames and while he did tire late, the damage was done. Oskar Jerfsten went 2 for 3 in the win also. Italy tried to claw back but that fourth inning was too much and the tournament now has a massive upset. Sweden will face an all but eliminated Hungary in a win-and-in scenario. Italy has to beat Britain or go home.
Czechia 14 - 0 Greece
The hosts are still providing fireworks. A ninenrun fifth meant this game was destined for the mercy rule. The Shohei whisperer, Ondrej Satoria, pitched six shutout. The Greeks can say they struck out, just like Ohtani. Willie Escala showed no ill effects from getting hit by a Roki Sasaki fastball back in the WBC and drove in four. Must have been the candies from Roki. Martin Muzik drove in three more and Eric Sogard, the MLB vet, scored three. The Greeks had two hits from Tom Roulis, but little else. The Czechs are through in their Euros and will look to win the group against Spain. Greece are out and face Austria, also out.
Germany 2 - 0 Israel
Before, this would have been an expected result, but now it is something of an upset. Daltonn Von Schamann was magical, striking out seven through six innings. RBI hits from Vincent Ahrens and Eric Brenk were enough as Marcus Sollbach and Sven Schuller sealed the shutout. Ty Kelly had a hit and walked twice, but Israel did not score in spite of six walks and six hits. Germany now has two wins and can win the group if they see off Switzerland. Israel must beat Belgium to advance.
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