Today is the day British baseball truly came of age. Yes, there was the magical run to the 2007 EBC final, but that never truly felt sustainable in the long run. This time, it truly feels like the start of a new era, especially on the heels of a surprise run to the WBC and solid showing once there.
On this day, a battle of the Old guard also transpired between traditional powers Netherlands and Spain. The Dutch have reached the final in every EBC since 1967. (they boycotted that year) It was nervy stuff, but championship contenders must show that they can win nail-biters also. In the end, Spanish grit and resolve trumped being down to their final strike.
Great Britain 8 - 4 Germany
"GREAT BRITAIN GOES FOR GOLD" is not a headline associated with baseball, but it is reality in 2023. The Brits downed upstart Germany, flipping a 3-2 scoreline in the seventh in the bottom of that inning to secure a spot in the grand final. Keeping an eighth inning German blitz at one run secured the fate of Westminster and victory for The Empire. It was a quiet day for Harry Ford, though he did walk and score a run. No matter, the other Tower Of London in this tournament, Nick Ward, went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Kennard Dawson was hot, driving in three and Rayondre Mercer tacked on 2 RBI. Ben Lied scored twice and stole a base. Alex Webb was solid through five but the win went through Chris Messer. The save went to Fred Mosier whose nerves of steel saved the situation in the eighth.
For Germany, the hero of the France game, David Dinski, went 2 for 5 and Vincent Ahrens walked twice to finish with a 1.389 OPS. Dalton Von Schamann, whose excellent performance against Israel secured group D, was great again but this time the bullpen could not hang on and another late comeback fell short. Germany will play for an eighth all-time bronze medal to cap off a more than respectable showing, their best in several years and a nice comeback from a poor 2021 showing.
Spain 7 - 6 Netherlands
The Dutch were made to sweat after four blowouts on the trot. They dominated the first five innings of the game only to have Spain put the tying run on third and be outhit for the first time in these Euros. And then, the unthinkable! Jesus Ustraiz singles in the tying run and a Dutch throwing error pushes home Edison Valerio with the winner. Spain had circled closer Wendell Floranus in a Jaws-like manner. He was a strike away from sending the Dutch to the final. And then he wasn't. The benches cleared in that top of the ninth to add further drama.
Of course, the Dutch would not go quietly either, putting the tying run in the ninth. What else would you expect from the highest scoring team in the tournament? Except this time, Bernadina and Didder did not have the big hit in that fateful ninth. Both did have hits and Didder did drive in a run but it was not enough. For the first time, the Netherlands will NOT play for gold at the Euros. The will play Germany for bronze to keep the medal streak alive.
For Spain, Wander Encarnacion and Gabriel Lino both drove in two runs. But the dagger was the single from Ustariz that also led to the Juremi Profar throwing error that threw the game away. Spanish pitching was poor early on, but Carlos Sierra Alvarez and the eventual winner Rhiner Cruz were unscored upon in the final four frames. Cruz even stranded the tying run on second in the bottom of the ninth. Omar Hernandez and Edison Valerio both stole bases in that high stakes ninth inning. For the Netherlands, Tom DeBlok was strong through five but the Dutch bullpen faltered, slowly allowing Spain game into the game, and eventually ceding it to them. Sicnarf Loopstok homered again and the aforementioned Profar also did, though unfortunately it is the error that will be a more lasting memory. Spain will play Great Britain for gold. The Dutch will play their first ever bronze medal game against Germany.
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