Euro Baseball: The Medal Round

As summer turned to fall, September to October, the European Championships finally reached their logical conclusion. At last, the games for hardware were being played. It was a long road in the most competitive Euros we’ve seen in a long time, maybe ever. In the 5th-6th place game, the host Czechs defeated 2021 silver medalist Israel to finish on a high and send off national legend Jabuk Hatmar on a winning note. In the bronze medal game, the Netherlands had to dig deep but eventually preserved their medal streak in an extra-inning triumph over neighbors Germany, whose 4th place finish is one of their best in recent memory. And finally, in the grand final, a fast start from Spain sealed it quickly as they never looked back en route to their first European title since 1955.

Netherlands 5 - 4 Germany

The Dutch-German rivalry is one of the best in sports, just ask soccer fans. So it was a treat to get it in the bronze medal game of the European championships. The game itself did not disappoint, being tight and tense until the dramatic end that was only fitting for such a rivalry. A three run sixth helped the Dutch flip a 1-0 scoreline to 3-1 but the plucky Germans did what they’ve done all through the knockout stages; come back late. A run in the seventh and a run in the ninth made it 3-3 against a Wendell Floranus probably still shaken by the blown save in the Spain game. The Germans then made it 4-3 in the tenth on a Yannic Walther RBI single. For the first time ever in the Euros, the Dutch would fail to win a medal, or so it seemed. In the bottom of the tenth though, after a quick out, Dashenko Ricardo had his Joe Carter moment, blasting a Mark Harrison offering over the fence to secure yet another medal for the Netherlands, and end a fine German run in this tournament on a heartbreaking note.

Veteran Dutch pitcher Shairon Martis again delivered on the big stage for the Oranje, going seven strong and leaving in line for the win before the Germans forced extra innings. As if to foreshadow something, Ricardo homered in the sixth inning also. You already know what he did in the tenth. This was only his second start, the other being in the group stage against Ukraine and had hitherto had a nondescript tournament. But baseball has a peculiar way of anointing heroes, and the magical moment can come from who you least expect. That’s the magic of our game, especially in playoff or international play. The usual suspects were quiet with neither Bernadina or Didder recording a hit. Juremi Profar did homer to put the costly error against Spain behind him. Sicnarf Loopstock had two more hits to pad his resume in this tournament.

For Germany, Simon Baumer and Shawn Larry had RBI hits. The clutch blow in the ninth that forced extras though came from the notoriously clutch David Dinski who had a sacrifice fly. Yannic Walther singled in the tenth inning run that almost gave Germany a bronze medal. Titus Von Kapff was excellent through four innings as the starter and Sven Schuller gave two critical innings of scoreless relief to give his team a chance to come back. He would have been the winning pitcher had Ricardo not homered in the bottom of the tenth to win.

The Netherlands wins its first ever bronze medal and 34th overall medal in its history. The fact that this is their worst finish goes to show just how dominant the Dutch have been historically in European baseball. Germany falls short of a medal but 4th place and winning a competitive group D can only be seen as a success especially after a poor 2021 tournament. It’s their best result since their 4th place in 2012.

Spain 11 - 2 Great Britain

The Spanish bats jumped on Austin Hassani early and often to the tune of five first inning runs. The outcome was simply not in doubt thereafter. Four in the sixth and two in the ninth compounded British misery as Spain won it all. And yet, not all was a loss. Team GB takes just its third ever medal and most importantly, shows the baseball world that it has a program on the ascent. Meanwhile the new European champions put their 2022 WBC qualifying campaign behind them and will look to defend the title in the 2025 Euros to be held in Israel.

Pablo Guillen pitched five solid innings to earn the win. The bullpen held the British at bay from there on out. Wander Encarnacion had another big day at the plate, driving in three and homering again. He ends his tournament with 2 HR, 11 RBI, 9 R and a .550 BA to make himself a strong MVP case. Daniel Jimenez had four hits and also drove in three while hot prospect Engel Beltre enjoyed a three hit, 2 RBI day.

For Britain, it simply wasn't to be. Hassani struggles through an inning. Chris Messer was great through the next four to keep hope alive but Jacob Each also struggled as Spain pulled away. Nick Ward did score both runs and homered again though ending his impressive tournament with 2 HR, 8 RBI, 25 TB and an insane 1.805 OPS and can be counted among the stars of the tournament. Harry Ford wrapped up with a 1.305 OPS in spite of an 0 for 4 day.

Spain are the champions and deservedly so. They never showed much weakness in this tournament and presented a robust attack complimented by a dependable, deep pitching staff that subdued even the best lineups.