Women's Softball European Championship 2017

Day Two: Ukraine & Belgium Go Down To The Wire At European Championship

Day Two: Ukraine & Belgium Go Down To The Wire At European Championship

Day Two: Ukraine & Belgium go down to the Wire at the Women's Softball European Championship

Jun 27, 2017 by FloSoftball Staff
Day Two: Ukraine & Belgium Go Down To The Wire At European Championship
A thunderstorm complicated Monday’s evening program with six games canceled and rescheduling for the next day.

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Monday started with a beautiful act of love. Before the Sweden/Israel game started, the Swedish head coach proposed to his girlfriend at the home plate in Bollate.

No Surprises On Monday
Most of the potentially deciding games was supposed to be played in the evening, so the fans have to keep their expectations and hopes alive for one more day.
All the other games finished according to plan. Unlike Ireland in its first two games on Sunday, none of the underdogs surprised their fans with a win.

Belgium & Ukraine Go Down To The Wire
There was just one very tight game – Belgium versus Ukraine.

Ukraine was close to scoring in the top of the first inning already, but their runner from the second base was tagged out at home plate after a strong throw from the center field.

In the second, Belgium had their runner on the third, but a strikeout ruined their hopes.

Ukraine's offense woke up again in the sixth and was close to scoring, again – but a strikeout was the third out if the inning.

Finally, in the bottom of the sixth, the spectators saw the only run of the game. Ukraine made two errors, and then a sacrifice fly that decided the game.

At Home To Propose
When teams Sweden and Israel were getting ready for their game, one special girl was invited on to the field. The Swedish National Team head coach, Mattias Grimstoft, took his girlfriend to the home plate in Bollate field, kneeled on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend Alexandra. Alexandra, a softball player of the Swedish club Skovde, said yes. “I was so nervous,” said Mattias, “that I rather didn’t tell anybody.” We wish the couple all the best!

What To Watch For On Tuesday
France and Spain will fight for the second spot in their group. The winner advances to the playoffs, loser remains in the placement bracket.

Austria has its last chance to advance to the top eight in the game against the Czech Republic.

Belgium can complicate the situation in group D with a possible win over Russia.

First playoff games are scheduled for the evening, all number on teams from the round robin pools will take on the number two teams.

See Current Standings