Italy repeat as Women's Softball European Champions, advance to World Cup along with Netherlands, Great Britain
Italy captured back-to-back continental titles with a dramatic 4-3 win over the Netherlands in the final of the Women’s Softball European Championship, played in Prague, Czechia.
With the victory, world No. 10 Italy, No. 6 Netherlands and No. 12 Great Britain secured Europe’s three spots in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2026/2027, which will open next year with the Group Stage.
Isabella Dayton scored the championship-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Elisa Cecchetti singled to centre, Dayton came all the way around to score on a fielding error.
The Netherlands outhit Italy 8-4 and jumped to a 3-0 lead after two innings, but the Italians fought back with two runs in the third and one in the fifth to tie the game. Italian reliever Ilaria Cacciamani kept the Dutch bats quiet, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings and striking out two key hitters - Laura Wissink and Jansen - in the top of the eighth before inducing a flyout from Damishah Charles.
In the bronze medal game, Great Britain rallied past No. 15 Spain, 4-2, to clinch a World Cup berth. Ace Georgina Corrick struck out 14 in a complete-game effort, while a Spanish error in the bottom of the fifth opened the door for a decisive three-run rally.
Italy, Netherlands and Great Britain will join No. 2 USA, No. 10 Australia, No. 11 Czechia and No. 18 Peru (hosts); No. 3 Puerto Rico, No. 4 Canada, No. 7 Mexico, No. 13 Cuba and No. 14 Venezuela (Americas); and No. 1 Japan, No. 5 Chinese Taipei and No. 10 China (Asia).
A total of 21 national teams competed in the week-long championship. You can check the results here, and the full standings here.