“I stress but I can’t wait anyway,” says Océane, almost fifteen years old. It is part of the Pharaons of Évry team which welcomes the European Cup of Softball Clubs from August 25 to 30 at home, a cousin of baseball. The eight best European female female clubs will compete to try to win the trophy. The Essonnienne team, winner of the Challenge de France 2024, is the only French in the running.
It is the first international competition for Océane. The young teenager has been playing for four years: “I learned softball here. I came to see first division matches (D1) and it made me want to do it, ”says this native of Évry-Courcouronnes (Essonne).
“They don’t scare me,” says Amber, 20, I know what to expect. There are beautiful teams and beautiful game. ”The young Norman receiver already has a beautiful sporting journey:“ I started by doing baseball. When I was fourteen, I was selected in the French softball team and I continued in a club in Paris before arriving here, ”details the one who is also expected to join the French team for the next European championships.
“We are targeting third place”
“They have a little pressure because they know the level of certain teams,” explains Sophat Chum, their coach. We must be happy to finally face large European teams. They want it. »The big favorites? The Italians of Saronno and the Dutch women of Roef. “We are targeting third place,” he hopes. If we can go to the final, it would be great, but it is unlikely as there are professional teams. We train two to three times a week only. »»
Close to baseball, softball is mainly feminine at high level. “We share 95 % of the rules with baseball,” emphasizes Aurélie Bacelon, club vice-president, the big difference is on the launch. In baseball, it is done over the shoulder while in softball, it is from below. The land is also smaller.
In France, the Pharaons of Évry are among the best teams. “We have played in D1 since 2018,” she continues, “we are finalists every year. It is played a lot with the Comanches of Saint-Raphaël (Var). The two teams won the French challenge three times.
To go as far as possible, Pharaons can count on the reinforcement of five international players. Among them, Candela Figueroa, official recipient of the Argentina team and former professional player in Mexico. “Foreign players have experienced the high level so they will be able to take the rest of the team,” says Sophat Chum. “We started the preparation on August 18 with a training per day of an hour and a half,” adds the man who has been training the female team for a year. The goal is to know yourself and give birth to cohesion between all girls. »»
First French match this Monday evening
This is the first time that the Essonnian capital has housed the highest level of European softball. For Stéphane Beaudet, the mayor (SE) of Évry-Courcouronnes, “it is a very great pride” to welcome these 130 athletes. “I find it great because it is a local initiative at the start,” he said, recalling that the club owes its name to the Pyramid district where it was born in 1984. The competition will take place at the Field pharaohs, “the only land in France authorized to welcome international softball competitions”, according to Sophat Chum.
The organization of the event is managed by the host club. “All that is restoration is a big investment,” notes Aurélie Bacelon. Both the refreshment bar for the public but also meals for teams. “In addition to the matches, there will also be entertainment:” We do not want it to be a time that sportsman. There will be artists every day, ”continues the one that has been part of the club for twenty years. Between 100 and 150 people are expected every evening and “up to 400 on the day of the finals”.
“Everyone is looking forward to starting,” says the coach. The Pharaons start their competition against the formidable Italian this Monday, August 25 at 8:30 p.m.
European Softball Clubs Cup, from August 25 to 30 at the Field Pharaohs, rue du Stade, in Évry-Courcouronnes. Matches between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day (six a day). Free entry.
Key Matchups and tournament insights
To provide a deeper dive into the European Softball clubs Cup, hereS a comparative table that breaks down key data points and offers unique perspectives to enhance your understanding of this exciting competition:
| Category | Details | Pharaons of Évry | Saronno (Italy) | Roef (Netherlands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Ranking | Current European Ranking | N/A (french Champions) | Historically top 2 | Historically Top 2 |
| Key Players | Notable Players to Watch | Candela Figueroa (international, Argentina); Team roster detailed locally | Specific player names from Saronno | Specific player names from Roef |
| Offensive Strategy | Typical Game Approach | Focus on strong fielding, capitalizing on international experience. | Offensive powerhouse, known for consistent run production. | Known for high-scoring games |
| Defensive Strategy | Defensive Strengths | Solid defensive positioning, capitalizing on pitching | Very tough with strong defense | Very tough with strong defense |
| Training Regime | Weekly training hours | 2-3 times per week | More hours due to professional status | More hours due to professional status |
| Home Advantage | Impact of playing at home | Critically important, at ‘Field Pharaohs’, the only international-approved field in France. | N/A | N/A |
| Historical Performance | Past Tournament Results | Challenge de France Champions (2024) | Frequent contender | Frequent contender |
this table allows you to perform some comparisons and see in-depth what each team can offer. Additional details on team rosters and potential player insights will be available at the stadium or online during the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most common questions peopel ask about the European Softball Clubs Cup and the Pharaons of Évry, with clear and concise answers to keep you informed. These frequently asked Q&A’s are designed to give you a [[3]] complete picture!
- What is the European Softball Clubs Cup?
- It’s a premier international softball tournament featuring the top women’s softball clubs from across Europe, a true measure of what the [[1]] complete game is at the top tier.
- Where is the tournament being held?
- The tournament will be held at the Field pharaohs in Évry-Courcouronnes, France.
- When is the tournament taking place?
- the tournament starts on August 25th and continues through August 30th.
- Who are the main teams to watch?
- Keep an eye on the Pharaons of Évry (France), Saronno (Italy), and Roef (Netherlands). the competition will be [[2]] complete with tough competition.
- What is the Pharaons of Évry’s strategy?
- The Pharaons are focusing on strong fielding, leveraging their international players and on building team cohesion.
- What are the key differences between softball and baseball?
- there are many parallels. The two biggest differences are the pitching style (underhand in softball vs. overhand in baseball) and the field size (softball fields are generally smaller).
- Is there an entry fee to attend the games?
- No, entry to the games is free of charge, making it a great community event.
- What else is happening besides the matches?
- There will be entertainment and artists performing every day to enhance the game experience.
- Who is the coach of the Pharaons of Évry?
- The team is coached by Sophat Chum.
- How can I get further details?
- Visit the event website (if available), follow the Pharaons of Évry on social media, or go to the stadium for daily updates!
