The Parma Clima baseball squad arrived in Brno, Czech Republic, ahead of the European Champions Cup Final Four, with manager Marcello Saccardi declaring the team’s intention to win.
Defending their status as Italian champions, the roster held a training session at the Brno City Baseball Stadium, the official venue for the tournament. Following the workout, the technical staff attended an official meeting where tournament organizers unveiled the official rosters for all participating clubs. Parma enters the final stage carrying history and ambition, targeting what would be the club’s sixteenth victory in Europe’s premier club competition.
Tournament Schedule and Semifinal Matchups
Action at the Brno City Baseball Stadium begins Saturday, September 26. Parma Clima opens its tournament campaign against Spain’s Tenerife Marlins at 12:00 local time. The second semifinal follows at 19:00, featuring Dutch powerhouse Curaçao Neptunus of Rotterdam against host side Draci Brno.
The placement and championship games are scheduled for Sunday, September 27. The third-place playoff takes the field at 11:00, while the European Champions Cup final for the 1°–2° spot is set for 18:00. Free live broadcasts of all matches will be streamed on the official tournament website and the YouTube channel of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation.
Roster Reinforcements and Pitching Strategy
To bolster their chances at the continental crown, Parma added pitcher Madan and utility player Concepcion to their squad after both finished the domestic season with Macerata. Saccardi praised the depth of his group, singling out Concepcion as a dangerous bat that any manager would want in a lineup.
“Madan, I can anticipate it in defiance of all pre-tactics, will be our starting pitcher in the semifinal match,” Saccardi stated regarding his rotation. Behind Madan, the pitching staff includes Figueredo, Cruz, Kourtis, Bocchi, Scotti, Rivera, and Infante. Saccardi noted that decisions regarding Sunday evening’s potential final rotation will wait until the final out of the semifinal.
Parma arrives with a nearly empty medical room. Catcher Mineo has recovered from his injury, and Astorri is fully available for selection. Saccardi emphasized that in single-elimination play, early execution dictates success. Moving runners along the bases from the opening innings will form the core of the tactical approach.
Scouting Tenerife Marlins and the Opposition
Parma approaches their Spanish opponents with deep respect, acknowledging Tenerife’s domestic success in securing both the Spanish league title and the national cup. Saccardi noted familiarity with several Spanish players, pointing out that Guillen, Perez, and Encarnacion previously played in Italy, while Ustariz, Valerio, Hernandez, Peres, and Galvan present formidable threats at the plate.
The Tenerife pitching staff presents distinct challenges, anchored by Cuban-born left-hander Silva and Sierra, who carries extensive experience within the Houston organization. Saccardi warned his players against complacency, stressing strict defensive discipline.
In the opposite bracket, Curaçao Neptunus enters as the analytical favorite against Draci Brno, though Saccardi cautioned against writing off the Czech hosts. “The Dutch are favorites, but they will have to be very careful,” Saccardi observed. “Brno plays hard, has dangerous bats, and can count on the support of their home fans.”
Connecting with Supporters Back Home
Fans unable to travel to the Czech Republic will gather at the Circolo dei Dipendenti della Sanità in Parma—located on Via Confalonieri-Casati, next to the Cavalli stadium—to follow the weekend games together.
“It is an initiative that gives us great pleasure,” Saccardi said. “There is a strong turnout, and we feel that a wonderful atmosphere has been created around the team. We will put all our energy into making our supporters happy once again.”
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