Italy started the European Youth Baseball5 Championship in Policoro with two hard-fought victories in three sets against Spain and Bulgaria, according to FIBS.
The Azzurri opened their tournament campaign at the ParaErcole facility by defeating tournament favorites Spain 2-1, before securing an identical 2-1 victory over Bulgaria later that evening, as reported. Manager Maurizio Balla led his squad through both opening tests in Basilicata, where 13 national teams have gathered for the continental competition running through Saturday, November 14, 2026. The finalissima of the event is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at 17:30.
Facing a Spanish national side that had never previously lost an official match in the Youth category, Italy claimed a 12-2 victory in the opening set. Spain rebounded to take the second frame 8-3 and built a 5-1 lead in the second inning of the decisive third set.
The Azzurri rallied by scoring eight runs across the fourth and fifth innings to overturn the deficit and secure the result. “Avere la presenza di confrontarci in casa con le migliori nazionali europee è qualcosa di molto importante e uno stimolo ulteriore per tutto il movimento”, said Maurizio Balla, head coach of the Italian national team, as Basilicatadigitalchannel.com reported.
Following the morning triumph against Spain, Italy returned to the field on Wednesday evening to face Bulgaria, taking the first set 10-0, according to FIBS. Bulgaria responded by winning the second frame 10-4, but the Azzurri secured the match by claiming the third set 6-0.
“In questi mesi abbiamo lavorato con le ragazze e i ragazzi cercando di costruire un gruppo equilibrato, capace di esprimersi al meglio sia nella fase offensiva sia in quella difensiva”, Balla told Basilicatadigitalchannel.com during the tournament presentation.
The group stage continues on Thursday, November 12, 2026, with Italy facing Croatia at 12:30 and Belgium at 15:30, before concluding the first phase against France on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 11:00, according to Baseball.it. The top three national teams from each group advance to a six-team Super Round, carrying over head-to-head results from the opening phase.
The top four finishers in the Super Round will contest the medal matches, while the remaining teams play for final placements from seventh to thirteenth place. “Il nostro obiettivo è confermarci tra le migliori sei squadre d’Europa, cercando al tempo stesso di compiere un ulteriore passo avanti”, Balla said to Baseball.it.
“Il 2026 rappresenta un anno particolarmente importante per la crescita e lo sviluppo del Baseball5 in Italia”, said Sergio Piccinini, Federal Councillor with responsibility for Baseball5.
“Il percorso è iniziato con le finali del primo Campionato Italiano Élite a Treviso e del Campionato Youth proprio qui a Policoro ed è proseguito con la splendida esperienza dei Giochi del Mediterraneo a Taranto, il Trofeo CONI e la School Cup”, Piccinini said.
Ospitare un internazionale dopo due anni è motivo di grande orgoglio per Policoro.
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