Bologna and Rimini faceoff for the 50th EU Champions Cup
It all starts tonight, Thursday the 1st of August at “Gianni Falchi” stadium in Bologna, we’re taking about the best of three finals of the 2013 European Champions Cup between Unipol Bologna and the Rimini Pirates. The two clubs will take the field on Thursday in Bolonga (21.00), Friday in Rimini (21.00), with an in necessary game scheduled for Saturday in Rimini (21.00), as the 50th addition of the EU Champions Cup is on the line.
Tonight in Bologna will be the first time since 1985 that the city has hosted the finals for this prestigious international cup. The stadium is expected to be packed with extra events to go along with the ball game between Unipol Bologna and the Rimini Pirates. The extras include cuisine thanks to a partnership with Ascom, Harley Davidson bikes that will take the filed before the game, along with FIBS paying tribute to each club that has won the EU Cup Championship at least once in it first . Finally, before game time, Sabrina Del Mastio (the Blue Girls Pianoro di Softball – Captain) will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Unipol Bologna’s manager, Marco Nanni, has already made the decision to go with his foreign ace Rivero (Italian Baseball Leagues top rated pitcher), as his starting pitcher in game one on Thursday. “We’re gonna look to take this important game one on our turf, before we have to move into hostile territory on Friday (Rimini’s home field).. One inning, one pitch at a time.” Nanni. Going in game two will be Matteo D’Angelo, who will be given the task of either bring home the cup for the second straight year, or defending the changing of hands. Not available over the weekend will be Richetti, the righty is still suffering from back problems that started two weeks back in a series with Parma. As for the rest of the names on Nanni’s roster, everyone should be available.
On the other side of the diamond, Chris Catanoso’s club will be coming into this weekend at full strength. Rimini’s potent offense and solid mound have been on a role thus far in the IBL regular season as well as in international play, an obvious observation as they are now play for the EU champions cup. The one piece of the puzzle that Catanoso wont have available will be Castro, who is not eligible due to foreigner rules. Filling in at third will be Gomez and getting the start at second will be Babini.
RaiSport 2 will have the game one of this best of three series live from Bologna on Thursday evening, while the sports channel will begin its broadcasts of games two and a possible game three at 22.30 on Friday and Saturday, however the streaming will begin on time and can be watched on the RaiSport website. For those interested in , it can be followed by visiting the Confederation of European Baseball website ().
Game 1 – Bologna at 21.00
Game 2 – Rimini at 21.00
Game 3 (if necessary) – Rimini at 21.00
