Team Italy U18 manager Francesco Aluffi spoke highly of his young and talented Azzurre baseball squad. He said, "We were very confident in this group at the start, and I think we did a great job in building the team's dynamics. The boys have played well as they have been together for many years. We have made a good impression and perhaps surprised those who doubted us. Our team's talent combined with the great passion of our coaches has led us to the semi-finals. Up to this point, our hitters appear to have an edge and have exercised patience at the plate when necessary. I depend on the whole squad. Everyone has to contribute."
Team Italy captain Samuele Gamberini has been a big contributor to the success of the Azzurre squad and currently is the U18 European Baseball Championship leader in hits (7), home runs (1) and RBI (10). With a .583 batting average (fourth best in Euros) and 1.000 slugging percentage (second best in Euros), the modest Team Italy slugger has been dominant against opposing pitchers. He said, "I'm happier for the team's results than for mine. I think we have earned the right to be a semi-finalist." Samuele Gamberini and other Team Italy hitters have adopted the way MLB All-Stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and other San Diego Padres celebrate hits produced when arriving on base by bringing the palm of their hands upwards and rotating their index fingers in a clockwise direction as if they are #HungryForMore. Samuele Gamberini confessed, "We have seen it done in MLB. It is a sign that we exchange to others in the team dugout when we get hits."
All the U18 European Baseball Championship games are streaming live at www.baseballsoftball.tv. The Euro Championship semi-finals on July 10, 2021 and the Euro Championship final game on July 11, 2021 will also be broadcast live on FIBSTV.com.
The two top teams from the U18 European Baseball Championship qualify for the U18 Baseball World Cup at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida from September 10-19, 2021. Forza #Italia! #PerBill
by Roberto Angotti
Read also: FIBSTV.com presents Team Italy U18 Euro Baseball Championship semi-final game on July 10, 2021 at 2 pm (ET)
(Photo of Team Italy captain Samuele Gamberini celebrating his triple against Israel in the U18 European Baseball Championship by Lynx Prod.)
