Bologna, Nettuno win respective pools, advance to Final Four; San Marino stumbles

Three teams from the Italian Baseball League were involved in the first phase of the 12-team Confederation of European Baseball (CEB) 2012 European Cup for Clubs. 

Nettuno was part of a six-team pool in Rotterdam, while San Marino and Bologna got tickets to the six-team pool in San Marino.

The results coming out of Rotterdam and San Marino, and from past Club championships, could allow of the Italian Baseball League to make a strong argument, or confirm rather, that the IBL has far and away the deepest field of any league in Europe.

IBL teams placed first in pool action, with Nettuno finishing first in Rotterdam and Bologna besting the San Marino pool.

Nettuno and Bologna earned berths for the Final Four, and they will join Amsterdam (NED) and Rouen (FRA) in Rotterdam, Haarlem & Utrecht (NED) in September.

Both Bologna and Nettuno only dropped one game.  Draci (CZE) bounced Bologna, while Barcelona (ESP) inflicted Nettuno with their only loss.           

Despite the home field advantage, San Marino was not able to get by pool play and secure a ticket for   the Final Four.  San Marino dropped games to Bologna and Amsterdam.

Last year, three out of the “Final Four” clubs came out of the Italian Baseball League and since the establishment of the European Cup “Final Four” back in 2008, all champions have originated from the IBL.

Both Amsterdam (NED) and Rouen (FRA) will be gunning for the IBL squads in Rotterdam, Haarlem & Utrecht (NED) from 07-16 September when the Final Four battle begins.

See Final Standings: