BK Zagreb punches ticket for Croatia to the Baseball European Federation Cup 2024 winning in Hungary

The gold medal game of the Hungarian pool of the Baseball European Federation Cup Qualifier 2023 was a very close one, tied until the fourth inning.

It was BK Zagreb that ultimately broke the stalemate, seizing a one-run lead in the fifth inning. Building on their momentum, the Croatian team extended their advantage to two runs in the sixth inning, securing a hard-fought victory, 3-5, and earning a coveted spot at the Baseball European Federation Cup 2024 for Croatia.

Over the course of five days, the Budapest Red Wolves Baseball & Softball Ballpark served as the venue for a total of 15 games. Seven teams from Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, Lithuania, Finland, and Romania, participated in the competition.

The final standings of the event saw BK Zagreb claim the top spot. The silver medal went to the Sofia Blues. The Budapest Red Wolves, as the host nation's representative, secured the third position. Angels Trnava from Slovakia finished fourth, followed respectively by Utenos Titanai from Lithuania, Tampere Tigers from Finland, and CS Leaders Călărași from Romania.

Results, and statistics from the Baseball European Federation Cup Qualifier 2023 Hungarian pool, all the pertinent information can be accessed on the official WBSC Europe event's website.

BK Zagreb's victory follows the ones of Mariners Baseball Ireland (IRL) in Sweden and the London Mets (GBR) in Poland at the other Baseball European Federation Cup Qualifiers.

Cover photo by Pere Johanna