Great Britain secured the silver medal at the Blind EuroBaseball 2025 tournament after falling to hosts Italy in Sunday’s final.
The British side booked their place in the championship game with their third win of the competition on Saturday, defeating the Netherlands to advance where they would meet Italy, who were looking to defend their European crown.
Rain delayed the start of both medal matches on Sunday, but once play got underway, Italy wasted little time in asserting their dominance.
Just as they had in Saturday’s encounter, the Italians came out strong, scoring five runs in the opening inning and stretching their advantage to 7–0 by the third. Meanwhile, Great Britain created chances but were unable to capitalise, leaving runners stranded in the first two innings.
A spirited fightback came in the fourth inning as Lewis Anderson and Ray Clements crossed the plate to bring the score to 7–2. However, neither side added to the tally in the final two innings, leaving Italy to clinch the gold medal with a 7–2 victory.
“A great team performance, so proud of all the players. We know now that we are not far off competing with the top teams in the world” said Head Coach, John Eaton “Not bad for a country that has only been playing the sport for 6 years, with 18 months lost due to covid.“
Despite the result, the British team can hold their heads high. This silver medal marks another significant step forward for GB Blind Baseball, showcasing their progress and potential on the European stage.
“The GB Blind baseball team’s silver medal is a fantastic achievement and puts into focus the real commitment and skill these athletes and coaches bring to the sport” said BBF President, Richard Evans.
Photos courtesy of Laurie Salfred-Ingram
Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and volunteers who made this achievement possible.