CZECH REPUBLIC – Moscow foiled the Czech National Team bid to become the first squad to capture three consecutive tournament titles at the Prague Baseball Week with a slim 3-2 win in the championship game last Saturday. The Russian team, which finished the week-long competition with a 5-1 record, avenged a 5-4 loss to the two-time defending champion earlier in the week.

Prague Baseball Week was the final preparation for the Czech National Team (4-2) before the 2009 IBAF Baseball World Cup later this year. Head coach Arnošt Nes?al divided playing time for 33 players during the tournament, who are vying for roster spots for the World Cup event.

Final Standings
1. Moscow Club Team
2. Czech Sr. National Team
3. Czech Jr. National Team
4. Swedish National Team
5. Austrian National Team
6. Croatian National Team

The Czech Junior National Team, consisting of players 21 years-old and younger, finished a surprising third with a 3-2 record. The Swedish National Team (3-2) placed fourth followed by the Austrian National Team (1-4) and the Croatian National Team (0-5).

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Saturday, June 27
Swedish National Team 11, Czech Sr. National Team 1
Swedish National Team 12, Croatian National Team 0
Czech Sr. National Team 5, Czech Jr. National Team 0

Championship Game
Moscow Club Team 3, Czech Sr. National Team 2

Friday, June 26
Czech Jr. National Team 12, Austrian National Team 4
Moscow Club Team 7, Austrian National Team 3
Moscow Club Team 12, Croatian National Team 2

Thursday, June 25
Swedish National Team 16, Austrian National Team 5
Moscow Club Team 11, Czech Jr. National Team 6
Czech Sr. National Team 12, Croatian National Team 0

Wednesday, June 24
Czech Sr. National Team 5, Moscow Club Team 4
Moscow Club Team 12, Swedish National Team 5
Czech Jr. National Team 9, Croatian National Team 1

Tuesday, June 23
Czech Jr. National Team 3, Swedish National Team 0
Austrian National Team 13, Croatian National Team 9

Photo courtesy of thepraguepost.com

Tags: Czech Republic