A thunderstorm complicated Monday’s evening program a little bit, six games had to be canceled and re-scheduled for the next day.

Softball Monday started with a beautiful act of love. Before the Sweden against Israel game started, Swedish head coach proposed to his girlfriend at the home plate in Bollate.

No surprises on Monday

Most of the potentially deciding games were supposed to be played in the evening, so the fans have to keep their expectations and hopes alive for one more day.

All the other games finished according to expectations. Unlike Ireland in its first two games on Sunday, none of the underdogs surprised their fans with a win.

A one-run game

There was really just one very tight game – Belgium versus Ukraine.

Ukraine was close to scoring in the top of the first inning already, but their runner from the second base was tagged out at home plate after a good throw from the center field.

In the second, Belgium had their runner on the third, but a
strikeout ruined their hopes.

Ukraine woke up again in the sixth and was close to scoring, again – strikeout was the third out if the inning.

Finally, in the bottom of the sixth, the spectators saw the only run of the game. Ukraine made to errors, and then a sacrifice fly decided the game.

Proposal at the home plate

When teams Sweden and Israel were getting ready for their game, one special girl was invited on to the field. The Swedish National Team head coach, Mattias Grimstoft, took his girlfriend to the home plate in Bollate field, kneeled on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend Alexandra. Alexandra, a softball player of the Swedish club Skovde, said yes. “I was so nervous,” said Mattias, “that I rather didn’t tell anybody.” We wish the couple all the best!

WHAT NOT TO MISS ON TUESDAY

France and Spain will fight for the second spot in their group. The winner advances to the playoffs, loser remains in the placement bracket.

Austria has its last chance to advance to the top eight in the game against the Czech Republic.

Belgium can complicate the situation in group D with a possible win over Russia.

First playoff games are scheduled for the evening, all number on teams from the round robin pools will take on the number two teams.

take on the number two teams.

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-Helena Novotna-