From the 19th until the 24th of August, three different European Cups have been played. After six days full of softball in Bollate (Italy), Prague (the Czech Republic) and Dupnitsa (Bulgaria), the winners of the Women's European Cups 2019 are here.

Women's European Premiere Cup
The final of the Premiere Cup was a battle between the Italians. After winning all of their games in the opening round as well as in the winners group, it became clear pretty quick that Bollate (ITA) was the first team to qualify for the finals. In the bottom first inning, Bollate started off very strong. Because of a double by Jamee Juarez and an error on Bussolengo's side, they took a 2:0 lead in the first inning. From then on, up until the bottom fifth inning no team was able to score more runs. It was Bollate that then expanded to a 3:0 lead because of a hit by Elisa Cecchetti. However, Bussolengo didn't agree with this and so in the top sixth inning, Nerissa Myers did a great job as she tied the game with her 3RBI homerun. In the end, Bollate proved to be the strongest team. After Lara Cecchetti hit a triple, it was Laura Bigatton that brought her home by hitting a sacrifice fly ball into center field. Bollate wins the Women's European Premiere Cup 2019 with 4:3. 
The bronze medal game was played between Olympia Haarlem (NED) and Zraloci Ledenice (CZE). Both teams started off good with a run in the first inning. With Zraloci scoring two more runs and Olympia scoring three more runs in the third inning, it was Olympia that took 4:3 lead. After Olympia changed their pitcher to Ilona Andringa in the bottom fourth, the Czechs weren't able to score any more runs for the rest of the game. However, this wasn't the case for the Dutch; their bats were on fire and so they scored four more runs in the 5th. Olympia Haarlem goes home with the bronze medal with a 8:3 win over Zraloci Ledenice. 

Find the final standings of the tournament here.

Women's European Cup Winners Cup
The final game of the Winners Cup was played between Forlì (ITA) and Terrasvogels (NED). In the opening round, both teams won all of their five games to remain undefeated. Both teams had met up in an earlier game in the winners group, where Forlì won the game by 12:0. The Dutch knew they had a tough job to do. The final game was something completely different. Up until the fifth inning, it was Terrasvogels that was leading 2:1. However, in the top fifth inning Forlì let their bats speak. With two singles, a double and a triple they scored three more runs and took the lead by 2:4. In the end, this seemed to be enough as Terrasvogels wasn't able to score any more runs. Ending the game with a fly out, Forlì won the gold medal at the Women's European Cup Winners Cup. 
The bronze medal game of this cup was played between Rivas (ESP) and host team Eagles Praha (CZE). Until the fourth inning, both teams weren't able to score any runs and so the score remained 0:0. It was Rivas that scored the first four runs of the game in the fourth and fifth inning. However, in the bottom fifth, Eagles Praha decreased the difference as they scored three runs but unfortunately for them, it wasn't enough. Rivas took home the bronze medal with a 4-3 win over Eagles Praha. 

Find the final standings of the tournament here.

Women's European Cup
The final game was not exactly what you would expect it to be. Up until the final, their were two teams that still remained undefeated; Atletico San Sebastian (ESP) and The Mix (GBR). The Spanish bats spoke from the beginning as they took an early 4:0 lead in the first inning. The Mix had a tough time getting a grip on pitcher Stella Turazzi as she didn't allow any runs in the whole game. With Atletico San Sebastian scoring four more runs in the second, one in the third and one in the fourth, the game had an early ending because of the mercy rule. Atletico San Sebastian is the winner of the Women's European Cup 2019 and qualifies for the Premiere Cup in 2020 with their 10:0 win against The Mix. 
The bronze medal game was played between Skövde Saints (SWE) and Hørsholm (DEN). Up until the fourth inning, nothing really crazy happened in this game. With a couple of hits, Hørsholm took a 0:1 lead in the second inning. However, the fourth inning was when the real action happened. Because of an RBI single by Michelle Bauer and a 3RBI homerun by Celina McKenzie, the Hørsholm Barracudas quickly expanded their lead to 0:5. Some more singles and doubles in the seventh inning made sure of a 0:7 lead. As it was the seventh inning, the Saints knew they had a tough job to do. There seemed to be a little spark of hope with Rhianna Rich her RBI triple, but unfortunately it wasn't enough. The Hørsholm Barracudas went home with the bronze medal with a 1:7 win over the Skövde Saints. 

Find the final standings of the tournament here.

/Cover photo by Jan Benes/
- Romy Marinus -