(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos courtesy of WBSC)
(© Photo: WBSC) |
 European All Stars arrive in Japan and conduct first practice
Nederlands
 KASHIWA (Japan) -
The players and coaching/supporting staffs of the European All Star Team have a arrived in Japan on Wednesday (March 4).
Today (March 5), the team conducted its first practice session.
The team will play a 2-game exhibition series, the Global Baseball Match, against Samurai Japan on March 10 and 11 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.
Team Europe (its official logo and uniforms were unveiled on Wednesday) is led by Manager Steve Janssen, with Marco Mazzieri being the Assistant Manager.
Belgian Janssen is the Manager of reigning European champion Netherlands, while Mazzieri leads the national team of Italy.
The colors of the European All Star Team is ultramarine, which is the blue color used in the uniforms of the Italian national team (La Squadra Azzurra).
Answering questions from Japanese reporters at JR East Ballpark, Janssen said:
,,It's a huge honour to be here and a great opportunity to showcase European baseball.
We are not here for sight-seeing, we are here to win.''
...Diegomar Markwell shows...
...the European uniform...
(© Photo: WBSC) |
On Friday, the team will workout at Giants Stadium and afterwards, the members of Team Europe will visit the Fukushima-region, which was devastated on March 11, 2011 after a tsunami followed a 9.0 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, near Sendai.
The visit is intended to pay tribute and raise awareness of the region's ongoing recovery efforts.
On Saturday, the team will conduct a baseball clinic for school children at Giants Stadium following their practice session.
On Sunday, Team Europe will play a game against the minor league-team of the Yomiuri Giants.
Then on Monday, the final workout is scheduled at QVC Stadium.
Representatives of Samurai Japan and Team Europe will then have a press conference following the workout.
On Tuesday, March 10, the first game between Japan and Europe is scheduled, starting at 6:00 PM local time (10 AM Dutch time).
Team Europe will be the visiting team.
Game 2 will be played on Wednesday, March 11, also starting at 6:00 PM local time (10 AM Dutch time).
In this game, the European squad will be the home team.
A special Opening Ceremony will be held prior to Game 2.
Both games of the Series will be broadcast live in Europe via Eurosport 2.
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...The team is ready for the first practice session... |
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...Japanese reporters have a lot of attention for Loek van Mil, who played in Japan last year... |
...Manager Steve Janssen gives instructions... |
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...Manager Steve Janssen talks with Japanese reporters... |
(© All Photos courtesy of WBSC) |
(March 5)
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