Olympic Qualifier: Netherlands – Italy

Game 15 of the Olympic Qualifier between the Netherlands and Italy was expected by many to be the de facto championship, but instead, the Netherlands used it to claim a place in the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Here are our two live threads from the game, including plenty of pictures and analysis.

We are live from Stadio Gianni Falchi @FortitudoBC1953 for @FIBSpress and @HonkbalSoftbal, set up before the tournament as a potential championship game. Instead, if Italy wins, it wins tiebreakers over the Netherlands and Czech Republic to move to the Intercontinental Qualifier.

— Extra Innings UK (@ExtraInningsUK) September 22, 2019

Game had kind of settled into a plodding rhythm in the middle innings but, with two down in the sixth and @CC20rake on first after a single, Alessandro Vaglio changes all that, unloading a shot to left, celebrating by pretending to bow to Colabello.
🇳🇱 4 – 🇮🇹 3#RoadToTokyo pic.twitter.com/OmL4DeH1aP

— Extra Innings UK (@ExtraInningsUK) September 22, 2019