About the competition
GB aare competing in the WBSCe Men's Slowpitch European Championship, thaking place from 24 to 27 June 2026. The championship features four national teams — Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands — competing in a round-robin format followed by the final phase.
Games will be played at the Borgerhout Squirrels field, starting on Wednesday, 24 June, with games including Great Britain vs Netherlands and Ireland vs Belgium, followed by additional games throughout the day. The opening ceremony will also take place on the first day of competition.
The round-robin stage continues on Thursday, 25 June, and Friday, 26 June, ensuring all teams have multiple opportunities to compete and determine their final ranking heading into the decisive phase.
The championship will conclude on Saturday, 27 June, with the final games.
We will update this page with reports on each game.
Game 6
Great Britain overcome Ireland to complete strong round robin campaign
Great Britain completed the round robin stage of the III WBSC Europe Men’s Slowpitch European Championship with an 11-6 victory over Ireland, securing their place in the championship final after a hard-fought contest played in extreme conditions in Borgerhout.
With on-field temperatures reaching a remarkable 43°C, the final round robin game proved to be a true test of endurance for both teams. Despite the heat, Great Britain produced another disciplined performance, combining timely hitting with solid defence to edge a competitive Irish side.
The British offence struck first in the opening inning when Joshua Stanley and Aaron Thomas both crossed the plate, driven in by Tom Russell to establish an early 2-1 advantage.
Ireland continued to battle throughout the early innings and the game remained closely contested. Great Britain added another run in the second inning as George Bartlett’s single brought Eric Lukazewski home, before further pressure in the third saw GB convert hits from Stanley and Russell to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
With energy levels understandably beginning to fade in the intense afternoon heat, every run became increasingly valuable. Great Britain found the decisive breakthrough in the sixth inning when Christopher Yoxall, Andrew Greener, Luis Allan Arrevillagas and Michael MacDowell all came around to score during a four-run rally.
MacDowell, entering the game from the bench for Adam Hugill, delivered one of the key moments of the inning by driving in two crucial runs to help create the breathing space Great Britain needed to see out the contest.
Ireland continued to compete until the final out and once again demonstrated the quality and determination that has become synonymous with their programme, but Great Britain remained composed to close out an 11-6 victory and finish the preliminary round strongly.
Head Coach Dan Spinks reflected on both the performance and the spirit of the tournament.
“The last game of the day was a real test of endurance with the temperatures on the field reaching 43 degrees. The players gave everything they had. Ireland once again showed why we always enjoy competing against their programme and the game was decided by only a few key moments.”
Spinks also recognised the contribution of every nation involved in the championship.
“The GB Slowpitch programme would like to recognise all the teams competing at this year’s championship. Maintaining momentum within competitive men’s slowpitch across Europe is incredibly important. We’d love to see an even larger tournament in the future, but we sincerely thank the Netherlands, Ireland and our valued hosts Belgium for their commitment to making this championship possible.”
The victory completed Great Britain’s round robin campaign and sent the team into the championship final full of confidence after another resilient team performance in demanding conditions.
Next Up
Following an opportunity to refuel, re-energise and recover from the extreme heat, Great Britain will meet the Netherlands at 16:30 CET (15:30 BST) in the gold medal game, with the 2026 WBSC Europe Men’s Slowpitch European Championship title on the line.
Game 5
Great Britain book place in championship final with convincing win over Belgium
Great Britain booked their place in the championship final with a commanding 20-7 victory over Belgium at the III WBSC Europe Men’s Slowpitch European Championship in Borgerhout. Three superbly turned double plays in the opening innings laid the platform before the British bats erupted to secure a convincing victory.
After both teams exchanged two runs in the opening inning, Great Britain remained patient as the defence repeatedly denied Belgium the opportunity to build momentum. Three expertly executed double plays across the opening innings kept the hosts in check and provided the platform for the offence to take control.
The breakthrough came in the third inning when Michael MacDowell launched a three-run home run to centre field, turning a tightly contested game into a 6-2 Great Britain advantage and firmly shifting the momentum in GB’s favour.
Great Britain continued to build on that lead in the fourth inning. Matthew Tomlin sparked the rally with a leadoff hit before Jake Elmy delivered a welcome home run as part of a seven-run inning that effectively put the contest beyond Belgium.
The pressure continued in the fifth inning as Andrew Greener opened with a hard-hit line drive to the outfield before further key hits from Joshua Stanley kept the offence moving. Elmy then added his second home run of the game to cap another productive inning as Great Britain extended their lead to 20-7.
While the offence stole the headlines, the defensive performance was equally impressive. The early double plays ensured Belgium were unable to capitalise on scoring opportunities, allowing Great Britain to dictate the tempo of the game before their bats came alive.
Head Coach Dan Spinks praised both the performance and the contribution made throughout the roster.
“The heat is definitely a factor here and the players are giving absolutely everything. We’re making full use of the depth of the squad to manage these conditions, and every player continues to make an important contribution. We’ve challenged the players to have more fun and free up their offensive power, and that’s exactly what they did today. It’s a strong result which solidifies our place in the standings.”
The victory moved Great Britain to 3-2 in the championship and effectively secured their place in the tournament final. It was another complete team performance, combining disciplined defence, timely hitting and contributions throughout the lineup as GB continued to build momentum at exactly the right stage of the competition.
Game 4
Early GB power not enough as Netherlands claim second victory
Great Britain produced another determined offensive display but were unable to overcome a powerful Netherlands side, falling 23-10 in their second meeting of the third WBSC Europe Men’s Slowpitch European Championship in Borgerhout.
The contest exploded into life from the opening inning. After the Dutch scored four runs in the top half, Great Britain responded immediately. Tom Russell drove in two runs with a double before Michael MacDowell followed with another extra-base hit. Duncan Waugh then delivered the biggest blow of the inning, launching a three-run home run to centre field as GB surged into a 5-4 lead.
The Netherlands answered with a six-run second inning to regain control despite Great Britain continuing to create scoring opportunities. Aaron Thomas opened the British response with a leadoff single before Matthew Tomlin worked a walk and George Bartlett drove in runs with a triple following an overthrow.
Great Britain continued to battle throughout the game. Joshua Stanley collected a triple in the fourth inning before further British pressure closed out the frame, while Michael MacDowell added a home run later in the contest to keep GB within touching distance.
Duncan Waugh and Adam Hugill continued the offensive pressure with hard-hit singles, demonstrating the depth of Great Britain’s batting lineup against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Defensively, Joshua Smith produced one of the highlights of the game with a spectacular diving stop at shortstop before completing an outstanding throw from his knees to record the out at one. Great Britain also continued to battle in the field despite the relentless pressure applied by the Dutch offence.
Although the Netherlands gradually extended their advantage, Great Britain continued to compete until the final out, once again showing the attacking quality that has become a hallmark of their tournament performances.
The result leaves Great Britain with a 2-2 record after four games, with encouraging offensive displays providing confidence heading into the remainder of the championship.
Game 3
Great Britain outslug Ireland to continue winning momentum
Great Britain made it back-to-back victories at the third WBSC Europe Men’s Slowpitch European Championship with an impressive 23-18 win over Ireland in a high-scoring contest in Borgerhout.
Ireland made a fast start, scoring four runs in the opening inning to put early pressure on the British side. Great Britain responded immediately, with Joshua Stanley drawing a walk before Michael MacDowell drove in a run with a deep hit to right field to keep GB within striking distance.
The game swung firmly in Great Britain’s favour during a productive second inning. Jake Elmy and Andrew Greener both reached safely before Adam Hugill drew a walk to load the bases. Joshua Smith delivered a crucial RBI double before MacDowell worked another walk to reload the bases. Joseph Grantham then produced one of the biggest hits of the game, driving the ball to the fence to clear the bases and spark a sustained offensive rally that forced Ireland into a pitching change. Great Britain continued to capitalise, extending their lead with disciplined hitting throughout the lineup.
The British offence maintained its momentum through the middle innings. Grantham again ignited the attack with a leadoff single in the fourth before Greener doubled and Matthew Tomlin added an RBI single. Smith followed with a triple to continue the pressure.
In the fifth inning, Grantham once again set the tone by drawing a leadoff walk. Eric Lukazewski added a double before Duncan Waugh lined a two-run single into left field, further extending Great Britain’s advantage.
Defensively, Great Britain tightened up as the game progressed. Aaron Thomas produced an outstanding diving stop at third base during a quick three-up, three-down sixth inning, helping preserve the lead and maintain the momentum heading into the closing stages.
Great Britain’s patient approach at the plate, combined with timely hitting throughout the lineup, proved decisive as they overcame Ireland’s fast start to record their second consecutive victory.
The result moved Great Britain to 2-1 in the championship and continued the positive momentum built following their victory over hosts Belgium.
Game 2
Great Britain Claim First Victory with Strong Team Performance Against Belgium
Great Britain bounced back from their opening game defeat to record an impressive 18-10 victory over hosts Belgium on day one of the third WBSC Europe Men’s Slowpitch European Championship in Borgerhout.
The result moves GB to 1-1 in the tournament and was built on a combination of disciplined hitting, strong defence and an outstanding all-round performance from George Bartlett.
From the first pitch to the final out, Bartlett delivered a composed and controlled performance in the circle. Great Britain retired Belgium’s leadoff hitter on a foul fly ball to begin the game and never relinquished control, with Bartlett’s intensity and energy helping to drive the team’s performance on both sides of the ball while also contributing offensively at the plate.
After a scoreless opening inning, Great Britain opened the scoring in the second before taking control of the contest with a six-run third inning. The rally was sparked by a series of quality at-bats, with key hits from Andrew Greener, Michael MacDowell, Joseph Grantham and Duncan Waugh helping GB establish a commanding advantage.
A crucial moment earlier in the game came in the second inning when Great Britain turned a double play immediately after a Belgian walk, preventing the hosts from building momentum and creating the platform for the explosive third inning that followed.
The British offence continued to apply pressure throughout the contest. Joseph Grantham’s double in the fifth inning provided another significant momentum shift, while Michael MacDowell added a home run over the left-field fence as part of a productive five-run sixth inning that helped put the game out of reach.
Defensively, Great Britain delivered a number of standout moments behind Bartlett. Tom Russell produced an excellent over-the-shoulder catch, while Luis Allan Arrevillagas made a superb catch in left field to end an inning. Matthew Tomlin also produced one of the defensive highlights of the contest in the seventh inning, covering significant ground before making a spectacular catch in left-centre field for the penultimate out of the game, helping GB close out the victory.
The infield remained composed and efficient throughout, helping GB maintain control whenever Belgium threatened. The defensive effort was complemented by valuable contributions from across the roster, with every player entering from the bench making a positive impact on the game.
Head Coach Dan Spinks was pleased with both the result and the manner of the performance:
“George’s intensity was infectious and fed through the team. We showed a pleasing improvement with the bats and a heightened level of intensity to generate runs throughout the lineup. Everyone had a key contribution to make in this game and that is what GB Slowpitch is all about. The power of the group was a pleasure to witness in some incredibly hot temperatures.”
The victory provides Great Britain with positive momentum heading into day two of the championship following a strong all-round team performance against the tournament hosts.
Game 1
Late Rally Highlights Encouraging Start for Great Britain in Belgium
Great Britain opened their third WBSC Europe Men’s Slowpitch European Championship campaign with an 18-15 defeat to the Netherlands in Borgerhout, Belgium, but an impressive late rally and a number of standout performances provided plenty of encouragement for the week ahead.
Facing one of Europe’s strongest programmes in their opening contest, Great Britain showed resilience throughout and demonstrated their offensive capabilities in a high-scoring encounter, scoring in six of the seven innings.
The British bats got to work early, with Christopher Yoxall and Michael MacDowell both clearing the fence, while Joshua Smith showcased his speed around the bases with two inside-the-park home runs.
MacDowell demonstrated the threat posed by the GB offence throughout the game, first driving a ball narrowly foul beyond the left-field fence before sending the very next pitch over the fence for a home run.
Joseph Grantham also contributed offensively, driving a deep ball that was gloved over the fence and ruled a four-base error, helping to keep the pressure on the Dutch defence.
While the Netherlands capitalised on several productive innings to build a lead, Great Britain never allowed the game to get away from them. Trailing entering the seventh inning, Great Britain mounted a remarkable two-out rally. The British lineup strung together a series of quality at-bats and timely hits to score eight runs and significantly close the deficit before eventually running out of innings.
Defensively, Great Britain produced a number of standout moments in challenging conditions. Joshua Stanley made an immediate impact, taking an excellent catch in left field shortly after stepping onto the diamond. Jake Elmy and Adam Hugell worked tirelessly in the outfield, while Aaron Thomas and Joshua Smith both produced impressive diving plays to deny the Dutch offence.
Joseph Grantham delivered a strong all-round performance in the circle, consistently making the Netherlands work hard for their scoring opportunities while also contributing with several key defensive plays around the pitching area. Assistant Coach Jenny Ball highlighted the team’s defensive effort after the game, noting that the Dutch only found the outfield gaps cleanly on a handful of occasions.
Reflecting on the performance, Head Coach Dan Spinks was encouraged by what he saw from his squad:
“The game was always within reach and we felt the runs were coming, which they did in the seventh inning, albeit a little too late. Nonetheless, it provides a solid foundation to start the week of men’s softball. The players’ performances were of the required standard and there’s plenty more to come from this team.”
Despite the result, Great Britain will take confidence from a performance that produced 15 runs, multiple home runs and an eight-run final-inning rally as they continue their European Championship campaign in Belgium.