This is an archived article transferred from an older version of the website. Some images or links within the article might no longer display or function correctly.

by Bob Fromer

Ronchi dei Legionari, Italy: August 6 -- The GB Women's Fastpitch Team is going to have to find a way to break the habit of losing 1-0 to Italy.

That was the score when the two teams met in the 2009 European Women's Championships in Valencia, it was the score when they met earlier this week on Opening Night at the 2011 European Women's Championships here in North East Italy, and it was the score this afternoon in the game to decide who would join the Netherlands in tonight's Grand Final.

The Netherlands booked their place in the final with a 5-1 defeat of Italy last night.

The result of yet another 1-0 loss to the Italians is that the GB Women have had to settle for third place at the 2011 European Championships, while Italy and the Netherland will play for the trophy. But GB's main goal at the tournament -- qualification for next year's ISF World Championships in Canada -- has been achieved.

GB Women celebrate

One mistake

In both games against Italy this week, one defensive mistake has led to one Italian run and that run has been the decider both times.

As she did last Sunday night, GB pitcher Stacie Townsend threw a tremendous game and didn't deserve to lose. On Sunday, Stacie gave up three hits; this afternoon, she gave up only two.

But her downfall this time was back-to-back walks to Michela Vitaliana and Andrea Montanari with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, her first of the game. But the walks were as much to do with a suddenly smaller strike zone than with any loss of control on Stacie's part. Stacie struck out pinch-hitter Alice Fiorio, but the run scored when the Italian coach put on a double steal  and GB catcher Leah English threw late to third base with no one there to cover. The ball squirted into foul territory and Vitaliani scored. Stacie then struck out Bianca Novelli to end the inning, but the damage had been done.

No luck

GB Assistant Coach Celine Lassaigne said after the game that this was GB's best batting performance of the tournament, despite the fact that GB, like the Italians, had only two hits. But against Italian pitcher Paola Cavallo, who pitched the full seven innings, every GB batter hit the ball (there were only three strikeouts) and many balls were hit hard. But all of them found Italian gloves, often back near the fence, except for a single up the middle by Jess Legendre in the fourth inning and a bouncer to short that Laura Thompson beat out to lead off the seventh inning.

That was GB's last chance to get back in the game. Laura eventually wound up on third base with two outs after stealing second and tagging up on Stacie Townsend's deep fly ball to centre field. GB's last hope was first base player Morgan Parkerson, but after running the count to 3-and-2, Morgan was forced to swing at a borderline high pitch that the umpire might well have called a strike, and she popped out to the catcher behind home plate to end the game.

Satisfaction

GB Women's Teams used to have an inferiority complex when playing the Italians, although games between the two teams were usually close even when the Italians were clearly better.

Italy is no longer clearly better than GB, but they still have many things (as do the Dutch and the Czechs) that GB lacks: pitching depth, money to support their programme (even if it's less than it used to be), a strong domestic league for their players to play in, and the ability to train together all year round.

What the GB Women's Team has accomplished in reaching and maintaining a position in the European top three is even more remarkable when seen in that light.

Decisions

Now there are many decisions to be made -- though not immediately.

The three European teams that have qualified for next year's World Championships -- the Netherlands, Italy and GB -- are likely to be invited to the 2012 World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City and then go on to play in the Canadian Fastpitch Open in Vancouver and then the World Championships in the Canadian North West.

Will the GB Team be able to find the money to carry out that programme, or even part of it? How many players from the current small squad will be willing and able to come back next year? Who might join them?

But all that is for the future.

Tomorrow morning, the GB players and staff will go their separate ways after three-and-a-half intense but hugely enjoyable weeks together and some tremendous performances both in Oklahoma City and in Italy.

The memories from this tour will stay with everyone involved for a long time.