Bollate and Bussolengo win Women's European Premiere Cup openers
The top Euro softball clubs are competing in the Women's European Premiere Cup, which is currently taking place in Bollate through August 24, 2019. Host Bollate and defending champion Bussolengo are the two softball squads from Italy in the Women's European Premiere Cup. Bollate plays in Pool A with Zurich Baracudas (Switzerland), Les Comanches (France), Trnava Panthers (Slovakia), and 2018 runner-up Zraloci Ledenice (Czech Republic). Bussolengo is in Pool B which includes Carrousel (Russia), Hoboken Pioneers (Belgium), Olympia Haarlem (Netherlands), and Wesseling Vermins (Germany).
Three Bussolengo players (Susanna Soldi, Elisa Princic, and Sara Cianfriglia) just returned from the WBSC U19 World Cup in Irvine, California, where Team Italy placed 11th in the 16-country international competition. Other Bussolengo players with Team Italy experience include Veronica Comar, Laura Vigna, Elisa De Trombetti, Valeria Bortolomai, and Marta Gasparotto. Bollate boasts its share of strong Italian Azzurre softball all-stars including Greta Cecchetti, Amanda Fama, Elisa Cecchetti, Lara Cecchetti, Alice Parisi, Marta Chiodaroli, and Laura Bigatton.
Bollate (2-0) kicked off the six-day tournament with a 15-2 rout over Zurich Baracudas and a 5-2 victory over Zraloci Ledenice on August 19. Bollate returns for two consecutive nightcaps beginning on August 20 at 8:30 pm against Les Comanches followed by another contest under the lights on August 21 at 8:30 pm against Trnava Panthers.
Bussolengo (2-0) also won both games on Women's European Premiere Cup opening day with a 15-0 shutout over Hoboken Pioneers and a 10-0 shutout against Wesseling Vermins. Bussolengo continues first round play on August 20 at 1:00 pm with a battle against Euro rival Olympia Haarlem before finishing up on August 21 at 6 pm with a clash against Carrousel.
The Women's European Premiere Cup playoffs begin on August 22 and culminate with the championship game on August 24 at 4 pm. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
