Defending Women's European Cup Winners Cup Champion Forli will attempt to uphold the softball throne on Italian soil in Saronno from August 17-22, 2020. Host Saronno will also participate in the battle between national cup competition winners Olympia Haarlem (Kingdom of the Netherlands), Fenix Valencia (Spain), Joudrs (Czech Republic), Moscovia (Russia), Hamburg Knights (Germany), Therwil Flyers (Switzerland), Crazy Chicklets (Austria), Les Pharaons (France), London Angels (Great Britain), Chicaboo's (Belgium), Hrabiny Wroclaw (Poland), Fireballs (Israel), Skovde Saints (Sweden), Akademiks Sofia (Bulgaria), and New Zealand ISA (New Zealand).
Since its inception in 1992, Italian teams have won the Women's European Cup Winners Cup title 12 times. Softball squads from the Kingdom of the Netherlands have claimed 13 Women's European Cup Winners Cup Championships. Forli leads all Italian teams with six Women's European Cup Winners Cup titles (2019, 2015, 2011, 2006, 2005, and 2000).
Defending Women's European Cup Winners Cup Champion Forli was undefeated (9-0) and outscored opponents 71 to 3 in 2019. Forli and Team Italy slugger Erika Piancastelli led nearly all offensive categories with a .652 batting average (1st), 1.565 slugging percentage (1st), .667 on-base percentage (2nd), 15 hits (1st), 12 runs scored (3rd), 20 RBI (1st), six doubles (1st), five home runs (1st), 36 total bases (1st), and five walks (4th). Forli and Team Italy pitcher Ilaria Cacciamani was equally as impressive on the mound. In four appearances and 16 innings of work, pitcher Ilaria Cacciamani won two games and saved one game with a team-leading 29 strikeouts and 0.88 ERA. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
