Great Britain U12s finish runners-up in Europe
Great Britain U12s achieved an extraordinary feat by finishing runners-up at the 2025 European Championship B Pool tournament.
Photo by Richárd Rózsa
Their 2-0 semi-final win against Poland meant that GB will be placed in Pool A next year.
GB lost in the final to Spain by a score of 4-14 but pushed their opponents all the way.
First Base coach, Jess Vernon said: "The drive and determination of this team throughout the past week has been second to none, and our final game against Spain was no different.
“I think we gave Spain a fright when we scored those three runs in the top of the fourth. I'm really proud to have been a part of the journey for these athletes and know that they all have great things ahead."
Spain started the game with the upper hand, holding GB to just one run, courtesy of an Ethan Farabaugh double to lead off the game before a Freddie Stokes single up the middle scored the run.
Photo by Richárd Rózsa
The Spanish side took control in the bottom of the first thanks to a double to right from Jeyro Golindano, driving in two of the five first inning runs.
The second and third innings were a pitchers battle between the two starters, Golindano and GB’s Matthew Smith.
Two shutout innings each set up a close end to the game with four strikeouts in those two innings for Golindano and great fielding work from GB to keep Spanish runs off the board.
Great Britain were able to bring the deficit to within one run in the top of the fourth with two doubles from Oliver Kaiser and Torin Kingsmill-Norton which helped GB score three more runs.
Unfortunately, it was not enough as Spain took over, scoring two runs in the fourth and then seven in the bottom of the fifth, including a home run from Yeritzon Dominguez.
The game ended 4-14 to Spain, but Great Britain head home with a silver medal after a fantastic tournament.
Photo by Richárd Rózsa
Paul Vernon, Great Britain coach said: “It was a privilege to serve GB Baseball as a coach for the 25th time with this group of young players who represented their country with passion, courage and resilience whether they were on the field or on the bench.
“They stuck with a powerhouse of European baseball and played right to the end despite a tricky start.
“Their efforts across this week deserve wide acclaim from our entire community.”
Photo by Richárd Rózsa
Chris Ward, the GB U12s head coach said: "I've been part of some hard-working teams, but the time, energy and effort by an incredible pride of lions since we started this cycle and a dedicated, passionate and downright brilliant coaching staff is at a level most can only dream about.
“I am thankful to every single one for helping turn dreams into reality."
