(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Great Britain Women’s Softball Team Wins Bronze at European Championship, Secures World Cup Spot
The Great Britain Women’s Senior National Fastpitch Softball Team earned a bronze medal at the 2025 WBSC Europe Women’s Softball European Championship, defeating Spain 4-2 on Saturday, 13 September. The victory marks Great Britain’s third consecutive medal at the European Championships and officially qualifies the team for the 2026 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage.
Tournament Journey
Great Britain began their campaign in Pool Y with four strong wins over France, Greece, Switzerland, and Ukraine – highlighted by Paytn Monticelli’s five-inning perfect game. Despite a narrow 1-0 loss to the Netherlands, the team’s 9-0 victory over hosts Czechia in the Super Round provided the momentum to secure a spot in the bronze medal match.
Bronze Medal Match Recap
British Softball Hall of Famer Georgina Corrick took the circle for Great Britain, striking out 14 batters in a complete-game performance. Spain initially led 1-0 and 2-1, but Great Britain’s offense responded:
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Alana Snow tied the game with an RBI double in the second inning.
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In the fifth, Jahni Kerr doubled to drive in Tia Warsop, and Jessica Chan followed with a clutch two-run double, giving Britain a 4-2 lead.
Corrick closed the game in style, striking out five of the final seven batters to secure the medal.
Standout Performances
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Tia Warsop tied for the tournament lead in runs scored with 12.
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Paytn Monticelli, making her debut, led the competition in ERA (0.00) and ranked among the leaders in walks allowed and strikeouts (33).
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Catcher Cara Edwards ranked second in runners caught stealing, with three.
Six players – Jasmine Francik, Paytn Monticelli, Laura Hirai, Mia Krueger, Mackenzie Langan, and Sydney Teague – made their senior debuts during the tournament.
Coach and Leadership Reflections
Head Coach Tara Henry became the first in Great Britain history to lead the senior team to consecutive medals, adding to her U22 bronze in 2024. She praised the squad’s resilience, calling the campaign “the official start of our journey to LA 2028.”
Performance Director Gary Anderson echoed the sentiment, highlighting the team’s mental toughness and growing culture:
“This medal and World Cup qualification mark another vital step in our Olympic trajectory.”
Road Ahead
Great Britain now joins Czechia, Italy, and the Netherlands in next year’s WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage, set across three host cities:
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Prague, Czechia (16-20 June 2026)
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Lima, Peru (21-26 July 2026)
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Oklahoma City, USA (17-21 September 2026)
The top two teams from each pool, plus the two best third-place teams, will qualify for the 2027 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Final in Queensland, Australia (4-11 April 2027).
This will be Great Britain’s fourth straight World Cup appearance, continuing a remarkable run of consistency on the international stage.
