The U23 European Championship will begin on Tuesday in the Czech Republic. The eight-team tournament features two groups of four.
Group A will consist of Austria, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands while Group B holds Czechia, France, Great Britain and Israel.
Of the two groups, Group B is considered slightly tougher. The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals. The bottom two from each group will play in classification games, with the bottom two teams from those games being relegated and required to qualify for the 2027 U23 Championship.
All rosters can be found HERE.
Group A Breakdown:
Austria
Austria enters the tournament as the biggest underdog in Group A but hopes to make some noise and potentially upset one of Europe’s more dominant teams.
One of its key players is outfielder Dan Kawanishi. The Austrian-Japanese outfielder has represented Austria multiple times in recent years and made history as the first Austria-born player to play college baseball in the United States. In his freshman season at Arizona Western, he posted a 1.020 OPS with one home run and seven stolen bases over 35 games. Kawanishi also shined at Prague Baseball Week in June, recording an .827 OPS and driving in six runs, including two in Austria’s historic third-place win over Italy. Austria will face Italy again in Czechia and aims for another upset.
Another offensive threat is first baseman Julian Faulhaber, currently the top hitter in Austria’s Baseball Bundesliga. The 22-year-old is slashing .392/.449/.765 with a league-leading nine home runs and 19 extra-base hits in 24 games. He also posted a .944 OPS at Prague Baseball Week and will be Austria’s main power source in the middle of the lineup.
On the mound, keep an eye on 17-year-old right-hander Paul Kerle. In Bundesliga play, he has posted a stellar 0.41 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 22 innings. Despite being one of the youngest pitchers in the entire tournament, he is expected to play a key role and is seen as a future ace for Austria’s senior team.
Germany
Germany enters the tournament with one of the strongest U23 rosters in its history. The national team has seen a significant surge in talent across all levels in recent years, finishing in the top four of the last three U23 tournaments and earning two silver medals. This year, Germany aims for its first gold.
Offensively, Germany is led by first baseman Simon Bäumer. The 23-year-old has had a breakout 2025 season with Regensburg in the German Baseball League. He ranks third in OPS (1.328), tied for third in home runs (eight), third in weighted on-base average (.535), and third in extra-base hits. His clutch ninth-inning home run against Czechia at Prague Baseball Week helped Germany secure a historic gold. He will anchor the middle of the lineup.
Elias Huber, just 19, is another rising star. Playing for the Gauting Indians, Huber leads the league in batting average (.434), is tied for third in home runs (eight), leads in total hits, and ranks second in both OPS (1.348) and weighted on-base average (.537). At Prague Baseball Week, he posted a .915 OPS, drawing six walks in 13 plate appearances. He is expected to start at second base and serve as a key table-setter for Germany.
On the pitching side, Philip Kleehaupt is expected to be the ace. He has posted a 2.88 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 92 1/3 innings for Gauting, leading the league in innings pitched and ranking second in strikeouts. At Prague Baseball Week, he threw six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts against Austria.
Noah Lindt, a left-handed closer, brings a high-powered arm to the bullpen. Arguably the hardest thrower on the team, Lindt was clutch in closing out Germany’s Prague Baseball Week championship. He pitched three scoreless innings with five strikeouts in the tournament. In Bundesliga action this season, he has logged 4 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and just one run allowed. He will be Germany’s go-to option in high-leverage situations.
Italy
Italy looks to reverse its recent struggles at the U23 level. After finishing fifth in 2023, the team placed last at Prague Baseball Week in June. However, with a revamped roster and strong individual talent, Italy aims for a deeper run this time.
One of the offensive leaders is Giaconino Lasaracina, a 22-year-old catcher who stood out at Prague Baseball Week, slashing an eye-popping .500/.632/1.071 with two home runs in four games. In Serie A this season, he is hitting .328/.368/.625 with three home runs in 17 games. He is a key power threat in the Italian lineup.
Another impact bat is Samuele Gamberini, a 21-year-old first baseman who has consistently performed in international tournaments. He led Italy with a 1.315 OPS and three home runs at Prague Baseball Week and also posted a .913 OPS with two home runs at Honkbal Week in 2024. He is expected to start at first base and will be counted on for production in the heart of the order.
At second base, Italy is expected to start Williams Wong, a Rangers minor leaguer. At 19 years old in the 2025 Arizona Complex League, Wong recorded a .605 OPS with two home runs. In this European setting, his experience in pro ball could make him a key contributor for the Italian squad.
On the mound, Italy’s top arm is likely to be Ettore Giulianelli, a 22-year-old former Cardinals minor leaguer. Known for his swing-and-miss stuff, Giulianelli has a 3.14 ERA with 81 strikeouts over 57 1/3 innings this season. However, control remains a concern, as he has issued 46 walks. Still, his ability to generate strikeouts gives Italy a high-upside option on the hill.
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has long been a powerhouse in European baseball, often entering these tournaments as one of the top two favorites. While this year’s U23 roster is not the most dominant it has ever fielded, it remains a strong, balanced squad capable of contending for the title — a reflection of how much the rest of Europe has grown competitively.
Leading the offense is dynamic shortstop Raphaël Smeenk, who plays college ball at Tarleton State and is currently competing in the Honkbal Hoofdklasse. He is hitting .302/.388/.535 with four home runs and brings rare pop to a Dutch team that leans more toward contact hitting.
Another key bat is catcher Jair van Borkulo, who is slashing .320/.459/.475 with three home runs in the Hoofdklasse this season. He is expected to be the starting catcher and one of the team’s primary power threats.
Pitching is the strength of the Dutch roster, with several high-upside arms in the mix.
One of the key names is Stijn van der Schaaf, a right-hander who posted a 3.76 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings in the Florida Complex League in 2024 for the Boston Red Sox organization. Although he has made only one appearance in the Hoofdklasse this year, he is a strong candidate to be a key high-leverage arm in the bullpen and could use this event to push for a spot on the senior European Championship team. He is arguably the most complete arm on the Dutch roster.
Another pitcher to watch is Harbersting Abreu, who will suit up for Bethune-Cookman in NCAA Division I this coming season. He previously pitched at Tallahassee State JC, where he had a 7.30 ERA across 53 innings with 65 strikeouts. While his starting results have been uneven, his mid-90s fastball makes him a weapon in a relief role, especially in late-game situations.
Also keep an eye on Tijn Frederikze, a 17-year-old left-hander regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the Netherlands. In the 2025 Hoofdklasse season, he has compiled a 4.22 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 64 innings — an impressive stat line for one of the league’s youngest pitchers. He is expected to start and could be one of the most talented arms in the entire tournament.
Group B Breakdown:
Czechia
As the host nation, Czechia will field one of the strongest rosters in the tournament. Several players are in serious contention for the country’s 2026 World Baseball Classic team, making this U23 squad one to watch closely.
One of the offensive leaders is Michal Šindelka, a 19-year-old outfielder who had a strong showing in the MLB Draft League earlier this year, posting a .746 OPS. Since returning home, he has been dominant in the Czech Extraliga, hitting .444/.529/.815 with two home runs in just seven games. Arguably the best all-around hitter on the roster, Šindelka will be counted on to supply significant offensive firepower.
Another rising star is Ondřej Hrdlička, who has been one of the breakout players in the Czech Extraliga in 2025. He is batting .359/.432/.689 with seven home runs, placing him among the league leaders in power numbers. His impressive form has earned him a spot on this U23 team and potentially a ticket to the WBC roster. He is expected to start at an infield spot and play a key role in Czechia’s success.
On the mound, David Křeček is the standout arm. Only 18 years old, he leads all Czech pitchers with 79 strikeouts across 63 2/3 innings, while holding a 4.24 ERA in the Extraliga. He is projected to be the team’s ace and is already seen as a future cornerstone of the senior national team. This tournament is a prime opportunity to showcase his readiness for a bigger role next spring.
The bullpen will be anchored by Filip Kollman, another key piece of the Czech pitching staff. A swing-and-miss reliever, Kollman has racked up 66 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings this season. He will likely serve in high-leverage situations and could be critical in tight games.
France
France arrives at the tournament with what might be its best U23 roster ever, featuring talent from both domestic leagues and U.S. college programs.
Leading the offense is Mathis Meurant, an infielder who made history in 2025 by becoming the first born-and-raised French player to play Division I baseball in a Power Five conference. While his college season at Arizona had some ups and downs (finishing with a .697 OPS and two home runs), he looks to rebound in this tournament and build momentum toward a breakout senior year and possible selection in the 2026 MLB Draft. He is expected to be France’s starting shortstop.
On the mound, Mathis Nayral is one of the top arms to watch. He is set to join the University of Kansas in Division I baseball in 2026. In 2025, he posted a 2.70 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 80 innings at Cochise College. This season in France’s top league, he holds a 4.06 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 31 innings. He projects as one of France’s top two starters in this tournament.
Another exciting arm is Ben Couvreur, just 18 years old but already a veteran of international competition. In 2023, he turned heads at the European Championship, tossing 11 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts as a 16-year-old. This season, he has posted a 4.76 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings in France’s top league. Couvreur is arguably the most talented French pitcher at this tournament and will be pivotal to the team’s medal hopes.
Great Britain
Great Britain enters the U23 European Championship looking to build on a historic second-place finish in 2023. This time, it brings an even stronger roster as the team aims to win the tournament for the first time in program history.
One of the offensive cornerstones is Tucker Stockman, a catcher who played this past season at Southern Miss in Division I, posting an impressive .887 OPS with six home runs. He will serve as the starting catcher and one of the most well-rounded bats in the British lineup.
Another key name to watch is 18-year-old shortstop Will Kraemer, one of the most dynamic athletes on the roster. Set to play at Pepperdine University next season, Kraemer showcased his tools during summer ball, slashing a 1.090 OPS and swiping eight bases. His speed, bat and athleticism should have a major impact on both sides of the ball.
On the mound, Alistair Morin is expected to be one of Great Britain’s go-to arms. The right-hander had a strong junior season at Siena College, where he posted a 3.90 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 83 innings. He is a likely candidate for the starting rotation and brings experience and consistency to the staff.
Israel
Israel arrives at the U23 European Championship as an underdog but has a few key pieces that could help it play spoiler in Group B.
The team’s top pitcher is Akiva Epstein, who threw 11 scoreless innings during last year’s U23 qualifier and played a crucial role in clinching a tournament spot with a three-inning save against Switzerland. With Israel light on starting pitching, Epstein will be heavily relied upon out of the bullpen in high-leverage situations during pool play.
On offense, Chase Engelhard is one of Israel’s leaders. The second baseman finished his senior college season at Florida International in 2024, posting an .868 OPS. He is expected to hit near the top of the order and be a key run producer for the team.
Tournament Outlook:
The U23 European Championship has long been dominated by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but the landscape of European baseball is changing rapidly. With the continued development of talent across the continent—especially in programs like Germany, Czechia, Great Britain and France—parity among the top six teams has never been greater.
The tournament runs through Aug. 9, with the top two teams earning qualification for the 2026 U23 Baseball World Cup. With a blend of rising stars, college standouts and professional prospects, this year’s edition promises to be the most competitive yet.
WBN Europe: https://worldbaseball.com/league/europe/
Photo courtesy of the WBSC
