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Little League World Series in Europe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Europe and Africa Little League Championship
Most recent season or competition:
2024 Little League World Series qualification
SportBaseball
Founded1960; 64 years ago (1960)
CountriesEuropean and African
Most recent
champion(s)
Czech Republic South Czech Republic Little League, Brno, Czech Republic
Most titlesSaudi Arabia Arabian American Little League, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (17)

Europe first participated in the Little League World Series in 1960. Teams from Europe were given a berth in the LLWS each year between 1960 and 2000 (with the exception of the temporary ban of international teams in 1975). In 2001, the region was split into two co-terminus regions: Europe (later EMEA) Region and Transatlantic Region. The Europe Region comprised mostly native European teams while the Transatlantic Region comprised mostly American expatriates. This distinction was eliminated in 2008; from 2008 to 2012, teams made up of either native Europeans or American expatriates were eligible to qualify from the Europe Region.

Starting with the 2013 LLWS, the region was renamed the Europe and Africa Region. African countries were added as a result of a major reorganization of the international (non–U.S.) regions. This move was triggered by Little League's announcement that Australia would receive its own LLWS berth starting in 2013. Two Middle Eastern countries, Israel and Turkey, have been part of European regions since they instituted Little League programs, as they were then members of the European zone of the International Baseball Federation and remain in the same zone under baseball's modern international governing body, the World Baseball Softball Confederation. Israel and Turkey have stayed in the renamed Europe and Africa Region to this day.[1]

No team from the European region has ever reached the final of the Little League World Series. The best finishes for a European team occurred in 1979, 1993 and 1994, when European teams reached the semifinals. Aviano, Italy, made it that far — in the 8-team format — in 1979. Kaiserslautern, Germany and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia made the International final in back-to-back years in 1993 and 1994.

Europe and Africa Region Countries

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European champions (1960–2000)

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Year Champion City LLWS Record
1960 Berlin Command LL West Germany Berlin Sixth Place 1–2
1961 Pirmasens Housing Area LL West Germany Pirmasens Eighth Place 0–3
1962 Poitiers Post LL France Poitiers Sixth Place 1–2
1963 İzmir LL Turkey İzmir Fourth Place 0–2
1964 Wiesbaden LL West Germany Wiesbaden Air Force Base Eighth Place 0–3
1965 Rota LL Spain Rota Eighth Place 0–3
1966 Rhein-Main LL West Germany Rhein-Main Air Base Seventh Place 1–2
1967 Rota LL Spain Rota Seventh Place (tie) 0–2
1968 Wiesbaden LL West Germany Wiesbaden Air Force Base Eighth Place 0–3
1969 Wiesbaden LL West Germany Wiesbaden Air Force Base Sixth Place 1–2
1970 Wiesbaden LL West Germany Wiesbaden Air Force Base Sixth Place 1–2
1971 Madrid LL Spain Madrid Fourth Place 1–2
1972 Torrejon Air Base LL Spain Madrid Eighth Place 0–3
1973 Bitburg AB LL West Germany Bitburg Air Base Seventh Place 1–2
1974 Athena Airport LL Greece Athens Eighth Place 0–3
1975 No participant
1976 Kaiserslautern LL West Germany Kaiserslautern Sixth Place 1–2
1977 Torrejon Air Base LL Spain Madrid Seventh Place 1–2
1978 Torrejon Air Base LL Spain Madrid Eighth Place 0–3
1979 Aviano Air Base LL Italy Aviano Fourth Place 1–2
1980 Torrejon Air Base LL Spain Madrid Eighth Place 0–3
1981 SHAPE LL Belgium Waterloo Eighth Place 0–3
1982 Torrejon Air Base LL Spain Madrid Fifth Place 2–1
1983 Arabian Gulf LL Saudi Arabia Al Khobar Seventh Place 1–2
1984 Brussels Sports Association LL Belgium Brussels Seventh Place 1–2
1985 Arabian Gulf LL Saudi Arabia Al Khobar Eighth Place 0–3
1986 Torrejon Air Base LL Spain Madrid Eighth Place 0–3
1987 Aramco LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran Fifth Place (tie) 1–1
1988 Aramco LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran Fifth Place 2–1
1989 Aramco LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran Sixth Place 1–2
1990 Falcon LL West Germany Ramstein Air Base Seventh Place (tie) 0–2
1991 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran Eighth Place 0–3
1992 Kaiserslautern LL Germany Kaiserslautern 4th Place, Group Stage 0–3
1993 Kaiserslautern LL Germany Kaiserslautern Third Place (tie) 2–2
1994 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran Third Place (tie) 2–2
1995 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 3rd Place, Group Stage 1–2
1996 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 4th Place, Group Stage 0–3
1997 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 3rd Place, Group Stage 1–2
1998 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 3rd Place, Group Stage 1–2
1999 Ramstein American LL Germany Ramstein Air Base 4th Place, Group Stage 0–3
2000 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 3rd Place, Group Stage 1–2

Europe/Europe, Middle East & Africa Region (2001–2007)

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In 2001, with the LLWS expanding to sixteen teams, the European region split into two co-terminous regions. The Europe region consisted of teams that were primarily made up of players native to each country; no team could have more than three players from the United States, Canada, or Japan. The Europe region was named the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region between 2004 and 2007; however, no Middle Eastern or African team participated in qualifiers for the EMEA Series berth (although Kenya sent a team to the European qualifier in 2001[2] and South Africa did the same in 2003[3]). In 2008, Little League removed the native players rule and split the EMEA and Transatlantic region into the Europe and Middle East-Africa regions. The following teams represented the European region after 2000:

Year Champion City LLWS Record
2001 Khovrino LL Russia Moscow 4th place, Pool D 0–3
2002 Khovrino LL Russia Moscow 4th place, Pool D 0–3
2003 Khovrino LL Russia Moscow 3rd place, Pool D 1–2
2004 Kutno LL Poland Kutno 4th place, Pool C 0–3
2005 Brateevo LL Russia Moscow 4th place, Pool C 0–3
2006 Brateevo LL Russia Moscow 4th place, Pool D 0–3
2007 Windmills LL Netherlands Apeldoorn 4th place, Pool D 0–3

Transatlantic Region (2001–2007)

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The Transatlantic region encompassed the same territory as the Europe/EMEA region, but consisted of teams that were made up of at least 51% American, Canadian, or Japanese citizens.

Regional championship

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Below are the champions of the Transatlantic region, along with participants for each year. The year's winner is indicated in green.

Year AustriaAustria BelgiumBelgium EnglandEngland GermanyGermany ItalyItaly NetherlandsNetherlands Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia SpainSpain United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates
2001 Vienna LL
Vienna
Belgium Int'l LL
Brussels
London Area Youth LL
London
Eifel LL
Bitburg/Spangdahlem
Naples LL
Naples
No Participant Arabian American LL
Dhahran
Rota LL
Rota
No Participant
2002 N/A
Austria
N/A
Belgium
N/A
England
N/A
Germany
N/A
Italy
N/A
Netherlands
Arabian American LL
Dharhan
N/A
Spain
No Participant
2003 AIBC Little League
Vienna
SHAPE and Waterloo LL
Brussels
London Area Youth
London
Ramstein LL
Ramstein
Naples LL
Naples
Brunssum/Schinnen LL
Brunssum
Arabian American LL
Dhahran
Rota LL
Rota
No Participant
2004 No Participant SHAPE and Waterloo LL
Brussels
London Area Youth
London
Ramstein American LL
Ramstein
Naples LL
Naples
Geilenkirchen-American/Brunssum/Schinnen LL
Brunssum/Geilenkirchen
Arabian American LL
Dhahran
Madrid LL
Madrid
No Participant
2005 No Participant SHAPE and Brussels LL
Brussels
East Anglia LL
Suffolk
Ramstein LL
Ramstein
Naples LL
Naples
Brunssum/Schinnen LL
Brunssum
Arabian American LL
Dhahran
Rota LL
Rota
No Participant
2006 No Participant SHAPE and Waterloo LL
Brussels
London Area Youth LL
London
Ramstein LL
Ramstein
Naples LL
Naples
No Participant Arabian American LL
Dhahran
No Participant Dubai LL
Dubai
2007 No Participant No Participant London Area Youth LL
London
Stuttgart American LL
Stuttgart
Naples LL
Naples
No Participant Arabian American LL
Dhahran
No Participant Dubai LL
Dubai

LLWS performance

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Year Champion City LLWS Record
2001 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 3rd place, Pool C 1–2
2002 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 3rd place, Pool C 2–1
2003 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 3rd place, Pool C 1–2
2004 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 3rd place, Pool D 1–2
2005 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 4th place, Pool D 0–3
2006 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran Int'l Semifinal 2–2
2007 Arabian American LL Saudi Arabia Dhahran 4th place, Pool C 0–2

Europe Region (2008–2012)

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From 2008 to 2012, Europe had its own region.

Regional Championships

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Below are the champions of the Europe region, along with participants for each year. The year's winner is indicated in green. A Dash, "-", indicates country had no participant that year.

Year BelarusBelarus BelgiumBelgium BulgariaBulgaria Czech RepublicCzech Republic EnglandEngland GermanyGermany HungaryHungary Republic of IrelandIreland ItalyItaly LithuaniaLithuania MoldovaMoldova NetherlandsNetherlands PolandPoland SerbiaSerbia SwedenSweden TurkeyTurkey UkraineUkraine
2008 - Brussels LL
Brussels
Dupnitsa LL
Dupnitsa
South Moravia LL
South Moravia
London Area Youth LL
London
Baden Wuerttemberg LL
Mannheim
- Ireland LL
Dublin
Emilia LL
Emilia
Vilnius LL
Vilnius
Kvint LL
Tiraspol
Windmills Utrecht LL
Utrecht
BUKS Gepardy
Zory LL
Zory
- Malardalen LL
Malardalen
Turkiye LL
Istanbul
Kirovograd Center/Nove Celo LL
Kirovograd
2009 Brest Zubrs LL
Brest
- Dupnitsa LL
Dupnitsa
South Moravia LL
South Moravia
London Area Youth LL
London
KMC American LL
Ramstein
- - Marche LL
Marche
Vilnius LL
Vilnius
- Alkmaar LL
Alkmaar
Żory/Rybnik/
Jastrzębie LL
Slask
- - Mediterranean LL
Istanbul
Kirovograd Center/Nove Celo LL
Kirovograd
2010 Brest Zubrs LL
Brest
Flanders East LL
Antwerp
- South Moravia LL
South Moravia
London Youth Area LL
London
KMC American LL
Ramstein
- - Friuli-Venezia Giulia LL
Friuli V.G.
Vilnius LL
Vilnius
Kvint LL
Tiraspol
Kennemerland LL
Haarlem
Zory/Jastrzebie/
Rybnik LL
Slask
- - - Kirovograd Center LL
Kirovograd
2011 Brest Zubrs LL
Brest
Flanders West LL
Flanders
- South Moravia LL
South Moravia
London Area Youth LL
London
- - - Emilia LL
Emilia
Vilnius LL
Vilnius
Kvint LL
Tiraspol
Rotterdam LL
Rotterdam
Kutno LL
Kutno
- Stockholm LL
Stockholm
- Kirovograd Center LL/Nove Celo LL
Kirovograd
2012 Brest Zubrs LL
Brest
Flanders East LL
Antwerp
- South Moravia LL
Prague
London Area Youth LL
London
KMC American LL
Ramstein
MOBSSZ Debrecen/Janossomorja LL
Budapest/
Debrecen/
Jánossomorja
- Lazio LL
Lazio
Kaunas LL
Kaunas
- Nord-Holland LL
Alkmaar
Kutno LL
Kutno
Serbia LL
Belgrad
- - Kirovograd Center LL
Kirovograd

LLWS Performance

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Year Champion City LLWS Record
2008 Emilia LL Italy Emilia 4th place, Pool C 0–3
2009 KMC American LL Germany Kaiserslautern 4th place, Pool D 0–3
2010 KMC American LL Germany Ramstein AB Group Stage 1–2
2011 Rotterdam LL Netherlands Rotterdam Round 1 0–3
2012 KMC American LL Germany Ramstein AB Round 1 0–3

Europe and Africa Region (2013–)

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As noted above, the Europe Region was expanded to include Africa in 2013. Results are as of the 2024 Little League World Series.

Europe-Africa Qualifier

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Starting in 2018, a qualification tournament was added into the Europe and Africa regional tournament as a way of expanding for other countries and teams to be involved. Ten teams have an automatic bid into the regional tournament based on participation and enrollment figures. Additional countries wishing to enter the tournament are placed into the qualifier tournament. The format of the qualifier tournament is a round robin with four teams advancing to an elimination round where the two semifinal winners advanced to the double-elimination regional tournament, although a different format was used in 2023 where four participants in the qualification tournament advanced to the regional tournament.

Year Teams Final 4 Semifinalists
(Advanced to Regional)
Qualifier Tournament
Champions
2018 Austria Austria
Belarus Belarus
Croatia Croatia
Hungary Hungary
Poland Poland
Switzerland Switzerland
1  Austria
2  Hungary
3  Belarus
4  Croatia
 Austria
 Belarus
Championship was
canceled due to
inclement weather.
2019[4] Belgium Belgium
Croatia Croatia
Hungary Hungary
Poland Poland
Switzerland Switzerland
1 Croatia Croatia
2 Switzerland Switzerland
3 Belgium Belgium
4 Hungary Hungary
Croatia Croatia
Belgium Belgium
Croatia Croatia
2023[5] Pool A
France France
Poland Poland
Switzerland Switzerland
Ukraine Kyiv, Ukraine

Pool B
Germany Germany
Israel Israel
Lithuania Lithuania
Ukraine Mykolaiv, Ukraine
Advanced to Regional

Ukraine Kyiv, Ukraine
Germany Germany
France France
Switzerland Switzerland
No semifinal games held No champion designated
2024[6] Croatia Croatia
Estonia Estonia
Israel Israel
Lithuania Lithuania
Poland Gdańsk, Poland
Poland Wrocław, Poland
Ukraine Ukraine
1 Israel Israel
2 Croatia Croatia
3 Lithuania Lithuania
4 Estonia Estonia
Israel Israel
Lithuania Lithuania
Israel Israel

Regional Championships

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Below are the champions of the Europe and Africa, along with participants for each year. The year's winner is indicated in green. A Dash, "-", indicates country had no participant that year.

Year AustriaAustria BelarusBelarus BelgiumBelgium CroatiaCroatia Czech RepublicCzech Republic FranceFrance GermanyGermany HungaryHungary IsraelIsrael ItalyItaly LithuaniaLithuania MoldovaMoldova NetherlandsNetherlands PolandPoland RomaniaRomania SerbiaSerbia South AfricaSouth Africa SpainSpain SwitzerlandSwitzerland UgandaUganda United KingdomUnited Kingdom UkraineUkraine
2013 East Austria LL
Vienna
Sugar Storm LL
Skidel
- - South Moravia LL
Brno
Haute Normandie LL
Rouen
KMC American LL
Ramstein
- - Emilia LL
Emilia
Vilnius LL
Vilnius
- Rotterdam LL
Rotterdam
- - Serbia LL
Belgrade
- - - - London Area Youth LL
London
Rivne LL
Rivne
2014 - Brest Zubrs LL
Brest
Flanders East LL
Antwerp
- South Moravia LL
Brno
Aquitaine LL
Aquitaine
KMC American LL
Ramstein
- - Emilia LL
Emilia
Vilnius LL
Vilnius
Kvint LL
Tiraspol
Kennemerland LL
Haarlem
BUKS
GepardyŻory LL
- Serbia LL
Belgrade
- Catalunya LL
Catalunya
- - London Area Youth LL
London
Kirovograd LL
Kirovograd
2015 East Austria LL
Vienna
Brest Zubrs LL
Brest
Brussels LL
Brussels
- South Moravia LL
Brno
- KMC American LL
Ramstein
Central LL
Budapest
- Emilia LL
Emilia
- Kvint LL
Tiraspol
Rotterdam LL
Rotterdam
Zory/
Jastrzebie/
Rybnik LL
- - - Catalunya LL
Barcelona
- AVRS Secondary School LL
Kampala
London Youth Baseball LL
London
Kirovograd Center LL
Kirovograd
2016 Austria East LL
Vienna
Brest Zubrs LL
Brest
Flanders East LL
Antwerp
Croatia North LL
Zagreb
South Czech Republic LL
Brno
Ile-de-France 2 LL
Paris
KMC American LL
Ramstein
Central/
Eastern LL
Budapest
- Emilia LL
Emilia
Kaunas LL
Kaunas
- Kennemerland LL
Haarlem
- - - - Catalunya LL
Barcelona
- - London Youth Baseball LL
London
Kirovograd Center LL
Kirovograd
2017 East Austria LL
Vienna
Sugar Storm LL
Skidel
Flanders West LL
Brussels
Croatia North LL
Zagreb
South Czech Republic LL
Brno
- KMC American LL
Ramstein
Central/
Eastern LL
Budapest
- Emilia LL
Emilia
- - Den Haag LL
The Hague
Zory/
Rybnik/
Jastrzebie LL
CSS Calarasi LL
Calarasi
- - Catalunya LL
Barcelona
- - London Youth Baseball LL
London
Rivne LL
Rivne
2018 East Austria LL
Vienna
Sugar Storm LL
Skidel
Brussels LL
Brussels
- Northwest Czech Republic LL
Prague
Ile-De-France LL
Paris
KMC American LL
Ramstein
- - Friuli-Venezia Giulia LL
Ronchi dei Legionari
Vilnius LL
Vilnius
- Kennemerland LL
Haarlem
- - - - Catalunya LL
Barcelona
- - London LL
London
Kirovograd Center LL
Kirovograd
2019 Austria East LL
Vienna
Sugar Storm LL
Skidel
Brussels LL
Brussels
Croatia North LL
Karlovac
South Czech Republic LL
Brno
Ile-De-France LL
Paris
KMC American LL
Ramstein
Central LL
Budapest
- Emilia Romagna LL
Bologna
Kaunas LL
Kaunas
- Amsterdam LL
Amsterdam
Kedzierzy Kozle LL
- - - Catalunya LL
Barcelona
- - South/East London LL
London
Kyiv Baseball School LL
Kyiv
2022[7] East Austria LL
Vienna
- - Croatia North LL
Sisak
South Czech Republic LL
Brno
- - - - Emilia Romagna LL
Bologna
- - Kennemerland LL
Haarlem
- - - - Catalunya LL
Barcelona
Switzerland East/West LL
Basel
- London LL
London
Odesa/Mykolaiv/Kyiv LL
Odesa/Mykolaiv/Kyiv
2023[8] East Austria LL
Vienna
- - Croatia North LL
Sisak
South Czech Republic LL
Brno
SUD LL
Nice
South-East Germany LL
Munich
- - Veneto LL
Verona
- - Midden-Nederland LL
Utrecht
- - - - Catalunya LL
Barcelona
Switzerland East/West LL
Basel
- London LL
London
Kyiv Baseball School LL
Kyiv
2024[9] East Austria LL
Vienna
- - - South Czech Republic LL
Brno
Sud LL
Nice
South-East Germany LL
Munich
- South/Center LL
Beit Shemesh
Emilia Romagna LL
Bologna
Vilnius LL
Vilnius
- Rotterdam LL
Rotterdam
- - - Western Cape Baseball LL
Cape Town
Madrid LL
Madrid
Switzerland West/East LL
Zurich
- London LL
London
Kyiv Baseball School/Rivne LL
Kyiv/Rivne

LLWS Performance

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Year Champion City LLWS Record
2013 South Moravia LL Czech Republic Brno Round 1 1–2
2014 South Moravia LL Czech Republic Brno Round 1 0–3
2015 AVRS Secondary School LL Uganda Kampala Round 2 1–2
2016 Emilia LL Italy Emilia Round 1 0–3
2017 Emilia LL Italy Emilia Round 1 0–3
2018 Catalunya LL Spain Barcelona Round 1 0–3
2019 Emilia Romagna LL Italy Bologna Round 1 0–3
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 crisis [10]
2021 No participant
2022 Emilia Romagna LL Italy Bologna Round 2 1–2
2023 South Czech Republic LL Czech Republic Brno Round 1 0–2
2024 South Czech Republic LL Czech Republic Brno Round 1 0–2

By country

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Table includes results from Europe, EMEA, Transatlantic and Europe and Africa regions through the 2024 Little League World Series. Italics indicates team is no longer either a part of the European region or the African region that participate in the joint regional championship.

Country European/Regional
Championships
Record
in LLWS
PCT
 Saudi Arabia 19 18–39 .316
Germany West Germany/Germany 16 9–39 .188
 Spain 10 4–25 .138
 Italy 6 2–16 .111
 Russia 5 1–14 .067
 Czech Republic 4 1–9 .100
 Belgium 2 1–5 .167
 Netherlands 2 0–6 .000
 France 1 1–2 .333
 Uganda 1 1–2 .333
 Turkey 1 0–2 .000
 Greece 1 0–3 .000
 Poland 1 0–3 .000
Total 69 38–164 .188

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Regions Realigned for 2013: Australia to Play in Little League Baseball World Series" (Press release). Little League Baseball. August 29, 2012. Archived from the original on September 23, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  2. ^ "2001 Little League Baseball". Archived from the original on 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  3. ^ "2003 Little League Baseball". Archived from the original on 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  4. ^ "LLB Europe-Africa Qualifier". Little League. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  5. ^ "LLB Europe-Africa Region Qualifying Tournament". Little League. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  6. ^ "2024 LLB Europe-Africa Region Qualifying Tournament". Little League. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  7. ^ "LLB Europe-Africa Region Tournament". Little League. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  8. ^ "LLB Europe-Africa Region Tournament". Little League. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  9. ^ "2024 LLB Europe-Africa Region Tournament". Little League. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Little League® Cancels 2020 World Series and Region Tournaments". 30 April 2020.
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