The French national team begins its campaign at the 2026 U18 Baseball5 European Championship on Wednesday, November 11, in Policoro, Italy.
Thirteen national squads are competing at the PalaErcole arena for the continental title, with the tournament running through November 14.
France Faces Group a Schedule
France enters the tournament in Group A alongside Bulgaria, Spain, Belgium, Croatia, and the host nation, Italy, while Group B comprises Ukraine, Turkey, Romania, the Netherlands, Moldova, Lithuania, and Hungary.
The team must complete this opening three-day phase to secure a spot in the top three of their group. Advancing to the next stage is critical, as only the top three teams from each group qualify for the Super Round to remain in contention for the medals.
The schedule for the French team, with all times in local Italian time, is as follows:
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Bulgaria | 9:00 |
| Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Spain | 15:30 |
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | Belgium | 9:00 |
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | Croatia | 16:30 |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | Italy | 11:00 |
Super Round Qualification Rules
The Super Round features the top three finishers from both Group A and Group B, bringing together six teams where each selection faces the three qualified teams from the other group.
Teams carry over their results from matches played against the other two qualifiers from their initial group, meaning head-to-head records from the opening phase directly influence the standings for the medal rounds and are not replayed; for instance, if both France and Spain qualify, the outcome of their November 11 meeting counts toward the Super Round standings.
Should France advance, their specific match times on November 13 and 14 will depend on their final standing within Group A. The tournament format does not include traditional semifinals; instead, the two highest-ranked teams after the Super Round compete for the gold medal, while the third and fourth-placed teams face off for the bronze.
Teams Compete for Final Rankings from 7th to 13th Place
Teams that do not qualify for the Super Round will continue play to determine the final rankings from 7th to 13th place. If France finishes fourth in Group A, they will compete in a placement match on Friday, November 13, at 17:00 against the fifth-place finisher from Group B. A fifth-place finish in the group would result in a match on the same day at 18:00 against the fourth-place team from Group B.
Watch Matches on Baseball Europe TV and Follow Live Results
Spectators can follow the competition via Baseball Europe TV, which hosts the broadcast of the matches. The WBSC Europe official website provides the most current tournament calendar, live results, and updated standings. The tournament schedule remains subject to potential adjustments by organizers, as noted by WBSC Europe on November 10.
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