(BEIJING, Aug. 27) -- All 16 teams are in action on Sunday as the International Softball Federation's (ISF) XI Women's World Championship gets underway in Beijing, China, at the new venue built for the 2008 Olympic Softball competition.
Fittingly, the day's first game features the host team, as they take on Great Britain. While every team wants to get off to a good start, this is one of the more important match-ups, as China & Great Britain both want to rebound from disappointing performances last month at the II World Cup of Softball. Even though they have an automatic berth in 2008 because they're the host country, China would still like to return to a top four finish, as has been seen at events like the 2004 Olympics (4th), 2002 Women's World Championship (4th), and 1996 Olympics (2nd). Great Britain could take great confidence from a win over China, but doesn't have as much international experience and, as a result, is probably considered the underdog.
South Africa and DPR Korea will face each other a half-hour after the above game starts, and each has reason for optimism. South Africa won the gold medal in the softball competition at the 2003 All-Africa Games and DPR Korea did well at the 2004 Asian Women's Softball Championship, which also qualified them for the Asian Games this December in Qatar. Each, however, is probably hoping to get a win Sunday since their games will only get tougher in Pool A as the tournament moves on.
Japan versus Chinese Taipei matches two familiar opponents who have built something of a rivalry over the years, notably in 2002 when Chinese Taipei was the "Cinderella" team, finishing third at the ISF Women's World Championship in Canada. The two also squared off at the 8th Asian Women's Championship in December 2004 in Manila. Japan comes in as one of the teams to beat however, what with having captured the 1st World Cup of Softball and the Japan Cup in 2005, each via a Grand Final win over USA.
The New Zealand-Canada game will be watched closely by many, though for different reasons. Canada has come on very strong since former Olympian Lori Sippel became their coach, and seems ready to take a serious run at a top three finish. New Zealand just wrapped up a tour of Indonesia, primarily facing men's teams in order to be prepared for the pitch speeds in Beijing. Is Canada poised to become a world softball power? Is New Zealand prepared after not having played in a major international competition this year?
USA and Italy will tangle in a game between probably the top teams from the Americas and Europe, respectively. Italy actually has a few Americans on the roster, primarily at the all-important pitching position, but Team USA boasts a roster that's strong from the first hitter to the ninth. If USA is to successfully defend their world championship title, however, their young players will have to overcome the jitters of playing in what for many of them will be their highest level of competition -- at least, internationally -- so far. Italy, at least, should have that experience.
Botswana takes on Colombia in a game that many teams will want to scout since the two aren't consistent participants in a lot of the major international events. Botswana left home promising to make their country proud and win their share of games. Colombia, however, has come on strong in getting to the world championship, and has put together a roster that will be loaded with enthusiasm. Unfortunately for both, only one team can win.
Australia versus Greece is the third game of the day that pits two of the 2004 Olympic Softball participants going head-to-head again. Greece was on the verge of upsetting the Aussies in their round robin game in Athens, but couldn't finish the job. With the majority of their roster from two years ago still intact, the Hellas can come in confident that they can compete with the '04 Olympic silver medalists. Australia won the 2006 Canada Cup and is only looking up, not back, as they seek to unseat the Americans.
Day 1 will close with the Netherlands taking on Venezuela. The Dutch performed well at last year's European Championship, which gave them their berth in Beijing, and they'll always give their opponent a good game. New Head Coach Liz Kelly will instill confidence in her players, but they must first get past a Venezuela team that just won the gold medal at the 2006 Central American & Caribbean Games. They would certainly like to get off on the right foot by picking up where they left off when they left Colombia as champions last month.
