Montpellier et Montigny sur le pont

The Cougars and Barracudas face a tough week ahead against Spanish, Austrian, Belgian, and Croatian teams as they vie for the European Baseball Cup.

Next Tuesday in Valencia, Montigny kicks off the 2024 European campaign at 9:30 AM against Austria’s Wiener-Neustadt Diving Ducks, followed at 1 PM by another Franco-Austrian clash between Montpellier and the Vienna Metrostars. This marks the start of the European Baseball Cup, the new name for what was once the CEB Cup or the Confederation Cup.

Before diving into the challenges awaiting the French teams, a word about the « big » European Cup, now renamed the Champions Cup, which has taken on a new format. Out go the Dutch and Italian clubs, replaced by a sort of mini-league featuring two German teams, Regensburg (home to French player Daniel Patrice) and Heidenheim, and two Czech teams, Brno and the Prague Eagles. The reasoning behind this new format is unclear, though it makes geographical sense for the involved clubs, who have short distances to travel for matches. However, it may pose significant financial challenges if more distant clubs are included. As the format for next season remains uncertain—including whether the European Cup winner will be promoted—visibility is limited. The absence of Dutch and Italian representatives (voluntary or by CEB decision) raises questions about the credibility and level of what is supposed to be Europe’s top club competition.

But back to Spain, where the Valencia field is ideal for home runs, let’s see what awaits our two French representatives.

The French champions won’t have an easy time in their group, facing two heavyweights: the local Astros and Belgium’s Deurnes Spartans. The Barracudas should handle Vienna without too much trouble, even with Austrian internationals Samy Hackl and Dominik Loffler playing at a high level. However, with their collective ERA of 5.01, the Metrostars, leading the Austrian Bundesliga with a 10-4 record, will likely struggle throughout the competition.

Things will get tougher against the Belgians, though it’s hard to predict their form, given their strong Latino contingent and the need to adapt to European import regulations. Their season has been average so far, with a 7-3 record and third place in their national league, but they boast excellent hitters like Arglinzones and Bustamante (a namesake of Montpellier’s infielder) and Belgian international Marco Van Mook on the mound. The semifinal spot will likely be decided on Wednesday at 9:30 AM (French players, brace yourselves for early starts) between these two teams. French-Belgian matchups are often tightly contested, and this one should be no different.

Valencia will be a tougher nut to crack, with a very experienced and powerful lineup led by Spanish internationals Roibert Descena and Edgard Rodriguez, as well as veteran Blake Ochoa, who, at 38, still has plenty to offer. The Astros’ pitching is also rock solid, featuring Jorge Balboa (8-1, 1.98 ERA), Cuban Yosbani Torres (6-2, 1.96 ERA), and closer Ricardo Hernandez (4 saves, 26 strikeouts in 22 innings).

Montigny seems to have a slightly easier group. They’ll face the powerful Marlins of Tenerife and their formidable duo, Yancarlo Franco and Lesther Galvan, backed by Joel Borges and Richard Montiel. Don’t overlook pitchers Elio Silva (7-0, 1.47 ERA) and Jose Diaz (8-0, 2.34 ERA). As three-time reigning Spanish champions, Tenerife are the clear favorites in this group.

However, the Cougars should handle Wiener-Neustadt, who don’t pose a significant threat, and the Croatian Olimpija Karlovac, familiar with European competition but never truly dominant. Keep an eye on veterans Slobodan Gales and Pavao Karin, as well as the always spectacular Antonio Horvatic, one of Europe’s best players over the past decade.

The European Cup comes at a perfect time for Montpellier, who have been in top form for the past two weeks. The Challenge de France was masterfully controlled, and the return of Zan and Monks has bolstered the lineup. Everything is clicking for the Languedoc side. Coach Ozanich’s strategic lineup choices will be closely watched. The team must adhere to the three-foreign-player rule, forcing tough decisions among Canelon, Gosselin, Bello, Bustamante, Spring, and Rodriguez. Canelon is likely in, but who will join him? Probably another pitcher (likely Gosselin), as pitching is crucial in the European Cup, leaving room for one more player, likely Bustamante as shortstop and leadoff hitter.

It’s no insult to say the Cougars have struggled this season, with an unproductive offense and shaky pitching. But Europe is different—a moment of unity, a chance to break out of routines and achieve greatness. This trip to Valencia could be the spark this talented team needs.

In the end, a Franco-Spanish semifinal showdown would be thrilling, and who knows? Maybe even a French final!

Montpellier has a rich European history, dating back to 1994 and a strong third-place finish in the European Cup A, followed by a seventh-place finish in 1995. The Barracudas won the European Cup B twice, in 1996 and 2011, defeating Deurne in the final. They’ve competed in the Cup of Cups four times, finishing fourth in 1998, sixth in 1999, fourth in 2002, and fifth in 2007. More recently, they won the qualifying tournament in 2012, beating weak opposition (a 7-1 final victory over Finland’s Espoo) before falling to Berne in the qualifying round for promotion to Group A. Montpellier’s last two European Cups were held in France, in Rouen, as part of the CEB Cup/Confederation Cup. The Barracudas lost in the 2016 final to the Huskies (2-5) and in the 2022 semifinals, again to the Huskies (6-7), finishing fourth with a pool-stage loss to Tenerife.

Here’s what Owen Ozanich had to say:

We’re quite confident in our chances of winning. We’ll take Canelon, Spring, and Rodriguez as foreigners, along with our French core, recently reinforced by Mael Zan, Julien Monks, and Luc Polit. Unfortunately, we’ll be without Couvreur and Pontiac, who should join us for the second half of the season at the end of June.

Montigny’s European history is shorter, with a strong third-place finish in the 2019 CEB Cup, capped by victories over Valencia, Heidenheim, and Minsk, and defeats against KNTU and Brno.

Here’s what Dylan Mayeux said:

We’re fully focused on the CE and know we can make an impact. We’ve mentally set the season aside. Our goal is to reach the final stage and aim for a podium finish. No lineup reinforcements; we want to keep our core players to strengthen our foundation even more.

The French schedule: