Dan Rotem led the Team Israel to an 18-2 victory over Finland to clinch 5'th place in the European B-Pool Baseball tournament held in Regensberg Germany last week. Rotem went the distance for the second time earning his second win of the tournament. He also led the Israeli sluggers at the plate going 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs. Shuki Friedman added 3 more RBIs to lead the team with 9 for the tournament.

Israel, in its first ever appearance in an adult baseball tournament, won its first two games over Hungary and Switzerland.. Both victories were won by native Tel Avivians who grew up playing baseball in the Sportek in Tel Aviv. Both went on to receive baseball scholarships from US universities, and made a special effort to come to join the National Team. Shlomo Lipetz struck out 8 and scattered 5 hits yielding only 1 earned run in a complete game. Israel came from behind after making some costly errors giving Hungary a 4-1 lead after 5 1/2 innings. Jerusalem's Shuki Friedman hit a two run homer in the bottom of 5'th to keep things close. The Hungarians scored 1 run in each the 6'th and 7'th innings to take a 3 run lead. Israel came back with one run in the 7'th and 3 run rally capped by Gadi Shenkar's 2 RBI double with two outs. Lipetz held the Hungarians scoreless for the 8'th and 9'th and nailed down Israel's historic win.

Dan Rotem struck out 9 and Shuki Friedman hit his 2nd home run of the tournament as Israel edged Switzerland 6-5. Shuki's home run, a 3 run shot over the right field fence, gave Israel a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Swiss didn't panic and got 2 runs back on 3 hits in bottom of the first. They tied the game at 3 in the 4'th and Israel pulled ahead to stay scoring 2 runs in the 6'th and 1 in the seventh. The Swiss tried to stage a comeback in the eighth with 3 hits and 3 walks, but came up 1 run short. Rotem settled down in the ninth retiring the Swiss in order sealing Israel's second tournament win.

A win over Germany or Slovenia would have positioned Israel in the final four. They were totally outclassed by the German team losing 32-0. Shlomo Lipetz then went to the mound against Slovenia, on only 3 days rest to try to lead the Israeli National team to the semi finals. A victory would have earned Israel a spot in the final four. Two costly errors and Rok Vedas, the Slovenian relief pitcher who held Israel's bats silent for the last 2 2/3 innings kept them away from their dreams as the Slovenians held on to an 8-6 victory.