07/10/2024 2 Minute Read

WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 - Day 1: Defending champs Cuba set the pace; Hosts Hong Kong clinch impressive opening win

Cuba beat Lithuania and South Africa before Hong Kong, China claimed a thrilling extra innings win over South Africa after a spectacular WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 opening ceremony in the Central Harbourfront Event Space.

Defending champions Cuba got off to an impressive start at the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 with two wins from as many games at the stunning Central Harbourfront Event Space while the home crowd celebrated a win for Hong Kong, China as they beat South Africa in the last game of the day, which featured two extra innings sets for the first time in World Cup history.

The world No. 2 beat European champions Lithuania 18-2, 11-2 to set the pace in the opening game of the day before proving too strong for South Africa, winning 10-0, 9-1.

Cuba beat Lithuania in Mexico City two years ago and again proved why they have the favourites tag, especially with their regulation straight sets win over South Africa, who they beat two years ago, to sit on top of Group A with two wins from as many games.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong, China's 9-7, 6-5 victory over South Africa saw both sets go to six innings for the first time in a WBSC Baseball5 World Cup (both at youth and open levels) as the home fans walked away boisterous following an entertaining performance from their team and a spectacular opening ceremony.

In Group B, France and Mexico also are unbeaten after two games.

This is the second edition of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup after Mexico City 2022
Cuba are the defending champions, with Japan having finished second and Chinese Taipei third
There are 10 teams returning from Mexico 2022. Australia and China have replaced Kenya and Korea
This the the first time a WBSC World Cup is staged in Hong Kong, China
Hosts Hong Kong finished 12th in Mexico two years ago
The next edition of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup will take place in Italy in 2026.
The next WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup will take place in Mexico in 2025.
The number of teams participating in the next editions of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup and WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup will increase from 12 to 16 teams.
Baseball5 will also feature at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026

“It is very satisfying to achieve the objective that we had planned and claim two good wins on the opening day,” said 2022 MVP Briandy Molina. “Lithuania, especially was an important game as the opening game of the tournament and they are the champions of Europe.

“I am very happy with the result and the way we have prepared for this tournament in Cuba. But we still have work to do if we want to achieve our goal of winning the tournament.

“Looking ahead to tomorrow's games against Hong Kong and Venezuela the most important thing is to win for the team and to advance to the Super Round.”

World No. 13 Venezuela gained revenge for their 9-2, 2-0 loss to Chinese Taipei in the bronze medal game two years ago by claiming a brilliant come-from-behind 5-6, 2-0, 12-3 win against the world No. 1 in their opening game of the tournament.

“We got off to a slow start but turned things around to claim a good win,” said Luis Marques, who also played in Mexico City 2022. “We have been preparing for two years and this time we have a better team, with good female representation. I'm looking forward to this tournament and we have the gold medal as a target.

“I don't want to get ahead of myself but I see my team super united and in good form so our target is to become world champions.”

In Group B, world No. 4 France beat Tunisia 6-2, 13-8 before claiming a hard fought 5-.0, 5-8, 6-4 win over China, who impressed on their debut in the World Cup while Mexico were efficient in beating Australia 4-0, 6-1 and Tunisia 5-4, 17-7.

Key links