Italy Shuts Out Germany 5-0 to Return to Premier12

Italy shut out Germany 5-0 in Barcelona on Sunday, October 11, to claim the second available place at the 2027 WBSC Premier12. The victory sends the Azzurri back to the tournament for the first time since its inaugural edition in 2015.

Giacomo Taschin set the tone with four scoreless innings and seven strikeouts, while five Italian relievers completed the shutout. Every starter in Francisco Cervelli’s lineup recorded at least one hit in the winner-take-all game.

Italy takes control early

Italy broke through in the second inning. Alessandro Martini reached on a German error before Ricardo Guevara doubled him home for the opening run. Gabriele Angioi followed with a bunt single, and Samuele Gamberini Paolini’s hit brought Guevara across for a 2-0 lead.

Germany threatened against Taschin but could not convert. Eric Brenk reached third base in the second inning, and later Alexander Horger tripled with two outs in the seventh, but Italy’s pitching staff repeatedly escaped without allowing a run.

Taschin handed the game to Mattia Sireus after four innings. Javier Fandiño, Matteo Bocchi, Alex Bassani and Claudio Scotti followed, protecting the lead through the final out.

Mineo delivers the decisive blow

Italy created separation in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Alberto Mineo lined a two-run single to right field, scoring Federico Celli and Federico Sellaroli to make it 4-0.

Sellaroli added the fifth run with an RBI single in the eighth. Germany put two runners aboard in the ninth, but Scotti retired the next three hitters to finish the shutout and trigger Italy’s celebration.

The result completed a 2-1 qualifier for Italy. The Azzurri opened with a 4-3 comeback win over Colombia, lost 5-2 to host Spain, then responded in the decisive game against Germany.

Italy returns to the Premier12

Italy joins Spain as the two teams advancing from the Barcelona qualifier. Spain secured the group’s first berth on Saturday, while Italy and Germany entered Sunday tied at 1-1 with the second place on the line.

The 2027 Premier12 will also carry Olympic significance. The highest-finishing European or Oceanian team at the tournament will earn a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, giving Italy a direct path toward baseball’s Olympic return.