Israel Reaches Quarterfinals in Euro Championship

With the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) just over five months away, the Israeli national baseball team had a critical tune-up at last week’s 2025 Baseball European Championship. For Israel, which reached the quarterfinals, where it ultimately fell to the Czech Republic, 4-3, before playing out the string of final games in the 5-8 placement bracket, the weeklong tournament was far from perfect — both on and off the diamond — but there were some encouraging signs for a team looking to make a splash in Pool D play at Miami’s loanDepot Park in March.

Playing without active big leaguers Harrison Bader, Dean Kremer, and Garrett Stubbs who have committed to representing Israel at next year’s WBC, Team Israel began Group B play in the Euro tourney by pulling off an 8-4 comeback over France, a win fueled by a Robb Paller third-inning grand slam and shutdown bullpen performance featuring appearances by one-time Miami Marlin Jake Fishman and former Philadelphia Phillie Charles “Bubby” Rossman.

Paller has never played in the major leagues, but his baseball credentials are impressive nonetheless. During his senior year at Columbia University last decade, the now 32-year-old American-Israeli outfielder was a first-team all-Ivy League selection before going on to compete for Team Israel at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. For Paller, the opening victory was particularly gratifying as there were contributions on behalf of several Israeli-born players, including shortstop Nadav Machlin and leftfielder Aviad Schechter who combined for five walks. Though Team Israel continues to have a solid contingent of American-born players, the ballclub is starting to develop a more homegrown identity, a testament to the sport’s burgeoning popularity among Israelis.

“When I first came to bolster our baseball program, I was one of many Americans. Today, there are so many skilled and motivated Israelis who grew up playing locally — it feels like a dream come true,” Paller said after he powered Israel to the come-from-behind victory over France.

On another level, whether it’s at the WBC, Olympics, or the Baseball European Championship, there’s an understanding that a win for the blue-and-white takes on greater meaning than what’s simply captured in the box score.

“It’s a badge of honor, and a reminder that I’m fulfilling a life-long dream: to wear a jersey with Israel displayed on my chest,” shared Israel Game 1 starting pitcher Justin Alintoff, a University of Florida alum who currently pitches in an independent league back in the States. “If we could ask her, Anne Frank would not be surprised to learn that 80 years later, Jews are still subject to hatred in Holland … but instead of a yellow star, today we proudly display a blue and white star as a symbol of the independent and powerful state of Israel.”

When I first came to bolster our baseball program, I was one of many Americans. Today, there are so many skilled and motivated Israelis who grew up playing locally — it feels like a dream come true

The dominant narrative surrounding Israel’s statement win, however, did not involve anything between the lines, but rather what transpired before the first pitch. Dozens of members of the Rotterdam Palestine Coalition Foundation, congregating outside Rotterdam’s Neptunus Stadium, tried to prevent the venue from opening by chaining themselves to fences. Reportedly, some protestors chanted “Death to the Israeli army IDF” and draped signs reading “Stop whitewashing with sports, boycott genocide” and “Zionism is Nazism, Gaza is Auschwitz,” along the stadium’s front gate. But once an over two-hour rain delay ended, the protest subsided, the gates opened to the concourses, and Israel was able to play ball.

Although there were no such distractions during Israel’s next two games, the on-field outcome each day was nonetheless sobering: a 16-1 runaway win by Great Britain preceded a 9-1 blowout by the Netherlands tournament host team.

Despite the aggregate 25-2 deficit in Games 2-3, Israel stormed back against Switzerland on Sept. 24 with a resounding 9-1 blowout of its own to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. In his second pitching start, Alintoff was overpowering, going the distance — a rarity at any level in today’s game — while fanning seven and only yielding four hits. Afterwards, Israel’s ace pitcher, bubbling with emotion, reflected on the import of his team advancing to the quarterfinals.

“I’ve pitched in big games before, but today was special,” shared Alintoff, who fired off an immaculate inning in the fourth frame (all three batters struck out on nine pitches). “I was pitching on behalf of my people. I want to dedicate this victory to those who are under attack in their homes, as well as those who are fighting to protect us even now — and, of course, to those who have lost their lives. I hope and pray that today’s game will usher in a better New Year, one in which we may see a swift return of our hostages.”

Against the Swiss, the offensive hero for Israel was none other than Atlanta’s own Chase Engelhard. The first baseman, who played college ball at both Tulane and Florida International University and recently received his Israeli citizenship, went 4-5 while driving in a team-leading three runs.

I was pitching on behalf of my people. I want to dedicate this victory to those who are under attack in their homes, as well as those who are fighting to protect us even now — and, of course, to those who have lost their lives.

“Nadav [Machlin], Itai [Spinoza], Zev [Mor], and Assaf [Lowengard] all got key hits today. They’ve taught me what it means to be an Israeli and stand up against the odds,” said Engelhard.

A day later in its quarterfinal matchup against the Czech Republic, Israel fell short of advancing to the Final Four as its bats largely fell silent in the aforementioned 4-3 loss. Thanks to some terrific relief pitching — Israel manager Nate Fish went to his bullpen early after Fishman gave up a couple runs in the opening two frames — Israel was only down 4-0 in the top of the ninth, but a late three-run rally was all it could muster as pinch-hitter Jake Arnow stranded the tying run on third by grounding out to end the game.

After bowing out against the Czech Republic, Israel wrapped up the 2025 Baseball European Championship with a 10-9 loss to Germany before getting past Croatia 11-5 in the final game.