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Medal Games - WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024

July 20, 2024

Medal Games - WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024

20 July 2024

Reminder: Follow the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup finals live

A reminder on how and where to follow the two medal games of the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024, taking place in Castions di Strada, Italy at 17:00 and 20:00 (local time).

Castions di Strada, Italy - After five days of competition, the big finale to the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024 has arrived.

The Netherlands play Canada for the bronze medal at 17:00 (local time) followed by world No. 1 and defending champs USA taking on Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games gold medal winners Japan.

The Netherlands, ranked 8th in the world, are aiming for their first WBSC Women's Softball World Cup medal with a fourth place finish in 2016 their best result to date, while world No. 5 Canada have one silver (1978) and three bronze medals (2018, 2016 and 2010) to their name.

The WBSC Women's Softball World Cup 2016, played under the Double Page System, saw the top four places go to USA, Japan, Canada and the Netherlands.

USA and Japan have played the last seven WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals and The World Games 2022, which awarded the title of world champion with USA winning in 2002, 2006, 2010 before Japan claimed back to back titles in 2012 and 2014 and then USA claimed the last three crowns in 2016, 2018 and 2022.

If Japan wins, it will be the first time they will hold the Olympic and world champion titles (USA managed the feat from 1994 to 2006).

USA have 12 world champion titles to their name, including the last three editions and four silver medal (they've only missed the podium once out of 17 editions in 1982). Japan have three gold medals, seven silver (including last three editions) and two bronze medals.

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Complete Results

Bracket

Day 5: USA finish undefeated, will play Japan for the World Title

The defending World Champions defeated the Netherlands, 7-0 in five innings. Japan outscored Canada 7-2. On Saturday, July 20, Japan and the United States will play for the World Title. Canada will play the Netherlands for the bronze medal.

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Day 4: USA advance to Women's Softball World Championship Final, will play the Canada-Japan winner

USA edged Japan 2-0 and remain undefeated. They will defend their World Title in the final on Saturday. Canada beat the Netherlands 6-3 on Larissa Franklin's three-run walk-off home run and will face Japan on Friday, July 19. The winner will play against USA. China beat Australia and Puerto Rico proved too good for hosts Italy in the Placement Round games.

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Day 3: Canada join USA, Japan and Netherlands in Women's Softball World Cup Finals Super Round

The final Opening Round day had a dramatic ending. Canada beat Italy, 5-4, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh. In the morning game, Japan beat the Netherlands 4-3 on a walk-off slap single by pinch hitter Shiho Suto. USA and Japan will start the medal round with a 1-0 record, while Canada and the Netherlands will begin at 0-1.

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Day 2: Japan, Netherlands and USA advance to Super Round of WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024

Japan beat Puerto Rico, the Netherlands were too good for Australia and USA shut out Italy, all advancing to the Super Round. The third day's final game between Canada and Italy will decide the fourth team that will advance to the medal round.

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Day 1: Japan, Netherlands, USA and Italy open Women's Softball World Cup Finals with wins

The Dutch surprised the world on Day 1 by overtaking Puerto Rico. Italy showed a lot of power and some consistent pitching. Japan and USA confirmed themselves as the favourites. "This tournament is one step towards the women's softball tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari during the Opening Ceremony.