serve as hosts of the 16 teams of the second round (September 14–20), and therefore received first round byes. The groups were as follows: Group A (hosted by the Czech Republic in Prague): Czech Republic, Australia, Chinese Taipei and Mexico Group B (hosted by Spain in Barcelona): Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico and South Africa Group C (hosted by Sweden in Stockholm): Sweden, Canada, Korea and Netherlands Antilles Group D (hosted by Russia in Moscow): Russia, France/Great Britain, Japan and Nicaragua Group E (hosted by Germany in Regensburg): Germany, China, U.S.A. and Venezuela The group Italy hosted in the second round included Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles and the U.S.A.. Italy's first three match-ups against Chinese Taipei, Mexico, and Australia all resulted in losses. Their first victory came against Japan on September 18. Italy lost two more to Canada and the U.S.A. before winning their final game against Netherlands Antilles. Italy finished the second round with a 2–5 record, and were eliminated. Italy hosted the final round from September 22–27 in Grosseto, Nettuno, Anzio, Matino, Caserta, Messina, Palermo and Rome, consisting of eight teams. Team USA won the gold medal game of the 2009 IBAF World Cup in Nettuno 10–5 over Cuba. Intercontinental Cup The Intercontinental Cup is another international baseball competition sponsored by the IBAF. Italy hosted the first ever Intercontinental Cup in , and finished in sixth place. Italy's best finish ever was third place, which they did in the games. 2006 In the tournament held in Taichung, Taiwan November 9–19, , Italy finished sixth. They secured an impressive 13–3 victory over Chinese Taipei in their first game of the tournament, however, they lost their next three match-ups to Netherlands, Cuba, and Australia (13 innings). After coming back with a victory against the Philippines, Italy lost their next two to Japan and South Korea to end the round robin first phase of the tournament with a 2–5 record. Italy came back to beat South Korea in the first game of the following round, 8–3. In the battle for fifth place, Italy lost to Australia, 3–2. 2010 Italy beat Chinese Taipei 4–3 in the bronze medal game, gaining the first medal in its International Cup history. European Baseball Championship The European Baseball Championship is the main championship tournament between national baseball teams in Europe, governed by the WBSC Europe. Italy won the inaugural European Baseball Championship in .