For the first time in federation history, Greece will field an Under-23 National Team as it travels to Valencia, Spain, for the 2026 WBSC Europe U-23 Baseball Championship Qualifier.
The tournament, held August 4-8, represents another major step forward for Greek baseball as the country's next generation of talent prepares to compete on the international stage.
The seven-team qualifier features two groups, with the top two teams from each advancing to the semifinals.
Group A
Group B
While the tournament offers a chance to compete for a spot in the 2027 U-23 European Championship, its significance for Greece extends far beyond wins and losses.
Simply assembling the nation's first-ever U-23 squad is a landmark achievement, highlighting the continued growth of the Greek baseball federation... hoping to motivate and grow the sport domestically.
Leading the roster are several collegiate standouts who have developed their games in the United States.
Akili Carris (University of New Mexico) brings valuable international experience and has become one of the federation's brightest young players as he has already participated in previous Prague Baseball Week tournaments and the 2025 European Championship.
Constantine Coines (Lewis University) adds another collegiate presence to the roster, while Niko Papathanasiou (Ferrum College) gives Greece additional depth as the country continues building toward the future of its national program. Both will be making their national team debuts.
Group B presents a difficult challenge. Host nation Spain enters as one of Europe's traditional baseball powers, while Switzerland has steadily improved in recent years. Advancing to the semifinals will require Greece to finish among the top two teams in the group.
Regardless of the final standings, the tournament marks a defining moment for Greek baseball. The creation of an Under-23 national team establishes another developmental step between the junior ranks and the senior national team, giving the country's emerging players an opportunity to gain valuable international experience while representing Greece on one of Europe's biggest stages.
From August 4-8 in Valencia, a new chapter begins for Greek baseball.
