Kosovo names Baseball5 squad for historic Mediterranean Games debut

The Kosovo Baseball and Softball Federation has announced the eight athletes who will represent the country in the Baseball5 competition at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, where Kosovo will make its international debut in the WBSC's urban baseball discipline.

The national team consists of a mix of players with international competition experience and emerging young talents, reflecting the rapid development of Baseball5 in Kosovo, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

The women's squad includes Vileza Zeqiri, Dafinë Gashi, Delvinë Hajdari, and Doresa Gashi, while the men's team features Islam Thaçi, Etnor Dugolli, Lekë Juniku, and Tefik Sallahu.

Participation in Taranto 2026 is considered another important milestone in Kosovo's continued investment in Baseball5, providing athletes with the opportunity to compete against some of the strongest national teams in the Mediterranean region.

The tournament will also serve as valuable preparation for future World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) competitions, as well as the 2030 Mediterranean Games, which will be hosted in Pristina.

In the group stage, Kosovo has been drawn into Group B alongside Spain, Italy, and Tunisia.

Kosovo will open its campaign on July 29 against Spain. On July 30, the team will face host nation Italy and African champions Tunisia, aiming to secure a place in the knockout stage.

The Baseball5 tournament runs from July 29 to August 2 and marks the discipline's debut in the Mediterranean Games program. Eight national teams are competing, divided into two groups of four. Group winners will advance directly to the semifinals, while the second- and third-placed teams will compete in the quarterfinals.

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