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European Cricket Championship





HISTORY



1996


The first tournament was played in Denmark in 1996 . The participating teams were Denmark , Gibraltar , Netherlands , Ireland , Israel , Italy , Scotland and an England Board XI. The tournament was won by Ireland after beating the Netherlands in the final. 1996 tournament at CricketEurope


1998


In 1998, the tournament was split into two Divisions, although teams from the two Divisions still played each other in the final play-off matches. The teams from the previous tournaments were joined by France and Germany . The tournament was played in the Netherlands and was won by the hosts. 1998 tournament at CricketEurope


2000


The Divisional structure was tightened for this tournament, with teams from the two divisions not playing each other. The teams from the previous tournament were this time joined by Greece and Portugal . The tournament was played in Scotland and was again won by the Netherlands. The second division was won by Gibraltar. 2000 tournament at CricketEurope


2002


This tournament was held in Northern Ireland , with Austria replacing Greece from the previous tournament. It was won by the England Board XI. The second division was again won by Gibraltar. 2002 tournament at CricketEurope


2004


In this year, the two Divisions were played in two different countries. Division One, played in the Netherlands, was again won by the England Board XI, 2004 Division One at CricketEurope whilst Division Two, played in Belgium was won by Italy. Austria and Portugal did not compete this year, although Norway made their debut in Division Two. 2004 Division Two at the European Cricket Council


2006

From 2006, the European Cricket Council have expanded the tournament to include five divisions of between 4 and 8 teams. Eventually, all five divisions will contain six teams.


Division One

The European 1st Division Championships was held in 4th-9th of August in Scotland. Five teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being held in Glasgow and Ayr . The games between Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands had full ODI status. The tournament was won by Ireland, who had also won the European Championship at all age levels. 2006 Division One at CricketEurope

The three top teams will play in the first division of the WCL in 2007, the 4th place will play in the 2nd Division and the 5th place in the 3rd Division.


Division Two

The European 2nd Division Championships was held in 4th-9th of August in Scotland, together the 1st Division. The winner will play in the 1st Division in 2008.

Division Two was primarily played in Glasgow, with one game being played at RAF Lossiemouth for security reasons. Italy were absent, having been promoted to Division One. Greece made their return to Division Two after a six year absence, whilst the tournament saw the international debuts of Guernsey and Jersey . It was won by Norway, who will now play in Division One in 2008 . Greece came in last place and will play in Division Three in 2007 after being stripped of their first round points due to fielding ineligible players. The tournament was met by protests due to the involvement of the Israeli team. 2006 Division Two at CricketEurope


=Group A


Greece was disqualified for inelegibility of players


=Group B



Division Four

This tournament was played in Belgium, and featured the debut of Cyprus who played Finland , Luxembourg and Slovenia . It was won by Finland. 2006 Division Four at CricketEurope


THE FUTURE


As already mentioned, the tournaments expansion will see five divisions played, with not all taking place in the same year. The structure for the next 3 years is as follows.


2007




2008


  • Division One: Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy and Norway

  • Division Two: France, Germany, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, winner of 2007 play off

  • Division Five: Austria, Switzerland , Sweden and three teams to be decided.

  • Play off: 6th Division One v Winners Division Two Tournament structure, page five of Brochure



2009



Promotion and relegation play offs will take place between each Division.


CHAMPIONS


First Division



Second Division



SEE ALSO




REFERENCES