Results: June 29-July 2

VWBC
Here are the results for the past three days of competition in the VWBC. We would like to apologize for the erraticness of the manner in which we present results, the fact that sometimes in-depth summaries are posted while other games merely get a score posted. We would like to assure followers that it is due to no prejudice toward certain nations, merely the fact that some times we have more time than others. When a game is particularly interesting, we try to post a summary even if it is a few days late. Without further ado, the results are:
June 29:
(4) England 5 (5) Italy 3
(12) Qatar 3 (13) Thailand 2 (12 innings)
June 30:
(4) Democratic Republic of the Congo 5 (5) Madagascar 1
(3) St. Lucia 2 (6) Mexico 1 (14 innings)
July 1:
(11) Ireland 3 (14) Liechtenstein 6
(3) Indonesia 4 (11) Nepal 3
July 2:
(2) Jamaica 7 (7) Chile 10
(3) Egypt 5 (11) Libya 4
Overall Summary:
June 29:
These days saw both upsets and favorites proceeding, and they began with the latter, as things continued to go as expected in the Africa region, with the DRC, a member of the talented top four in the otherwise weak region triumphing in undramatic, businesslike fashion over mismatched opponents Madagascar. The second match of the day was much more dramatic, with St. Lucia and Mexico evenly locked for 14 innings, until St. Lucia was finally able to snatch one run by playing small-ball in the 15th.
June 30:
Next up were seemingly evenly-matched powers England and Italy. Their clash was indeed close, and resulted in England winning 5-3, adding two runs in the 8th after 7 innings of 3-3 deadlock. The other match on June 30 provided even more drama, with UlaanBaatar hosting a pair of amazing cinderella stories, 12 seed Qatar pitted against 13 seed Thailand, that remarkable nation which had defeated powerhouse Switzerland and ignited a passion throughout their land for a game that was virtually unheard of before. Qatar had also secured their second round berth in an amazing upset, knocking off the heavily favored Japanese. In their clash though, a back and forth battle led to a 2-2 score at the end of 9 innings, sending this drama into extra innnings. In the 12th inning, however, Thailand fell victim to their fatal flaw, lack of pitching depth. In the bottom of the 12th Qatar was able to put together a rally enough to give them the run they needed to win. Thailand leaves after a remarkable run though, one which will not soon be forgotten.
July 1:
As the VWBC moved into July, it got the month kicked off with a victory for underdog Liechtenstein, a 14 seed compelled to do amazing things, having defeated the seemingly impregnable Austrians, they did it again against a slightly less talented opponent, defeating Ireland rather handily, 6-3. The second match of the day saw another cinderella story come to an end as underdogs Nepal lost to heavily favored Indonesia, 4-3. That minimal margin of loss will mean that the Nepalese definitely have nothing to hang their heads about as they leave the tournament, having already delighted their fans with a win in their home stadium against a good opponent, India, in round 1.
July 2:
Today saw yet another upset, with the Jamaica becoming the first 2 seed to exit the tournament, losing to Chile 10-3. Also, favorite Egypt moved on with a 5-4 victory over Libya.