Europeans go head-to-head

ICC Europe have announced the schedule and venues for the ICC European Division One Championship to be held in Ireland from July 25-31.

The 50-over round robin tournament will see Europe’s top six associate and affiliate countries - Denmark, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Scotland fight it out for glory.

Current European champions Ireland will be looking to retain their title on home soil and their campaign will begin against tournament newcomers Norway, who they play at The Hills Cricket Club on the July 25.

ICC affiliate member Norway gained promotion to division one after winning division two in 2006, overcoming second place Gibraltar and other associate members including France and Israel.

The other opening matches see Denmark face Scotland at Malahide CC and Italy take on the Netherlands at North County CC.

Irish Cricket Union chief executive Warren Deutrom said: “Winning the European Championships and retaining the title is still a hugely important goal for Ireland.

“Although last year’s World Cup success gave us an exciting glimpse of the world beyond, we still consciously compare ourselves to our European neighbours, particularly our counterparts in the ICC’s High Performance Programme.

“If nothing else, the fierce competition among traditional rivals makes for highly competitive cricket which, in turn, helps raise the bar for European cricket.”

ICC European development manager Richard Holdsworth, who will act as tournament director, added: “This is Europe's showpiece event in the tournament calendar and with the region containing three one-day international teams, there will be three ODIs as part of the event.

“It will be a tough challenge for the likes of Norway and Italy to compete against these highly world ranked countries, but is what the ICC Development Program is all about, and they deserve their chance to compete with the best.”

“To Ireland hosting this event, we are truly grateful. They have become experts in hosting such events, and their facilities improve each year, which the participating countries will benefit from.”

ICC European Division One Championship schedule:

Friday 25 July 2008

Ireland v Norway, The Hills CC
Scotland v Denmark, Malahide CC
Netherlands v Italy, North County CC

Saturday 26 July 2008

Ireland v Denmark, Leinster CC
Scotland v Italy, The Hills CC
Netherlands v Norway, North County CC

Monday 28 July 2008

Ireland v Netherlands, Clontarf CC
Scotland v Norway, Leinster CC
Denmark v Italy, Merrion CC

Tuesday 29 July 2008

Scotland v Netherlands, Clontarf CC
Ireland v Italy, Malahide CC
Denmark v Norway, North County CC

Thursday 31 July 2008

Ireland v Scotland, Clontarf CC
Netherlands v Denmark, The Hills CC
Norway v Italy, Malahide CC