WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group C Playoffs: NZ v Venezuela all locked up

Welcome to the fifth and final day of the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group C taking place in Buttrio and Castions di Strada in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Beautiful sunshine has graced us for today's playoffs at Castions di Strada where two teams today will book a ticket to the Finals 2024.

After yesterday's dramatic last day of round-robin pool play action, we now have four games to see which teams will claim the two tickets to the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024.

• Day Four Review: Philippines claim dramatic walk off win over Italy to book last spot in playoffs
• Day Three Review: Italy & Philippines postponed due to weather; Canada, New Zealand and Venezuela collect crucial wins
• Day Two Review: Italy beat Canada, are on top of Group C
• Day One Review: Japan, Canada and Italy win on Day One
• Group C in Castions di Strada and Buttrio, Italy sees world No. 2 and Olympic champions Japan, No. 5 Canada, No. 8 Italy, No. 26 Philippines and No. 29 New Zealand in action from 22-26 July. Group C Preview
• Group C head coaches discuss their chances
• 12 players to watch
• By the Numbers
• First time the new two-stage format is being used in a WBSC tournament.
• XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals to be played in July 2024 in Italy
• Photos
• Watch Live on GameTime.Sport

New Zealand v Venezuela

First game up today sees a repeat of Monday's superb Opening Round game which New Zealand won 4-3.

Tight ball game in the first three innings.

Pregame

Not a surprise that yesterday's dramatic win by the Philippines over Italy where they clinched a playoff spot with the last play of the game and the Opening Round has made major headlines, especially in the Philippines.

• Where to watch
• First time that Ireland, Spain and Italy host a WBSC tournament.
• New sustainable Mizuno ball - the M170 - in play.
• Six teams participating in three groups. Top two teams from Group C “punch a ticket” to the Finals next year. Learn more about the tournament format here.
• USA and Australia advance to Finals 2024 after finishing first and second in Group A in Ireland. Great Britain finished third. Check out the Group A review.
• Puerto Rico and the Netherlands booked the two tickets from Group B in Valencia, Spain. Read the Group B review.
• WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Full History