European Cricket Championship

The European Cricket Championship is a group of various tournaments in which national cricket sides throughout Europe compete. The competition is designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket is not a major sport and Europe's only Test cricket playing countries, England and Ireland, do not currently enter a side. The games were often played as 50-over one-day cricket matches, most of these without One Day International status, but more recently has been played in a Twenty20 format (see below for more details).

European Cricket Championship
AdministratorEuropean Cricket Council,
International Cricket Council
FormatList A
First edition2000
Tournament formatLeague system
Number of teams30 nations
Current champion Germany
Most successful Ireland (3 titles)

History

The European Cricket Championships began in 1996 as a competition for seven European associate teams and an (English cricket Board) ECB XI.[1] The second installment, two years later, saw the two new associate members, France and Germany join them and the competition played over two divisions.

In 2000, places were given to the top finishers of the European Affiliates Championship and this continued over the following installments. Promotion and relegation between divisions was not introduced until 2004.

With the introduction of the ICC World Cricket League in 2006, the championship was revamped. The European Affiliates Championship was incorporated into the European Cricket Championships with the teams being split between Divisions Two, Three and Four according to the placement in the final competition. Additionally, the ECB XI was no longer included and only full national sides could take part. A fifth league was introduced in 2009–10 season containing some of the newest affiliate members of the European Cricket Council.

Participating teams
Legend
  • 1st – Champions
  • 2nd – Runners-up
  • 3rd – Third place
  • SF – Semi-finalist (no third-place playoff)
  • * – Team was ineligible for tournament
  •     — Hosts
Team
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010

2011
2013
2015
2017		 Total
 Austria ————————8th6th—4th3
 Belgium ————————7th12th—5th3
 Croatia ————————12th———1
 Denmark 3rd2nd6th5th4th4th3rd5th1st2nd2nd*11
England Board XI 4th6th2nd1st1st————***5
 France —8th——————6th5th6th6th5
 Germany —7th——————10th7th—1st4
 Gibraltar 6th10th——————9th10th——4
 Guernsey ————————4thSF4th*3
 Ireland 1st4th4th3rd5th1st1st*****7
 Ireland "A" ———————2nd————1
 Isle of Man —————————9th——1
 Israel 8th9th——————11th———3
 Italy 7th5th5th6th—5th5th6th2nd1st3rd*10
 Jersey ———————1st3rdSF1st*4
 Netherlands 2nd1st1st4th2nd3rd4th*****7
 Netherlands "A" ———————4th————1
 Norway ——————6th—5th8th5th3rd5
 Scotland 5th3rd3rd2nd3rd2nd2nd*****7
 Scotland "A" ———————3rd————1
 Sweden —————————11th—2nd2

Tournaments
Divisions Host Nation(s) Final Standing
1996 ECC Division One  Denmark
  1.  Ireland
  2.  Netherlands
  3.  Denmark
  4. England Board XI
  5.  Scotland
  6.  Gibraltar
  7.  Italy
  8.  Israel
 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.
1998 ECC Division One  Netherlands
  1.  Netherlands
  2.  Denmark
  3.  Scotland
  4.  Ireland
  5.  Italy
  6. England Board XI
  7.  Germany
  8.  France
  9.  Israel
  10.  Gibraltar
 1998 tournament was held in Netherlands. The participating teams were Denmark, Gibraltar, Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Scotland, Germany, France and an England Board XI. The tournament was won by Netherlands after beating the Denmark in the final. In one of the biggest shocks in cricket history, Italy beat England in the promotion/relegation playoff.
2000 ECC Division One  Scotland
  1.  Netherlands
  2. England Board XI
  3.  Scotland
  4.  Ireland
  5.  Italy
  6.  Denmark
 The top 6 teams from the previous tournament Formed ECC Division 1 The tournament was played in Scotland and was again won by the Netherlands against England Board XI.[2]
ECC Division Two  Scotland
  1.  Gibraltar
  2.  Germany
  3.  France
  4.  Portugal
  5.  Israel
  6.  Greece
 The Bottom 4 teams from the previous tournament Formed ECC Division 2 joined by Greece and Portugal. The tournament was played in Scotland. ECC Division 2 was won by Gibraltar against Germany.[2]
2002 ECC Division One  Ireland
  1. England Board XI
  2.  Scotland
  3.  Ireland
  4.  Netherlands
  5.  Denmark
  6.  Italy
 2002 ECC tournament was held in Northern Ireland, It was won by the ECB XI against Scotland.[3]
  • Italy finished last was relegated to 2004 ECC Division Two
ECC Division Two  Ireland
  1.  Gibraltar
  2.  Germany
  3.  Portugal
  4.  Israel
  5.  France
  6.  Austria
 2002 ECC tournament was held in Northern Ireland, with Austria replacing Greece from the previous tournament. The ECC Division Two was again won by Gibraltar against Germany.[3]
2004 ECC Division One  Netherlands
  1. England Board XI
  2.  Ireland
  3.  Netherlands
  4.  Scotland
  5.  Denmark
 2004 ECC Division One, played in the Netherlands, was again won by the ECB XI against Ireland.[4]
ECC Division Two  Belgium
  1.  Italy
  2.  France
  3.  Germany
  4.  Norway
  5.  Gibraltar
  6.  Israel
 2004 ECC Division Two, played in the Belgium, was again won by the Italy against France.

Austria and Portugal did not compete this year, although Norway made their debut in Division Two.[5]

2006 ECC Division One  Scotland
  1.  Ireland
  2.  Scotland
  3.  Netherlands
  4.  Denmark
  5.  Italy
 The European Division One Championships was held from 4–9 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 a 'clean sweep' of European Championship at all age levels.[6]
ECC Division Two  Scotland
  1.  Norway
  2.  Jersey
  3.  Germany
  4.  Gibraltar
  5.  Guernsey
  6.  France
  7.  Israel
  8.  Greece
 The European Division Two Championships was held from 4–9 August in Scotland, together with Division One. The winner would be promoted to the next installment of Division One 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,

  • Norway promoted to 2008 Division One.
  • The win also granted them entry into 2008 WCL Division Five alongside runners-up Jersey and 3rd place Germany.
  • Israel relegated to playoff with 2007 ECC Division Three winner.
  • Greece came in last place and were relegated later was stripped of their first round points due to fielding ineligible players.[7]
ECC Division Four  Belgium
  1.  Finland
  2.  Cyprus
  3.  Luxembourg
  4.  Slovenia
 The European Division Four Championship was played in Belgium, and featured the debut of Cyprus who played Finland, Luxembourg and Slovenia. It was won by Finland.
  • Finland & Cyprus gained promotion to 2007 Division Three.[8]
2007 ECC Division Three  Belgium
  1.  Croatia
  2.  Spain
  3.  Isle of Man
  4.  Malta
  5.  Belgium
  6.  Portugal
  7.  Cyprus
  8.  Finland
 The European Division Three Championships was held in Belgium and it featured 8 teams viz. Croatia, Spain, Malta, Isle of Man, Belgium and Portugal. Finland and Cyprus qualified through 2006 ECC Division four.In the final Croatia beat Spain by four runs.
  • Croatia Qualified 2007 ECC division two Playoff
  • Cyprus and Finland relegated to 2009 ECC Division Four.
2007 ECC division two Playoff  Israel  Croatia beat Israel by 5 runs On 18 November 2007 a play-off between Croatia and Israel took place in Tel Aviv, Croatia won the match by five runs
  • Croatia promoted to Division Two.
2008 ECC Division One  Ireland
  1.  Ireland
  2.  Scotland
  3.  Denmark
  4.  Netherlands
  5.  Italy
  6.  Norway
 The European Championship Division 1 was held from 25–31 July in Ireland. Six teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being played in Dublin.[9] The tournament was won by Ireland.
  • Norway relegated to playoff with 2008 ECC Division Two winner.
ECC Division Two  Guernsey
  1.  Jersey
  2.  Guernsey
  3.  Gibraltar
  4.  France
  5.  Germany
  6.  Croatia
 The European Championship Division 2 was held from 18–23 August in Guernsey. Six teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being played at the King George V, Port Soif and College Field grounds.[10] The tournament was won by Jersey
  • Jersey promoted to a play off, for a chance of promotion to Division One.
  • Croatia relegated to playoff with 2009 ECC Division Three winner.
2008 ECC division one Playoff  Guernsey  Norway v  Jersey - Not played Play-off system scrapped by ICC Europe.
  • Jersey promoted to 2010 ECC Division One .
  • Norway relegated to 2010 ECC Division Two.
2009 ECC Division Three  Spain
  1.  Israel
  2.  Isle of Man
  3.  Spain
  4.  Belgium
  5.  Portugal
  6.  Malta

The 2009 European Championship Division Three was held in La Manga, Spain from 31 August to 5 September.

  • Israel qualified 2009 ECC division two Playoffs
  • Malta were relegated to 2011 Division Four.
2009 ECC division two Playoff  Spain  Croatia Lost to  Israel Croatia Lost the match to Israel
  • Israel promoted to Division Two.
ECC Division Five  Greece
  1.  Greece
  2.  Sweden
  3.  Czech Republic
  4.  Bulgaria
  5.  Estonia
  6.  Turkey
 The 2009 European Championship Division Five was held in Corfu, Greece from 7 to 12 September. Greece finished top gaining promotion to Division 4. The tournament also marked Turkey's debut in international cricket. Although they finished last they did gain their first victory in international cricket over Bulgaria.
ECC Division Four  Cyprus
  1.  Cyprus
  2.   Switzerland
  3.  Austria
  4.  Luxembourg
  5.  Finland
  6.  Slovenia
 The 2009 European Championship Division Four was held in Limassol, Cyprus from 14–19 September. The winners were Cyprus on net run rate as both Switzerland and Austria, who had returned to the competition after a number of years absence, had equal points at the end of the competition.
  • Slovenia were relegated to 2011 Division Five after losing all of their games.
2010 2010 ECC Division One  Jersey
  1.  Jersey
  2.  Ireland A
  3.  Scotland A
  4.  Netherlands A
  5.  Denmark
  6.  Italy
 The 2010 European Championship Division One was held in Jersey from 13–19 July. The ECC decided that the division would be made up of the six highest placed European teams currently embedded in the World Cricket League structure. The three nations with ODI status sent their second XIs to the tournament. Hosts Jersey were the champions, winning all their games.
2010 ECC Division Two  Guernsey
  1.  Guernsey
  2.  Germany
  3.  France
  4.  Norway
  5.  Israel
  6.  Gibraltar
 The 2010 European Championship Division Two was held in Guernsey from 13–19 July. The ECC decided that the division would be made up of the three lowest placed teams currently embedded in the World Cricket League structure and the three next placed teams based on recent regional events. The highest placed of these latter teams at the end of the tournament would gain qualification for 2010 WCL Division Eight.
  • Guernsey were the champions after winning all the games
  • Germany qualified for the Division Eight tournament. Although their net run rate was lower than that of France they earn qualification as they had won their match against the French side.
  • Norway finished above Israel for the same reason.
2011 2011 ECC Division Three  Austria &  Slovenia
  1.  Sweden
  2.  Estonia
  3.  Slovenia
  4.  Czech Republic
  5.  Turkey
  6.  Bulgaria
 The 2011 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division Three is a cricket tournament that took place between 11–14 May 2011.
  • Sweden were the champions, promoted to 2011 ECC Division Two.
2011 ECC Division Two  Belgium and  Netherlands
  1.  Belgium
  2.  Austria
  3.  Isle of Man
  4.  Portugal
  5.  Spain
  6.  Greece
  7.  Finland
  8.  Luxembourg
  9.  Malta
  10.  Cyprus
  11.  Sweden
 The 2011 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division Two is a cricket tournament that took place between 20–25 June 2011.
2011 ECC Division One  Jersey and  Guernsey
  1.  Denmark
  2.  Italy
  3.  Jersey
  4.  Guernsey
  5.  Norway
  6.  France
  7.  Belgium
  8.  Austria
  9.  Gibraltar
  10.  Germany
  11.  Israel
  12.  Croatia
 The 2011 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division One was a cricket tournament that took place between 19–24 July 2011.
2012 2012 ECC Division Three  Estonia
  1.  Estonia
  2.  Slovenia
  3.  Bulgaria
 The 2012 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division Three is a cricket tournament that took place between 14–16 June 2012.
2012 ECC Division Two  Greece
  1.  Isle of Man
  2.  Sweden
  3.  Spain
  4.  Israel
  5.  Greece
  6.  Finland
  7.  Portugal
  8.  Estonia
  9.  Luxembourg
  10.  Croatia
  11.  Cyprus
  12.  Malta
 The 2012 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division Two is a cricket tournament that took place between 3–8 September 2012
2013 2013 ECC Division One England
  1.  Italy
  2.  Denmark
  3.  Guernsey
  4.  Jersey
  5.  France
  6.  Austria
  7.  Germany
  8.  Norway
  9.  Isle of Man
  10.  Gibraltar
  11.  Sweden
  12.  Belgium
 The 2013 ICC European Twenty 20 Championship Division One was a cricket tournament that took place from 8–14 July 2013.It formed part of the European Cricket Championship. England hosted the event.
2014 2014 ECC Division Three  Spain
  1.  Belgium
  2.  Spain
  3.  Israel
  4.  Greece
  5.  Finland
 The 2014 ICC European Cricket Championship Division Three was a cricket tournament that took place from 25–April - 3 May 2014.It formed part of the European Cricket Championship. La manga, Spain hosted the event.
2014 ECC Division Two England
  1.  Norway
  2.  Belgium
  3.  Austria
  4.  Gibraltar
  5.  Isle of Man
  6.  Germany
 The 2014 ICC Europe Division Two was an international 20-over cricket tournament hosted in Essex, England, from 23 to 26 June 2014.
2015 2015 ECC Division One  Jersey
  1.  Jersey
  2.  Denmark
  3.  Italy
  4.  Guernsey
  5.  Norway
  6.  France
 The 2015 ICC Europe Division One was a cricket tournament held in Jersey from 9–13 May 2015. The tournament was organised by ICC Europe, and featured the top six associate members in that region – Denmark, France, Guernsey, Italy, Jersey, and Norway
2016 2016 ECC Division Two  Sweden
  1.  Germany
  2.  Sweden
  3.  Spain
  4.  Israel
  5.  Isle of Man
  6.  Gibraltar
 The 2016 ICC World Cricket League Europe Division Two was an international 20-over cricket tournament played in Stockholm, Sweden, from 17 to 20 August 2016. It was the first official (ICC-approved) international cricket tournament to be played in Sweden
2017 2017 ECC Division One  Netherlands
  1.  Germany
  2.  Sweden
  3.  Norway
  4.  Austria
  5.  Belgium
  6.  France
 The 2017 ICC World Cricket League Europe Region Division One was an international 50-over cricket tournament played in the Netherlands.

2006-07 European Cricket Championship

From 2006, the European Cricket Council expanded the tournament to include five divisions of between 4 and 8 teams. By 2009, all five divisions contained six teams.

Division One

The European Division One Championships was held from 4–9 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 a 'clean sweep' of European Championship at all age levels.[6]

The top three teams qualified for 2007 WCL Division One, the 4th place for 2007 WCL Division Two and the 5th place for 2007 WCL Division Three.

PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Ireland30107+2.42
2 Scotland30016+0.03
3 Netherlands20115+1.18
4 Denmark10032−0.28
5 Italy00040−2.72

Division Two

The European Division Two Championships was held from 4–9 August in Scotland, together with Division One. The winner would be promoted to the next installment of Division One 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 were promoted to 2008 Division One. The win also granted them entry into 2008 WCL Division Five alongside runners-up Jersey and 3rd place Germany. Greece came in last place and were relegated to 2007 Division Three after being stripped of their first round points due to fielding ineligible players.[7] The tournament was met by protests due to the involvement of the Israeli team.[11]

Group A
PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Germany100220.92
2 Gibraltar100220.66
3 Guernsey100220.53
4 Greece30000-

Greece was disqualified for ineligibility of players.

Group B
PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Norway200141.19
2 Jersey101131.71
3 Israel101130.75
4 France100220.78

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 who gained promotion to 2007 Division Three, as did runners-up Cyprus.[8]

PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Finland200140.92
2 Cyprus20014−0.20
3 Luxembourg100220.16
4 Slovenia10022−0.77
Group A
PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Croatia300062.017
2 Spain100131.161
3 Finland100220.687
4 Portugal000210.523
Group B
PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Isle of Man200051.450
2 Malta100131.288
3 Cyprus100130.800
4 Belgium000210.785

In the semi-finals Croatia beat Malta by nine wickets and Spain beat the Isle of Man on fewer wickets lost when scores were tied. In the final Croatia beat Spain by four runs. In the 5th–8th place play-offs, Belgium and Portugal were victorious meaning that Cyprus and Finland would be relegated to 2009 Division Three.

Play off

On 18 November 2007 a play-off between Croatia and Israel took place in Tel Aviv, Croatia won the match by five runs to win promotion to Division Two.

2008-09 European Cricket Championship

Division One

The European Championship Division 1 was held from 25–31 July in Ireland. Six teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being played in Dublin.[9] The tournament was won by Ireland.

PlaceTeamWinsLossTiedNRPTSNRR
1 Ireland5000101.441
2 Scotland410082.216
3 Denmark220150.072
4 Netherlands130130.909
5 Italy13013−0.682
6 Norway04011−4.756

Division Two

The European Championship Division 2 was held from 18–23 August in Guernsey. Six teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being played at the King George V, Port Soif and College Field grounds.[10] The tournament was won by Jersey who will compete in a play off later in the year for a chance of promotion to Division One. By finishing in 2nd and 3rd place, Guernsey and Gibraltar also secured themselves a place in 2009 WCL Division Seven.

PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Jersey5000101.28
2 Guernsey400181.56
3 Gibraltar30026−0.49
4 France20034−0.33
5 Germany10042−0.59
6 Croatia00050−1.03

Division Three

The 2009 European Championship Division Three was held in La Manga, Spain from 31 August to 5 September. Israel finished top and gained promotion to 2010 Division Two after beating Croatia in a play-off. Malta were relegated to 2011 Division Four.

PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Israel400181.11
2 Isle of Man400180.98
3 Spain300260.56
4 Belgium20034−0.06
5 Portugal10042−1.04
6 Malta10042−1.73

Division Four

The 2009 European Championship Division Four was held in Limassol, Cyprus from 14–19 September. The winners were Cyprus on net run rate as both Switzerland and Austria, who had returned to the competition after a number of years absence, had equal points at the end of the competition. Slovenia were relegated to 2011 Division Five after losing all of their games.

PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Cyprus400182.26
2  Switzerland400182.11
3 Austria400181.12
4 Luxembourg20034−0.74
5 Finland10042−0.52
6 Slovenia00050−4.14

Division Five

The 2009 European Championship Division Five was held in Corfu, Greece from 7 to 12 September. Greece finished top gaining promotion to Division 4. The tournament also marked Turkey's debut in international cricket. Although they finished last they did gain their first victory in international cricket over Bulgaria.

PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Greece5000102.61
2 Sweden400182.43
3 Czech Republic30026−0.70
4 Bulgaria10042−1.35
5 Estonia10042−1.48
6 Turkey10042−1.60

Division One

The 2010 European Championship Division One was held in Jersey from 13–19 July. The ECC decided that the division would be made up of the six highest placed European teams currently embedded in the World Cricket League structure. The three nations with ODI status sent their second XIs to the tournament. Hosts Jersey were the champions, winning all their games.

PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Jersey5000101.46
2 Ireland A400181.17
3 Scotland A200340.22
4 Netherlands A20034−1.31
5 Denmark10042−0.77
6 Italy10042−0.97

Division Two

The 2010 European Championship Division Two was held in Guernsey from 13–19 July. The ECC decided that the division would be made up of the three lowest placed teams currently embedded in the World Cricket League structure and the three next placed teams based on recent regional events. The highest placed of these latter teams at the end of the tournament would gain qualification for 2010 WCL Division Eight. Guernsey were the champions after winning all the games and Germany qualified for the Division Eight tournament. Although their net run rate was lower than that of France they earnt qualification as they had won their match against the French side. Norway finished above Israel for the same reason.

PlaceTeamWinsTiedNRLossPTSNRR
1 Guernsey5000101.71
2 Germany300260.11
3 France300260.83
4 Norway20034−0.38
5 Israel20034−0.36
6 Gibraltar00050−1.86

Champions


See also

References
  1. All the European associates at the time of the tournament participated except Belgium, who did not join the Championship until 2006
  2. 2000 tournament at CricketEurope
  3. 2002 tournament at CricketEurope
  4. 2004 Division One at CricketEurope
  5. 2004 Division Two at the European Cricket Council
  6. 2006 Division One at CricketEurope Archived 8 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. At a later board meeting it was decided that Greece would be further relegated to the next installment of Division Four in 2009. However, when the teams were sorted for the fourth and fifth divisions, Greece lost out on their Division Four spot and were placed in Division Five instead.
  8. 2006 Division Four at CricketEurope Archived 26 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  9. 2008 Division One at cricinfo.com
  10. 2008 Division Two at ICC Europe
  11. 2006 Division Two at CricketEurope
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