The Europe Division 2 Qualifier got off to an exciting start on May 25, 2025, with four competitive T20 matches across venues in Spinaceto and Rome. The top two teams from this tournament will move forward to Division 1, where they will face Scotland and Netherlands. The winner of Division 1 will advance to the Global Qualifier for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
Here’s a round-up of all the action from Day 1:
Match 1: Italy Women vs Jersey Women –
At Spinaceto, Italy Women chased down a challenging target to secure a 7-wicket win over Jersey Women. Batting first, Jersey posted 162/9 in their 20 overs, powered by a commanding 77 off 56 balls from Analise Merritt. She found able support from Grace Wetherall, who struck 36 off 24, with the pair adding 74 runs in just 42 balls for a key partnership. However, Italy’s bowlers kept things in check. Kumudu Peddrick was the standout with 3/28 in her four overs, while Ilenia Sims (2/20), Teshani Araliya (1/17), and Chathurika Mahamalage (1/35) all chipped in.
Italy’s chase was anchored by a superb 86 off 54 balls from Dilaisha Nanayakkara. Sims continued her good day with a solid 32 off 28, and Chloe Piparo finished things off with an unbeaten 14 off 9. Despite Florence Tanguy’s 2/26, Jersey’s bowlers, including Merritt and Wetherall, proved expensive, allowing Italy to reach 163/3 in 19 overs.
Match 2: Sweden Women vs Spain Women
In Rome, Sweden Women defended a modest total to beat Spain Women by 13 runs. Sweden struggled with the bat, managing 104/7 in their 20 overs. Eman Asim top-scored with a patient 30 off 50 balls, while Anya Vaidya (17 off 12) and Gunjan Shukla (12 off 18) offered short bursts of resistance. Spain shared the bowling spoils, with Uswa Syed (2/21) and Rabia Mushtaq (1/16) among the six wicket-takers.
Spain’s chase faltered due to the absence of meaningful partnerships, despite Hillman-Bermejo’s fighting 34* off 37. Sweden’s bowlers applied consistent pressure. Zara Mohammad led with 2/21, while Vaidya (1/9 in 2 overs) and Shukla (1/16 in 4) were equally effective, helping restrict Spain to 91/8.
Match 3: Italy Women vs Isle of Man Women
Italy Women made it two wins from two as they cruised past Isle of Man Women by 7 wickets in Spinaceto. The Isle of Man was bundled out for 88 in 14.4 overs. Caitlin Henery top-scored with 19 off 15, while Extras (16) ended up being the second-highest contributor. Rebecca Webster (12) and Rachel Overman (13) tried to resist, but Italy’s bowlers were relentless. Chathurika Mahamalage starred again with 3/19, while Nanayakkara picked up 2/3 in just 1.4 overs, and Peddrick added 2/19 to her tally.
Italy chased the target down in only 9 overs, finishing at 89/3. Emilia Bartram played a fluent knock of 37* off 22, with solid support from Alexia Kontopirakis, who remained unbeaten on 30 off 24. Lucy Barnett took 2/24 for the Isle of Man, but the total proved far too little to defend.
Match 4: Germany Women vs Spain Women
In the final match of the day, Germany Women registered a 28-run victory over Spain Women in Rome. Germany posted 139/4, built on consistent contributions from Christina Gough (30* off 27), Shravya Kolcharam (29 off 30), and Karthika Vijayraghavan (28 off 30). Rabia Mushtaq took 2/33 for Spain, while Uswa Syed and Amy Brown Carrera picked up a wicket each.
Chasing 140, Spain could only reach 111/3 in their 20 overs. Amelia Jones played a lone hand with 39 off 66 balls, while Alexis Hartley (21) and Hillman-Bermejo (19) offered late acceleration. However, Germany’s bowlers maintained tight lines. Asmita Kohli returned figures of 1/19 from her four overs, and Janet Ronalds was extremely economical with 0/9 from her quota.
Day 1 Summary:
Italy Women emerged as the team to beat with two strong wins, while Germany and Sweden also opened their campaigns with solid victories. The race for the top two spots—and a Division 1 berth—is heating up early.
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