CUBA / USA / JAPAN: BASEBALL - Fans in Tokyo, Havana and San Diego react as Japan defeats Cuba in the final of the World Baseball Classic

Record ID: 335568

  • Title: CUBA / USA / JAPAN: BASEBALL - Fans in Tokyo, Havana and San Diego react as Japan defeats Cuba in the final of the World Baseball Classic
  • Date: 22nd March 2006
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (MARCH 21, 2006) (REUTERS) PAN: ANS WATCHING THE GAME IN A SPORTS BAR CELEBRATE VICTORY (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KANAKO MIYAKE, 25, AD AGENCY SALESWOMAN, SAYING: "I thought my heart would stop." (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) SEI HATTORI, 26, COMPUTER SYSTEM ENGINEER, SAYING: "I feel great. Japan won! Congratulations to Team Japan!" CLOSE UP: CELEBRATIONS WITH JAP
  • Embargoed: 6th April 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVABR2VQTUBJ4IZV1UOQPYQBGF1V
  • Story Text: Japan stormed to an early lead then survived a furious Cuban comeback to claim the inaugural World Baseball Classic title with a dramatic 10-6 win on Monday (March 20).
    After being on the brink of elimination of a gruelling tournament that included two painful losses to bitter rivals South Korea, the Japanese bench erupted in celebration when Akinori Otsuka struck out Yulieski Gourriel to end the game.
    The final provided a fitting finale to an experimental 17-day, 16-nation competition that proved hugely popular, attracting 737,112 spectators to 39 games.
    It was only Japan's fifth win in 38 meetings with the Olympic champions.
    Crowds gathered to watch the game in Havana and Tokyo, wild celebrations erupting in bars in Tokyo as Japan clinched the title.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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