The Villa Clara Bombers, representing Cuba, will make their debut this Thursday in the Little League Baseball World Series against a team from the Czech Republic, winners of the Europe-Africa region.

The great prize for the disciples of professor Everaldo Machado has already been won since they arrived, almost a week ago, in the American city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The young ballplayers, aged between 10 and 12 years old, who a few months ago captivated the fans with their hard-hitting game in the national championship, are living the dream of their lives by defending the colours of their municipality in a unique event.

There, according to press reports from the headquarters, they have held training sessions on the grass of the Volunteers Stadium, where the international teams will play their matches, in search of a ticket to the grand final together with a host team.

The sporting equipment kits received by all members of the participating teams, as well as visits to recreational facilities, enhance a competition where all children will take to the pitch on equal terms.

On Tuesday, the inaugural parade took place and the Santa Clara troop had the opportunity to show off those four letters on their chests that they will proudly defend, always with the premise of having fun on the field and demonstrating that this sport is in the blood of every Cuban.

This is the second time that a team from the largest Caribbean island has taken part in this event, which has been held since 1947, after the Alazanes de Granma had the honour of making their debut last year.

According to the rules, the tournament is double elimination, so the participating teams that suffer two defeats will have to return home.

Today, Wednesday, in the opening match of the schedule, Mexico, winner of three crowns in these tournaments, and Aruba, the Caribbean title holders, will clash.