The first official ICC tournament to be played in Sweden got underway today in Stockholm, and Germany got off to a great start as they were the only team to win both opening day matches.

In the morning they took on the Isle of Man, batting first after Manx captain Philip Littlejohns won the toss at the Skarpnak secondary oval. Whilst the Germans lost eight wickets, they kept up a decent run rate throughout their innings and scored 166 from their 20 overs. Asad Mohammad top scored, smashing 32 from just 10 balls before he was bowled by Arnie van den Berg, one of three wickets for him.

The Isle of Man offered little resistance in reply, with Littlejohns and Daniel Kniveton the only batsmen to reach double figures as they were bowled out for 66, losing by 100 runs. Mudassar Muhammad was the pick of the German bowlers with 3-15.

Next door on the main Skarpnak Oval, Israel captain Eshkol Solomon chose to put Gibraltar in to bat when he won the toss. Some tight bowling from Srinath Arachichige (4-13) and leg-spinner Josh Evans (2-16) helped restrict Gibraltar to 104-6 from their 20 overs.

Arachichige helped get the Israeli reply off to a good start with a run a ball 20, though Emanuel Solomon was the top scorer with 36 from 17 balls. Israel took 14 overs to complete their five wicket win.

At Gardet, the hosts took on Spain, and put the Spanish team in to bat after winning the toss. Nobody was able to make any sort of stand out contribution for Spain, and they were bowled out for 117 two balls from the end of their quota. The hosts took their time to chase down the target, completing a six wicket win with three balls to spare, Bilal Zaigham top scoring with 30.

Rain meant that the afternoon saw three rain reduced games, with DLS being required in two of them, including the contest between the hosts and Germany. Initially reduced to 10 overs, with the visitors batting first, Germany scored 69-6. Further rain meant that Sweden were left with a five over thrash to score 36. They managed just 28, losing by 7 runs.

Over at Skarpnak on the main oval, Gibraltar batted first after being put in by the Isle of Man. They had scored 61-3 when rain curtailed their innings after 12 overs. The Isle of Man were then given a target of 70 in 12 overs, which they reached for the loss of one wicket in 9.5 overs thanks to Oliver Webster scoring an unbeaten 50 from 35 balls.

Next door on the secondary Skarpnak ground, DLS was nowhere to be seen as the game was a simple reduction to 18 overs each side, with Israel batting first after Spanish captain Christian Munoz-Mills won the toss. It was hard going for the Israelis, as they could only manage 83-9 from their 18 overs, Kuldeep Lal taking 3-12.

Spain had little trouble chasing down the target, with skipper Munoz-Mills top scoring with 29 as they completed a seven wicket win with 5.2 overs to spare.

The teams can all have a well deserved lie-in tomorrow, as play will only take place in the afternoon. Germany will look to make it three wins from three when they play Spain, Gibraltar will look to record their first win when they take on hosts Sweden, whilst Israel will play the Isle of Man in the other match.

Results

Germany beat Isle of Man by 100 runs
Skarpnak 2, Stocholm, 17 August
Germany 166-8 (20 overs, A van den Berg 3-32)
Isle of Man 66 (15.5 overs, Mudassar Muhammad 3-15)

Israel beat Gibraltar by 5 wickets
Skarpnak 1, Stockholm, 17 August
Gibraltar 104-6 (20 overs, S Arachichige 4-13)
Israel 106-5 (14 overs, Emanuel Solomon 36)

Sweden beat Spain by 6 wickets
Gardet, Stockholm, 17 August
Spain 117 (19.4 overs)
Sweden 121-4 (19.3 overs)

Sweden lost to Germany by 7 runs (DLS)
Gardet, Stockholm, 17 August
Germany 69-6 (10 overs)
Sweden 28-3 (5 overs, target 36)

Isle of Man beat Gibraltar by 9 wickets (DLS)
Skarpnak 1, Stockholm, 17 August
Gibraltar 61-3 (12 overs)
Isle of Man 70-1 (9.5 overs, O Webster 50*)

Spain beat Israel by 7 wickets
Skarpnack 2, Stockholm, 17 August
Israel 83-9 (18 overs, Kuldeep Lal 3-12)
Spain 84-3 (12.4 overs)