The competition format for the event was approved by WBSC Europe during the organisation’s Congress in Vilnius last week.

It was confirmed the 16 competing teams would be split into four groups during the first stage of the competition.

Hosts Lithuania were drawn into Group D of the tournament, where they will face France, the Czech Republic and Switzerland.

Belgium, the Netherlands, Moldova and Sweden will contest Group A, while Belarus, Italy, Latvia and Romania will play in Group B.

Bulgaria, Estonia, Israel and Russia complete the field of teams, with the four countries due to compete in Group C.

A single elimination format will follow the completion of the group stage.

Competition is due to take place from February 28 to March 1, with medal matches rounding off the event.

The tournament will serve as the European qualifier for the inaugural Baseball5 World Cup, set to take place in Mexico.

Two European teams will earn their places at the tournament in December through the continental event.

The Baseball5 World Cup will feature 12 teams in total.

This will include two national teams from Africa, as well as three from both the Americas and Asia.

One representative from Oceania will also qualify, while Mexico are assured of a place as the host nation.

Continental Associations have until Saturday (February 15) to confirm their qualification process.

The Asian Cup qualifier is due to take place in April.

Baseball5 is a street variation of the sport introduced by the WBSC in 2018.

It is simplified version of baseball where the ball is hit with the hand instead of a bat.

There are five players on each team and each team has five innings.

The discipline was added to the 2022 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar last month.