Jason Belmonte wins his first European ranking tournament in Greece
03/20/06
In a championship match between two players who use both hands to swing and bowl the bowling ball, Jason Belmonte of Australia defeated Osku Palermaa, Finland, 256-222, en route to win the Brunswick Euro Challenge at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, and the 15.000 Euro first-place check. It was the first career title on the European Bowling Tour for the 2004 World Bowling Writers International Player of the Year.
Belmonte, the No. 2 seed, ousted Mubarak Ali Al-Muraikhi, Qatar, in the semi-final, 213-189. The Qatari, who won the first leg of the 2006 Asian Bowling Federation Tour, Feb. 28 on his home field in Doha, won the opening match against 2001 World Games champion Tobias Gäbler, Germany, 214-198.
Palermaa pocketed 8.500 Euro for second, Al-Muraikhi, received 5.500 Euro for third and Gäbler garnered 4.000 Euro for fourth place.
March 10-19, 2006
Championship Round:
1. Jason Belmonte, Australia, 469 (2 games), 15.000 Euro
2. Osku Palermaa, Finland, 222 (1 game), 8.500 Euro
3. Mubarak Ali Al-Muraikhi, Qatar, 403 (2 games), 5.500 Euro
4. Tobias Gäbler, Germany, 198 (1 game), 4.000 Euro
Playoff Results:
First Match: Al-Muraikhi def. Gäbler, 214-198
Second Match: Belmonte def. Al-Muraikhi, 213-189
Championship Match: Belmonte def. Palermaa, 256-222
The higher seeded players survived the Round of 8 at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, to advance to the stepladder finals of the Brunswick Euro Challenge. All four matches went the distance. Osku Palermaa of Finland earned the top seed position in the four-player shoot-out as the top-ranked player (4th) in the stepladder. Aussie Jason Belmonte is the No. 2 seed. Both players will sit and watch the opening shootout match with Tobias Gäbler (left), Germany (3rd) and Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi (right), Qatar (4th) facing off.
Round of 8
Single-elimination, best-of-three games
*Women scores including 8 pins handicap
#4 Osku Palermaa, FIN def. #31 Sami Konsteri, FIN, 2-1
264-206, 203-228, 213-192
#6 Jason Belmonte, AUS def. #25 Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN, 2-1
204-213, 213-181, 206-200
#7 Tobias Gäbler, GER def. #16 *Britt Bröndsted, DEN, 2-1
204-176, 191-194, 206-191
#10 Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT def. #12 Pasi Uotila, FIN, 2-1
211-228, 243-238, 254-237
Sami Konsteri of Finland eliminated No. 1 seed and defending champion Jens Nickel, two-games-to-none, to advance into the Round of 8 at the Brunswick Euro Challenge. Konsteri, who ousted No. 2 seed Petri Mannonen in the previous round, defeated Nickel in two high scoring games, 247-224 and 248-245.
All but one match went in a quick 2-0. No. 25 seed Kimmo Lehtonen (right), Finland, went the distance to beat No. 3 seeded Martin Larsen, Sweden, 2-1.
Two more Finns, Osku Palermaa and Pasi Uotila (left), followed in their compatriots' footprints. 4th seeded Palermaa, the top ranked player among the remaining eight players, meets Konsteri, the No. 31 seed, in the next round. Southpaw Lehtonen meets Australia's two-hander Jason Belmonte, while Uotila takes on Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, Qatar.
However, the Finns can match their results from last year's BEC when they had three players in the four-player stepladder final, eventually finishing second through fourth.
The sole remaining woman in the Round of 8 is two-time defending ranking champion, Britt Bröndsted, Denmark, behind a 2-0 victory over Michael Krämer, Germany. With the victory in the BEC women's ranking, Bröndsted will overtake the lead in the 2006 European rankings after six of twenty events. The Dane faces Tobias Gäbler, Germany, in the final match play round.
The four remaining players after the Round of 8 will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
*Women scores including 8 pins handicap
#31 Sami Konsteri, FIN def. #1 Jens Nickel, GER, 2-0
247-224, 248-245
#25 Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN def. #3 Martin Larsen, SWE, 2-1
245-180, 229-236, 248-194
#4 Osku Palermaa, FIN def. #20 Scott Norton, USA, 2-0
215-183, 268-235
#16 *Britt Bröndsted, DEN def. #5 Michael Krämer, GER, 2-0
266-247, 251-214
#6 Jason Belmonte, AUS def. #15 *Alice Tay, SIN, 2-0
214-159, 196-186
#7 Tobias Gäbler, GER def. #14 Kostas Papakostas, GRE, 2-0
227-206, 243-201
#12 Pasi Uotila, FIN def. #9 Tony Fransson, SWE, 2-0
212-195, 255-189
#10 Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT def. #11 Paul Moor, ENG, 2-0
247-183, 239-169
The higher seeded players won all but three matches in the best-of-three games single-elimination Round of 32 at the Brunswick Euro Challenge. Eight players made quick work of their opponents including top seed and defending champion Jens Nickel, who defeated Markus Stumpf, both of Germany, two-games-to-none. No. 31 seed Sami Konsteri, No. 25 Kimmo Lehtonen both of Finland, and former U.S. National Amateur champion Scott Norton seeded No. 20 defeated their higher seeded opponents, 2-0 each, to advance to the next stage.
*Women scores including 8 pins handicap
#1 Jens Nickel, GER def. #32 Markus Stumpf, GER, 2-0
223-193, 193-168
#31 Sami Konsteri, FIN def. #2 Petri Mannonen, FIN, 2-0
196-202, 206-229
#3 Martin Larsen, SWE def. #30 Dimitris Karetsos, GRE, 2-1
169-211, 266-173, 236-191
#4 Osku Palermaa, FIN def. #29 Dirk Dreyer, GER, 2-0
215-181, 278-210
#5 Michael Krämer, GER def. #28 Kai Günther, GER, 2-1
184-192, 213-197, 160-156
#6 Jason Belmonte, AUS def. #27 Wim van der Veen, NED, 2-0
258-180, 219-216
#7 Tobias Gäbler, GER def. #26 Anders Öhman, SWE, 2-1
218-208, 208-243, 256-234
#25 Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN def. #8 Peter Ljung, SWE, 2-0
193-226, 199-212
#9 Tony Fransson, SWE def. #24 Menno van den Heuvel, NED, 2-1
125-182, 224-144, 199-185
#10 Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT def. #23 *Jennifer Tan, SIN, 2-1
214-208, 176-239, 223-211
#11 Paul Moor, ENG def. #22 Ivan Semenov, RUS, 2-0
298-199, 237-232
#12 Pasi Uotila, FIN def. #21 *Martina Beckel, GER, 2-1
237-200, 209-265, 203-180
#20 Scott Norton, USA def. #13 Toni Laine, FIN, 2-0
211-235, 190-222
#14 Kostas Papakostas, GRE def. #19 Antonis Evaggelidis, GRE, 2-1
170-139, 182-191, 201-198
#15 *Alice Tay, SIN def. #18 Thierry Sacco, FRA, 2-1
190-175, 195-224, 192-182
#16 *Britt Bröndsted, DEN def. #17 Thomas Tybl, AUT, 2-0
222-188, 165-154
Swede Tony Fransson posted a 1421-series to lead the top 24 players after Final Round 1 into the match play portion of the Brunswick Euro Challenge. Those 24 will be seeded 9-32 in the Round of 32 as the top 8 after qualifying were bypassed the round and were seeded 1-8.
Mubarak Al-Muraikhi was the sole player from the Qatar national team who survived the second cut in second position (seeded 10th) with 1353. Two-time European ranking champion Paul Moor from England was next with 1336.
Alice Tay was the best of four women who advanced to the Round of 32 in 15th place with 1314 including 48 pins handicap. Joining Tay were two-time women's ranking champion Britt Bröndsted, Denmark (16th/1313), women's qualifying leader Martina Beckel, Germany (20th/1299) and her fellow countrywoman Jennifer Tan (23rd/1279).
Markus Stumpf took the 24th and final spot for the match play round with 1245 and an average of 207,50. Stumpf, seeded 32nd will take on his compatriot, qualifying leader and defending champion Jens Nickel in the best-of-three games format.
Singapore's Remy Ong missed the cut by four pins in 33rd place. Notables that failed to advance were Tim Mack, USA (35th/1225), Or Aviram, Israel (36th/1225), Melissa Bellinder, USA (39th/1219), last year's runner-up Jouni Helminen, Finland (40th/1219), Sam Goh, Singapore (41st/1214), Zara Glover, England (53rd/1171) and Kai Virtanen, Finland (57th/1151)
After three match play rounds (Round of 32, 16 and 8) the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
2. Petri Mannonen, FIN
3. Martin Larsen, SWE
4. Osku Palermaa, FIN
5. Michael Krämer, GER
6. Jason Belmonte, AUS
7. Tobias Gäbler, GER
8. Peter Ljung, SWE
The top 8 after qualifying were seeded 1-8 into the Round of 32.
10. Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT, 1353, 225,50
11. Paul Moor, ENG, 1336, 222,67
(tie) Pasi Uotila, FIN, 1336, 222,67
13. Toni Laine, FIN, 1321, 220,17
14. Kostas Papakostas, GRE, 1317, 219,50
15. *Alice Tay Hong Keow, SIN, 1314, 211,00
16. *Britt Bröndsted, DEN, 1313, 210,83
17. Thomas Tybl, AUT, 1308, 218,00
18. Thierry Sacco, FRA, 1306, 217,67
19. Antonis Evaggelidis, GRE, 1302, 217,00
20. Scott Norton, USA, 1299, 216,50
(tie) *Martina Beckel, GER, 1299, 208,50
22. Ivan Semenov, RUS, 1291, 215,17
23. *Jennifer Tan Bee Leng, SIN, 1279, 205,17
24. Menno van den Heuvel, NED, 1278, 213,00
25. Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN, 1271, 211,83
26. Anders Öhman, SWE, 1270, 211,67
27. Wim van der Veen, NED, 1269, 211,50
28. Kai Günther, GER, 1259, 209,83
29. Dirk Dreyer, GER, 1253, 208,83
30. Dimitris Karetsos, GRE, 1248, 208,00
31. Sami Konsteri, FIN, 1246, 207,67
32. Markus Stumpf, GER, 1245, 207,50
Top 24 after Final Round 1 advanced to Match Play finals.
Missed Cut:
33. Remy Ong, SIN, 1241, 206,83
(tie) Andreas Gripp, GER, 1241, 206,83
35. Tim Mack, USA, 1225, 204,17
(tie) Or Aviram, ISR., 1225, 204,17
37. Ari Jehkinen, FIN, 1222, 203,67
38. Vretos Pachoulis, GRE, 1221, 203,50
39. *Melissa Bellinder, USA, 1219, 195,17
(tie) Jouni Helminen, FIN, 1219, 203,17
41. Sam Goh Heng Soon, SIN, 1214, 202,33
42. Athanasios Karetsos, GRE, 1210, 201,67
43. Achim Grabowski, GER, 1208, 201,33
44. *Piritta Kantola, FIN, 1203, 192,50
45. *Isabelle Saldjian, FRA, 1200, 192,00
46. Erik Andersin, SWE, 1189, 198,17
47. Giorgio Desimio, BEL, 1188, 198,00
48. *Nina Flack, SWE, 1187, 189,83
49. Robert Andersson, SWE, 1186, 197,67
50. Ratia Jari, FIN, 1185, 197,50
51. Bandar Al Shafi, QAT, 1179, 196,50
52. Erwin Pascual, ESP, 1172, 195,33
53. *Zara Glover, ENG, 1171, 187,17
54. Josef Mertiris, GRE, 1167, 194,50
55. Mihalis Mihas, GRE, 1159, 193,17
56. Abdullah Al Qattan, QAT, 1157, 192,83
57. Kai Virtanen, FIN, 1151, 191,83
58. Joonas Jähi, FIN, 1146, 191,00
59. Khalifa Khalid Al Kubaisi, QAT, 1142, 190,33
(tie) Thomas Gross, AUT, 1142, 190,33
61. Pär Svensson, SWE, 1140, 190,00
62. Darren Cundy, ENG, 1136, 189,33
63. Clive Morris, ENG, 1123, 187,17
64. *Reija Lunden, FIN, 1105, 176,17
65. George Venetis, GRE, 1077, 179,50
66. Marek Przezpolewski, POL, 1069, 178,17
67. Alex Tzounis, GRE, 1053, 175,50
68. Jimmy Ravez, BEL, 1005, 167,50
Defending champion Jens Nickel remained unchallenged in the qualifying of the Brunswick Euro Challenge at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece. The former German international was the sole player in the 369-player field who cracked the 1500-bar. Nickel, who the bronze medal in All Events at the 2003 World Championships, toppled 1505 pins over six games, an average of 250,83.
Nickel didn't make any money from winning the round but he and the next seven players can sleep a little longer on the final day as they earned one bye into the first round of match play. Joining Nickel in this elite group were two Finns (Petri Mannonen, Osku Palermaa), two Swedes (Martin Larsen, Peter Ljung), two Germans (Michael Krämer, Tobias Gäbler) and Australia's Jason Belmonte.
Martina Beckel of Germany and Mihas Mihalis, Greece, were the big winners of the qualifying round. Beckel, a two-time World Champion, was the top-ranked woman after qualifying in 18th place with 1347 including 48 pins handicap and received a 1.200 Euro bonus. Mihalis, who was automatically qualified for the finals as one of the top six players after the first weekend, even received a 1.600 Euro bonus as the top ranked category 'B' bowler (men with proven average under 180 and women under 175) with 1295 in 51st place.
68 players - the top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - advanced to the finals.
Notables failing to advance include Ari Halme (FIN, 70th), Phil Scammell (ENG, 81st) Nick Froggatt (ENG, 86th), Jean-Marc Lebon (BEL, 87th), Federico Rossi (ITA, 91st), Saeed Al Hajri (QAT, 99th), (tie) Francois Sacco (FRA, 105th), Patricia Schwarz (GER, 111th), Tomas Leandersson (SWE, 118th), Stuart Williams (ENG), Amadeo Spada (ITA, both tied for 119th) and Ahmed Shaheen (QAT, 132nd).
Players seeded 9-68 will return on Sunday morning to bowl six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 24 who will meet the top 8 qualifiers in best-of-three games match play.
After three match play rounds the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
*Women scores including eight pins handicap each game
1. Jens Nickel, GER, 1505, 250,83
2. Petri Mannonen, FIN, 1443, 240,50
3. Martin Larsen, SWE, 1433, 238,83
4. Osku Palermaa, FIN, 1428, 238,00
5. Michael Krämer, GER, 1410, 235,00
6. Jason Belmonte, AUS, 1398, 233,00
7. Tobias Gäbler, GER, 1384, 230,67
(tie) Peter Ljung, SWE, 1384, 230,67
The top 8 players earned one bye into the first round of match play.
9. Tony Fransson, SWE, 1364, 227,33
10. Par Svensson, SWE, 1359, 226,50
(tie) Darren Cundy, ENG, 1359, 226,50
12. Jouni Helminen, FIN, 1358, 226,33
13. Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT, 1357, 226,17
14. Remy Ong, SIN, 1355, 225,83
15. Sami Konsteri, FIN, 1353, 225,50
16. Bandar Al Shafi, QAT, 1350, 225,00
17. Ratia Jari, FIN, 1348, 224,67
18. *Martina Beckel, GER, 1347, 216,50
19. Thomas Tybl, AUT, 1345, 224,17
20. Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN, 1341, 223,50
21. Abdullah Al Qattan, QAT, 1339, 223,17
22. Tim Mack, USA, 1338, 223,00
23. Thomas Gross, AUT, 1337, 222,83
24. Dimitris Karetsos, GRE, 1336, 222,67
25. Marek Przezpolewski, POL, 1333, 222,17
26. Menno van den Heuvel, NED, 1329, 221,50
27. Joonas Jähi, FIN, 1328, 221,33
28. Dirk Dreyer, GER, 1326, 221,00
(tie) Kai Günther, GER, 1326, 221,00
30. Thierry Sacco, FRA, 1325, 220,83
31. *Jennifer Tan Bee Leng, SIN, 1324, 212,67
(tie) *Isabelle Saldjian, FRA, 1324, 212,67
33. Khalifa Khalid Al Kubaisi, QAT, 1323, 220,50
34. Alex Tzounis, GRE, 1319, 219,83
35. Robert Andersson, SWE, 1317, 219,50
36. Wim van der Veen, NED, 1316, 219,33
37. Achim Grabowski, GER, 1315, 219,17
(tie) Clive Morris, ENG, 1315, 219,17
(tie) *Melissa Bellinder, USA, 1315, 211,17
40. Paul Moor, ENG, 1314, 219,00
41. Pasi Uotila, FIN, 1313, 218,83
42. *Britt Bröndsted, DEN, 1309, 210,17
(tie) Or Aviram, ISR, 1309, 218,17
44. *Alice Tay Hong Keow, SIN, 1306, 209,67
(tie) Kai Virtanen, FIN, 1306, 217,67
46. Sam Goh Heng Soon, SIN, 1304, 217,33
47. Ari Jehkinen, FIN, 1303, 217,17
48. Toni Laine, FIN, 1301, 216,83
49. Erwin Pascual, ESP, 1300, 216,67
50. Markus Stumpf, GER, 1297, 216,17
51. Mihalis Mihas, GRE, 1295, 215,83
(tie) Kostas Papakostas, GRE, 1295, 215,83
53. *Nina Flack, SWE, 1294, 207,67
54. Ivan Semenov, RUS, 1292, 215,33
55. Andreas Gripp, GER, 1291, 215,17
56. George Venetis, GRE, 1290, 215,00
57. Erik Andersin, SWE, 1289, 214,83
58. Anders Öhman, SWE, 1288, 214,67
Advanced to the finals.
59. Athanasios Karetsos, GRE, 1268, 211,33
60. Josef Mertiris, GRE, 1258, 209,67
61. Vretos Pachoulis, GRE, 1256, 209,33
62. Antonis Evaggelidis, GRE, 1252, 208,67
The top six players from the first weekend (March 10-12) Mihalis Mihas (51st), George Venetis (56th), Athanasios Karetsos, Josef Mertiris, Vretos Pachoulis and Antonis Evaggelidis (all from Greece) were automatically qualified for the finals.
63. Jimmy Ravez, BEL, 241
64. Giorgio Desimio, BEL, 236
65. *Piritta Kantola, FIN, 236
66. *Reija Lunden, FIN, 235
67. Scott Norton, USA, 234
68. *Zara Glover, ENG, 233
The top 6 from the one-game Desperado Squad advanced.
Missed Cut:
69. *Olga Tabachkova, RUS, 1287, 206,50
70. Ari Halme, FIN, 1285, 214,17
71. Daniel French, ENG, 1282, 213,67
(*Zara Glover, ENG, 1280, 205,33)
(Jimmy Ravez, BEL, 1280, 213,33)
72. *Jenya Smirnova, RUS, 1280, 205,33
(tie) John Remoundos, GRE, 1280, 213,33
74. Toby Contreras, USA, 1279, 213,17
75. *Anita Pohjanlahti, FIN, 1278, 205,00
76. Juha Immonen, FIN, 1277, 212,83
(Scott Norton, USA, 1275, 212,50)
77. Thomas Block, GER, 1274, 212,33
78. Epameinondas Patsaouras, GRE, 1273, 212,17
79. Michael Holzapfel, GER, 1271, 211,83
(tie) Shaun Ng Qenn, SIN, 1271, 211,83
81. Phil Scammell, ENG, 1269, 211,50
82. Aris Kemos, GRE, 1268, 211,33
(tie) Yousef Al Jaber, QAT, 1266, 211,00
84. George Patel, ENG, 1266, 211,00
(tie) David Wong Han Keong, SIN, 1266, 211,00
(*Piritta Kantola, FIN, 1266, 203,00)
86. Nick Froggatt, ENG, 1266, 211,00
87. Jean-Marc Lebon, BEL, 1264, 210,67
(tie) Nikolay Ovchinnikovs, LAT, 1264, 210,67
89. Jesper Agerbo, DEN, 1263, 210,50
90. Takis Xagoraris, GRE, 1262, 210,33
91. Federico Rossi, ITA, 1260, 210,00
(tie) Jussi Lindgren, FIN, 1260, 210,00
(tie) *Malin Glendert, SWE, 1260, 202,00
(tie) Dennis Eklund, SWE, 1260, 210,00
95. Antonio Garilli, ITA, 1259, 209,83
96. Mauro Malchiodi, ITA, 1255, 209,17
(tie) Giorgos Koyrtesis, GRE, 1255, 209,17
98. Moshe Shienman, ISR, 1252, 208,67
99. Saeed Al Hajri, QAT, 1250, 208,33
(tie) Joseph Allalouf, GRE, 1250, 208,33
(Giorgio Desimio, BEL, 1250, 208,33)
101. Ioannis Alestas, GRE, 1242, 207,00
102. Mithat Siveliol, TUR, 1241, 206,83
(tie) Dominic Barrett, ENG, 1241, 206,83
(Alexey Yakovlev, RUS, 1241, 206,83
105. Leonidas Maragos, GRE, 1239, 206,50
(tie) Francois Sacco, FRA, 1239, 206,50
107. *Lisa Gardner, ENG, 1238, 198,33
108. Mansoor Al Awami, QAT, 1234, 205,67
109. Timur Madaminov, RUS, 1232, 205,33
110. Gergely Karponczay, HUN, 1229, 204,83
111. *Sonja Uhlich, GER, 1226, 196,33
(tie) *Patricia Schwarz, GER, 1226, 196,33
113. Philippe van Meleghem, BEL, 1225, 204,17
114. Ray Mcdowell, POL, 1224, 204,00
(tie) Paulos Kexagias, GRE, 1224, 204,00
116. Aris Tsioupelis, GRE, 1222, 203,67
(tie) Oliver Blase, GER, 1222, 203,67
118. Tomas Leandersson, SWE, 1221, 203,50
119. Stuart Williams, ENG, 1219, 203,17
(tie) Amadeo Spada, ITA, 1219, 203,17
121. Nikos Mihas, GRE, 1218, 203,00
(tie) Yuriy Medveditskov, RUS, 1218, 203,00
123. Alexandros Xatziarapis, GRE, 1217, 202,83
(tie) *Asa Wetterlund, SWE, 1217, 194,83
125. Girard Lettrie, FRA, 1215, 202,50
(tie) Claes Gauffin, SWE, 1215, 202,50
127. Dmitry Kolomeets, RUS, 1213, 202,17
128. *Marie Gauton, FRA, 1212, 194,00
129. Georgios Stefanidis, GRE, 1210, 201,67
(*Reija Lunden, FIN, 1210, 193,67)
130. Giorgos Zampetakis, GRE, 1209, 201,50
131. *Evaggelia Kyveloy, GRE, 1207, 193,17
132. Stavros Fotakis, GRE, 1205, 200,83
(Ahmed Shaheen, QAT, 1202, 200,33
134. Philip Schwartz, USA, 1199, 199,83
135. Christos Christoy, CYP, 1198, 199,67
136. Kalle Gaiser, GER, 1197, 199,50
(tie) Kim Bolleby, SWE, 1197, 199,50
138. Giorgos Archontopoulos, GRE, 1194, 199,00
(tie) Janne Heikkilainen, FIN, 1194, 199,00
(tie) Edward Tkacz, USA, 1194, 199,00
141. *Beverley Tolman, ENG, 1193, 190,83
142. Tomasz Janicki, POL, 1192, 198,67
143. Phillip Kargotis, CYP, 1191, 198,50
(tie) Andrey Moon, RUS, 1191, 198,50
(tie) Haris Panagiotou, CYP, 1191, 198,50
(tie) Andrea Canevari, ITA, 1191, 198,50
147. *Elena Kraynik, RUS, 1190, 190,33
148. Alexander Medveditskov, RUS, 1188, 198,00
(tie) Vaggelis Krizinis, GRE, 1188, 198,00
150. Vasilis Dalesis, GRE, 1186, 197,67
(tie) Fausto Bolzonello, BEL, 1186, 197,67
152. Vali Fatu, ROM, 1185, 197,50
(tie) George Tzilis, GRE, 1185, 197,50
154. Dimitris Karamitilios, GRE, 1182, 197,00
(tie) Panagiotis Nikitas, GRE, 1182, 197,00
156. Theodore Gooravin, ENG, 1178, 196,33
157. *Georgia Sagona, GRE, 1177, 188,17
(tie) *Mie Agerbo, DEN, 1177, 188,17
159. *Rikke Holm Rasmussen, DEN, 1175, 187,83
(tie) *Veronika Solozhenkina, KAZ, 1175, 187,83
161. Sami Heinilä, FIN, 1174, 195,67
162. Michael Haerst, BEL, 1168, 194,67
(tie) Hristo Georgiev, BUL, 1168, 194,67
164. Sebastian Vandermeysbruggen, BEL, 1166, 194,33
165. Vasilios Kafes, GRE, 1165, 194,17
(tie) Pavlos Pelekanos, CYP, 1165, 194,17
(tie) Max Lazaridi, KAZ, 1165, 194,17
168. Dor Spheizman, ISR, 1164, 194,00
169. Dimitris Grigoriadis, GRE, 1163, 193,83
(tie) Kostas Liratzis, GRE, 1163, 193,83
171. *Yifat Tal, ISR, 1162, 185,67
(tie) Evgeniy Kuznetsov, KAZ, 1162, 193,67
173. Kostas Stergiadis, GRE, 1161, 193,50
(tie) Ray Love, USA, 1161, 193,50
175. Aram Fidanian, RUS, 1160, 193,33
(tie) *Jo Harries, ENG, 1160, 185,33
(tie) Iosif Konios, GRE, 1160, 193,33
178. *Stephanie Nicolas, BEL, 1159, 185,17
(tie) *Aurilie Gauton, FRA, 1159, 185,17
180. *Natalie Boehme, GER, 1158, 185,00
181. Kevin Francois, BEL, 1156, 192,67
(tie) Nicks Papapetropoulos, GRE, 1156, 192,67
(tie) Oleg Sazonov, RUS, 1156, 192,67
184. Frank Oeing, GER, 1155, 192,50
185. *Christina Fotinia, GRE, 1154, 184,33
186. Ioannis Marousis, GRE, 1153, 192,17
(tie) Don Bridges, USA, 1153, 192,17
188. *Despina Chrisanthi, GRE, 1150, 183,67
189. Aggelos Tsouroupis, GRE, 1147, 191,17
(tie) Gavrihl Karatzas, GRE, 1147, 191,17
191. Stefanos Kazantzis, GRE, 1144, 190,67
(tie) Haralampos Kiriakidis, GRE, 1144, 190,67
193. Gaerano Curcuracci, BEL, 1143, 190,50
194. Christos Batsaras, GRE, 1142, 190,33
(tie) Antonios Fotakis, GRE, 1142, 190,33
196. Michel Perniaux, BEL, 1138, 189,67
197. George Katsanis, GRE, 1135, 189,17
198. *Alexandra Zorba, GRE, 1134, 181,00
(tie) *Nicole Heberle, GER, 1134, 181,00
(tie) Haralampos Nikolaoy, GRE, 1134, 189,00
(tie) Argiris Deligiorgis, GRE, 1134, 189,00
(tie) Anastasios Karagiannis, GRE, 1134, 189,00
203. Giorgos Stavrinou, CYP, 1131, 188,50
204. Konstantinos Zevgaridis, GRE, 1130, 188,33
(tie) Giorgos Liourtas, GRE, 1130, 188,33
206. Valery Nikolov, BUL, 1129, 188,17
207. Takis Kalliris, GRE, 1128, 188,00
208. Vladimir Halin, RUS, 1127, 187,83
209. Per Madsen, DEN, 1126, 187,67
210. Michael Lehmann, GER, 1125, 187,50
(tie) Nikolaos Siotas, GRE, 1125, 187,50
212. *Natassa Tsamaktsoglou, GRE, 1124, 179,33
(tie) Zografos Polymenis, GRE, 1124, 187,33
(tie) Marc van den Broeck, BEL, 1124, 187,33
(tie) Erik Evripidou, CYP, 1124, 187,33
216. Dimitris Baharidis, GRE, 1123, 187,17
217. Stelios Metalios, GRE, 1121, 186,83
(tie) *Catherine Georgiadou, GRE, 1121, 178,83
219. *Odette Piticariu, ROM, 1119, 178,50
220. Ulf Bolleby, SWE, 1118, 186,33
221. Kostantinos Bouklas, GRE, 1116, 186,00
222. Rafal Ges, POL, 1115, 185,83
223. Goran Carlsson, SWE, 1113, 185,50
224. *Marie Anne Baudisson, FRA, 1112, 177,33
225. Ilias Charitakis, GRE, 1111, 185,17
(tie) Oleksandr Scherbinin, UKR, 1111, 185,17
227. Frank Lindsay, ENG, 1109, 184,83
(tie) *Nantia Herodotou, CYP, 1109, 176,83
229. Raul Jimenez Carrion, ESP, 1108, 184,67
(tie) George Exadaktilos, GRE, 1108, 184,67
231. Marius Piticariu, ROM, 1105, 184,17
(tie) *Kerstin Sauer, GER, 1105, 176,17
233. Giannis Zimpoulias, GRE, 1104, 184,00
(tie) Branislav Sergievski, BUL, 1104, 184,00
235. Giorgos Charalampidis, GRE, 1103, 183,83
(tie) Petros Xagoraris, GRE, 1103, 183,83
237. Denes Domonkos, HUN, 1102, 183,67
238. *Elvira Baharova, BUL, 1101, 175,50
239. *Nina Petkova, BUL, 1100, 175,33
(tie) Apostolos Tsivas, GRE, 1100, 183,33
(tie) Dimitrios Xatzinikolaoy, GRE, 1100, 183,33
242. Nikos Kekesis, GRE, 1099, 183,17
243. Jacek Grotowski, POL, 1096, 182,67
244. *Virginia Bello, ESP, 1095, 174,50
245. Lukasz Zjawiony, POL, 1094, 182,33
246. *Dora Gavriil, GRE, 1092, 174,00
247. George Keramas, GRE, 1091, 181,83
248. Aggelos Pantoydis, GRE, 1086, 181,00
(tie) *Dora Skouri, GRE, 1086, 173,00
250. Asaf Morad, ISR, 1084, 180,67
(tie) Maor Edri, ISR, 1084, 180,67
252. Dominique Latinis, BEL, 1083, 180,50
(tie) *Eleni Giannari, GRE, 1083, 172,50
(tie) Marcello Baggi, ITA, 1083, 180,50
255. Piotr Zjawiony, POL, 1082, 180,33
256. Gerasimos Dagas, GRE, 1078, 179,67
257. Michael Kimparis, GRE, 1077, 179,50
258. Christos Korosis, GRE, 1076, 179,33
259. Mihalis Bouzas, GRE, 1073, 178,83
(tie) David Prokopiou, GRE, 1073, 178,83
261. Torben Gaiser, GER, 1072, 178,67
(tie) Socrates Kiriazogloy, GRE, 1072, 178,67
263. Pierre Ravez, BEL, 1071, 178,50
(tie) Ovidiu Mihut, ROM, 1071, 178,50
(tie) Theofanis Tzitziklis, GRE, 1071, 178,50
266. Dorel Bucurescu, ROM, 1066, 177,67
(tie) Alexandros Anastasiou, GRE, 1066, 177,67
268. *Eleni Poulitsidou, GRE, 1063, 169,17
269. Georgis Krastev, BUL, 1061, 176,83
(tie) Ioannis Papoutsis, GRE, 1061, 176,83
(tie) George Kessatis, GRE, 1061, 176,83
272. Athanasios Dormousoglou, GRE, 1057, 176,17
273. Konstantinos Batsaras, GRE, 1056, 176,00
274. Todor Lichev, BUL, 1054, 175,67
275. Kostas Sagias, CYP, 1053, 175,50
(tie) Peter Boros, HUN, 1053, 175,50
(tie) *Dimitra Xatzeli, GRE, 1053, 167,50
278. Pavel Kyosev, BUL, 1050, 175,00
279. Stilio Arnidis, GRE, 1048, 174,67
280. Demetris Papailiou, GRE, 1042, 173,67
(tie) Armand Lavru, FRA, 1042, 173,67
282. Giannis Milonakis, GRE, 1041, 173,50
(tie) Rafal Palka, POL, 1041, 173,50
(tie) Demis Ioannidis, CYP, 1041, 173,50
(tie) Stefanos Papadopoulos, GRE, 1041, 173,50
286. Evaggelos Gerousis, GRE, 1039, 173,17
287. Alex Telejman, ROM, 1038, 173,00
(tie) *Maria Hapesi, CYP, 1038, 165,00
289. Mihalis Daktilidis, GRE, 1037, 172,83
290. Andreas Kasvakidis, GRE, 1035, 172,50
(tie) *Alkisti Baboussi, GRE, 1035, 164,50
292. Dimitris Yalourakis, GRE, 1033, 172,17
293. George Simeonidis, GRE, 1031, 171,83
294. Emmanoyil Ntaroui, GRE, 1030, 171,67
295. Nael Aldalis, GRE, 1026, 171,00
296. Grigoris Milas, GRE, 1023, 170,50
297. Nikolaos Giapitzakis, GRE, 1022, 170,33
(tie) Sakis Kormalis, GRE, 1022, 170,33
299. Krasimir Georgiev, BUL, 1021, 170,17
300. Samuel Fowlkes, USA, 1020, 170,00
301. *Maria Katsibra, GRE, 1019, 161,83
(tie) Alfred Gril, ROM, 1019, 169,83
303. *Galina Stefanova, BUL, 1018, 161,67
(tie) Panagis Stratiotis, GRE, 1018, 169,67
(tie) George Krithis, GRE, 1018, 169,67
306. Ioannis Kassiotis, CYP, 1016, 169,33
307. *Aggeliki Liappa, GRE, 1014, 161,00
(tie) *Afroditi Agorastou, GRE, 1014, 161,00
309. Aris Sotiropoulos, GRE, 1012, 168,67
(tie) Amir Najjar, ISR, 1012, 168,67
311. *Maria Karamagioli, GRE, 1011, 160,50
312. *Veronique Perniaux, BEL, 1010, 160,33
313. *Tatiana Dyagtereva, UKR, 1009, 160,17
314. Stelios Derikoletis, GRE, 1007, 167,83
315. Aggelos Mantoudis, GRE, 1005, 167,50
316. Nikolaos Kiros, GRE, 1001, 166,83
317. *Brigitte De Wolf, BEL, 999, 158,50
318. Ioannis Kasimatis, GRE, 998, 166,33
319. Aris Tsifloglou, GRE, 995, 165,83
320. Ioannis Kouloheris, GRE, 994, 165,67
321. Thanos Polianis, GRE, 992, 165,33
322. Ioannis Sarantopoulos, GRE, 989, 164,83
323. Markos Kanis, GRE, 986, 164,33
324. Thanasis Xatzopoylos, GRE, 984, 164,00
325. Dimitar Popov, BUL, 983, 163,83
326. *Chrisa Papamihail, GRE, 978, 155,00
(tie) *Konstantina Gouliarmi, GRE, 978, 155,00
(tie) Kostas Petropoulos, GRE, 978, 163,00
329. Evangelos Stanelos, GRE, 977, 162,83
(tie) Eleytherios Plastaras, GRE, 977, 162,83
331. Filippos Pappas, GRE, 975, 162,50
332. Vasilis Fraggiskatos, GRE, 970, 161,67
333. Michalis Maousidis, GRE, 967, 161,17
334. *Ioanna Kolokytha, GRE, 964, 152,67
335. Fabian Bourgie, BEL, 959, 159,83
336. *Aspasia Sarakinoy, GRE, 957, 151,50
337. *Chrisanthi Xatzioannou, GRE, 955, 151,17
338. Nikolaos Sellas, GRE, 951, 158,50
339. Nikolaos Tsakonas, GRE, 950, 158,33
340. Georgios Pigis, GRE, 949, 158,17
341. Nikos Toliopoulos, GRE, 944, 157,33
342. Athanasios Dimitrioy, GRE, 943, 157,17
343. Patrick Didier Guerre, FRA, 941, 156,83
344. Loukas Valourdos, GRE, 939, 156,50
(tie) Georgios Vlahos, GRE, 939, 156,50
346. Eyaggelos Oikonomou, GRE, 938, 156,33
(tie) Lefteris Kaltsas, GRE, 938, 156,33
348. Sotiris Tsirnikas, GRE, 930, 155,00
349. Eystathios Mixalopoulos, GRE, 929, 154,83
350. Takoui Pestilmantzian, GRE, 924, 154,00
351. George Mitakis, GRE, 922, 153,67
(tie) Dimitrios Lykiardopoulos, GRE, 922, 153,67
353. Gabi Anghelescu, ROM, 921, 153,50
354. Stelios Maratsinos, GRE, 919, 153,17
355. Spiros Mpougoulias, GRE, 914, 152,33
356. Thomas Sellas, GRE, 911, 151,83
357. Paki-Christian Mexis, GRE, 901, 150,17
358. Panagiotis Kalaitzis, GRE, 898, 149,67
359. Kostas Stamopoylos, GRE, 879, 146,50
360. Andreas Ioannidis, GRE, 876, 146,00
361. Panos Philipakopoulos, GRE, 865, 144,17
362. Konstantinos Zerbas, GRE, 864, 144,00
363. Konstantinos Kimparis, GRE, 852, 142,00
364. *Christina Datsi, GRE, 839, 131,83
365. Marc Dewell, BEL, 836, 139,33
366. George Asimakopoulos, GRE, 825, 137,50
367. Lampros Rousiamanis, GRE, 814, 135,67
368. Marietta Ntika, GRE, 792, 124,00
369. Stefanos Alatzidis, GRE, 783, 130,50
Scores including eight pins handicap each game
1. Martina Beckel, GER, 1347, 216,50, 1.200 Euro
2. Jennifer Tan, SIN, 1324, 212,67, 1.000 Euro
3. Isabelle Saldjian, FRA, 1324, 212,67, 800 Euro
4. Melissa Bellinder, USA, 1315, 211,17, 600 Euro
5. Britt Bröndsted, DEN, 1309, 210,17, 400 Euro
Special Awards - Category 'B' Bowlery
Top 16 with position, country, six-game total, average and earnings
*Women scores including eight pins handicap each game
1. Mihalis Mihas, GRE, 1295, 215,83, 1.600 Euro
2. George Venetis, GRE, 1290, 215,00, 1.300 Euro
3. Athanasios Karetsos, GRE, 1268, 211,33, 1.100 Euro
4. Alexey Yakovlev, RUS, 1241, 206,83, 900 Euro
5. Yuriy Medveditskov, RUS, 1218, 203,00, 800 Euro
6. Alexandros Xatziarapis, GRE, 1217, 202,83, 700 Euro
7. Georgios Stefanidis, GRE, 1210, 201,67, 600 Euro
8. Giorgos Archontopoulos, GRE, 1194, 199,00, 500 Euro
9. Phillip Kargotis, CYP, 1191, 198,50, 400 Euro
10. Andrey Moon, RUS, 1191, 198,50, 300 Euro
11. Vaggelis Krizinis, GRE, 1188, 198,00, 200 Euro
12. Vali Fatu, ROM, 1185, 197,50, 200 Euro
13. Dimitris Karamitilios, GRE, 1182, 197,00, 200 Euro
14. *Georgia Sagona, GRE, 1177, 188,17, 200 Euro
15. Pavlos Pelekanos, CYP, 1165, 194,17, 200 Euro
16. Kostas Stergiadis, GRE, 1161, 193,50, 200 Euro
German internationals Michael Krämer (left) and Tobias Gäbler (right) jumped into 5th and 7th place in the Brunswick Euro Challenge after the 19th and penultimate qualifying squad. Krämer averaged 235 over six games and felled 1410 pins while 2001 World Games champion Gäbled totalled 1384 pins. Their fellow countryman, defending champion Jens Nickel, continued to lead the field with 1505 and an average of 250,83.
The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. 68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday.
Players seeded 9-68 will bowl six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 24 who will meet the top 8 qualifiers in best-of-three games match play. After three match play rounds the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
European Masters Champion Petri Mannonen (left) of Finland posted a 1443 six-game series on Friday afternoon to move into second position in the qualifying of the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Thessalonica, Greece. Mannonen averaged 240,50 including a 257 high game to trail defending champion Jens Nickel, Germany, by 62 pins. Swedish international Martin Larsen (right) felled 1433 pins to jump into third place.
Places 4-7 belong to Osku Palermaa, Finland, 1428; Jason Belmonte, Australia, 1398; Peter Ljung, 1384 and Tony Fransson, 1364. Rounding out the top 8, who will earn one bye into the first round of match play, is Pär Svensson (pictured), all from Sweden, who was tied with Darren Cundy, England, at 1359, but has the higher last game.
Singapore's Jennifer Tan (left) and Alice Tay (right) led the 55-player field in the 17th qualifying squad, who took on the lanes at 1 a.m. Saturday morning. Tan, a former World Ranking Masters champion, totaled 1324 pins including 48 pins handicap to overtake Melissa Bellinder by nine pins en route to become the top-ranked woman in 22nd place. Tay moved into 32nd place with 1306 total.
The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. 68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday.
Players seeded 9-68 will bowl six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 24 who will meet the top 8 qualifiers in best-of-three games match play. After three match play rounds the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
Defending champion Jens Nickel cracked the 1500-bar in 12th squad of the Brunswick Euro Challenge to take a dominating 77-pin lead in qualifying. The stocky German, who won last year's BEC from No. 3 seed by defeating three Finns, Petteri Salonen, Pasi Uotila and Jouni Helminen, fired games of 239, 236, 247, 259, 258 and 266 for 1505 six-game total and an average of 250,83.
Two-handers Osku Palermaa, Finland and Jason Belmonte, Australia, fell one spot to second and third with 1428 and 1398, respectively. Swede Peter Ljung (right) posted the second-best 1384-series in the 12th squad on Thursday evening (squad 13 was cancelled) to move into fourth place overall.
Next are his compatriots Tony Fransson (1364) and Pär Svensson (1359). Seventh place belongs to last year's top seed and second-place finisher Jouni Helminen with 1358. Rounding out the top 8, who will earn one bye into the first round of match play, is currently Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, Qatar, with 1357.
Former Team USA member Melissa Bellinderis now the top-ranked woman in the field in 18th position with 1315 pinfall total including 48 pins handicap. The best woman at the end of the tournament will receive a 1.200 Euro bonus. Bellinder finished 12th in the fifth European ranking event, the Catalonia Open two weeks ago.
The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. 68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday.
Players seeded 9-68 will bowl six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 24 who will meet the top 8 qualifiers in best-of-three games match play. After three match play rounds the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, seems to be a tough playground for right-handers. After three lefties and a spinner led the field on Wednesday, two players who are using a two-handed delivery set the pace in the Brunswick Euro Challenge qualifying. Osku Palermaa (left) from Finland and Jason Belmonte (right) of Australia rolled six-game series of 1428 and 1398 to move into first and second place.
Palermaa, currently the No. 2 in the European rankings, rolled games of 222, 248, 246, 217, 227 and 268 to become the first player to crack the 1400-bar this year. Belmonte, the 2004 World Bowling Writers International Bowler of the Year, had a slow start with 210, 223, and 220 but finished strong with 238, 259 and 248.
How the two-handed technique works. The player pushes the ball away with both hands in contact with the ball. He rotates his upper body to keep his non-bowling hand on the ball. That prevents the ball from falling off his hand because he doesn't use his thumb to secure his grip. After using his non-bowling hand to help rotate the ball at the point of release, he finished his delivery looking like a traditional power player.
Places 3-5 belonged to lefties Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi (left) , Qatar, with 1357, Remy Ong, Singapore, 1355, and Bandar Al Shafi, Qatar, 1350. Another Qatari, Abdullah Al Qattan (right), is the best right-handed player in the field in sixth position with 1339.
Dutch Menno van den Heuvel (left) is seventh with 1329. Greek Bowling Federation president Alex Tzounis is the top bowler from the host country. The former international sits in eighth place with 1319. Jennifer Tan, a spinner from Singapore, is the top woman in the BEC in 9th place at 1296.
Singapore is well represented in Greece. Besides Tan and Ong, Shaun Ng, Alice Tay, David Wong and Sam Goh (pictured) participate in the tournament.
The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18.
68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday. The top 8 after qualifying will earn one bye into the first round of best-of-three games match play.
The winner will receive the 15.000 Euro top prize.
Eight bowlers from Qatar, six from Singapore and three from the United States took on the lanes at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, Tuesday for the seventh qualifying squad of the Brunswick Euro Challenge. Mubarak Ali Al-Muraikhi, Qatar, rolled games 228, 218, 233, 248, 223 and 207 to overtake the tournament lead with 1357 and an average of 226,17.
Remy Ong (left) from Singapore and Mubarak's compatriot Bandar Al-Shafi (right) both had a high game of 257 to finish mere two and seven pins behind in second and third place with 1355 and 1350, respectively. All three, Mubarak, Remy and Bandar are lefties.
Ong's fellow countrywoman and former World Ranking Masters champion Jennifer Tan became the best right-hander in the field averaging 208 for the block. However, opposite to Ong, who is a traditional bowler, Tan is a spinner. As all female bowlers on the European Bowling Tour, Tan received eight pins handicap each game to finish with 1296 pinfall total, good for fourth place.
Previous leader Mihalis Mihas (right), Greece, slipped to fifth place with 1295, but as one of the top six players from the first weekend (March 10-12) he is already qualified for the finals on Sunday, March 19.
Former U.S. National Amateur Champion (2000) Scott Norton, son of WIBC Hall of Famer Virginia Norton, is tied for 11th place with 1268. Former Team USA member Melissa Bellinder (pictured above) is 26th with 1214.
The third American in the Tuesday afternoon squad was multiple international champion Tim Mack, who is making a comeback from shoulder injury in Greece (read Dick Evans' interview with Tim). Mack alternated 170-plus and 210-plus games in his first attempt to sit in 44th place with 1159.
The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. 68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday. The top 8 after qualifying will earn one bye into the first round of best-of-three games match play. The winner will receive the 15.000 Euro top prize. The picture shows the Qatar national team in Thessalonica.
Mihalis Mihas, George Venetis, Athanasios Karetsos, Josef Mertiris, Vretos Pachoulis and Antonis Evaggelidis (all from Greece) remained atop the leaderboard in the Brunswick Euro Challenge after conclusion of the sixth of 20 qualifying squads at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece. Bandar Al Shafi of Qatar rolled the 1255 high series on Monday to move into sixth place with a 209,17 average.
The top 5 plus Antonis Evaggelidis, who led the field after the first weekend, are automatically qualified for the finals on Sunday, March 19. Joining those six are the top 56 players from qualifying and the top six from the apparently unavoidable Desperado Squad (68 players overall). The top 8 after qualifying will earn one bye into the first round of best-of-three games match play.
Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. The tournament is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. The winner will receive the 15.000 Euro top prize.
Mihalis Mihas posted a 1295 six-game total to lead the Brunswick Euro Challenge at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, after the first weekend. Six players from the first weekend (March 10-12) booked their spots for the finals on Sunday, March 19. Mihas was followed by George Venetis (1290), Athanasios Karetsos (1268), Josef Mertiris (1258), Vretos Pachoulis (1256) and Antonis Evaggelidis (1252), all from Greece.
The tournament is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. 68 Players will advance to the finals. The winner will receive the 15.000 Euro top prize.
*Women scores including eight pins handicap each game
1. Mihalis Mihas, GRE, 1295, 215,83
2. George Venetis, GRE, 1290, 215,00
3. Athanasios Karetsos, GRE, 1268, 211,33
4. Josef Mertiris, GRE, 1258, 209,67
5. Vretos Pachoulis, GRE, 1256, 209,33
6. Antonis Evaggelidis, GRE, 1252, 208,67
7. Ioannis Alestas, GRE, 1242, 207,00
8. Leonidas Maragos, GRE, 1234, 205,67
9. Gergely Karponczay, HUN, 1229, 204,83
10. Nikos Mihas, GRE, 1218, 203,00
11. Alexandros Xatziarapis, GRE, 1217, 202,83
12. John Remoundos, GRE, 1206, 201,00
13. Vaggelis Krizinis, GRE, 1188, 198,00
14. Vasilis Dalesis, GRE, 1186, 197,67
15. George Tzilis, GRE, 1185, 197,50
16. Georgios Stefanidis, GRE, 1179, 196,50
17. Alex Tzounis, GRE, 1178, 196,33
(tie) Kostas Papakostas, GRE, 1178, 196,33
19. *Georgia Sagona, GRE, 1177, 188,17
20. Dimitris Karetsos, GRE, 1173, 195,50
21. Hristo Georgiev, BUL, 1168, 194,67
22. Vasilios Kafes, GRE, 1165, 194,17
23. Dimitris Grigoriadis, GRE, 1163, 193,83
24. Kostas Stergiadis, GRE, 1161, 193,50
25. *Natalie Boehme, GER, 1158, 185,00
26. Ioannis Marousis, GRE, 1153, 192,17
27. *Despoina Chrisanthi, GRE, 1150, 183,67
28. Theodore Gooravin, GRE, 1147, 191,17
29. Christos Batsaras, GRE, 1142, 190,33
30. *Alexandra Zorba, GRE, 1134, 181,00
(tie) Haralampos Nikolaoy, GRE, 1134, 189,00
(tie) Argiris Deligiorgis, GRE, 1134, 189,00
(tie) Anastasios Karagiannis, GRE, 1134, 189,00
34. Giorgos Koyrtesis, GRE, 1132, 188,67
35. Giorgos Archontopoulos, GRE, 1131, 188,50
36. Konstantinos Zevgaridis, GRE, 1130, 188,33
37. Valery Nikolov, BUL, 1129, 188,17
38. Nikolaos Siotas, GRE, 1125, 187,50
39. Zografos Polymenis, GRE, 1124, 187,33
40. Dimitris Baharidis, GRE, 1123, 187,17
41. Stelios Metalios, GRE, 1121, 186,83
(tie) *Catherine Georgiadou, GRE, 1121, 178,83
43. Kostantinos Bouklas, GRE, 1116, 186,00
44. Takis Xagoraris, GRE, 1109, 184,83
45. George Exadaktilos, GRE, 1108, 184,67
46. Giannis Zimpoulias, GRE, 1104, 184,00
(tie) Branislav Sergievski, BUL, 1104, 184,00
48. Giorgos Charalampidis, GRE, 1103, 183,83
49. Denes Domonkos, HUN, 1102, 183,67
50. *Elvira Baharova, BUL, 1101, 175,50
51. *Nina Petkova, BUL, 1100, 175,33
(tie) Apostolos Tsivas, GRE, 1100, 183,33
53. Nikos Kekesis, GRE, 1099, 183,17
54. Kalle Gaiser, GER, 1098, 183,00
55. *Theodora Gavriil, GRE, 1092, 174,00
56. Aggelos Pantoydis, GRE, 1086, 181,00
57. Michael Kimparis, GRE, 1077, 179,50
58. Christos Korosis, GRE, 1076, 179,33
59. Theofanis Tzitziklis, GRE, 1071, 178,50
60. Dimitrios Xatzinikolaoy, GRE, 1066, 177,67
(tie) Alexandros Anastasiou, GRE, 1066, 177,67
62. Stefanos Kazantzis, GRE, 1064, 177,33
63. Georgis Krastev, BUL, 1061, 176,83
(tie) George Kessatis, GRE, 1061, 176,83
65. Athanasios Dormousoglou, GRE, 1057, 176,17
66. Konstantinos Batsaras, GRE, 1056, 176,00
67. Dimitris Karamitilios, GRE, 1055, 175,83
68. Todor Lichev, BUL, 1054, 175,67
69. Peter Boros, HUN, 1053, 175,50
70. Pavel Kyosev, BUL, 1050, 175,00
71. Kostas Liratzis, GRE, 1049, 174,83
72. *Nantia Herodotou, CYP, 1044, 166,00
73. Evaggelos Gerousis, GRE, 1039, 173,17
74. *Maria Hapesi, CYP, 1038, 165,00
75. George Simeonidis, GRE, 1031, 171,83
76. Emmanoyil Ntaroui, GRE, 1030, 171,67
77. *Eleni Poulitsidou, GRE, 1025, 162,83
78. Krasimir Georgiev, BUL, 1021, 170,17
79. *Maria Katsibra, GRE, 1019, 161,83
80. George Krithis, GRE, 1018, 169,67
81. Panagiotis Nikitas, GRE, 1017, 169,50
82. Torben Gaiser, GER, 1016, 169,33
(tie) Giorgos Stavrinou, CYP, 1016, 169,33
84. David Prokopiou, GRE, 1015, 169,17
85. *Afroditi Agorastou, GRE, 1014, 161,00
86. Ioannis Papoutsis, GRE, 1012, 168,67
87. Aris Tsifloglou, GRE, 995, 165,83
88. Markos Kanis, GRE, 986, 164,33
89. Thanasis Xatzopoylos, GRE, 984, 164,00
90. *Chrisa Papamihail, GRE, 978, 155,00
(tie) Kostas Petropoulos, GRE, 978, 163,00
92. Mihalis Bouzas, GRE, 963, 160,50
93. *Chrisanthi Xatzioannou, GRE, 955, 151,17
94. Nikolaos Tsakonas, GRE, 950, 158,33
95. Nikos Toliopoulos, GRE, 944, 157,33
96. Eyaggelos Oikonomou, GRE, 938, 156,33
97. Sotiris Tsirnikas, GRE, 926, 154,33
98. Paki-Christian Mexis, GRE, 901, 150,17
99. Kostas Stamopoylos, GRE, 879, 146,50
100. *Dora Skouri, GRE, 858, 135,00
101. Konstantinos Kimparis, GRE, 852, 142,00
102. Lampros Rousiamanis, GRE, 814, 135,67
103. Stefanos Alatzidis, GRE, 783, 130,50
2006 European Bowling Tour #6
Bowling Alley: Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece
In a championship match between two players who use both hands to swing and bowl the bowling ball, Jason Belmonte of Australia defeated Osku Palermaa, Finland, 256-222, en route to win the Brunswick Euro Challenge at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, and the 15.000 Euro first-place check. It was the first career title on the European Bowling Tour for the 2004 World Bowling Writers International Player of the Year. Belmonte, the No. 2 seed, ousted Mubarak Ali Al-Muraikhi, Qatar, in the semi-final, 213-189. The Qatari, who won the first leg of the 2006 Asian Bowling Federation Tour, Feb. 28 on his home field in Doha, won the opening match against 2001 World Games champion Tobias Gäbler, Germany, 214-198.
Palermaa pocketed 8.500 Euro for second, Al-Muraikhi, received 5.500 Euro for third and Gäbler garnered 4.000 Euro for fourth place.
Brunswick Euro Challenge - Stepladder Finals
Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, GreeceMarch 10-19, 2006
Championship Round:
1. Jason Belmonte, Australia, 469 (2 games), 15.000 Euro
2. Osku Palermaa, Finland, 222 (1 game), 8.500 Euro
3. Mubarak Ali Al-Muraikhi, Qatar, 403 (2 games), 5.500 Euro
4. Tobias Gäbler, Germany, 198 (1 game), 4.000 Euro
Playoff Results:
First Match: Al-Muraikhi def. Gäbler, 214-198
Second Match: Belmonte def. Al-Muraikhi, 213-189
Championship Match: Belmonte def. Palermaa, 256-222
It's down to four in Brunswick Euro Challenge
The higher seeded players survived the Round of 8 at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, to advance to the stepladder finals of the Brunswick Euro Challenge. All four matches went the distance. Osku Palermaa of Finland earned the top seed position in the four-player shoot-out as the top-ranked player (4th) in the stepladder. Aussie Jason Belmonte is the No. 2 seed. Both players will sit and watch the opening shootout match with Tobias Gäbler (left), Germany (3rd) and Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi (right), Qatar (4th) facing off. Round of 8
Single-elimination, best-of-three games*Women scores including 8 pins handicap
#4 Osku Palermaa, FIN def. #31 Sami Konsteri, FIN, 2-1
264-206, 203-228, 213-192
#6 Jason Belmonte, AUS def. #25 Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN, 2-1
204-213, 213-181, 206-200
#7 Tobias Gäbler, GER def. #16 *Britt Bröndsted, DEN, 2-1
204-176, 191-194, 206-191
#10 Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT def. #12 Pasi Uotila, FIN, 2-1
211-228, 243-238, 254-237
Konsteri eliminates Nickel in Round of 16 at Brunswick Euro Challenge
Sami Konsteri of Finland eliminated No. 1 seed and defending champion Jens Nickel, two-games-to-none, to advance into the Round of 8 at the Brunswick Euro Challenge. Konsteri, who ousted No. 2 seed Petri Mannonen in the previous round, defeated Nickel in two high scoring games, 247-224 and 248-245. All but one match went in a quick 2-0. No. 25 seed Kimmo Lehtonen (right), Finland, went the distance to beat No. 3 seeded Martin Larsen, Sweden, 2-1. Two more Finns, Osku Palermaa and Pasi Uotila (left), followed in their compatriots' footprints. 4th seeded Palermaa, the top ranked player among the remaining eight players, meets Konsteri, the No. 31 seed, in the next round. Southpaw Lehtonen meets Australia's two-hander Jason Belmonte, while Uotila takes on Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, Qatar. However, the Finns can match their results from last year's BEC when they had three players in the four-player stepladder final, eventually finishing second through fourth.
The sole remaining woman in the Round of 8 is two-time defending ranking champion, Britt Bröndsted, Denmark, behind a 2-0 victory over Michael Krämer, Germany. With the victory in the BEC women's ranking, Bröndsted will overtake the lead in the 2006 European rankings after six of twenty events. The Dane faces Tobias Gäbler, Germany, in the final match play round.The four remaining players after the Round of 8 will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
Round of 16
Single-elimination, best-of-three games*Women scores including 8 pins handicap
#31 Sami Konsteri, FIN def. #1 Jens Nickel, GER, 2-0
247-224, 248-245
#25 Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN def. #3 Martin Larsen, SWE, 2-1
245-180, 229-236, 248-194
#4 Osku Palermaa, FIN def. #20 Scott Norton, USA, 2-0
215-183, 268-235
#16 *Britt Bröndsted, DEN def. #5 Michael Krämer, GER, 2-0
266-247, 251-214
#6 Jason Belmonte, AUS def. #15 *Alice Tay, SIN, 2-0
214-159, 196-186
#7 Tobias Gäbler, GER def. #14 Kostas Papakostas, GRE, 2-0
227-206, 243-201
#12 Pasi Uotila, FIN def. #9 Tony Fransson, SWE, 2-0
212-195, 255-189
#10 Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT def. #11 Paul Moor, ENG, 2-0
247-183, 239-169
Higher seeded players dominate Round of 32 in Brunswick Euro Challenge
The higher seeded players won all but three matches in the best-of-three games single-elimination Round of 32 at the Brunswick Euro Challenge. Eight players made quick work of their opponents including top seed and defending champion Jens Nickel, who defeated Markus Stumpf, both of Germany, two-games-to-none. No. 31 seed Sami Konsteri, No. 25 Kimmo Lehtonen both of Finland, and former U.S. National Amateur champion Scott Norton seeded No. 20 defeated their higher seeded opponents, 2-0 each, to advance to the next stage. Round of 32
Single-elimination, best-of-three games*Women scores including 8 pins handicap
#1 Jens Nickel, GER def. #32 Markus Stumpf, GER, 2-0
223-193, 193-168
#31 Sami Konsteri, FIN def. #2 Petri Mannonen, FIN, 2-0
196-202, 206-229
#3 Martin Larsen, SWE def. #30 Dimitris Karetsos, GRE, 2-1
169-211, 266-173, 236-191
#4 Osku Palermaa, FIN def. #29 Dirk Dreyer, GER, 2-0
215-181, 278-210
#5 Michael Krämer, GER def. #28 Kai Günther, GER, 2-1
184-192, 213-197, 160-156
#6 Jason Belmonte, AUS def. #27 Wim van der Veen, NED, 2-0
258-180, 219-216
#7 Tobias Gäbler, GER def. #26 Anders Öhman, SWE, 2-1
218-208, 208-243, 256-234
#25 Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN def. #8 Peter Ljung, SWE, 2-0
193-226, 199-212
#9 Tony Fransson, SWE def. #24 Menno van den Heuvel, NED, 2-1
125-182, 224-144, 199-185
#10 Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT def. #23 *Jennifer Tan, SIN, 2-1
214-208, 176-239, 223-211
#11 Paul Moor, ENG def. #22 Ivan Semenov, RUS, 2-0
298-199, 237-232
#12 Pasi Uotila, FIN def. #21 *Martina Beckel, GER, 2-1
237-200, 209-265, 203-180
#20 Scott Norton, USA def. #13 Toni Laine, FIN, 2-0
211-235, 190-222
#14 Kostas Papakostas, GRE def. #19 Antonis Evaggelidis, GRE, 2-1
170-139, 182-191, 201-198
#15 *Alice Tay, SIN def. #18 Thierry Sacco, FRA, 2-1
190-175, 195-224, 192-182
#16 *Britt Bröndsted, DEN def. #17 Thomas Tybl, AUT, 2-0
222-188, 165-154
Tony Fransson paces the field in Final Round 1 at Brunswick Euro Challenge
Swede Tony Fransson posted a 1421-series to lead the top 24 players after Final Round 1 into the match play portion of the Brunswick Euro Challenge. Those 24 will be seeded 9-32 in the Round of 32 as the top 8 after qualifying were bypassed the round and were seeded 1-8. Mubarak Al-Muraikhi was the sole player from the Qatar national team who survived the second cut in second position (seeded 10th) with 1353. Two-time European ranking champion Paul Moor from England was next with 1336. Alice Tay was the best of four women who advanced to the Round of 32 in 15th place with 1314 including 48 pins handicap. Joining Tay were two-time women's ranking champion Britt Bröndsted, Denmark (16th/1313), women's qualifying leader Martina Beckel, Germany (20th/1299) and her fellow countrywoman Jennifer Tan (23rd/1279). Markus Stumpf took the 24th and final spot for the match play round with 1245 and an average of 207,50. Stumpf, seeded 32nd will take on his compatriot, qualifying leader and defending champion Jens Nickel in the best-of-three games format. Singapore's Remy Ong missed the cut by four pins in 33rd place. Notables that failed to advance were Tim Mack, USA (35th/1225), Or Aviram, Israel (36th/1225), Melissa Bellinder, USA (39th/1219), last year's runner-up Jouni Helminen, Finland (40th/1219), Sam Goh, Singapore (41st/1214), Zara Glover, England (53rd/1171) and Kai Virtanen, Finland (57th/1151) After three match play rounds (Round of 32, 16 and 8) the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
Brunswick Euro Challenge - Final Round 1
1. Jens Nickel, GER2. Petri Mannonen, FIN
3. Martin Larsen, SWE
4. Osku Palermaa, FIN
5. Michael Krämer, GER
6. Jason Belmonte, AUS
7. Tobias Gäbler, GER
8. Peter Ljung, SWE
The top 8 after qualifying were seeded 1-8 into the Round of 32.
Players seeded 9-68 after qualifying with position, country, six-game total and average; *Women scores including eight pins handicap each game
9. Tony Fransson, SWE, 1421, 236,8310. Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT, 1353, 225,50
11. Paul Moor, ENG, 1336, 222,67
(tie) Pasi Uotila, FIN, 1336, 222,67
13. Toni Laine, FIN, 1321, 220,17
14. Kostas Papakostas, GRE, 1317, 219,50
15. *Alice Tay Hong Keow, SIN, 1314, 211,00
16. *Britt Bröndsted, DEN, 1313, 210,83
17. Thomas Tybl, AUT, 1308, 218,00
18. Thierry Sacco, FRA, 1306, 217,67
19. Antonis Evaggelidis, GRE, 1302, 217,00
20. Scott Norton, USA, 1299, 216,50
(tie) *Martina Beckel, GER, 1299, 208,50
22. Ivan Semenov, RUS, 1291, 215,17
23. *Jennifer Tan Bee Leng, SIN, 1279, 205,17
24. Menno van den Heuvel, NED, 1278, 213,00
25. Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN, 1271, 211,83
26. Anders Öhman, SWE, 1270, 211,67
27. Wim van der Veen, NED, 1269, 211,50
28. Kai Günther, GER, 1259, 209,83
29. Dirk Dreyer, GER, 1253, 208,83
30. Dimitris Karetsos, GRE, 1248, 208,00
31. Sami Konsteri, FIN, 1246, 207,67
32. Markus Stumpf, GER, 1245, 207,50
Top 24 after Final Round 1 advanced to Match Play finals.
Missed Cut:
33. Remy Ong, SIN, 1241, 206,83
(tie) Andreas Gripp, GER, 1241, 206,83
35. Tim Mack, USA, 1225, 204,17
(tie) Or Aviram, ISR., 1225, 204,17
37. Ari Jehkinen, FIN, 1222, 203,67
38. Vretos Pachoulis, GRE, 1221, 203,50
39. *Melissa Bellinder, USA, 1219, 195,17
(tie) Jouni Helminen, FIN, 1219, 203,17
41. Sam Goh Heng Soon, SIN, 1214, 202,33
42. Athanasios Karetsos, GRE, 1210, 201,67
43. Achim Grabowski, GER, 1208, 201,33
44. *Piritta Kantola, FIN, 1203, 192,50
45. *Isabelle Saldjian, FRA, 1200, 192,00
46. Erik Andersin, SWE, 1189, 198,17
47. Giorgio Desimio, BEL, 1188, 198,00
48. *Nina Flack, SWE, 1187, 189,83
49. Robert Andersson, SWE, 1186, 197,67
50. Ratia Jari, FIN, 1185, 197,50
51. Bandar Al Shafi, QAT, 1179, 196,50
52. Erwin Pascual, ESP, 1172, 195,33
53. *Zara Glover, ENG, 1171, 187,17
54. Josef Mertiris, GRE, 1167, 194,50
55. Mihalis Mihas, GRE, 1159, 193,17
56. Abdullah Al Qattan, QAT, 1157, 192,83
57. Kai Virtanen, FIN, 1151, 191,83
58. Joonas Jähi, FIN, 1146, 191,00
59. Khalifa Khalid Al Kubaisi, QAT, 1142, 190,33
(tie) Thomas Gross, AUT, 1142, 190,33
61. Pär Svensson, SWE, 1140, 190,00
62. Darren Cundy, ENG, 1136, 189,33
63. Clive Morris, ENG, 1123, 187,17
64. *Reija Lunden, FIN, 1105, 176,17
65. George Venetis, GRE, 1077, 179,50
66. Marek Przezpolewski, POL, 1069, 178,17
67. Alex Tzounis, GRE, 1053, 175,50
68. Jimmy Ravez, BEL, 1005, 167,50
Jens Nickel wins qualifying at Brunswick Euro Challenge
Defending champion Jens Nickel remained unchallenged in the qualifying of the Brunswick Euro Challenge at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece. The former German international was the sole player in the 369-player field who cracked the 1500-bar. Nickel, who the bronze medal in All Events at the 2003 World Championships, toppled 1505 pins over six games, an average of 250,83.Nickel didn't make any money from winning the round but he and the next seven players can sleep a little longer on the final day as they earned one bye into the first round of match play. Joining Nickel in this elite group were two Finns (Petri Mannonen, Osku Palermaa), two Swedes (Martin Larsen, Peter Ljung), two Germans (Michael Krämer, Tobias Gäbler) and Australia's Jason Belmonte.
Martina Beckel of Germany and Mihas Mihalis, Greece, were the big winners of the qualifying round. Beckel, a two-time World Champion, was the top-ranked woman after qualifying in 18th place with 1347 including 48 pins handicap and received a 1.200 Euro bonus. Mihalis, who was automatically qualified for the finals as one of the top six players after the first weekend, even received a 1.600 Euro bonus as the top ranked category 'B' bowler (men with proven average under 180 and women under 175) with 1295 in 51st place. 68 players - the top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - advanced to the finals.
Notables failing to advance include Ari Halme (FIN, 70th), Phil Scammell (ENG, 81st) Nick Froggatt (ENG, 86th), Jean-Marc Lebon (BEL, 87th), Federico Rossi (ITA, 91st), Saeed Al Hajri (QAT, 99th), (tie) Francois Sacco (FRA, 105th), Patricia Schwarz (GER, 111th), Tomas Leandersson (SWE, 118th), Stuart Williams (ENG), Amadeo Spada (ITA, both tied for 119th) and Ahmed Shaheen (QAT, 132nd).
Players seeded 9-68 will return on Sunday morning to bowl six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 24 who will meet the top 8 qualifiers in best-of-three games match play.
After three match play rounds the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
Brunswick Euro Challenge - Final Qualifying Standings after Squad 20 and the 'Desperado Squad'
Players with position, country, six-game total and average*Women scores including eight pins handicap each game
1. Jens Nickel, GER, 1505, 250,83
2. Petri Mannonen, FIN, 1443, 240,50
3. Martin Larsen, SWE, 1433, 238,83
4. Osku Palermaa, FIN, 1428, 238,00
5. Michael Krämer, GER, 1410, 235,00
6. Jason Belmonte, AUS, 1398, 233,00
7. Tobias Gäbler, GER, 1384, 230,67
(tie) Peter Ljung, SWE, 1384, 230,67
The top 8 players earned one bye into the first round of match play.
9. Tony Fransson, SWE, 1364, 227,33
10. Par Svensson, SWE, 1359, 226,50
(tie) Darren Cundy, ENG, 1359, 226,50
12. Jouni Helminen, FIN, 1358, 226,33
13. Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, QAT, 1357, 226,17
14. Remy Ong, SIN, 1355, 225,83
15. Sami Konsteri, FIN, 1353, 225,50
16. Bandar Al Shafi, QAT, 1350, 225,00
17. Ratia Jari, FIN, 1348, 224,67
18. *Martina Beckel, GER, 1347, 216,50
19. Thomas Tybl, AUT, 1345, 224,17
20. Kimmo Lehtonen, FIN, 1341, 223,50
21. Abdullah Al Qattan, QAT, 1339, 223,17
22. Tim Mack, USA, 1338, 223,00
23. Thomas Gross, AUT, 1337, 222,83
24. Dimitris Karetsos, GRE, 1336, 222,67
25. Marek Przezpolewski, POL, 1333, 222,17
26. Menno van den Heuvel, NED, 1329, 221,50
27. Joonas Jähi, FIN, 1328, 221,33
28. Dirk Dreyer, GER, 1326, 221,00
(tie) Kai Günther, GER, 1326, 221,00
30. Thierry Sacco, FRA, 1325, 220,83
31. *Jennifer Tan Bee Leng, SIN, 1324, 212,67
(tie) *Isabelle Saldjian, FRA, 1324, 212,67
33. Khalifa Khalid Al Kubaisi, QAT, 1323, 220,50
34. Alex Tzounis, GRE, 1319, 219,83
35. Robert Andersson, SWE, 1317, 219,50
36. Wim van der Veen, NED, 1316, 219,33
37. Achim Grabowski, GER, 1315, 219,17
(tie) Clive Morris, ENG, 1315, 219,17
(tie) *Melissa Bellinder, USA, 1315, 211,17
40. Paul Moor, ENG, 1314, 219,00
41. Pasi Uotila, FIN, 1313, 218,83
42. *Britt Bröndsted, DEN, 1309, 210,17
(tie) Or Aviram, ISR, 1309, 218,17
44. *Alice Tay Hong Keow, SIN, 1306, 209,67
(tie) Kai Virtanen, FIN, 1306, 217,67
46. Sam Goh Heng Soon, SIN, 1304, 217,33
47. Ari Jehkinen, FIN, 1303, 217,17
48. Toni Laine, FIN, 1301, 216,83
49. Erwin Pascual, ESP, 1300, 216,67
50. Markus Stumpf, GER, 1297, 216,17
51. Mihalis Mihas, GRE, 1295, 215,83
(tie) Kostas Papakostas, GRE, 1295, 215,83
53. *Nina Flack, SWE, 1294, 207,67
54. Ivan Semenov, RUS, 1292, 215,33
55. Andreas Gripp, GER, 1291, 215,17
56. George Venetis, GRE, 1290, 215,00
57. Erik Andersin, SWE, 1289, 214,83
58. Anders Öhman, SWE, 1288, 214,67
Advanced to the finals.
59. Athanasios Karetsos, GRE, 1268, 211,33
60. Josef Mertiris, GRE, 1258, 209,67
61. Vretos Pachoulis, GRE, 1256, 209,33
62. Antonis Evaggelidis, GRE, 1252, 208,67
The top six players from the first weekend (March 10-12) Mihalis Mihas (51st), George Venetis (56th), Athanasios Karetsos, Josef Mertiris, Vretos Pachoulis and Antonis Evaggelidis (all from Greece) were automatically qualified for the finals.
63. Jimmy Ravez, BEL, 241
64. Giorgio Desimio, BEL, 236
65. *Piritta Kantola, FIN, 236
66. *Reija Lunden, FIN, 235
67. Scott Norton, USA, 234
68. *Zara Glover, ENG, 233
The top 6 from the one-game Desperado Squad advanced.
Missed Cut:
69. *Olga Tabachkova, RUS, 1287, 206,50
70. Ari Halme, FIN, 1285, 214,17
71. Daniel French, ENG, 1282, 213,67
(*Zara Glover, ENG, 1280, 205,33)
(Jimmy Ravez, BEL, 1280, 213,33)
72. *Jenya Smirnova, RUS, 1280, 205,33
(tie) John Remoundos, GRE, 1280, 213,33
74. Toby Contreras, USA, 1279, 213,17
75. *Anita Pohjanlahti, FIN, 1278, 205,00
76. Juha Immonen, FIN, 1277, 212,83
(Scott Norton, USA, 1275, 212,50)
77. Thomas Block, GER, 1274, 212,33
78. Epameinondas Patsaouras, GRE, 1273, 212,17
79. Michael Holzapfel, GER, 1271, 211,83
(tie) Shaun Ng Qenn, SIN, 1271, 211,83
81. Phil Scammell, ENG, 1269, 211,50
82. Aris Kemos, GRE, 1268, 211,33
(tie) Yousef Al Jaber, QAT, 1266, 211,00
84. George Patel, ENG, 1266, 211,00
(tie) David Wong Han Keong, SIN, 1266, 211,00
(*Piritta Kantola, FIN, 1266, 203,00)
86. Nick Froggatt, ENG, 1266, 211,00
87. Jean-Marc Lebon, BEL, 1264, 210,67
(tie) Nikolay Ovchinnikovs, LAT, 1264, 210,67
89. Jesper Agerbo, DEN, 1263, 210,50
90. Takis Xagoraris, GRE, 1262, 210,33
91. Federico Rossi, ITA, 1260, 210,00
(tie) Jussi Lindgren, FIN, 1260, 210,00
(tie) *Malin Glendert, SWE, 1260, 202,00
(tie) Dennis Eklund, SWE, 1260, 210,00
95. Antonio Garilli, ITA, 1259, 209,83
96. Mauro Malchiodi, ITA, 1255, 209,17
(tie) Giorgos Koyrtesis, GRE, 1255, 209,17
98. Moshe Shienman, ISR, 1252, 208,67
99. Saeed Al Hajri, QAT, 1250, 208,33
(tie) Joseph Allalouf, GRE, 1250, 208,33
(Giorgio Desimio, BEL, 1250, 208,33)
101. Ioannis Alestas, GRE, 1242, 207,00
102. Mithat Siveliol, TUR, 1241, 206,83
(tie) Dominic Barrett, ENG, 1241, 206,83
(Alexey Yakovlev, RUS, 1241, 206,83
105. Leonidas Maragos, GRE, 1239, 206,50
(tie) Francois Sacco, FRA, 1239, 206,50
107. *Lisa Gardner, ENG, 1238, 198,33
108. Mansoor Al Awami, QAT, 1234, 205,67
109. Timur Madaminov, RUS, 1232, 205,33
110. Gergely Karponczay, HUN, 1229, 204,83
111. *Sonja Uhlich, GER, 1226, 196,33
(tie) *Patricia Schwarz, GER, 1226, 196,33
113. Philippe van Meleghem, BEL, 1225, 204,17
114. Ray Mcdowell, POL, 1224, 204,00
(tie) Paulos Kexagias, GRE, 1224, 204,00
116. Aris Tsioupelis, GRE, 1222, 203,67
(tie) Oliver Blase, GER, 1222, 203,67
118. Tomas Leandersson, SWE, 1221, 203,50
119. Stuart Williams, ENG, 1219, 203,17
(tie) Amadeo Spada, ITA, 1219, 203,17
121. Nikos Mihas, GRE, 1218, 203,00
(tie) Yuriy Medveditskov, RUS, 1218, 203,00
123. Alexandros Xatziarapis, GRE, 1217, 202,83
(tie) *Asa Wetterlund, SWE, 1217, 194,83
125. Girard Lettrie, FRA, 1215, 202,50
(tie) Claes Gauffin, SWE, 1215, 202,50
127. Dmitry Kolomeets, RUS, 1213, 202,17
128. *Marie Gauton, FRA, 1212, 194,00
129. Georgios Stefanidis, GRE, 1210, 201,67
(*Reija Lunden, FIN, 1210, 193,67)
130. Giorgos Zampetakis, GRE, 1209, 201,50
131. *Evaggelia Kyveloy, GRE, 1207, 193,17
132. Stavros Fotakis, GRE, 1205, 200,83
(Ahmed Shaheen, QAT, 1202, 200,33
134. Philip Schwartz, USA, 1199, 199,83
135. Christos Christoy, CYP, 1198, 199,67
136. Kalle Gaiser, GER, 1197, 199,50
(tie) Kim Bolleby, SWE, 1197, 199,50
138. Giorgos Archontopoulos, GRE, 1194, 199,00
(tie) Janne Heikkilainen, FIN, 1194, 199,00
(tie) Edward Tkacz, USA, 1194, 199,00
141. *Beverley Tolman, ENG, 1193, 190,83
142. Tomasz Janicki, POL, 1192, 198,67
143. Phillip Kargotis, CYP, 1191, 198,50
(tie) Andrey Moon, RUS, 1191, 198,50
(tie) Haris Panagiotou, CYP, 1191, 198,50
(tie) Andrea Canevari, ITA, 1191, 198,50
147. *Elena Kraynik, RUS, 1190, 190,33
148. Alexander Medveditskov, RUS, 1188, 198,00
(tie) Vaggelis Krizinis, GRE, 1188, 198,00
150. Vasilis Dalesis, GRE, 1186, 197,67
(tie) Fausto Bolzonello, BEL, 1186, 197,67
152. Vali Fatu, ROM, 1185, 197,50
(tie) George Tzilis, GRE, 1185, 197,50
154. Dimitris Karamitilios, GRE, 1182, 197,00
(tie) Panagiotis Nikitas, GRE, 1182, 197,00
156. Theodore Gooravin, ENG, 1178, 196,33
157. *Georgia Sagona, GRE, 1177, 188,17
(tie) *Mie Agerbo, DEN, 1177, 188,17
159. *Rikke Holm Rasmussen, DEN, 1175, 187,83
(tie) *Veronika Solozhenkina, KAZ, 1175, 187,83
161. Sami Heinilä, FIN, 1174, 195,67
162. Michael Haerst, BEL, 1168, 194,67
(tie) Hristo Georgiev, BUL, 1168, 194,67
164. Sebastian Vandermeysbruggen, BEL, 1166, 194,33
165. Vasilios Kafes, GRE, 1165, 194,17
(tie) Pavlos Pelekanos, CYP, 1165, 194,17
(tie) Max Lazaridi, KAZ, 1165, 194,17
168. Dor Spheizman, ISR, 1164, 194,00
169. Dimitris Grigoriadis, GRE, 1163, 193,83
(tie) Kostas Liratzis, GRE, 1163, 193,83
171. *Yifat Tal, ISR, 1162, 185,67
(tie) Evgeniy Kuznetsov, KAZ, 1162, 193,67
173. Kostas Stergiadis, GRE, 1161, 193,50
(tie) Ray Love, USA, 1161, 193,50
175. Aram Fidanian, RUS, 1160, 193,33
(tie) *Jo Harries, ENG, 1160, 185,33
(tie) Iosif Konios, GRE, 1160, 193,33
178. *Stephanie Nicolas, BEL, 1159, 185,17
(tie) *Aurilie Gauton, FRA, 1159, 185,17
180. *Natalie Boehme, GER, 1158, 185,00
181. Kevin Francois, BEL, 1156, 192,67
(tie) Nicks Papapetropoulos, GRE, 1156, 192,67
(tie) Oleg Sazonov, RUS, 1156, 192,67
184. Frank Oeing, GER, 1155, 192,50
185. *Christina Fotinia, GRE, 1154, 184,33
186. Ioannis Marousis, GRE, 1153, 192,17
(tie) Don Bridges, USA, 1153, 192,17
188. *Despina Chrisanthi, GRE, 1150, 183,67
189. Aggelos Tsouroupis, GRE, 1147, 191,17
(tie) Gavrihl Karatzas, GRE, 1147, 191,17
191. Stefanos Kazantzis, GRE, 1144, 190,67
(tie) Haralampos Kiriakidis, GRE, 1144, 190,67
193. Gaerano Curcuracci, BEL, 1143, 190,50
194. Christos Batsaras, GRE, 1142, 190,33
(tie) Antonios Fotakis, GRE, 1142, 190,33
196. Michel Perniaux, BEL, 1138, 189,67
197. George Katsanis, GRE, 1135, 189,17
198. *Alexandra Zorba, GRE, 1134, 181,00
(tie) *Nicole Heberle, GER, 1134, 181,00
(tie) Haralampos Nikolaoy, GRE, 1134, 189,00
(tie) Argiris Deligiorgis, GRE, 1134, 189,00
(tie) Anastasios Karagiannis, GRE, 1134, 189,00
203. Giorgos Stavrinou, CYP, 1131, 188,50
204. Konstantinos Zevgaridis, GRE, 1130, 188,33
(tie) Giorgos Liourtas, GRE, 1130, 188,33
206. Valery Nikolov, BUL, 1129, 188,17
207. Takis Kalliris, GRE, 1128, 188,00
208. Vladimir Halin, RUS, 1127, 187,83
209. Per Madsen, DEN, 1126, 187,67
210. Michael Lehmann, GER, 1125, 187,50
(tie) Nikolaos Siotas, GRE, 1125, 187,50
212. *Natassa Tsamaktsoglou, GRE, 1124, 179,33
(tie) Zografos Polymenis, GRE, 1124, 187,33
(tie) Marc van den Broeck, BEL, 1124, 187,33
(tie) Erik Evripidou, CYP, 1124, 187,33
216. Dimitris Baharidis, GRE, 1123, 187,17
217. Stelios Metalios, GRE, 1121, 186,83
(tie) *Catherine Georgiadou, GRE, 1121, 178,83
219. *Odette Piticariu, ROM, 1119, 178,50
220. Ulf Bolleby, SWE, 1118, 186,33
221. Kostantinos Bouklas, GRE, 1116, 186,00
222. Rafal Ges, POL, 1115, 185,83
223. Goran Carlsson, SWE, 1113, 185,50
224. *Marie Anne Baudisson, FRA, 1112, 177,33
225. Ilias Charitakis, GRE, 1111, 185,17
(tie) Oleksandr Scherbinin, UKR, 1111, 185,17
227. Frank Lindsay, ENG, 1109, 184,83
(tie) *Nantia Herodotou, CYP, 1109, 176,83
229. Raul Jimenez Carrion, ESP, 1108, 184,67
(tie) George Exadaktilos, GRE, 1108, 184,67
231. Marius Piticariu, ROM, 1105, 184,17
(tie) *Kerstin Sauer, GER, 1105, 176,17
233. Giannis Zimpoulias, GRE, 1104, 184,00
(tie) Branislav Sergievski, BUL, 1104, 184,00
235. Giorgos Charalampidis, GRE, 1103, 183,83
(tie) Petros Xagoraris, GRE, 1103, 183,83
237. Denes Domonkos, HUN, 1102, 183,67
238. *Elvira Baharova, BUL, 1101, 175,50
239. *Nina Petkova, BUL, 1100, 175,33
(tie) Apostolos Tsivas, GRE, 1100, 183,33
(tie) Dimitrios Xatzinikolaoy, GRE, 1100, 183,33
242. Nikos Kekesis, GRE, 1099, 183,17
243. Jacek Grotowski, POL, 1096, 182,67
244. *Virginia Bello, ESP, 1095, 174,50
245. Lukasz Zjawiony, POL, 1094, 182,33
246. *Dora Gavriil, GRE, 1092, 174,00
247. George Keramas, GRE, 1091, 181,83
248. Aggelos Pantoydis, GRE, 1086, 181,00
(tie) *Dora Skouri, GRE, 1086, 173,00
250. Asaf Morad, ISR, 1084, 180,67
(tie) Maor Edri, ISR, 1084, 180,67
252. Dominique Latinis, BEL, 1083, 180,50
(tie) *Eleni Giannari, GRE, 1083, 172,50
(tie) Marcello Baggi, ITA, 1083, 180,50
255. Piotr Zjawiony, POL, 1082, 180,33
256. Gerasimos Dagas, GRE, 1078, 179,67
257. Michael Kimparis, GRE, 1077, 179,50
258. Christos Korosis, GRE, 1076, 179,33
259. Mihalis Bouzas, GRE, 1073, 178,83
(tie) David Prokopiou, GRE, 1073, 178,83
261. Torben Gaiser, GER, 1072, 178,67
(tie) Socrates Kiriazogloy, GRE, 1072, 178,67
263. Pierre Ravez, BEL, 1071, 178,50
(tie) Ovidiu Mihut, ROM, 1071, 178,50
(tie) Theofanis Tzitziklis, GRE, 1071, 178,50
266. Dorel Bucurescu, ROM, 1066, 177,67
(tie) Alexandros Anastasiou, GRE, 1066, 177,67
268. *Eleni Poulitsidou, GRE, 1063, 169,17
269. Georgis Krastev, BUL, 1061, 176,83
(tie) Ioannis Papoutsis, GRE, 1061, 176,83
(tie) George Kessatis, GRE, 1061, 176,83
272. Athanasios Dormousoglou, GRE, 1057, 176,17
273. Konstantinos Batsaras, GRE, 1056, 176,00
274. Todor Lichev, BUL, 1054, 175,67
275. Kostas Sagias, CYP, 1053, 175,50
(tie) Peter Boros, HUN, 1053, 175,50
(tie) *Dimitra Xatzeli, GRE, 1053, 167,50
278. Pavel Kyosev, BUL, 1050, 175,00
279. Stilio Arnidis, GRE, 1048, 174,67
280. Demetris Papailiou, GRE, 1042, 173,67
(tie) Armand Lavru, FRA, 1042, 173,67
282. Giannis Milonakis, GRE, 1041, 173,50
(tie) Rafal Palka, POL, 1041, 173,50
(tie) Demis Ioannidis, CYP, 1041, 173,50
(tie) Stefanos Papadopoulos, GRE, 1041, 173,50
286. Evaggelos Gerousis, GRE, 1039, 173,17
287. Alex Telejman, ROM, 1038, 173,00
(tie) *Maria Hapesi, CYP, 1038, 165,00
289. Mihalis Daktilidis, GRE, 1037, 172,83
290. Andreas Kasvakidis, GRE, 1035, 172,50
(tie) *Alkisti Baboussi, GRE, 1035, 164,50
292. Dimitris Yalourakis, GRE, 1033, 172,17
293. George Simeonidis, GRE, 1031, 171,83
294. Emmanoyil Ntaroui, GRE, 1030, 171,67
295. Nael Aldalis, GRE, 1026, 171,00
296. Grigoris Milas, GRE, 1023, 170,50
297. Nikolaos Giapitzakis, GRE, 1022, 170,33
(tie) Sakis Kormalis, GRE, 1022, 170,33
299. Krasimir Georgiev, BUL, 1021, 170,17
300. Samuel Fowlkes, USA, 1020, 170,00
301. *Maria Katsibra, GRE, 1019, 161,83
(tie) Alfred Gril, ROM, 1019, 169,83
303. *Galina Stefanova, BUL, 1018, 161,67
(tie) Panagis Stratiotis, GRE, 1018, 169,67
(tie) George Krithis, GRE, 1018, 169,67
306. Ioannis Kassiotis, CYP, 1016, 169,33
307. *Aggeliki Liappa, GRE, 1014, 161,00
(tie) *Afroditi Agorastou, GRE, 1014, 161,00
309. Aris Sotiropoulos, GRE, 1012, 168,67
(tie) Amir Najjar, ISR, 1012, 168,67
311. *Maria Karamagioli, GRE, 1011, 160,50
312. *Veronique Perniaux, BEL, 1010, 160,33
313. *Tatiana Dyagtereva, UKR, 1009, 160,17
314. Stelios Derikoletis, GRE, 1007, 167,83
315. Aggelos Mantoudis, GRE, 1005, 167,50
316. Nikolaos Kiros, GRE, 1001, 166,83
317. *Brigitte De Wolf, BEL, 999, 158,50
318. Ioannis Kasimatis, GRE, 998, 166,33
319. Aris Tsifloglou, GRE, 995, 165,83
320. Ioannis Kouloheris, GRE, 994, 165,67
321. Thanos Polianis, GRE, 992, 165,33
322. Ioannis Sarantopoulos, GRE, 989, 164,83
323. Markos Kanis, GRE, 986, 164,33
324. Thanasis Xatzopoylos, GRE, 984, 164,00
325. Dimitar Popov, BUL, 983, 163,83
326. *Chrisa Papamihail, GRE, 978, 155,00
(tie) *Konstantina Gouliarmi, GRE, 978, 155,00
(tie) Kostas Petropoulos, GRE, 978, 163,00
329. Evangelos Stanelos, GRE, 977, 162,83
(tie) Eleytherios Plastaras, GRE, 977, 162,83
331. Filippos Pappas, GRE, 975, 162,50
332. Vasilis Fraggiskatos, GRE, 970, 161,67
333. Michalis Maousidis, GRE, 967, 161,17
334. *Ioanna Kolokytha, GRE, 964, 152,67
335. Fabian Bourgie, BEL, 959, 159,83
336. *Aspasia Sarakinoy, GRE, 957, 151,50
337. *Chrisanthi Xatzioannou, GRE, 955, 151,17
338. Nikolaos Sellas, GRE, 951, 158,50
339. Nikolaos Tsakonas, GRE, 950, 158,33
340. Georgios Pigis, GRE, 949, 158,17
341. Nikos Toliopoulos, GRE, 944, 157,33
342. Athanasios Dimitrioy, GRE, 943, 157,17
343. Patrick Didier Guerre, FRA, 941, 156,83
344. Loukas Valourdos, GRE, 939, 156,50
(tie) Georgios Vlahos, GRE, 939, 156,50
346. Eyaggelos Oikonomou, GRE, 938, 156,33
(tie) Lefteris Kaltsas, GRE, 938, 156,33
348. Sotiris Tsirnikas, GRE, 930, 155,00
349. Eystathios Mixalopoulos, GRE, 929, 154,83
350. Takoui Pestilmantzian, GRE, 924, 154,00
351. George Mitakis, GRE, 922, 153,67
(tie) Dimitrios Lykiardopoulos, GRE, 922, 153,67
353. Gabi Anghelescu, ROM, 921, 153,50
354. Stelios Maratsinos, GRE, 919, 153,17
355. Spiros Mpougoulias, GRE, 914, 152,33
356. Thomas Sellas, GRE, 911, 151,83
357. Paki-Christian Mexis, GRE, 901, 150,17
358. Panagiotis Kalaitzis, GRE, 898, 149,67
359. Kostas Stamopoylos, GRE, 879, 146,50
360. Andreas Ioannidis, GRE, 876, 146,00
361. Panos Philipakopoulos, GRE, 865, 144,17
362. Konstantinos Zerbas, GRE, 864, 144,00
363. Konstantinos Kimparis, GRE, 852, 142,00
364. *Christina Datsi, GRE, 839, 131,83
365. Marc Dewell, BEL, 836, 139,33
366. George Asimakopoulos, GRE, 825, 137,50
367. Lampros Rousiamanis, GRE, 814, 135,67
368. Marietta Ntika, GRE, 792, 124,00
369. Stefanos Alatzidis, GRE, 783, 130,50
Special Awards - Women's Division
Top 5 with position, country, six-game total, average and earningsScores including eight pins handicap each game
1. Martina Beckel, GER, 1347, 216,50, 1.200 Euro
2. Jennifer Tan, SIN, 1324, 212,67, 1.000 Euro
3. Isabelle Saldjian, FRA, 1324, 212,67, 800 Euro
4. Melissa Bellinder, USA, 1315, 211,17, 600 Euro
5. Britt Bröndsted, DEN, 1309, 210,17, 400 Euro
Special Awards - Category 'B' Bowlery
Men with proven average under 180 and women under 175
Top 16 with position, country, six-game total, average and earnings*Women scores including eight pins handicap each game
1. Mihalis Mihas, GRE, 1295, 215,83, 1.600 Euro
2. George Venetis, GRE, 1290, 215,00, 1.300 Euro
3. Athanasios Karetsos, GRE, 1268, 211,33, 1.100 Euro
4. Alexey Yakovlev, RUS, 1241, 206,83, 900 Euro
5. Yuriy Medveditskov, RUS, 1218, 203,00, 800 Euro
6. Alexandros Xatziarapis, GRE, 1217, 202,83, 700 Euro
7. Georgios Stefanidis, GRE, 1210, 201,67, 600 Euro
8. Giorgos Archontopoulos, GRE, 1194, 199,00, 500 Euro
9. Phillip Kargotis, CYP, 1191, 198,50, 400 Euro
10. Andrey Moon, RUS, 1191, 198,50, 300 Euro
11. Vaggelis Krizinis, GRE, 1188, 198,00, 200 Euro
12. Vali Fatu, ROM, 1185, 197,50, 200 Euro
13. Dimitris Karamitilios, GRE, 1182, 197,00, 200 Euro
14. *Georgia Sagona, GRE, 1177, 188,17, 200 Euro
15. Pavlos Pelekanos, CYP, 1165, 194,17, 200 Euro
16. Kostas Stergiadis, GRE, 1161, 193,50, 200 Euro
Two Germans crack top 8 in Brunswick Euro Challenge
German internationals Michael Krämer (left) and Tobias Gäbler (right) jumped into 5th and 7th place in the Brunswick Euro Challenge after the 19th and penultimate qualifying squad. Krämer averaged 235 over six games and felled 1410 pins while 2001 World Games champion Gäbled totalled 1384 pins. Their fellow countryman, defending champion Jens Nickel, continued to lead the field with 1505 and an average of 250,83.The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. 68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday.
Players seeded 9-68 will bowl six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 24 who will meet the top 8 qualifiers in best-of-three games match play. After three match play rounds the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
Mannonen and Larsen add names to leaderboard at Brunswick Euro Challenge
European Masters Champion Petri Mannonen (left) of Finland posted a 1443 six-game series on Friday afternoon to move into second position in the qualifying of the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Thessalonica, Greece. Mannonen averaged 240,50 including a 257 high game to trail defending champion Jens Nickel, Germany, by 62 pins. Swedish international Martin Larsen (right) felled 1433 pins to jump into third place. Places 4-7 belong to Osku Palermaa, Finland, 1428; Jason Belmonte, Australia, 1398; Peter Ljung, 1384 and Tony Fransson, 1364. Rounding out the top 8, who will earn one bye into the first round of match play, is Pär Svensson (pictured), all from Sweden, who was tied with Darren Cundy, England, at 1359, but has the higher last game. Singapore's Jennifer Tan (left) and Alice Tay (right) led the 55-player field in the 17th qualifying squad, who took on the lanes at 1 a.m. Saturday morning. Tan, a former World Ranking Masters champion, totaled 1324 pins including 48 pins handicap to overtake Melissa Bellinder by nine pins en route to become the top-ranked woman in 22nd place. Tay moved into 32nd place with 1306 total. The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. 68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday.
Players seeded 9-68 will bowl six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 24 who will meet the top 8 qualifiers in best-of-three games match play. After three match play rounds the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
Defending champion Nickel powers his way into the lead in Greece
Defending champion Jens Nickel cracked the 1500-bar in 12th squad of the Brunswick Euro Challenge to take a dominating 77-pin lead in qualifying. The stocky German, who won last year's BEC from No. 3 seed by defeating three Finns, Petteri Salonen, Pasi Uotila and Jouni Helminen, fired games of 239, 236, 247, 259, 258 and 266 for 1505 six-game total and an average of 250,83. Two-handers Osku Palermaa, Finland and Jason Belmonte, Australia, fell one spot to second and third with 1428 and 1398, respectively. Swede Peter Ljung (right) posted the second-best 1384-series in the 12th squad on Thursday evening (squad 13 was cancelled) to move into fourth place overall. Next are his compatriots Tony Fransson (1364) and Pär Svensson (1359). Seventh place belongs to last year's top seed and second-place finisher Jouni Helminen with 1358. Rounding out the top 8, who will earn one bye into the first round of match play, is currently Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi, Qatar, with 1357. Former Team USA member Melissa Bellinderis now the top-ranked woman in the field in 18th position with 1315 pinfall total including 48 pins handicap. The best woman at the end of the tournament will receive a 1.200 Euro bonus. Bellinder finished 12th in the fifth European ranking event, the Catalonia Open two weeks ago. The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. 68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday.
Players seeded 9-68 will bowl six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 24 who will meet the top 8 qualifiers in best-of-three games match play. After three match play rounds the four remaining players will be seeded 1-4 for the stepladder finals according to their position before match play. The four finalists will vie for the title and 15.000 Euro top prize.
Two two-handers lead qualifying in Brunswick Euro Challenge
Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, seems to be a tough playground for right-handers. After three lefties and a spinner led the field on Wednesday, two players who are using a two-handed delivery set the pace in the Brunswick Euro Challenge qualifying. Osku Palermaa (left) from Finland and Jason Belmonte (right) of Australia rolled six-game series of 1428 and 1398 to move into first and second place. Palermaa, currently the No. 2 in the European rankings, rolled games of 222, 248, 246, 217, 227 and 268 to become the first player to crack the 1400-bar this year. Belmonte, the 2004 World Bowling Writers International Bowler of the Year, had a slow start with 210, 223, and 220 but finished strong with 238, 259 and 248.
How the two-handed technique works. The player pushes the ball away with both hands in contact with the ball. He rotates his upper body to keep his non-bowling hand on the ball. That prevents the ball from falling off his hand because he doesn't use his thumb to secure his grip. After using his non-bowling hand to help rotate the ball at the point of release, he finished his delivery looking like a traditional power player.
Places 3-5 belonged to lefties Mubarak Ali Al Muraikhi (left) , Qatar, with 1357, Remy Ong, Singapore, 1355, and Bandar Al Shafi, Qatar, 1350. Another Qatari, Abdullah Al Qattan (right), is the best right-handed player in the field in sixth position with 1339. Dutch Menno van den Heuvel (left) is seventh with 1329. Greek Bowling Federation president Alex Tzounis is the top bowler from the host country. The former international sits in eighth place with 1319. Jennifer Tan, a spinner from Singapore, is the top woman in the BEC in 9th place at 1296. Singapore is well represented in Greece. Besides Tan and Ong, Shaun Ng, Alice Tay, David Wong and Sam Goh (pictured) participate in the tournament. The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18.
68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday. The top 8 after qualifying will earn one bye into the first round of best-of-three games match play.
The winner will receive the 15.000 Euro top prize.
Lefties from Qatar and Singapore take control of the leaderboard in Thessalonica
Eight bowlers from Qatar, six from Singapore and three from the United States took on the lanes at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, Tuesday for the seventh qualifying squad of the Brunswick Euro Challenge. Mubarak Ali Al-Muraikhi, Qatar, rolled games 228, 218, 233, 248, 223 and 207 to overtake the tournament lead with 1357 and an average of 226,17. Remy Ong (left) from Singapore and Mubarak's compatriot Bandar Al-Shafi (right) both had a high game of 257 to finish mere two and seven pins behind in second and third place with 1355 and 1350, respectively. All three, Mubarak, Remy and Bandar are lefties. Ong's fellow countrywoman and former World Ranking Masters champion Jennifer Tan became the best right-hander in the field averaging 208 for the block. However, opposite to Ong, who is a traditional bowler, Tan is a spinner. As all female bowlers on the European Bowling Tour, Tan received eight pins handicap each game to finish with 1296 pinfall total, good for fourth place. Previous leader Mihalis Mihas (right), Greece, slipped to fifth place with 1295, but as one of the top six players from the first weekend (March 10-12) he is already qualified for the finals on Sunday, March 19. Former U.S. National Amateur Champion (2000) Scott Norton, son of WIBC Hall of Famer Virginia Norton, is tied for 11th place with 1268. Former Team USA member Melissa Bellinder (pictured above) is 26th with 1214.
The third American in the Tuesday afternoon squad was multiple international champion Tim Mack, who is making a comeback from shoulder injury in Greece (read Dick Evans' interview with Tim). Mack alternated 170-plus and 210-plus games in his first attempt to sit in 44th place with 1159. The Brunswick Euro Challenge is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. 68 Players - top 6 from the first weekend, 56 players from qualifying and the top 6 from the Desperado Squad - will advance to the finals on Sunday. The top 8 after qualifying will earn one bye into the first round of best-of-three games match play. The winner will receive the 15.000 Euro top prize. The picture shows the Qatar national team in Thessalonica.No changes atop the leaderboard in Brunswick Euro Challenge
Mihalis Mihas, George Venetis, Athanasios Karetsos, Josef Mertiris, Vretos Pachoulis and Antonis Evaggelidis (all from Greece) remained atop the leaderboard in the Brunswick Euro Challenge after conclusion of the sixth of 20 qualifying squads at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece. Bandar Al Shafi of Qatar rolled the 1255 high series on Monday to move into sixth place with a 209,17 average.The top 5 plus Antonis Evaggelidis, who led the field after the first weekend, are automatically qualified for the finals on Sunday, March 19. Joining those six are the top 56 players from qualifying and the top six from the apparently unavoidable Desperado Squad (68 players overall). The top 8 after qualifying will earn one bye into the first round of best-of-three games match play.
Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. The tournament is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. The winner will receive the 15.000 Euro top prize.
Mihalis Mihas leads Brunswick Euro Challenge after the first weekend
Mihalis Mihas posted a 1295 six-game total to lead the Brunswick Euro Challenge at Strike Bowling Club in Thessalonica, Greece, after the first weekend. Six players from the first weekend (March 10-12) booked their spots for the finals on Sunday, March 19. Mihas was followed by George Venetis (1290), Athanasios Karetsos (1268), Josef Mertiris (1258), Vretos Pachoulis (1256) and Antonis Evaggelidis (1252), all from Greece.The tournament is the sixth event of the 2006 European Bowling Tour and the Tour's third 'major'. Qualifying continues till Saturday, March 18. 68 Players will advance to the finals. The winner will receive the 15.000 Euro top prize.
Brunswick Euro Challenge - Qualifying Standings after the first weekend (Squad 5)
Players with position, country, six-game total and average*Women scores including eight pins handicap each game
1. Mihalis Mihas, GRE, 1295, 215,83
2. George Venetis, GRE, 1290, 215,00
3. Athanasios Karetsos, GRE, 1268, 211,33
4. Josef Mertiris, GRE, 1258, 209,67
5. Vretos Pachoulis, GRE, 1256, 209,33
6. Antonis Evaggelidis, GRE, 1252, 208,67
7. Ioannis Alestas, GRE, 1242, 207,00
8. Leonidas Maragos, GRE, 1234, 205,67
9. Gergely Karponczay, HUN, 1229, 204,83
10. Nikos Mihas, GRE, 1218, 203,00
11. Alexandros Xatziarapis, GRE, 1217, 202,83
12. John Remoundos, GRE, 1206, 201,00
13. Vaggelis Krizinis, GRE, 1188, 198,00
14. Vasilis Dalesis, GRE, 1186, 197,67
15. George Tzilis, GRE, 1185, 197,50
16. Georgios Stefanidis, GRE, 1179, 196,50
17. Alex Tzounis, GRE, 1178, 196,33
(tie) Kostas Papakostas, GRE, 1178, 196,33
19. *Georgia Sagona, GRE, 1177, 188,17
20. Dimitris Karetsos, GRE, 1173, 195,50
21. Hristo Georgiev, BUL, 1168, 194,67
22. Vasilios Kafes, GRE, 1165, 194,17
23. Dimitris Grigoriadis, GRE, 1163, 193,83
24. Kostas Stergiadis, GRE, 1161, 193,50
25. *Natalie Boehme, GER, 1158, 185,00
26. Ioannis Marousis, GRE, 1153, 192,17
27. *Despoina Chrisanthi, GRE, 1150, 183,67
28. Theodore Gooravin, GRE, 1147, 191,17
29. Christos Batsaras, GRE, 1142, 190,33
30. *Alexandra Zorba, GRE, 1134, 181,00
(tie) Haralampos Nikolaoy, GRE, 1134, 189,00
(tie) Argiris Deligiorgis, GRE, 1134, 189,00
(tie) Anastasios Karagiannis, GRE, 1134, 189,00
34. Giorgos Koyrtesis, GRE, 1132, 188,67
35. Giorgos Archontopoulos, GRE, 1131, 188,50
36. Konstantinos Zevgaridis, GRE, 1130, 188,33
37. Valery Nikolov, BUL, 1129, 188,17
38. Nikolaos Siotas, GRE, 1125, 187,50
39. Zografos Polymenis, GRE, 1124, 187,33
40. Dimitris Baharidis, GRE, 1123, 187,17
41. Stelios Metalios, GRE, 1121, 186,83
(tie) *Catherine Georgiadou, GRE, 1121, 178,83
43. Kostantinos Bouklas, GRE, 1116, 186,00
44. Takis Xagoraris, GRE, 1109, 184,83
45. George Exadaktilos, GRE, 1108, 184,67
46. Giannis Zimpoulias, GRE, 1104, 184,00
(tie) Branislav Sergievski, BUL, 1104, 184,00
48. Giorgos Charalampidis, GRE, 1103, 183,83
49. Denes Domonkos, HUN, 1102, 183,67
50. *Elvira Baharova, BUL, 1101, 175,50
51. *Nina Petkova, BUL, 1100, 175,33
(tie) Apostolos Tsivas, GRE, 1100, 183,33
53. Nikos Kekesis, GRE, 1099, 183,17
54. Kalle Gaiser, GER, 1098, 183,00
55. *Theodora Gavriil, GRE, 1092, 174,00
56. Aggelos Pantoydis, GRE, 1086, 181,00
57. Michael Kimparis, GRE, 1077, 179,50
58. Christos Korosis, GRE, 1076, 179,33
59. Theofanis Tzitziklis, GRE, 1071, 178,50
60. Dimitrios Xatzinikolaoy, GRE, 1066, 177,67
(tie) Alexandros Anastasiou, GRE, 1066, 177,67
62. Stefanos Kazantzis, GRE, 1064, 177,33
63. Georgis Krastev, BUL, 1061, 176,83
(tie) George Kessatis, GRE, 1061, 176,83
65. Athanasios Dormousoglou, GRE, 1057, 176,17
66. Konstantinos Batsaras, GRE, 1056, 176,00
67. Dimitris Karamitilios, GRE, 1055, 175,83
68. Todor Lichev, BUL, 1054, 175,67
69. Peter Boros, HUN, 1053, 175,50
70. Pavel Kyosev, BUL, 1050, 175,00
71. Kostas Liratzis, GRE, 1049, 174,83
72. *Nantia Herodotou, CYP, 1044, 166,00
73. Evaggelos Gerousis, GRE, 1039, 173,17
74. *Maria Hapesi, CYP, 1038, 165,00
75. George Simeonidis, GRE, 1031, 171,83
76. Emmanoyil Ntaroui, GRE, 1030, 171,67
77. *Eleni Poulitsidou, GRE, 1025, 162,83
78. Krasimir Georgiev, BUL, 1021, 170,17
79. *Maria Katsibra, GRE, 1019, 161,83
80. George Krithis, GRE, 1018, 169,67
81. Panagiotis Nikitas, GRE, 1017, 169,50
82. Torben Gaiser, GER, 1016, 169,33
(tie) Giorgos Stavrinou, CYP, 1016, 169,33
84. David Prokopiou, GRE, 1015, 169,17
85. *Afroditi Agorastou, GRE, 1014, 161,00
86. Ioannis Papoutsis, GRE, 1012, 168,67
87. Aris Tsifloglou, GRE, 995, 165,83
88. Markos Kanis, GRE, 986, 164,33
89. Thanasis Xatzopoylos, GRE, 984, 164,00
90. *Chrisa Papamihail, GRE, 978, 155,00
(tie) Kostas Petropoulos, GRE, 978, 163,00
92. Mihalis Bouzas, GRE, 963, 160,50
93. *Chrisanthi Xatzioannou, GRE, 955, 151,17
94. Nikolaos Tsakonas, GRE, 950, 158,33
95. Nikos Toliopoulos, GRE, 944, 157,33
96. Eyaggelos Oikonomou, GRE, 938, 156,33
97. Sotiris Tsirnikas, GRE, 926, 154,33
98. Paki-Christian Mexis, GRE, 901, 150,17
99. Kostas Stamopoylos, GRE, 879, 146,50
100. *Dora Skouri, GRE, 858, 135,00
101. Konstantinos Kimparis, GRE, 852, 142,00
102. Lampros Rousiamanis, GRE, 814, 135,67
103. Stefanos Alatzidis, GRE, 783, 130,50