13th March, Saint Maximin: Two-time World Champion, Clara Juliana Guerrero of Colombia defeated top seed, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of the United States, 229-204 in the title match of the Brunswick Euro Challenge 2011 to win her first EBT title.

Despite encountering a split in the second frame, Clara Juliana Guerrero bounced back with two turkeys as top seed and current World Bowling Tour leader, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard failed to register a single double strike.

The Colombian ended with 229 to take the match and a well-deserved victory over the American. The champion had earlier edged No. 2 seed, Syafiq Ridhwan of Malaysia, 227-224 thanks to an 8-pin handicap.

Guerrero had squeezed into the stepladder by defeating England's Dominic Barrett, 218-144 to finish third in the position round match of the Step 3 Final. Dorin-Ballard earned top seed after she beat leader, Mai Ginge Jensen of Denmark 224-197.

Syafiq claimed No. 2 seed when he beat Thomas Larsen of Denmark with a big game, 236-218 to overhaul both Jensen and Barrett in the position round match of the Step 3 Final.

The champion won 15,000 Euro (approx. US$20,700) while Dorin-Ballard settled for 7,500 Euro and Syafiq earned 5,000 Euro for finishing third.

Marco Baade of Germany lead the Step 2 Final with 1290 ahead of Syafiq in second with 1283 and Oliver Blase of Germany third with 1269. Barrett rolled a sizzling 290 in the sixth and final game to edge Malaysia's Jacqueline Sijore by 13 pins to advance into Step 3 Final.

Meanwhile, Sweden's Robert Andersson topped the Step 1 Final with 1308 ahead of Marilyn Planchard of France and Clara Guerrero second and third with 1287 and 1273 respectively.

Andersson could not repeat his earlier form to crash out in Step 2 Final. Among the favourites who did not make the cut were perfect gamer, Osku Palermaa of Finland, Gery Verbruggen of Belgium and Jouni Helminen of Finland.

Photos courtesy of BowlingDigital/Beat Grauwiler.

12th March, Saint Maximin: Finland's Osku Palermaa topped Squad 23 with the tournament's first perfect game to move into the Top 12 of the overall standings at the Brunswick Euro Challenge 2001 on final day of qualifying.

Osku Palermaa, who has yet to make the cut after his third attempt of 1187, started well with 213 but stumbled with a poor 162 in his second game in his fourth attempt. But the Finn gradually recovered with 205, 200 and 228 before firing the 300 in his last game.

The two-handed two-time EBT winner topped Squad 23 en-route to making the Top 12 cut in ninth position. Palermaa's compatriot, Jouni Helminen, who topped Squad 3, remained in pole with 1435.

Squad 11 leader, Gery Verbruggen of Belgium took second spot with 1391 while last year's runner-up, Adrian Ang of Malaysia finished third with 1371 after he topped Squad 10.

Germany's Marco Baade, Denmark's Mai Ginge Jensen and debutant, Hee Kar Yen of Malaysia took up the next three positions with 1333, 1325 and 1324 prespectively.

Krista Pollanen of Finland finished ahead of current World Ranking No. 1, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of USA followed by Osku Palermaa.

Melvin Ocando of Spain, Jari Ratia of Finland and sole French, Vincent Cayez completed the Top 12 in the overall standings who would automatically advance on Step 2 Final.

Kimmo Lethonen of Finland missed the cut by 3 pins after tieing 13th position with Denmark's Thomas Larsen with 1298. Newly-crowned H.H. Emir Cup champion, Dominic Barrett of England finished 22nd.

Qualifiers from positions 13 to 52 plus the eighth seeded qualifiers from squads held on March 4 to 8 and the four from desperado squad would contest Step 1 Final over 6 games. The top 16 would advance to Step 2.

The top 12 seeded qualifiers with the top 16 from Step 1 would contest the Step 2 Final for another 6 games. The top 8 finishers would then proceed to the Step 3 round-robin matchplay finals over 8 games.

The top 3 would advance into the stepladder finals in which the No.2 seed and No. 3 seed would meet over one game. The winner will meet the top seed in the title match over one game and a chance to pocket the top prize of 15,000 Euro (approx. US$20,700).

The Brunswick Euro Challenge 2011 is also the fourth event of the new World Bowling Tour organized by the World Tenpin Bowling Association. The WBT is a new concept developed by the WTBA to showcase the best bowlers from around the world.

Photos courtesy of Plaza Bowling.