4th July, Kuching, Sarawak: Malaysia outclassed Sweden 1, 2-0 in the Mixed Team first semi-final match of the 2026 IBF World Youth Bowling Championships while Finland 1 edged Germany 2, 2-1 in the second semi-final for the final showdown on Monday July 6.

Home crowd favourite, Malaysia 1 easily took the first game, 228-203 against top-seed Sweden 1 in the first semi-final match to go one up. The second match got even better for the Malaysian quartet of Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee, Adania Mohd Redzwan, Ethan Damien Goh and Muhd Aiman Syahin when they started off with a double.

When the Malaysians added four consecutive strikes from frame four, Sweden failed to make a single pin spare in the third and despite a double in the sixth and seventh frame, the gap was just too much for the Swedes. Malaysia went on to take the second game, 237-182 for a 2-0 victory.

Finland 1 had won Group B Matchplay rounds to advance to the semi-finals with six wins for a total of 18 points. Malaysia tied with USA 1 with five wins on 15 points each and had to endure a one-game tie-breaker.

Both contenders had clean games but it was Malaysia who had a double and a turkey while USA only had a double. Malaysia advanced with a 211-195 victory over the stronger American quartet to book their spot in the final.

In the other semi-final match, Germany 2 edged Finland 1, 202-194 to go one up. But the second game was disastrous for both and struggled big time. Finland 1 managed a 181-151 win to level up the tie, one all. Finland got their composure back to finish the decider with a 237-222 victory to earn their spot in the final, 2-1.

Sweden 1 topped Group A Matchplay rounds with five wins and a draw for 16 points to assure themselves a spot in the semi-finals. Germany 2 finished second with five wins for 15 points. Australia 1 missed the cut with just four wins on 12 points.

The Mixed Team finals will be contested on July 6. Two semi-finals for Singles (Girls and Boys) and two semi-finals for the Doubles (Girls and Boys) are scheduled for tomorrow, July 5.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.

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