Vancell crowned men's champion

The 30th European Gold Cup in Luxembourg produced Malta's first ever male champion in this annual event, again confirming the discipline of tenpin bowling as one of the precious few sports in which Maltese athletes can seriously compete and achieve highest possible awards on the international scene.

Youth bowler Philippe Vancell excelled throughout the competition, fending off the strong challenge of rival bowlers from 23 other European nations.

The championships started with a mixed doubles event. Vancell was partnered by Bernadette Carannante. They did not find the going easy at first but a joint effort saw them finishing in a respectable 12th place with a 2,020 total.

The doubles honour was won by Michalis Perikleous and Eleni Lazarou, of Cyprus.

After a poor performance in the mixed doubles, Carannante hoped to turn things around in the singles competition. She struggled with her game in round one but regained confidence in time to make it through to round two in 10th place.

That position, however, would prove to be Carannante's personal highlight of the championships.

The final was won by Eugenie Celma of France. She beat Jessica Goncalves (Luxembourg) 2-0.

Vancell, on his part, refused to allow the pressure get to him, and played with the confidence of a veteran in the singles.

It was the third round that saw Vancell really taking control, a fine brace of 224 and 248 pushing him into the top spot on 2,553 pins.

The top 16 started from zero for the six round two games. Vancell rolled a 1,191 series, including highs of 203 and 205, to qualify in first place, ahead of Italy's Marco Inga and Perikleous.

Vancell was truly 'in the zone' and continued to ride his wave of success in round three. He finished with a 2,348 total, while Perikleous and James Vile, of England, were tied for second and third just three pins behind - 2,345. Dimitriy Arutyunov filled the last qualifying place.

Arutyunov, of Russia, faced top dog Vancell in the first best-of-three semi-final.

Game one gave the advantage to the Maltese (203-170) but Arutyunov squared the match in game two. Vancell eventually overcame his opponent 201-187. Vile beat Perikleous 2-1 in the other semi-final.

Vancell had the invaluable support of Carannante and team manager Liliana Said in Luxembourg. He showed impeccable composure as he stepped up to pick off the first game of the final 211-180.

The second game could not have been closer, but the day, and the championships, belonged to the Maltese youth.

Vancell clinched it by just one solitary pin (173-172)... the European Gold Cup title was in his bag.