2012 USBC Masters champion and U.S. Open runner-up
Mike Fagan, United States, captured his fourth European Bowling Tour title and his fourth career PBA title when he defeated
Joonas Jehkinen of Finland, 279-193, to win the 2012 Brunswick Euro Challenge in suburban Paris, France. Jehkinen, who earned the No. 1 seed for the three-player stepladder finals by leading the match play round of 8, had to sit and wait for the winner of the opening match between third-seeded Fagan and the "big Finn", reigning PBA Player of the Year
Mika Koivuniemi.
American Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (l.) surged back to the top of the World Tenpin Bowling Association World Bowling Tour rankings after earning the maximum ranking points at the Brunswick Euro Challenge, which concluded Sunday. Finland's Mika Koivuniemi (r.) continues to lead the men's rankings. The next event on the World Bowling Tour schedule is a women's only event. The USBC Queens will take place April 19-24 in Euless, Texas.
The WTBA International Open, which started on Jan. 28 in Las Vegas, concluded Wednesday afternoon with a stepladder final of the top three players at Plaza Bowl in St. Maximin near Paris, France. Chris Barnes (pictured), seeded second, defeated No. 3 Walter Ray Williams Jr. and top-seeded Liz Johnson to capture the title and the $20,000 top prize. Johnson received $10,000 for second and Williams pocketed $8,000.
Two-hander Osku Palermaa (l.) averaged 263.75 in the stepladder finals of the 9th Kuwait International Open en route to win the first PBA Tour international title and the $25,000 top prize Monday evening at Cozmo Bowling Center in Kuwait City, Kuwait. In the title match, Palermaa had to defeat top seeded Tom Smallwood, United States, twice to win the title. Palermaa won the first game, 276-232, and sealed the victory with 268-226 in game two.