2008 Crete

Melvin Ocando, Spain, claimed his second gold medal after winning in All Events at the 11th Mediterranean Challenge Cup in Crete, Greece, when he defeated three opponents, all matches two-games-to-one, to win the men's Masters competition. In the title match against Maurizio Celli, Italy, Ocando won the decider, 203-163. On the women's side, Marie Gauton, France, the No. 5 seed, eliminated her team mate Elise Bretteville, both won gold in doubles, then ousted No. 1 seed Sue Abela, Malta, and topped Daniela Pialino, Italy, 2-0 in the title match.

Trailing France by one pin heading into the final game Turkey with Habib Dogan, Mithat Siveliol, Ebru Ozogluuntur and Gulhan Aksular (pictured) rolled a huge 874 game en route to claim the gold medal in the team event at the 11th Mediterranean Challenge Cup with 4808 six game total. France earned silver with 4771 while Cyprus secured the bronze medal with 4728. Sue Abela, Malta and Melvin Ocando, Spain won the titles in women's and men's All Events.

Elise Bretteville and Marie Gauton won the second gold medal for France in the 11th Mediterranean Challenge Cup in Crete, Greece in women's Doubles. The duo totaled 2396 for six games to beat Raffaella Fusco and Daniela Pialino, Italy by 5 pins. Singles champion Sue Abela teamed with Tiziana Carannante to win the bronze with 2332. Men's Singles champion Sebastien Henry and Xavier Lotthe led the field of 9 countries after 5 games but fell to third due to a 318 game. Italians Marco Reviglio and Maurizio Celli took the gold with 2451. Silver went to Charis Panayiotou and Kostas Kyriakou, Cyprus, with 2408.

Sue Abela from Malta won her fifth gold medal in Singles at the 11th Mediterranean Challenge Cup in Crete, Greece with 1276 six-game total and an average of 212.67. Defending champion Natassa Rovithaki, Greece fell nine pins short to take silver with 1267. Bronze went to Daniela Pialino, Italy, with 1194. On the men's side, Sebastien Henry, France had high games of 276 and 247 to beat out Greek youngster Evangelos Krizinis for the gold medal by 12 pins, 1319-1307. Mithat Siveliol, Turkey, finished with 253 and 234 to secure bronze with 1282.

The 2008 Mediterranean Challenge Cup will be held at Bowling Mega Place in Chania, Crete, Greece, from April 15-20, 2008. At the 15th edition of this annual tournament record 15 ETBF member federations from countries located in or around the Mediterranean Sea, will bowl for medals in Singles, Doubles, Team, All Events and Masters in two divisions - men and women. Crete is the largest island in Greece and one of its most popular holiday destinations, rich of history and surrounded by myths.