Long-time Scandinavian rivals Finland and Sweden battled for a bragging right that is no laughing matter at Bowling World Championships, the lead in the prestigious five-player Team event.

Defending Team World Champions Kimmo Lehtonen, Juhani Tonteri, Osku Palermaa, Petteri Salonen and Joonas Jehkinen of Finland (pictured left) had games of 1145, 1131 and 1105 on long oil (43 ft. Tokyo pattern) in the second squad to take the overall lead with 3381 total and an average of 225.40.

Two-hander Palermaa led the team with 709 and was followed by Salonen (679), Lehtonen (676), Jehkinen (661) and Tonteri (656).

Finland has won a medal in the Team event in each of the three previous Men's World Championships, bronze in 2006 (Busan, KOR) and 2008 (Bangkok, THA), and silver in 2010 (Munich, GER), and claimed the gold at the 2013 combined World Championships in 2014 (Las Vegas, USA).

Sweden's Robert Andersson, Martin Paulsson, Joachim Karlsson, Jesper Svensson and Martin Larsen (right), who led after two games with 2289 (1130, 1159) finished mere 19 pins behind Finland in second place with 3362 (224.13) behind a 1073 last game.

Sweden, World Champion in 1999 here in Abu Dhabi and 2003 in Malaysia, is eagerly waiting for a medal in the Team event since.

Squad 1 leader Korea with Doubles gold medalists Park Jongwoo and Choi Bokeum and their teammates Kang Heewon, Shin Seunghyeon and Kim Kyungmin (left) slipped to third place with 3354 (223.60).

The Koreans improved every game, posting scores 1023, 1088 and 1243 to lead Squad 1 on Friday morning at Khalifa International Bowling Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE, by 93 pins.

Puerto Rico, Team champion at the Central American & Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico last month moved into fifth place with 3285 (219.00). Francisco Valiente and CACG Masters and Doubles champion (with Cristian Azcona) Jean Francisco Perez carried the team with 726 and 717, respectively. Azcona had 648, Michael Fonseca added 600 and Luis Rodriguez contributed 594.

Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Alex Liew, Timmy Tan and Ahmad Muaz Fishol (right) of Malaysia overtook fifth place with 3264 (217.60).

Team USA's Mike Fagan, Chris Barnes, Marshall Kent, Bill O'Neill and Tommy Jones (left), who second after the first squad, slipped to sixth place with 3261 and an average of 217.40.

Canada with Singles champion Dan MacLelland, David Simard, Jonathan Simoneau, Ray Vervynck and Francois Lavoie (left) moved into seventh place with 3228 (215.20).

Norway featuring Bjørn Einar Rudshagen, Glenn Morten Pedersen, Svein Åke Ek, Mads Sandbækken and Tore Torgersen (left) took over eighth place with 3224 (214.93).

England's John Wells, Dom Barrett, Matt Miller, Matt Chamberlain and Stu Williams (right) leaped into ninth place with 3218 (214.53).

Australia with David Porto, Paul White, Brendan Meads, Sam Cooley and Jason Belmonte (below left) fell seven spots to round out the top 10 after the first day of qualifying with 3209 and an average of 213.93.

The 28 teams will return on Saturday for the second block on short oil (38 ft. Atlanta) at 13.30 Gulf Standard Time (GST). All other teams and bowlers will bowl their second block in the morning squad starting at 8.30.

The top 4 teams after six games preliminaries will advance to the medal round beginning at 18.30. No. 1 will bowl No. 4 and No. 2 meets No. 3 in a one-game semi-final match. The winners bowl for gold and silver while the losers share the bronze medal.

Dan MacLelland used a 734 series today to regain the lead in All-Events (combined scores in Singles, Doubles, Trios and Teams) after 21 of 24 games with 4835 and an average of 230.24.

Choi Bokeum slipped to second place with 4829 and an average of 229.95. Mike Fagan is third with 4798 (228.48). The top 3 after 24 games will earn the medals in All-Events with the top 24 advancing to the Championships-ending Masters competition on Sunday, December 14.