Two-time Norwegian Open champion Mads Sandbækken (pictured above) of Norway averaged 260.17 in the 18th qualifying squad at the Norwegian Open 2015 by Brunswick to power his way into the lead of the European Bowling Tour "satellite" event.

Previous tournament leader Jimmy Mortensen (pictured right) of Denmark slipped to second place with 1514 (252.33).

The former European champion has won the biggest tournament in his country in 2009 and 2010, yet he is still looking to win his first career EBT title as the Norwegian Open was on the European Bowling Tour schedule in 2006-2007 and 2011 until today.

The lefty, who also finished second in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014, started his set with solid 221 and 215 before he caught fire and closed with a strike fest: 279, 300, 278 and 268. He totaled 1125 for the last four games, an average of 281.25.

It was the second 300 game this week. Mikael Roos of Sweden had the first. In the same game in which Sandbækken achieved perfection, Christer Aker (left), Norway, had 299; Benjamin Jonsson (pictured right with his brother Emanuel, right), Sweden, 298; and Andreas Skoglund, Norway, 289.

EBT women's point ranking co-leaders, Ida Andersson (left) and Jenny Wegner (right) sit in third and fourth place with 1476 and 1422, respectively, including eight 48 pins handicap.

Wegner averaged 238 in Squad 18, including high games of 267, 2258 and 254. Andersson and Wegener are part of the Swedish women's national team which is here in Oslo to practice for the Women's World Championships in December.

Jonas Dammen of Norway had six games between 204 and 246 to tie four bowlers for 32nd place on 1367 (227.83), including his compatriot Tore Rokkones , who had another 1366 in this squad.

Rokkones (left) sits in 33rd place, while Dammen ranks 36th due to the new EBT tie rule.

In case of a tie in the qualifying, "the highest positioned player will be the player scoring the highest total of all counting qualification games minus the score of the lowest game. If a tie still exists, the highest positioned player will be the player with the highest total of all counting qualification games minus the score of the two lowest games, etc."

Monica Lislien (right) was the second women in Squad 18 who stayed above the cut line as the Norwegian toppled 1317 pin, including high games of 259 and 245, an average of 219.50, and 1365 total including handicap.

Arvid Espen (right), Norway, was just 10 pins behind to squeeze into the top 42, who will survive the qualifying cut. Espen, who had a pair of 260s, sits in 41st place with 1355, just three pins above the cut line.

His compatriot Thor Morten Bjørge holds the last place to advance to the semi-finals on Saturday evening with 1352 and an average of 225.33.

Qualifying continues Friday with Squads 19 & 20 scheduled to start at 5 and 9 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST).