When Gery Verbruggen, Belgium, started his sixth and final game in Prince de Liège Tournament at "Le Strike" bowling in Crisnée, the lefty knew it wouldn't be an easy task to defend his title.

The tournament format is as simple as tough: six games without finals. The former World and European champion needed 250 to overtake another former world champion, Geert-Jan van Baest, Netherlands, by one pin.

Verbruggen closed out his set with 268 to win the tournament for the third consecutive year. The four-time European Ranking Champion, who had a 1371 pinfall total and an average of 228,50, received the 2.500 Euro top prize. Van Baest (right) finished in second position with 1352, worth 1.000 Euro.

Local bowler Frederic Salmon was third with 1343 and garnered 600 Euro. Dietmar Werner, Germany, was the best German player in fourth with 1341(400 Euro), while Yoan Alix was the top French bowler in 8th place with 1305 (175 Euro).

362 players participated in this handicap tournament. Handicap ranged from scratch (over 199 average) to a high of 30 pins per game (under 154 average). The 39 ft. oil pattern at "Le Strike" bowling was designed in cooperation with ETBF Senior Technical Delegate Rene Exelmans.