The opening event of the 20th European Youth Championships at Strike Bowling Club in Thessaloniki, Greece, came to a thrilling finale featuring defending champions Hayley White and Sarah Overall from England (l-r).

The duo was the lone of 17 doubles in the third and final squad that could overtake Squad 1 and 2 leaders Germany. New European Youth record holder Janin Ribguth (right) and Cosima Fitz led the field with 2509 six-game total including Ribguth's 1443 set, and their team mates Melanie Birlinger and Tina Hulsch were second with 2497.

With 90 over (a 200 average) after five games, The English girls needed a final 420 score to successfully defend the title. White, 17, had a four-bagger in frames 2-6 and reeled off three more strikes in frames 9-11 for 241. Overall, 18, needed a mark in the 10 frame and sealed the victory with 9-spare-strike.
The picture on the left shows the winners with coach Andy Penny.

White totaled 1311 pins, the second-highest series and an amazing 132 pins behind Ribguth, who has already a comfortable cushion after six of 18 games in All Events and for the Maters competition (top 24 in All Events).

Overall contributed 1205 for 2516 pinfall total and an average of 209.67.

The German girls and their coaches - pictured left the silver medalists Fitz, Ribguth with coach Georg Hinterwimmer and below bronze medalists Hulsch and Birlinger with coach Jimmy Hartmann - had a great start into the championships. Two medals - silver and bronze - and an EYC record on the first day exceeded the expectations by far.

 
The Dutch girls Lisanne Breeschoten and Carmen Haandrikman, who were previously in third place with 2474 (206.17) slipped to fourth.

Viktoria Johansson and Rebecka Larsen were the last of the 47 doubles with a 200-plus average. The Swedes ended up in fifth place with 2432 (201.92).