The European Mens Bowling Championships 2025 will be held in the city of Aalborg, Denmark from 5th June until 15st of June 2025. Lövvang Bowling Center and the City of Aalborg hosting.
Athletes
Reports
Singles
Team England did not feature in the first squad of the day on Friday but would show up later in the day in squad 2. Leading the pack in the first squad was Finland’s Juhani Tonteri with 1407 followed by Latvia’s Peteris Cimdins with 1324 and third going to Norway’s Jonas Dammen with 1299.
First up for Team England in squad 2 of the singles at EMC25 were our Brummie boys, Pete Stevenson and Gavin Greaves.
What a start, both our athletes firing the front six and off like a train. Pete sadly falling to a washout in the seventh but back with a double and Gavin riding the front nine. Pete ending with 236 and Gavin striking in the tenth but light single pin leave in the eleventh and strike for a fantastic 288 start. Game two was not so high as Pete struggled to 157 and Gavin reduced to 196 this time. Game three and just a split stopping Pete having a better game but Gavin was back to his first game exploits and front nine on the card. Pete with an improved 208 and Gavin off the sheet for 300 and 784 start. The second half of the block got a little trickier with Pete shooting 191,164 and 168 for 1124 and Gavin with 180,178 and 152 for 1294 and winning the squad and fourth overall.
Singles Day 2
Day 2 of the singles and squad 3 Garry Sykes and Mark Patrick. Garry opening with 173 and 177 and shooting a lot of spares as the strikes were just not coming. Mark though opening with 197 then blasting a 254 with eight in a row at one point. Game three and Garry still rocking the spares and clean as Mark matched him but for an open and recovered double. A split after a strike at the end for Garry sadly and 182. Mark hitting a turkey in the tenth for 202. Game four was forgettable for Garry as he struggled to 149 but better from Mark who hit 209. Game five saw both our athletes having difficulties on the Aalborg lanes and Garry with 155 and Mark with 162. The last game had Garry on 146 for 982 overall ad Mark with 165 for 1189.
Hadley Morgan and Steven Kay were next up for Team England in squad 4 and splits costing Hadley a better game one but striking out for 166. Steven ticking along nicely catching runs of strikes for 240. An improved 185 for Hadley in game two despite splits and 212 for Steven then Hadley up to 192 and Steven holding at 211 took us to the halfway point. Game four and an open and split in the tenth would cost Hadley pins again and 174 on the scorecard, Steven’s pace dropping to a 171. A double split opening for Hadley in game five and this was not going to be his day as he ended with 159. Steven with a couple of errors for 184. Better from both in th last game as Hadley hit 189 for 1070 and Steven with 225 and 1243.
Doubles
Doubles day 1 and first up for Team England were Steven Kay and Mark Patrick. Both showing flashes in the singles of what could be possible but with the lanes getting messy around game four, making spares and catching runs of strikes would be key to success. A hard fought 401 in game 1 as Mark spared throughout the game and caught a double at the end for 198 as Steven caught an early double and spared out for 203. Game two, not so great as the splits and opens arrived with Mark on 149 and Steven with 158 for 307. The third game saw both struggling to find the strikes and Mark with 150 and Steven grabbing a double near the end then split for 171 and doubles game of 321. On lanes that appeared to be playing much harder than the singles our duo continued battling away to find strikes and avoid splits, Mark ending with 158 and Steven on 181 and a 339 game. Splitsville in game five at the beginning for Mark as Steve also with splits but sparing one and hitting a couple of doubles. Mark with 153, Steve with 200 for 353. The final game saw yet more splits for Mark but Steve was going better until he hit a split also in the sixth frame after a double. Mark finishing with a 179 and 987 overall. Steven with 194 and 1107 with a final game of 373 and overall of 2094.
With only three teams over a 200 average after the first doubles squad, the lanes were proving challenging and next up for Team England were Garry Sykes and Gavin Greaves. A nice tidy start for Garry and all clean through the eighth as Gavin also going well but for two split opens by the ninth. Garry ending with 185 and Gavin with 169 and 354 combined. Game 2 and a brutal five opens in six frames for Garry and Gavin just one open and catching a double. Garry with a disappointing 126 and Gavin going much better with 193 and team game of 319. Much better in the next game as Garry hit a 192 and Gavin with 211 for a 403. Things were also looking up in game four as Garry grabbed a double and Gavin was ticking along nicely with two doubles but two opens also. Garry ending strong with a turkey for 193 and Gavin with 170 for 363. Game five and after a first frame split, Garry found some room and fired a fourbagger and spare as Gavin found a couple of strikes and spares then a double. Garry looking far more comfortable now ending with 224 and Gavin with 188 and 412 in the books. The final game saw the strikes dry up and Garry ending with 158 and 1078, Gavin finishing with 157 and 1088 for an overall of 2166.
Doubles Day 2
Monday was day two of the doubles and in squad 3 of 4 Team England sent Peter Stevenson and Hadley Morgan into battle. A good start for Pete opening with a turkey then two spares and a fourbagger, Hadley with two split opens in an otherwise solid start. Pete rounding out game one with 234 and Hadley spliting in the tenth for 160 and a 394 starter which on this pattern was proving pretty good. Game two the strikes slowing down but Pete clean through nine frames, Hadley with a couple of doubles but the dreaded split and open. Pete ending with 191 after an open in the tenth and Hadley with a double in the tenth for 200 and 391 game. Things were looking a whole lot better in game 3 as Pete found a turkey after a split oen and Hadley going well with a fivebagger from the fifth frame. Pete with a double at the end and 210. Hadley with 238 for a fine 448 game. Hopes of a repeat in game four were dashed with a couple of splits and unforced errors. Pete ending with 201 and Hadley with 156 for 357 and fourth in the block but some way off the final four with two to go. Game five was going really well and both athletes on 279 pace until a couple of opens slowed the progress. Pete with 203 and Hadley with a turkey at the end for 222 and 425 added to the overall. The final game started ok with plenty of spares and a few strikes, Pete clean and Hadley with one open by frame five. Pete ending with 207 and 1246, Hadley with 193 and 1169 and final game of 400 for an well earned overall of 2415.
Trios
An earlier start for the Trios on Tuesday at 8am and 7am for fans back home. Peter, Hadley and Steven up first with Garry, Gavin and Mark later in the day. Pete setting off well with a fourbagger after an open as Hadley opened but was clean thereafter and Steve with a split open but catching a double early on. While Pete was cruising, Hadley and Steve were encountering issues, Pete ending with 224, Hadley grabbing a double in the tenth for 180 and Steve with 156 for a 560 opener.
Game two and Pete flying again with a spare and turkey as Hadley washout opened and sparing to the fifth frame, Steve much better now with a strike spare and double. Pete steve closed going into the ninth as was Hadley and Steve ran to five in a row before split open ended the run. Pete finishing with 197 after a split in the tenth, Hadley with 175 and Steve with much improved 213 for 585.
Splits were back in game three and only Pete managing to avoid them. Hadley and Steve with two each but Hadley sparing one of them. Pete the only one so far to catch a double also. Pete with 180 and 601 for the first three, Hadley hitting a double at the end and 191 (546), Steve ending with 155 and 524 with a final trios game of 526 and overall of 1671.
Tuesday afternoon saw Mark Patrick, Garry Sykes and Gavin Greaves up for the first three games of the trios and a bright start for Garry and Gavin hitting doubles but an open from Mark in the second frame. A split open for Mark but back with a turkey but both Garry and Gavin also hitting split opens by the seventh frame. Mark running to five in a row and ending with 209 Garry on 167 and Gavin with 182 for a 558 game.
Game 2 and Mark with a quick fire double split open as Garry closed three frames then opened, Gavin going ok with a strike and three spares early on. All three better in the middle of the game with Gavin making a double and still closed. Mark with 169, Garry with a double in the tenth for 178 and Gavin with 204 and game of 554.
The final game saw just two opens early on and Garry finding some form with a spare and fourbagger but then split open. Mark going better after the early open and Gavin finding strikes and spares and one open frame. As we closed in on the end of the game it had been another challenging day on the Aalborg lanes, Mark ending with 180 and 558 Garry with 209 and 554, Gavin with 175 and 561, a final game of 564 and overall of 1673.
Trios Day 2
Trios day 2 started at 11am GMT and Squad 3’s Mark Patrick, Garry Sykes and Gavin Greaves back on the Aalborg lanes. A mixed start as the splits returned but strikes also featuring early in the first game. Mark finding a double as Garry hit a turkey but Gavin connecting four then five and flying before a split spoiled the party. Mark then going onto hit five in a row for 223. Garry ending with 191 and Gavin with 236 and a much better team game of 650.
Game two and the sixth frame before we saw an open, Mark on mostly spares, Garry catching a double and Gavin also with a double. Gavin again going well adding a fourbagger as we closed in on the tenth frame. Mark with 181 Garry with 182 and Gavin on 235 for a team game of 598.
A good start all round in game three. Mark hitting a turkey, Garry clean through five and Gavin on a dutch 200 pace. Opens for Garry and Gavin slowing their pace but Mark going well still and adding a double and ending with 234 and 1196. Garry with a turkey at the close for 196 and 1123. Gavin with 173 and 1205. Final team game of 603 and overall of 3524.
Peter Stevenson, Hadley Morgan and Steven Kay were next up for Team England at 3pm to complete the trios and all three opening with a strike which has not been an easy thing to achieve in these championships. Splits arrived in the third and fourth frames but Hadley going well with a turkey and a spare. Pete struggling with splits but Hadley still going well on a 279 pace after six frames and Steven closing frames. Pete finishing with 167, Hadley with a double in the tenth for 237 and Steven with a turkey to end with and 222 for a game of 626.
The lanes were not allowing for many strikes and even a high count was not always guaranteed. Splits and opens littered the score sheets somewhat. Pete with 164 in game 2, Hadley finishing with a double spare and double for 185. Steven with 152 and a 501 game.
The final game was a chance to experiment a little and Pete was off to a flying start with spare turkey spare strike as Hadley just one open in six frames and Steven on the front three but a split spoiling the start. Peter going well but undone by a split in the ninth but Hadley and Steven back with turkeys. Pete with 207 and 1139 Hadley on 204 and 1172 Steve with 232 and 1120 and final team game of 643 for an overall of 3431.
Team
Starting off in the make up team on Thursday morning, our own Garry Sykes among a couple of friends from Ireland and Wales. A good start with spare,strike spare. All nines and strikes up to the fifth frame. Famous last words as then came a six count and an open but back strong with a double then then an open and ending with 178.
A bright start in game two with a double then a routine of spare strike spare strike spare strike and going well and ending with 208.
Game three and a split spare at the start and all closed through three on a strike. A couple of opens separated by a strike slowed progress. Another open in the eighth and ending with 145 for 531.
Our team was up at 1.30pm and leading off was Peter followed by Hadley, Gavin, Mark then Steven. A mixed first game and highlights being a 221 from Gavin and 197 from Steven. Peter with 175, Hadley with 158 and Mark with 172 for 923. A mixed game again of splits and the odd open but a steady start given the conditions this week in Aalborg.
Game two and a better start to a game all round and no opens up the the third frame. Peter shooting a seven split spare to keep the team clean. Pete again sparing a split in the seventh and Hadley with a turkey then split open, Gavin re-finding his way and Mark all closed still with Steven just the one open. Pete finishing with two splits in a row for 167 Hadley grabbing a double for 213, Gavin with a turkey in the tenth for 181 Mark on 189 and Steven with 177 for a team game of 927.
On to the final game of the day and just three splits in the first half of the game and Steven getting two of them. Just Mark early on with a double as strikes were hiding again. Gavin’s turn then to have two splits in a row but Pete managing the grab a double from the heavens before he too landed a split. All five playing deep on the lane and Steven and Hadley starting to strike and both hitting a double and Steve a Turkey but Gavin with two split opens as we closed in on the last couple of frames. Pete ending with 181 and 523, Hadley with 184 and 555, Gavin with 147 and 549, Mark with 191 and 552 and Steve with 201 and 575 final game of 904 and overall of 2754.
Team Day 2
Garry Sykes back on the lanes first to complete the singles in the make up team and a good start closed through three frames and striking in the second. No doubles but a good clean game with no opens and 198 on the scoresheet.
Game two and all closed again through four with spares and looking for the first strike of the game. Did someone say strikes? Two arrived into the sixth frame then so did a split open but back with a strike but then another split and a promising game spoiled. Garry ending with a turkey for 185 and a great save.
Spare strike to start with in game three then a double and a couple of spares to the fifth frame. Four more nine counts and three of them spared going into the tenth frame and ending with 190 for 573 and 1104 overall.
Our Team were back on at 11.30am, Peter Stevenson opening with a double and closed through seven frames. Hadley Morgan and Gavin Greaves also closed but Mark Patrick and Steven Kay both with split opens. Hadley making a double near the end as Peter finished with a double and 213 Hadley on 206, Gavin with a double and 185, Mark with 180 and Steven on 187 for a 971 team game.
Game two and Pete opening with a double and spare, Hadley closed through three, Gavin with two spares and a strike but slow starts for Mark and Steven with opens each early on. Pete still going well but then a split open and strike recovery, Hadley still closed through seven frames and Gavin open then strike. No runs of strikes yet. Another mixed game where no one could really get going. Pete with and open in the tenth for 195 Hadley on 195, Gavin with 151, Mark with 159 and Steven on 168 for a game of 868.
All closed in the first frame but splits and opens soon appeared in the early frames but also a cheeky double from Steve which turned into a fourbagger as Mark was back with a Turkey. Suddenly strikes begain to flow, Pete on a Turkey from the seventh, Hadley with a double from the eighth, Gavin with a turkey from the sixth, Mark on a six pack then seven in a row from the third and Steve flying on a 290 pace and seven in a row but then an open. Pete ending with184 and 1115, Hadley with 162 and 1118, Gavin with 201 and 1086, Mark with 242 and 1133 and finally Steven with 244 and 1174 final game of 1033 and overall of 5626 and in 13th place.
A tough tough week on the lanes and so many variables to making the masters of finals. All our athletes working hard but not quite there. Gavin was the highest average with 194 in 36th followed by Steve on 193 (42nd), Peter on 192 (47th), Hadley on 188 (70th), Mark on 187 (76th) and Garry on 178 (123rd).
Results
Results will appear first on the Official Website here
Schedule
View Schedule here