Essi Pakarinen and Emanuel Jonsson Win EBT Masters 2025 Titles in Aalborg

Emanuel Jonsson and Essi Pakarinen | Picture credit: Kegel Aalborg International

The EBT Masters 2025 wrapped up on Wednesday, May 21, in Aalborg, Denmark, as Essi Pakarinen of Finland and Emanuel Jonsson of Sweden walked away with the titles.

The top eight men and women who collected the most points during the 2024 EBT Tour campaign qualified for this event. In the women’s event, several qualified players — including Sweden’s Nora Johansson and Anna Andersson, as well as Singapore’s Cherie Tan, Shayna Ng, and Daphne Tan — were unable to participate, as they are currently competing on the PWBA Tour.

The format featured eight games of qualification for all participants. The top four advancers in each division then bowled four more games in the final round, with total pinfall across all 12 games determining the champions.

In the women’s division, Finland’s Essi Pakarinen defended her title in commanding style. She totaled 2,705 pins across twelve games. Denmark’s Karen Kærgaard Nielsen scored 2,540 to finish second, while Sofie Kærgaard Nielsen, also of Denmark, finished third with 2,295.

Women’s Final Results:

1. Essi Pakarinen (Finland) – 2,705 (12 games)

2. Karen Kærgaard Nielsen (Denmark) – 2,540 (12 games)

3. Sofie Kærgaard Nielsen (Denmark) – 2,295 (12 games)

4. Mika Guldbæk (Denmark) – 2,203 (12 games)

5. Megan Dicay (Denmark) – 1,454 (8 games)

6. Christine Hansen (Denmark) – 1,346 (8 games)

7. Elissa Mehmet (Sweden) – 1,311 (8 games)

In the men’s division, Sweden’s Emanuel Jonsson delivered a spectacular performance, averaging 247.4 and putting up a total of 1,979 pins. Denmark’s Mathias Ankerdal was not far behind with 1,885, followed by fellow Swede Teodor Samuelsson with 1,865.

Men’s Top 8 Results:

1. Emanuel Jonsson (Sweden) – 2,931 (12 games)

2. Teodor Samuelsson (Sweden) – 2,832 (12 games)

3. Mathias Ankerdal (Denmark) – 2,791 (12 games)

4. Niko Oksanen (Finland) – 2,764 (12 games)

5. Luukas Väänänen (Finland) – 1,757 (8 games)

6. Mark Jacobs (Netherlands) – 1,657 (8 games)

7. Tobias Hogdin (Sweden) – 1,595 (8 games)

8. Ben Robinson (England) – 1,543 (8 games)

For the win, both Jonsson and Pakarinen received 2,500 euros. Although it carries the 2025 label, make no mistake — the EBT Masters 2025 was actually the final event of the 2024 European Bowling Tour season. Last season’s edition of the EBT Masters — once one of the crown jewels of European bowling — was pushed into the middle of the 2025 season and held as part of an ongoing tournament. It took place during the Kegel Aalborg International Open — a Gold-level stop on the current circuit.

As for the current season, the European Bowling Federation has yet to officially announce the full calendar of 2025 EBT Tour stops, despite two events already having taken place. Citing recent rule changes and a perceived decline in value, several tournaments have already chosen to opt out of the EBT season.