
2025 European Senior Bowling Championships concluded today, with the final set of medals given in Men's and Women's Masters, where Finland and Germany went all the way to stand on the highest step of the podium.
In the Men's Masters, Finland's Petteri Salonen took gold after winning 2-1 against Germany's Michael Krämer. Salonen started the final with a loss in the first game, 208-255, but quickly got back on track, tying the series in the second game with a 256-209 victory. The final game was truly worthy of a championship match, with both players giving their best effort. In the end, Petteri Salonen secured the win, 234-228. On his way to the final, Salonen defeated Sweden's Peter Hellström in the semifinal. Hellström won bronze alongside Catalin Gheorghe of Romania.
ESC 2025 Men's Masters winners:
Gold: Petteri Salonen (Finland)
Silver: Michael Krämer (Germany)
Bronze: Peter Hellström (Sweden)
Bronze: Catalin Gheorghe (Romania)
In the Women's Masters, Germany's Bianca Völkl-Brandt claimed the gold medal after defeating France's Valérie Murat in a hard-fought final. Similar to Salonen in the Men's division, Völkl-Brandt dropped the first game 207-170 but quickly bounced back, leveling the match with a 196-175 win in the second. In the decisive game, she remained composed and secured victory with a 185-169 finish. In the semifinals, Völkl-Brandt edged out Denmark's Pia Grønne Burkal in a thrilling tiebreaker, winning 190-221, 227-167, and 203 (9)-203 (8).
ESC Women's Masters winners:
Gold: Bianca Völkl-Brandt (Germany)
Silver: Valérie Murat (France)
Bronze: Pia Grønne Burkal (Denmark)
Bronze: Véronique Perniaux (Belgium)
The European Senior Bowling Championships 2025 was held in Leipzig, Germany, from January 24 to February 2, 2025. The championship featured four competition categories: Singles, Doubles, Teams, and Masters.
A total of 98 female athletes and 108 male athletes are expected to compete in the event.
More information about the ESC 2025 can be found here.