Austria secured the gold medal in the women’s doubles competition at the European Grand Senior Championships in Vienna.
In qualification Austria's duet - Gerda Hauska and Monika Schmotz, finished fourth with 2193 total, just four pins ahead of Israel's double. Englad's iane Johnson and Angie Brown finished in the top position with 2311, while Germany and Italy took second and third.
Host nation Austria faced England in the first semifinal, while Italy met Germany in the second. With a huge support from the crowd, Austria advanced to the final after defeating England in a tight match 375–353.
In the other semifinal, Italy’s Rosalba Memmola Barsanofia and Maria Tirelli earned their place in the final by overcoming Germany’s Martina Beckel and Martina Becker, winning the match 414–371.
The final saw Austria and Italy meet for the gold medal. After a low scoring
semifinal, Austria found a better rythm, with Hauska scoring 234, while
Schmotz added 191, producing the highest score of the finals, and winning the
championship match 425–360.
The European Grand Senior Championships continue in Vienna with the team event qualification. Today players will bowl first three qualification games in both men and women competition. Tomorrow, the final three qualification games will be played, followed by semifinals and finals.
