Finland has won the men’s doubles gold medal at the 1st European Grand Senior
Championship 2026 in Vienna, Austria.
Erkki Koivuranta and Leif
Tuomisalo delivered the winning performance in a dramatic final that required
a roll-off to decide the title.
The men’s doubles competition was held on Tuesday at Plus Bowling Vienna as part of the first-ever European Grand Senior Championship.
Koivuranta and Tuomisalo finished qualification in second place overall with 2594 total, earning a spot in the medal rounds. Germany’s Peter Knopp and Ralf Gräwe led the standings with 2652 total. England and France took third and fourth position.
In the semifinals, Finland faced England’s Steve Carnall and Gordon Humphries. The match was close, with England holding a slight lead entering the last frames, but Finland make crucial strikes to take a 419-404 win and a place in the final.
Qualification leaders Peter Knopp and Ralf Gräwe advanced to the final after defeating France’s Serge Frouvelle and Yvan Augustin 431-416 in the second semifinal.
The gold medal match between Finland and Germany was the most dramatic one so far. Germany entered the final frame with a clear advantage, but missed key shots opened the door for Finland. Finland used that chance and the game ended in a tie 434–434, forcing a roll-off.
The first round finished level at 19–19. In the second round, Finland gained a narrow edge and secured the gold medal by a single pin, winning the roll-off 18–17.
The victory in doubles is the first medal performance for Finland at the European Grand Senior Championships. Earlier in February, Slovakia’s Anton Zoricak and Belgium's Patricia Vezzu took gold in Singles event.
Competition in Vienna continues on Wednesday with the women’s doubles event, as the championships run through February 8.
