The Odense International 2025 concluded in Denmark with home favorite Mathias
Ankerdal lifting the trophy after a massive performance in the final rounds.
In
the championship match, Ankerdal defeated fellow Dane Sofie Kærgaard Nielsen
by 237–187.
After the match, Ankerdal expressed that this title is one to remember, not only because the competition was extremely hard to beat, but also because he was so close to win on European Bowling Tour but the fortune kept slipping through his fingers.
"The field this year was with a lot of talented and experienced bowlers from across the globe in Odense. This title means a lot to me, especially after my last title at SLLM 2022, and I have been close quite a lot of times on the EBT, but couldn’t be able to get the job done! But today was my day and I feel like I deserved this victory."
Both Mathias Sofiehad already shown consistency during the
qualification, with Ankerdal finishing third on 1,376 total and Nielsen
placing fourth with 1,365. Their results advanced them directly into the Final
Step 3.
From there, Ankerdal produced a strong series of games, scoring 212, 197, 257, and 212 to lead the 16-player pack. Nielsen totaled 801 and secured seventh place, which was enough to qualify for the final step four.
In the semifinal round, players were divided into two groups of four.
Ankerdal overcame Tobias Börding, Carsten Hansen, and Tim Stampe in three one-game elimination rounds to earn his place in the final. Nielsen defeated Arnar Jonsson, Nora Johansson, and Ryan Barnes to set up an all-Danish title match.
Now, Ankerdal's focus shift to the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters in Sweden. A tournament on PBA Tour schedule that Denmark's bowling talent managed to win back in 2022.
"Storm Lucky Larsen Masters is the biggest tournament we have in Europe and it is where the best of the best come and play every year, so I am looking forward to going back to Helsingborg and bowl well," Mathias said. "My confidence is, of course, really high, especially after the European Men’s Championships in Aalborg, Denmark and an EBT title, so I couldn’t be more excited to go out and show people in Helsingborg that I’m one of the best there too."
For the victory, Ankerdal received 22,000 DKK prize, while Nielsen earned 11,000 DKK for her runner-up finish. Carsten Hansen and Ryan Barnes earned 7,000 DKK for their 3rd-4th place finish.
