The Storm 3rd No Urethane Open got underway in Lahti, Finland on Monday. With bowlers from across Europe, high scores, and a perfect game already on the board, the 2025 edition of this unique tournament is off to a fast and exciting start.
The first of two squads saw 31 players compete, with Teemu Asplund setting the tone early. Asplund rolled a solid 1358 over six games, claiming the top spot in Squad 1. Linus Boström followed with 1317, while Peppi Konsteri rounded out the top three with 1309.
But it was the evening squad where the action really heated up. Returning to the lanes with a better feel for the conditions, Linus Boström came back strong in Squad 2. He closed with 815 over his final three games, capped by the tournament’s first 300 game. With a total of 1429, Boström now leads the tournament standings after Day 1.
Nico Kärkkäinen also impressed in Squad 2, finishing just behind Boström with 1393, moving him into second place overall.
Top 5 After Day 1 – No Urethane Open 2025
- Linus Boström – 1429
- Nico Kärkkäinen – 1393
- Teemu Asplund – 1358
- Peppi Konsteri – 1309
- Juho Rissanen – 1292
A Unique Challenge with Big Rewards
The No Urethane Open stands out thanks to its special format — urethane is not allowed on the first shot of each frame. Bowlers must rely on reactive equipment, which makes lane play more demanding and strategic.
This year’s tournament is backed by Storm Bowling as title sponsor, boosting the total prize pool to €40,000. The winner will take home €8,000, with €6,000 for second and €4,000 for third. Everyone reaching the final stages is guaranteed at least €400.
With over 200 players from 14 countries already registered, the tournament is attracting top talent from across Europe. But there’s still time to join — registration is open, and spots are available in most squads, including the next one today at 6:00 PM.
About the Format
The tournament starts with six-game qualification squads, and players can enter multiple times. There’s also a Desperado Squad for one last shot at making the finals. In total, 40 players will qualify: 31 from overall standings, 7 from special categories (like seniors, women, and bowlers with lower averages), and 2 from the Desperado.
In the finals, bowlers move through three steps, all from scratch. The top 8 from the general standings go straight to Step 2, while others compete through elimination rounds until the top 8 reach the round robin finale — with bonus pins awarded for each match win.
