Lopez Tops Squad 11

The first of the visiting Americans to hit the headlines is Miquel Lopez from Phoenix, Arizona, a student at the bowling famous

Wichita State University in Kansas.

He came through to top Friday's final squad with 1379, three pins better than the target set by Mik Stampe of Denmark, finishing his six-game set a few minutes before Lopez struck out in the tenth frame to claim the squad.
Third place on the squad was taken by Joline Persson-Planefors of Sweden with 1302, so coming second in the women's standings to Cassie Staudinger who rolled 1322 in the 13:00 squad.

Although Dominic Barrett holds the high game of 300, that was challenged by Stampe is his opening game of this squad but left the 2-4-7 with his final ball for a 297.
Lopez is enjoying his second bowling vacation in Europe, having competed in San Marino last week and now in Barcelona. "I did bowl this tournament last year but didn't do at all well," he told us.

"I didn't realize i was that close coming into the tenth frame tonight," he added. "I did have a feeling I was in touch with the lead because of the scores going into the last game. I didn't think about it a lot, just wanting to make good shots, that was all I focused on, really. The tricky part for me here is to get the angles into the pins the right way. My balls all the week were not getting through the pins and I was getting a lot of nines, but this block I used a ball that was getting through the pins better. I stuck with it, making good shots and staying in the pocket.

"I'm going back to the States after this but I am certainly going to come back and bowl some more European tournaments, they are great."

With his great personality and bowling skills, Lopez will always be welcome.

Full tournament information and results: www.fcbb.cat

TOP TEN STANDINGS AFTER SQUAD 11: