There were 20 intrepid souls competing in Thursday's opening battle, squad four in this splended ongoing Ciutat de Barcelona tournament, but nine of that bunch were from Romania, a group that will eventually be trimmed to six to represent their country
in the upcoming European Men's Championships in Vienna, Austria next month, so gaining valuable experience of the international scene.
Nations also involved on that squad were Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Russia, France, England and Catalonia, so a good mix of talent and styles with a couple of two-handed delivery guys for good measure.
But numero uno on the opening squad and laurels to Vincent Cayez from Carcasonne, France, slipping neatly into the frame with 1325, nine pins better than second-placed Daniel Vezis of England/Latvia, depending on which country you recognize first.
Three ladies graced the squad and the top score from the distaff side came from Dutch girl Cheska Tomas with 1224, finishing her sixth game with the high of 246.
"I think this is the ninth time I have played here in Barcelona," said Cayez. "I am unusual because I used to play right-handed but my father told me I would be better if I changed to bowling as a leftie. so 15 years ago I changed and it has been much better for me. "
Three more squads will take to the Bowling Pedralbes lanes today, rolling off at 13:00, 17:00 and 21:00.
Full information and standings on www.fcbb.cat.
TOP TEN STANDINGS AFTER SQUAD 4:
P | Player | Club | Federation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Pins | Hdcp | Total |
1 | Mats Maggi | Les Bassins | Belgium | 234 | 254 | 237 | 205 | 245 | 249 | 1424 | 0 | 1424 |
2 | Ildemaro Ruiz | Independent | Venezuela | 228 | 238 | 255 | 219 | 245 | 239 | 1424 | 0 | 1424 |
3 | Osku Palermaa | Patteri/Pergamon | Finland | 174 | 255 | 232 | 259 | 247 | 232 | 1399 | 0 | 1399 |
4 | Eike Kabowski | Independent | Germany | 252 | 204 | 222 | 269 | 255 | 195 | 1397 | 0 | 1397 |
5 | Marcial Ovide Marron | Diagonal | Catalonia | 234 | 235 | 267 | 217 | 202 | 234 | 1389 | 0 | 1389 |
6 | Dennis Eklund | Independent | Sweden | 233 | 289 | 215 | 216 | 222 | 206 | 1381 | 0 | 1381 |
7 | Peter Ljung | Team Pergamon | Sweden | 235 | 216 | 275 | 203 | 233 | 209 | 1371 | 0 | 1371 |
8 | Paul Moor | Powerplay Pro shop | England | 225 | 214 | 201 | 235 | 210 | 248 | 1333 | 0 | 1333 |
9 | Sami Lampo | Giants | Finland | 224 | 214 | 211 | 212 | 242 | 225 | 1328 | 0 | 1328 |
10 | Vincent Cayez | France | 256 | 223 | 225 | 206 | 210 | 205 | 1335 | 0 | 1325 |