Free game
BRANDENBURG – The Dutch woman Monique van Exter had conquered her third European title in free game. She bested the Belgian Karolien Mathys in the final 150-94 in 14 innings.
The big favorite, the ten-time European champion Magali Declunder, was eliminated by Karolien Mathys in the semi-finals with penalty shots.
That cleared the way for a bump between two outsiders, of whom Monique van Exter was the most experienced lady. She had already won two European titles, one in 1997 and the last in France in 2008. Moreover she was eight times national champion.
The final was not a high level match: Monique van Exter led after six innings 20-8, Mathys came back to 56-52, but in the thirteenth inning the Dutch ran out to 140-71 with 74.
With a run of Monique van Exter decided the match in the fourteenth inning. Patrick Niessen, her coach fell into her arms, before she was overwhelmed by supporters to celebrate the victory.