September 1, 2024 Nolan Hughes

Svensson wins 2024 PBA Tour finale, claims 12th career title in home country

One year after losing a heartbreaking title match in his home country, Swedish star Jesper Svensson earned his redemption.

Svensson defeated Teodor Samuelsson, 257-238, in the title match to win the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters at Olympia Bowling in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Svensson eliminated Martin Larsen, the tournament’s namesake, in the all-Swedish semifinal, while Samuelsson defeated top-seeded James Blomgren.

With the win, the Swedish native received 16.000 SEK (about $15,660 USD) and claimed his 12th career PBA Tour title — but number one in his heart.

“Even though I’ve played a lot of big tournaments in the (United States), this is the one I really wanted to win,” Svensson said. “I don’t know how to put it into words right now. I’m unbelievably proud of myself. It’s truly special.

“To all my American friends: You are tough to beat over there in the states — but this is my house.”

Svensson is regarded as the greatest bowler in Swedish history

Svensson started with the front-seven strikes in the title match. Samuelsson, a fellow two-handed lefty, kept up with Svensson with a max score of 280.

After Svensson left a light 10-pin in the eighth, Samuelsson could have struck out for the win. He left a 7-pin in the eighth frame to hand the advantage back to Svensson.

Svensson struck in the ninth frame, setting himself up to strike for the win in the 10th. However, he left another light 10-pin.

An errant fill shot, which netted just eight pins, afforded Samuelsson an opportunity to strike twice and get nine pins for his first career PBA Tour title.

Once again, the 10-pin had other ideas. Samuelsson left the pesky corner pin on his first shot in the 10th frame.

After a season in which the corner pins cost Svensson match after match in PBA Tour championship round matches, fortune favored the 29-year-old on Sunday evening in his home country.

“Lady luck was on my side tonight. I’m very thankful,” he said.

In the final title event of the 2024 PBA Tour season, Svensson earned his first win since February 2022.

All qualifying and match play rounds were livestreamed on the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel, while the finals were livestreamed on Lanetalk.TV.

More information on the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters is available here.

MATCH PLAY RESULTS

Round of 16
No. 1 James Blomgren def. No. 16 Tim Stampe, 650-642
No. 2 Mario Del Gaudio def. No. 15 Alvin Kvarnström, 702-687
No. 3 Dom Barrett def. No. 14 Mike Bergmann, 708-672
No. 4 Teodor Samuelsson def. Erik Larsson, 656-638
No. 12 Robin Ilhammar def. No. 5 Markus Jansson, 655-605
No. 11 Martin Larsen def. No. 6 Nathan Bohr, 686-670
No. 10 Jesper Svensson def. No. 7 Arnar Jonsson, 699-623
No. 9 Paul Purps def. No 8 Ludwig Ingerskog, 761-572

Round of 8
No. 1 James Blomgren def. No. 9 Paul Purps, 664-651
No. 4 Teodor Samuelsson def. No. 12 Robin Ilhammar, 782-780
No. 10 Jesper Svensson def. No. 2 Mario Del Gaudio, 687-658
No. 11 Martin Larsen def. No. 3 Dom Barrett, 747-726

Semifinals
No. 4 Teodor Samuelsson def. No. 1 James Blomgren, 254-238
No. 10 Jesper Svensson def. No. 11 Martin Larsen, 257-255

Finals
No. 10 Jesper Svensson def. No. 4 Teodor Samuelsson, 257-238