Click for full results and information (EBSA)
Congratulations to Mitchell Mann, who today defeated fellow Englishman John Whitty 7-2 to become the 2014 EBSA European Champion over in Sofia, Bulgaria.
In a battle that pitted youth against experience, it soon became clear that there was only likely to be one outcome, Mitchell establishing a 5-0 lead, before the next four frames were shared, meaning that it would be Mann who would succeed Robin Hull as winner of the European Championship.
Claiming a two-year main tour card from the 2014/15 season as a result, there is no question that Mann has earned it the hard way, with wins against some of Britain’s strongest young amateurs in the form of Welsh trio Gareth Allen, Jamie Clarke and Welshman Duane Jones to reach the final.
In 36-year-old Whitty he faced a more experienced opponent, but the result was to be the same and it will now be interesting to see how he adjusts to life on the main tour this season.
Mitchell’s success means that there are now just three more tour cards to be won for this season, another of which will be decided in a couple of day’s time as the Asian U-21 Championship comes to a conclusion.
Click here to view my updated roll call article, which has all the details of the 132 players who will make up the main tour for this season.