Cyprus Does Well in European Nations Cup
Tuesday April 16,2013 : CYPRIOT POKER PLAYERS DO WELL IN EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP (Update)
Team to go through to the finals in November
Poker players on the Cyprus team in the European Nations Cup heats held on the Mediterranean island this week did well, emerging as the one of six winners and qualifying to play in the World Nations Cup Final in November, reports the Cyprus Mail.
The qualifying tournament, sponsored by the International Federation of Poker and hosted by Cyprus for the first time this year, featured innovative digital technology, which was used to replace traditional playing cards .
In the World Nations Cup in November, Team Cyprus will face formidable competition from 17 other poker-playing nations.
Cyprus Poker Association vice president, Antonis Theophanides said: “We didn’t expect to qualify, it’s a dream come true. We just wanted to have a go and enjoy ourselves.”
The Cyprus tournament took place with no organisational or police problems, Theophanides said, revealing that a total of 84 players from 14 nations were vying for the top six places to qualify for the World Nations Cup final later on this year.
The two day international tournament took place at the Annabelle hotel in Paphos and attracted a number of famous names from the world poker. These included
Ivan Demidov (Russia), Barney Boatman (UK), Neil Channing (UK), Juan-Manuel Pastor (Spain), Padraig Parkinson (Ireland) as well as well-known poker commentator Jesse May.
Constantinos Katodrytis, Cyprus National Poker Team Captain said:”We came in as outsiders at this event. We were up against top teams with great players who have had much success on the international stage. After every session – we sat together, discussed tactics, what we did wrong and how we can put things right. Qualifying for the world final was an incredible accomplishment for us."
Patrick Nally, president of the IFP said: "We're delighted that the technology worked and made history. We're even more delighted to see Cyprus on the last hand win its way through to sixth position giving it a place in the World Nations Cup to be held in Germany."
