The semi final line up for the men in the 41st QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup is now complete and sees Badr al Sheikh of Saudi Arabia pitted against Or Aviram of Israel in the first match on the lanes tomorrow and Gery Verbruggen of Belgium up against Canadian Michael Schmidt in the second match.

Gery beat Anders Ohman of Sweden in the first match this morning by 2 – 0, starting off with the first seven strikes to give him a 256 game against Anders’ 238. He then won the second game by 222 to 214.

Next up were Lucas Lignani of Argentina and Or Aviram. Lucas started strongly, winning the first game with 200 to OrÂ’s 183, but an unconverted split at a crucial time saw him lose the second game 208 to 233, setting up a decider. Both players left some splits but four in a row was enough to give Or the game by 198 to 170.

Both Petter Hansen of Norway and Badr al Sheikh appeared very nervous and their match was not as high scoring as we had come to expect. It went to Badr by two games to one, 185 to 156, 143 to 212 and 213 to 167.

Asked about Badr’s prospects tomorrow, Ibrahim Juraifani, President of the Saudi Arabian Federation, said: “I was very confident Badr would make the top eight because he’s a really talented kid. Making the top four is a bonus, but I’m expecting him to be champion!”

Top seed Michael Schmidt who had led from the very first set of the qualifying games was taken to the wire by Arturo Hernandez. It went to the final frame of the final game, Michael having to double in the tenth frame to win by two games to one, 205 – 201, 186 – 222 and 216 to 210.

The menÂ’s semi finals are scheduled for Sunday November 20th at 11.30 local time.

For full results please go to www.arenalive.si and click on the Bowling World Cup logo. Scores for the quarter finals are uploaded within a minute of the game being completed.