Mika Koivuniemi became the first European player to win the Japan Cup and solidified his standing as one of the world’s top bowlers, defeating fellow Denny’s PBA Tour star Mike Wolfe, 200-178, to win the Dydo Japan Cup 2007 Sunday at the Tokyo Metro Gymnasium.

The win was the eighth Denny’s PBA Tour title of Koivuniemi’s career, and gave him a title in 11 different countries. The Finland native has been bowling on the Denny’s PBA Tour for nine years after spending 10 years with Team Finland.

“It’s great to win anywhere, but to win in Japan and to win in an arena atmosphere makes it even more special,” Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) said. “I have bowled in a few arena finals but never won until now so it’s just a great feeling to do it in front of a big crowd like this.”

Koivuniemi and Wolfe were the only two PBA stars to advance to the eight-bowler finals after a format change which featured single elimination, best-of-three games match play through the Round of 16 as opposed to the round robin format used in years past. Last season, all nine finalists were from the PBA.

This year’s finals had an international flavor as five Japanese bowlers, one Korean, one American and one Finish bowler made up the final eight. The home crowd in Japan was hoping to see a Japanese bowler win the Japan Cup for the first time since 1988.

 Mika Koivuniemi captured his seventh career Denny's PBA Tour title on Sunday. 

The Big Fin is back.

Mika Koivuniemi ended the longest title drought of his career, knocking off new roommate Chris Barnes, 214-185, to win the 2007 Sun City Classic at El Paso Lanes for his seventh career Denny’s PBA Tour title.

The Finland native and 2003-04 PBA Player of the Year won for the first time since the 2005 Baby Ruth Real Deal Classic, a span of 38 events. He and Barnes just recently became roommates and Koivuniemi treated him rudely in their first-ever match-up on television.

Barnes held a slim lead before leaving a 1-2-10 washout and opening in the 7th frame. Koivuniemi responded with four consecutive strikes to take over the match, marking in the 10th frame for the win.

Koivuniemi has struggled this season by his standards, coming into the week with just one TV appearance and a No. 19 world ranking.

“It’s been a long time. It really feels great,” said Koivuniemi. “A guy like Barnes doesn’t usually give you a chance, but he did give me a chance and luckily I took advantage.

“It was just an amazing week. I had to bowl a 246 the last game Thursday just to make match play and two of my matches went seven games and then I had to come from behind to win the title.”

As the No. 30 seed Koivuniemi became the lowest seed to win a single elimination match play event since the format was implemented in 2001-02.

Koivuniemi advanced to the title match with a 214-202 win over Patrick Allen. Allen opened three times in the first four frames, but mounted a huge comeback with a five-bagger after his third open. A spare in the 10th, however, meant Koivuniemi only needed a mark in the 10th and he struck for his fourth win in six tries over Allen on TV.

Barnes advanced to the title match with a 269-257 win over Mike Edwards. Edwards ran off eight consecutive strikes after an open in the 2nd frame, but Barnes matched him shot-for-shot to maintain a one-pin lead. Edwards struck and spared in the 10th forcing Barnes to strike with his first ball in the 10th. He struck three times for good measure to deny Edwards his first title since 1994.

Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) earned $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 season for the win. Barnes (Double Oak, Texas) took home $13,000 for second wile Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.) earned $6,500 for third and Allen (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) earned $5,500 for fourth.