Channing Takes Down Nations Cup For Great Britain
PV's very own 'BadBeat' helps team GB scoop the $100,000 first prize...
By Simon Hopper 14th April 2008
"He was approached by Rolande to represent the nation after his stunning win in Dublin"After taking down the Irish Open for over €800,000 last month, Neil Channing continued his sick run of form to close out the PartyPoker 2008 Nations Cup for Great Britain last Thursday.
Captained by Rolande De Wolfe, the home line-up also included Joe 'The Elegance' Beevers, Ian 'The Raiser' Frazer, Surinder Sunar, online qualifier Francis Durbin and Mr. Channing himself.
BadBeat told us: "Surinder has been playing some of his best poker for years and Ian Frazer is the king of the TV crapshoots. Plus I've been on a mental run recently."
He said he was approached by Rolande to represent the nation after his stunning win in Dublin, before which there were 8 people vying for the one open slot in the roster.
It was a star-studded line-up all round as the likes of Marcel Luske, Thierry Van Den Berg, Robert Williamson III, Jamie Gold, Chris Ferguson & Thomas Bihl were all representing their nations.
They entered the final table joint second in chips and 7/2 chances to take the crown. Surinder motored into an early chip lead before Rolande came in to solidify the side's stack; then the captain sent for Neil.
He entered heads-up play against Irish legend Donnacha O'Dea, who had filled the maximum 3 hours alloted time per player and who Neil described as "the best Irish player ever".
He certainly needed a slice of luck as Channing's 8-4 got into an all-in confrontation against Donnacha's 2-2. The flop and turn were no help but a 4 on the river doubled team GB up and the in-form Channing went on to secure his teams first ever Nations Cup. A desperate O'Dea ended up pushing with 10c 3c, only to run into Neil's 10h 9h and that was that.
De Wolfe said: "I’m absolutely delighted. In many ways it is even better to win a team event for your country than win an individual title. I am so proud that the selections for my team were vindicated.
"Neil had to play last as he had the form and confidence", he added.
It was doubly sweet for the Londoner, who had earlier won his heads-up heat against Sweden's Johan Storakers to pocket a cool $20,000 and propel the side into an early lead.
Great work, Neil, and another accolade to add to an already vintage 2008.
14/04/08
