Germany Crowned 2009 World Cup of Poker Champions

After the build up, the early rounds and the long battle that made up the final, not to mention the countless contests to determine who would fly to the Bahamas to represent their country, the new World Cup of Poker champions have been crowned. Germany, led by  Jan Heitmann, emerged victorious tonight after a 16 hour day in the poker saddle.

After a day of heady competition, a changing leader board and shovels full of good-natured banter, Germany overcame a determined Italian team led by the Team PokerStars Pro Luca Pagano who finished third, and the New Zealanders led by Lee Nelson in second to win the fifth renewal of the event. After a long day, the end came after just one hand of heads-up play; Heitmann's Q-8 ultimately over-taking New Zealand's Q-9 to make a flush on the river.

There was plus the tense mixture of not wanting to let team mates down. The sudden change in mentality towards a team approach baffled some, Vicky Coren particularly who folded a hand she freely admitted would have seen her shove her money in had it been hers. “It’s unnatural to be concerned for other people’s welfare…” she said before folding her hand, all too aware, like others around her, that a individual mistake would cost not just her but the whole team.

For more info check out the World Cup Blog.