Press Release
MATT GIANNETTI CONQUERS TOUGH FIELD TO WIN WPT MALTA
Another American Triumphs in Europe but
'Tuscan Tornado' Nearly Makes History
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Malta (September 26, 2011) – What a year it is turning out to be for Las Vegas’ 26-year-old Matt Giannetti. The November Niner’s storming run of form has seen him take down the €3,000 + €300 re-entry WPT® Malta Main Event, in association with PartyPoker.com and Goldbet, at The Casino at Portomaso. Giannetti becomes the second American in a row to triumph at a WPT Main Event in Europe, hot off the heels of Floridian Matthew Waxman’s win at the WPT Grand Prix de Paris. The runner-up at WPT Malta was 26-year old Italian Cecilia Prescaglini, dubbed the ‘Tuscan Tornado’ by live stream commentator Phil Hellmuth, who for much of the time looked a big favorite to make history and become the first woman to win an open WPT Main Event.
Matt Giannetti, a former University of Texas student, topped the 240 entrants to win €200,000 (including a $25,500 seat for the 2012 WPT World Championship at Bellagio in Las Vegas) and join the WPT Champions Club. Giannetti had his name engraved on the WPT Champions Cup and received the Tiffany and Co.® WPT Champions Award. The win was Giannetti’s first WPT title, although his deep runs in the recent $25K WPT World Championship, the WPT LA Poker Classic as well as making the WSOP November Nine mean this title is a surprise to nobody. Giannetti was naturally delighted to take down the title but, in true character, he was critical of his performance, despite the fact that he only went all-in for the first time when the action was three handed.
“I wasn’t impressed with my three handed play and it is something I don’t want to repeat,” said Matt Giannetti. “I admit that at times I definitely run good. It is fantastic to win a WPT title.”
Runner-up Prescaglini, who has some impressive results in her homeland, certainly left an impression on all those watching and became a social media sensation after seemingly busting all the high profile players over the final two days. At one point Phil Hellmuth pointed out that she was a 63% favorite to take down the title as it looked to be slipping away from Giannetti. Third place went to her fellow Italian Filippo Bianchini, cashing for €76,820, a fantastic return for the PartyPoker.it online qualifier who secured his package for Malta for just €10. Other notable deep runners included Dusk Till Dawn’s veteran UK pro Simon ‘Aces’ Trumper and serial WPT final table fixture Tristan Clemencon, cashing deep for the significant French contingent who made their way to Malta.
At the first U.S. event of Season X, World Poker Tour® announced the final table for all tour stops* this season would feature WPT Live Streaming. The WPT Malta stream looks likely to be one of the highlights of the season with Phil Hellmuth and Tony G having a riotous time in the commentary box. Did they kiss and make up? Highlights from the camera in the commentary booth on the stream will be released in the near future. Highlights from the Italian language version, led by Giovanni Rizzo, will also be available to view soon.
The action in Malta was overseen by WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage. Full details on all the hands, results and all videos can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/65g667p.
Final Table Standings
1. Matt Giannetti - €200,000
2. Cecilia Pescaglini - €116,700
3. Filippo Bianchini - €76,820
4. Simon Trumper - €53,430
5. Tristan Clemencon - €39,810
6. Fabien Sartoris - €30,730
The next stop on the World Poker Tour is the televised $10K World Poker Finals at Foxwoods Resort and Casino on October 27th, with the action then heading to France for WPT Amneville on November 1st.
WPT Media Contact:
press.europe@worldpokertour.com +447947307899
*Pending approval from relevant regulatory bodies in each casino property’s jurisdiction.
About World Poker Tour
World Poker Tour (WPT) is one of the most recognized names in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in over 150 countries and territories and is currently airing the ninth season on FSN in the United States. Season X of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com, a unique online membership site which offers inside access to the WPT as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club and is available in 35 states across the U.S. WPT participates in strategic brand license, partnership and sponsorship opportunities. WPT is a subsidiary of bwin.party digital entertainment plc. For more information, go to WorldPokerTour.com.
