January 26, 2009 (InfoPowa News) — The triumphal return of the Poker Stars European Poker Tour to Deauville, France this year after a three-year absence has seen a German player, Moritz Kranich, take the trophy, the respect and the €851,400 winner's check after a tough heads up with French player Arnaud Esquevin.
France was well represented in the final table, fielding four of the eight players, with French player Tristan Clemencon holding the chip lead. Kranich was the only German finalist, with players from Italy and Holland completing the international line-up at the Casino Barriere.
First out was short stacked Thomas Delattre, taking the only sub-six figure payout at €77,400 and quickly followed by Bruno Launais, who collected a check for €108,300 for his seventh placing. Holland's Jorn Walthaus headed for the rail in the sixth spot with a payday worth €142,400. Fifth man down was Frenchman Jonathan Azoulay with a €182,700 reward, and he was followed almost immediately by fourth-placed Andrea Benelli of Italy, whose check amounted to €219,800.
The heads up duo was decided when Clemencon was removed by Kranich in some big money action, leaving the German with a 6-to-1 chip advantage as he entered the heads up stage of the game against sole remaining survivor Esquivin, who was sent to the exit with a worthwhile payday of €495,400 for his time and trouble.