1,033 Entries, 16 Players in the Game, and a Grand Finale
This year's Main Event at Kings of Tallinn concluded its registration with 1,033 entries, enough to meet the set million-euro guarantee. Sixteen players returned for the final day, setting the stage for a long Sunday full of twists, turns, and escalating tension, as is typical for a final table.
One of the most brutal moments in the tournament's conclusion involved Spain's Guillermo “GGordo” Gorda. He entered the last 16 with nearly an 80-big blind chiplead, but as we know, poker can be relentless: his stack gradually crumbled, ending his run on the 12th spot, rather than under the final table lights.
It wasn't long before Miro Sankala exited in 10th place, pocketing €12,800. As he walked away in disappointment, the smiling nine finalists posed for an official final table photo, embarking on a final resolution that spanned over five hours.
A livestream ensured viewers didn't miss a moment on the path to crowning the champion.
The Rise of a New King
At the final table, Finland's Veli-Pekka Penttinen led as chipleader, followed by Norway's Christina Solli. The breaking points followed swiftly. Habib Brahim was the first to exit the final table, followed by Athanasios Kostouros, who faced an unfortunate fate after an unsuccessful bluff eliminated him in eighth place.
Christina Solli's story was even more notable. The Norwegian, who entered through an €80 satellite, experienced a roller coaster on the final table. She lost a significant pot with a pair of 9 d 9 c against Penttinen's pair of A s A h and couldn't recover. Penttinen ended her run in seventh place, earning her €27,250.
Indomitable Penttinen and a 3-Way Deal
Once play reached the podium stage, Shaul Weinstein exited in fourth, prompting the final three to strike a deal. Penttinen, Tal Barasofsky, and Gary Fisher reached a 3-way agreement securing them substantial payouts:
- Penttinen €113,820
- Barasofsky €112,775
- Fisher €97,000
However, the game wasn't over yet—with €35,955 and the Kings of Tallinn title still at stake. Ultimately, Fisher's third-place exit set the stage for a heads-up duel between the day's most active players.
The Decisive Heads-Up
Both players entered the final battle with nearly even stacks (around 60bb). Still, Penttinen dominated the conclusion in a one-man show. Within 20 minutes, he completed his remarkable journey and donned the iconic crown.
The decisive moment came with a preflop shove from Tal, holding A s 5 s. Penttinen accepted the challenge with a pair of 8 h 8 c, leading to an incredible flop 2 s 8 s 3 c that promised excitement till the end. The turn 7 c wasn't one of the 10 outs Tal needed, and the river 3 d sealed the result.
The 2026 Kings of Tallinn narrative concluded here. As runner-up Tal Barasofsky headed to collect his €112,770, the triumphant Veli-Pekka Penttinen savored the moment. As this tournament's champion, he placed the iconic crown upon his head along with a substantial €149,775 prize.
Final Table Results:
| Position | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Veli-Pekka Penttinen | Finland | €149,775 |
| 2 | Tal Barasofsky | Israel | €112,775 |
| 3 | Gary Fisher | England | €97,000 |
| 4 | Shaul Weinstein | Israel | €60,900 |
| 5 | Alexis Lucarini | France | €46,250 |
| 6 | Petteri Laiho | Finland | €35,450 |
| 7 | Christina Solli | Norway | €27,250 |
| 8 | Athanasios Kostouros | Greece | €20,950 |
| 9 | Habib Brahim | Sweden | €16,200 |
For detailed live reports, stories, and photos from this event, visit our partner Poker.Pro here
Photo Credits @Elena Kask
