EPT Malta: Polish Player Tomasz Brzezinski Dominates Main Event for €631,632

Brzezinski Conquers Main Event After Wild Heads-Up
 

After six grueling days and a record field of 898 entries, the EPT Malta 2025 Main Event found its winner. Tomasz Brzezinski emerged victorious, besting Ukrainian newcomer Mykhailo Ostash in an incredibly suspenseful heads-up match to claim the prestigious title and a prize of €631,632 from a record prizepool of €4,355,300.

Just weeks after finishing fourth in the EPT Barcelona Main Event, he turned another final table appearance into the success of a lifetime. Brzezinski became only the 11th player in EPT history to reach two consecutive Main Event final tables and joined an exclusive group of Polish champions as the seventh player from Poland with an EPT Main Event title.

Much of the final day’s attention was on Aliaksei Boika, who had a chance to become only the fifth player to win two EPT Main Event titles and the first to defend a title at the same venue. The Belarusian competitor, however, settled for fourth place.

The tournament concluded with an epic story as the heads-up between Brzezinski and Ostash became one of the most dramatic in EPT history. Following a deal for equal shares of €603,058 each before heads-up, only €28,534 and the trophy remained at stake.

Brzezinski was more active from the start, but Ostash refused to go down easily—managing more than ten double-ups during the duel. Twice turning unfavorable situations around, he even took the lead briefly. On the 14th all-in of the heads-up, however, the dream ended for the Ukrainian debutant, and Tomasz Brzezinski became the EPT Malta 2025 champion.

“It was wild,” Brzezinski admitted after his victory. “I’ve been second in heads-up several times, so when the stacks began to even out, I thought it might slip away again. But it finally worked out this time and I’m very happy,” he added with a smile.

*heads-up deal

Andre Moreira Shines in Final High Roller
 

The closing days of the EPT Malta festival also featured the prestigious €10,300 NL Hold'em EPT High Roller, which attracted 237 entries. This created a prizepool of €2,298,900, ranking it among the festival's largest events.

Andre Moreira from Portugal celebrated a triumph, earning €485,300—by far his biggest career win—after a challenging final table. He outlasted Austria's Klemens Roiter, who took home €303,500, continuing a season that has seen him rise among poker's elite. Popular Argentine player and former rapper Alejandro “Papo MC” Lococo finished third.

Cedric Schwaederle Triumphs in Deep Stack
 

The conclusion of the EPT Malta festival also featured the popular €2,200 Deep Stack event, attracting 245 entries and creating a prize pool of €470,400. France's Cedric Schwaederle took the win, pocketing €99,400.

Experienced Belarusian player Ihar Soika finished in second place, nearly claiming a second title from EPT Malta. His first was secured at the inaugural European Poker Tour event on the island in 2015. The bronze went to Greek WSOP bracelet holder Alexandros Kolonias.

The biggest name at the final table was undoubtedly Germany's Ole Schemion. With career earnings over $20 million, he finished in fifth place, but it wasn’t his last word.

Ole Schemion Ends Festival on a High Note
 

Event #71: €5,150 6-Handed offered one of the last chances to make a mark before the series concluded. It saw 48 entries, creating a prizepool of €232,800.

Experienced German professional Ole Schemion claimed the title and a prize of €75,600. It was his second final table on the last day, adding a symbolic victory at the end of the festival.

Czech player Roman Hrabec finished fifth. The festival didn’t go entirely as planned for him, but he capped it with his best result and his only five-figure win.

Source: PS Live, The Hendon Mob, Flickr