2007 EPT German Open

Our man - Lee Mulligan

Last night over a few beers we got friendly with a plucky young lad called Lee Mulligan. Lee qualified for todays event after winning the Welsh APAT event last month. This is the biggest event Lee has ever played and as you can imagine, he isn’t looking forward to the prospect of getting seated next to some of the poker superstars here in Dortmund.

Maybe it was the beer, but we really warmed to Mr Mulligan and have decided to make him our official Pokernews Mascot, so watch this space for Lee Watch, he starts today and hopefully will make it past the first break.

Tags: APAT, EPT, Lee Mulligan.

The Hohensyburg Casino....

.....is situated in a picturesque Forest just south of Dortmund. Dortmund is Germany's 7th largest city with a population of over 600,000 people and is situated on the river Rhine close to the border with Holland.

Dortmund lost its status as an Imperial Free City in 1803. It was incorporated into Prussia after the Napoleonic Wars and became a major center for coal, steel, and beer. The steel workers and the miners have long since put away their tools, but brewing is still a feature of the city. (Barry and I did some sampling at the Pokerstars Party last night were very impressed)

During the rule of the Third Reich, Dortmund along with neighbouring cities, was a target of allied bombing raids. During World War II about 80% of homes in Dortmund were destroyed.

Today the city is a center for hi-tech industry. It is also one of the greenest cities in Westphalia, with extensive parks and gardens laid out in the reconstruction period after the World War II. Additionally, the Dortmund chess tournament, one of the strongest in the world, is held there annually.

We've just arrived at the casino and we're very impressed with the set up. The media center is probably the best so far on the EPT.

Cards will be in the air for Day 1a at about 3PM local time. We will be keeping you up to date with all the action as soon as it happens.

Tags: Dortmund, EPT, Hohensyburg.

Guten Tag from Dortmund, Germany.

We're at the Casino Hohensyburg to bring you all the action from the EPT German Open.

Barry Carter and myself, Nicky O'Donnell will be keeping you up to date right up until the final table.