Lunkin, Lisandro, Antonius Top European Poker Awards

Vitaly Lunkin was Europe’s top player in 2009.

The European Poker Awards were handed out this weekend at France’s premier poker destination, the Aviation Club de Paris.

Russia’s Vitaly Lunkin took home top honors when he won the Player of the Year award. Lunkin earned his second WSOP bracelet in as many years when he conquered the special $40,000 No Limit Hold’em event. Then he went on to finish in 2nd place in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha World Championship and 4th place in the $50,000 HORSE World Championship, ending his WSOP with earnings of nearly $2.7 million.

Earning the title of Europe’s Leading Lady was German pro Sandra Naujoks. She earned her first European Poker Tour title and $1.1 million on home turf last spring with a win at EPT Dortmund. Antoine Saout of France was named Rookie of the Year on the strength of his 3rd-place finish in the WSOP Main Event and 7th-place exit at the WSOP Europe Main Event. The three-bracelet performance that earned WSOP Player of the Year honors for Jeffrey Lisandro also on him the EPA’s nod for Outstanding Tournament Performance of the Year, while the Internet Player of the Year went to Patrik Antonius.

Other awards were given to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport for their innovative made-for-TV tournaments and former Aviation Club manager Bruno Fitoussi for lifetime achievement.

Tonight will see another set of poker trophies handed out in Copenhagen, Denmark, when the winners of the Nordic Poker Awards are announced tonight in preparation for tomorrow’s start of the EPT Copenhagen.