Norwegian Annette Obrestad, winner of the inaugural WSOP Europe event, has become the youngest player to win the “Tournament Performance of the Year” award at the European Poker Awards held in Paris.

Her victory at the World Series of Poker Europe was described as “phenomenal” by Poker Europa Chief Nic Szeremeta as he presented the 19 year-old with the award.  Obrestad took the No Limit Hold Em Championship main event at the WSOP Europe, winning £1 million in prize money.

She beat off some strong contenders for the “Tournament Performance of the Year” award including favourites Carlos Mortensen and Bruno Fitoussi.  Mortensen won £1.96 million at the WPT in Las Vegas whereas Fitoussi finished 2nd at the H.O.R.S.E event in the World Series of Poker also in Las Vegas, earning just under £600,000.

Annette Obrestad was also nominated in two other categories.  She just missed out on the “Leading Lady” award which was won by Katja Thater, who also earned herself a WSOP bracelet over the past 12 months.  Obrestad was also nominated for “Rookie of the Year” which she also just failed to win.

On winning the Tournament Performance of the Year, Obrestad said, “I am so happy to win this award.  I prefer this one than rookie of the year because I was up against such great players.”

Obrestad had made a name for herself playing online poker and, after her World Series of Poker Europe win, she struck up a five year sponsorship deal with Betfair.

She remains humble despite her recent success and believes her poker can improve as she states, “I am still learning so much.  There are still a lot of areas of my live game that can improve: my instincts, my ability to know what certain tells mean.  But, I am getting better all the time.”

Betfair’s Director of Poker Bruce Stubbs, praised Annette by saying, “Congratulations to Annette.  She is a pleasure to work with and a special player.  She is also possibly one of the most competitive people I have met.  In fact I suspect she wanted to win all the awards!”

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