THE national bowlers will face their toughest challenge of the season at the world tour's Brunswick Euro Challenge starting at  Le Plaza Bowling in Saint Maximin, France today.

   The tournament has attracted challengers from the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and European Tenpin Bowling Association (ETBA) tours.

   The national team, however, do not fear the PBA or ETBA bowlers  as they are determined to continue with their excellent record in international tournaments by making the podium once again.

   Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana made headlines in the team's first tournament of the year at the world tour's Japan leg of the International Bowling Championships by finishing second to Singapore's Cherry Tan before compatriot Wendy Chai won last week's ABF Tour Tournament of Champions in Kuwait.

   Asian Games champion Alex Liew heads the men's team which comprise Muhd Nur Aiman, Adrian Ang, Aaron Kong, Zulmazran Zulkifli and Syafiq Ridhwan Malek. Reigning world champion Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore, Shalin Zulkifli, Sin Li Jane, Sharon Koh, Esther Cheah, Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi, Dayang Khairuniza and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman make up the women's squad.

   PBA champion Walter Ray Williams, a reigning world champion, and Chris Barnes lead the 28-member squad from the United States and they are expected to dominate proceedings.

   "This tournament has gathered almost all the top ranked bowlers but we will not be overawed as we have played against them on several occasions," said team manager Cheah Ban Cheng in an SMS  message from France yesterday.

   "I want my bowlers to keep their good track record by achieving something memorable here. Bowlers from the PBA tour are, no doubt, the best but not invincible. We have beaten them before."

   Finland's Mika Koivuniemi leads the men's world tour standings dominated by PBA bowlers, where five of the top-10 positions are occupied by the Americans.

   In the women's category, US bowlers dominate the top four positions headed by Kelly Kulick.

   The national bowlers start their campaign in the qualifiers today where they will be competing with more than 400 competitors from 37 countries for 64 spots in Sunday's final round.