Heaven can't help Gabriel

Gabriel Costas succumbed to his short stack and cut the final table to eight players in quick time here at the Gran Casino Madrid.

The Spanish player had been odds on to miss the final cut when his QQ ran into AA earlier, but David Camara Espejo's misfortune was his gain as he secured €3,000 for 9th.

Costas shoved on the button with 5♠6♦ but big blind and chip leader Jose Maria Somolinos found 9♣9♦ and called.

The board brought the big stack's set and although there was hope for Gabriel on the turn when he picked up a gutshot draw, there was to be no heaven-sent river to prolong his run.

Prize pool reminder - 1st - 31,300; 2nd - 19,400; 3rd - 12,500; 4th - 8,000; 5th - 6,300; 6th - 4,900; 7th - 4,300; 8th - 3,700;