Ruslan Chinahov (RUS)
The 10-Ball competition at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Men, Women and Wheelchair Athletes in Acapulco Hotel and Resort, Kyrenia, North Cyprus, has provided the spectators with some unexpected results today.
A total of 98 men, 46 women and 17 wheelchair players have lined up today to see who will eventually snatch the title from the current Champions.
Ruslan Chinakhov came up with the first upset of the day. He defeated David Alcaide (ESP) in a tight thriller with 8:7. In the next round, Chinakhov went ahead and also sent Serge Das (BEL) to the loser’s side.
Defending Champion Mateusz Sniegocki (POL) was another famous victim of today’s play. He lost his opening match to Daryl Peach (GBR) with 7:8. Peach proceeded into the single elimination round of the final 64 players while Sniegocki takes the long way.
Dutch „El Nino“ Nick Van Den Berg (NED) won his first two appearances over Sebastian Staab (GER) 8:6 and David Zalman (CZE) 8:1 and had smooth sailing so far into the final stage which will be played tomorrow.
Francesco Diaz (ESP) sprung for another upset in defeating Chris Melling (GBR) with 8:7. Melling then went to the loser’s side where he completely unexpected lost to underdog Roger Rasmussen (NOR) again with 7:8.
Germany’s Ralf Souquet (GER) fulfilled the hopes of the German Federation so far and won his two openers with 8:5 over Imran Majid (GBR) and Aki Heiskanen (FIN) with 8:4. Last year, the German team finished the EC in Portoroz, Slovenia, without having won a single medal. That was something that they probably do not want to repeat this year. However, in straight pool the medals were grabbed by other nations so far.
Marko Lisnic (CRO) double dipped Fabio Petroni (ITA) with 8:6. Just like Melling, Petroni lost his next match on the loser’s side completely surprising with 6:8 to Denmark’s Bahram Lotfy (DEN).
In the women’s division, defending Champion Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) is in the zone. She won her first two matches over Viktoria Nagorna (UKR) and Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR) and is waiting in the single elimination stage of the final 16 women for her opponent.
Newly crowned straight pool European Champion Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) made short work of her opponents today and handed both of them a doughnut, winning 6:0 over Sara Rocha (POR) and Claudia Kunz (SUI).
Today, the wheelchair athletes have joined the event. Defending Champion Kurt Deklerck (BEL) is right on track. He won his opener over Per Brovold (NOR) with 6:0.
Play will commence tomorrow morning 09:00 local time with the 10-ball competition. All results and more info can be found on www.epconline.eu. LIVEStream can be viewed at www.kozoom.com.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.epconline.eu or contact our press office press@epbf.com.
