10-Ball Underway in EC in Slovenia

Dominic Jentsch (GER)

Jentsch teaches a lesson to Gama

Portoroz, Slovenia: In the winner's qualification round of the 10-ball competition of the Dynamic Billard European Championships in Portoroz, Slovenia, Dominic Jentsch (GER) won with 8:5 over Manuel Gama (POR).

Jentsch had a furious start in the match. He steamed with confidence and power and went ahead with 6:0 in 30 minutes. That was a tough start for Gama. When it was his break, he took a time out and tried to get into his game at all. And it seemed to work in the beginning. Gama snatched rack after rack off Jentsch and managed to get to 4:6. But since Jentsch only needed two more points for the victory, it was a mission impossible for Gama. Jentsch scored a point then for 7:4, then allowed Gama another win just to finish the match at 8:5.

Other notable results in the men's division include Daryl Peach (GBR) handing a doughnut to Marius Ganauskas (LIT) with 8:0. Probably the biggest upset in the early 10-ball rounds was the match between current World Champion Huidji See (NED) and dark horse Sebastian Koch (SUI). The Suisse player was on nobody's list for a victory in this match. But he somehow never lost contact with See. He was always trailing in the match until it came to 6:6. Then, the balls rolled in favor of Koch and he took the two points he needed to send the World Champion to the wrong side of the draw.

In the women's division, Ina Kaplan (GER) defeated Tamara Peeters- Rademakers (NED) with 6:3. Peeters' teammate Orfanidis (NED) had a tough match as well. She played Vania Franco (POR) and had to give in with 5:6 in the end.

The wheelchair athletes have also started to join the EC today. The biggest upset was probably when Kurt Deklerck (BEL) overpowered World Champion Henrik Larsson (SWE) unexpectedly clear with 6:3.

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 , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.