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Ouschan Completes Austrian Double Victory For The Weekend

Jasmin Ouschan

Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) has won the Predator Veldhoven Open 2019, the third tournament of the women’s Euro-Tour series, with a 7-4 victory over Melanie Suessenguth (GER).
 
What really made the difference between Ouschan and the other 59 contestants in this event, her second straight tour stop win, was her break shot and her playing intelligence. Though Ouschan is known as a strong shotmaker, she also knows when to go for a safety in order to achieve an even better situation. Her break shot is also much more consistent than the break shot of her opponents. On her way to the final match, Ouschan defeated Kristina Jaeger (GER) 7-3, Ewa Bak (POL) 7-2, Marharyta Fefilava (BLR) 7-1, Kamila Khodjaeva (BEL) 7-1 and in the semi-final, Tina Vogelmann (GER) 7-3. Those results clearly show her superiority over the rest of the field in this tournament. Suessenguth made her way to the final match with victories over Diana Khodjaeva (BEL) 7-2, Kristina Tkach (RUS) 7-6, Ine Helvik (NOR) 7-3, Christine Steinlage (GER) 7-4, Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS) 7-4 and in her semi-final, Veronika Hubrtova (CZE) 7-5. While most fans expected a clear victory for Ouschan in the final match, Suessenguth was a tough opponent and demanded everything from Ouschan. Tied at 4-4 after eight racks, Ouschan shifted into overdrive and took the match and the title, winning 7-4 over Suessenguth.
 
Top Eight Finishers
 
1. Jasmin Ouschan AUT
2. Melanie Suessenguth GER
3. Tina Vogelmann GER
    Veronika Hubrtova CZE
5. Kamila Khodjaeva BEL
    Kristina Tkach RUS
    Ina Kaplan GER
    Nataliya Seroshtan RUS
 
That concludes the coverage of the Predator Veldhoven Open 2019. Starting upcoming Tuesday, we will have the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Women.
 
The Predator Veldhoven Open were played in the NH Conference Centre Koningshof in Veldhoven, The Netherlands, on up to 24 tables which are all streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be obtained at www.kozoom.com. Once a premium membership is held, all events for the respective period of time can be viewed LIVE. Additionally, a huge video gallery is contained in the website.
 
The event was 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.womeneurotouronline.com or visit us on Facebook for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

Ouschan Conquers St. Johann Im Pongau Once More

Jasmin Ouschan

One more time, Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) won a tournament in her home country. In the final match of the Predator St. Johann im Pongau Open 2019, she smashed Marharyta Fefilava (BLR) with 7:1.
 
The final match started not so bad for Fefilava. She missed the 9-ball and almost gave the first rack away to Ouschan. But since she left a tough shot, Ouschan also missed and gave the present back to Fefilava who then pocketed the 1-ball to get a 1:0 lead. In the next rack, Fefilava once again missed an easy shot. This time the 3-ball hung in the corner pocket. Ouschan got to the table and cleared it in her special style, leaving no room for doubt or errors. Ouschan had arrived in her usual tournament mode. If a player wants to have a chance against Ouschan, one must play focussed in the beginning and use the chances that are given if any. Committing mistakes against the Austrian exceptional player is almost like surrendering. At 3:1 for Ouschan, Fefilava got to the table next time when Ouschan came up with an illegal break. After an exchange of safety shots, Ouschan committed a foul and allowed Fefilava to get to the table with ball in hand. To the horror of the audience, Fefilava hooked herself behind the 6-ball straight after her first shot. She was completely off track in that match. Ouschan stayed cold as ice and ran another rack for a comfortable 4:1 lead over a shaking Fefilava. The next time Fefilava got to the table, the score was already 5:1. Ouschan again had an illegal break. Fefilava ran all balls and again missed the 9-ball. What a drama for the player from Belarus! She made her way into this final with some great performances just to totally collapse in the final, not getting going at all in this match against Ouschan. Jasmin Ouschan however, stayed focussed and played her game, taking the title by winning 7:1 over a devastated Fefilava.
 
In the semi-finals, Ouschan defeated Sara Rocha (POR) after a tight match with 7:5. Fefilava took down surprise player Veronika Hubrtova (CZE) with 7:4. Worth mentioning are also the 5th place finishes of Monika Margeta (SWE), Ina Kaplan (GER), Tamara Peeters (NED) and Diana Khodjaeva (BEL).
 
Top Eight Finishers
 
1. Jasmin Ouschan AUT
2. Marharyta Fefilava BLR
3. Veronika Hubrtova CZE
    Sara Rocha POR
5. Ina Kaplan GER
    Tamara Peeters NED
    Monika Margeta SWE
    Diana Khodjaeva BEL
 
That concludes the coverage from the Predator St. Johann im Pongau Open 2019.
 
The Predator St. Johann im Pongau Open were played in the Sporthotel Alpina Alpendorf in St. Johann im Pongau, Austria, on up to 22 tables which were all streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be obtained at www.kozoom.com. Once a premium membership is held, all events for the respective period of time can be viewed LIVE. Additionally, a huge video gallery is contained in the website.
 
The event was hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organised by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.womeneurotouronline.com or visit us on Facebook for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

Team Europe Wins the 2017 Atlantic Challenge Cup

With a more than clear and impressive overall score of 11:2, Team EUROPE won the 2017 version of the Atlantic Challenge Cup.
 
After the disastrous day yesterday, Team USA started out better today. The first two matches were mixed doubles. Leading 7:1, Europe had a big advantage and could enter the arena more relaxed than the US team. The first scotch double was played between Maksim Dudanets and Kristina Tkach versus Ricky Evans and April Larson. Though the US players contended much better than yesterday, they still made mistakes in their pocketing and – even worse – in their shot selection. Instead of going for a good safety shot, they went for the rail shots and most of the time missed them. Still, the first match was quite close and the Europeans were able to win it in the end with 6:4. The second scotch double was even closer. Patrick Hofmann and Diana Khodjaeva went hill-hill against Shane Wolford and Sierra Reams. Rack 11 was the decider in that match. Sierra Reams broke the rack and came up with an illegal break. Both teams exchanged safety shots and none of the players was willing to take any risk while at the table. The safety shots from the European team were better in the end and Shane Wolford had no other chance but trying to hit the 2-ball without committing a foul. He succeeded in doing so but left a shot for Khodjaeva who pocketed the 2-ball and paved the way for herself and Patrick Hofmann to win the rack and the match with 6:5. That took team Europe to 9:1 over team USA. The following individual match between Wiktor Zielinski and Manny Perez also turned out to become a heartbreaker. At 5:5, Zielinski missed the 6-ball with only the 8-ball and the 9-ball on the table. The following safety exchange was won by Perez who consequently took that rack to take team USA to 2 points in the overall score.
 
The evening session started with another individual. Daniel Maciol was up against Nathan Childress, the youngest player of the US team. That match became a clear affair for Maciol with 6:2, mainly because childress took the wrong shots and his nerves played a trick on him when he tried to pocket difficult or deciding balls. With that victory, team Europe was on the hill with11:2 over the US Americans. One more point needed for the Cup. That point was earned in the scotch doubles between Wiktor Zielinski and Diana Khodjaeva and Manny Perez and April Larson. Though Perez and Larson were probably the strongest of all US team players, they did not have chance against the Europeans today. 6:3 was the clear result that brought the Atlantic Challenge Cup to team Europe when the youngest team member Wiktor Zielinski pocketed the decisive 9-ball.
 
„Our team came here with a lot of experience already,“ stated European captain Albin Ouschan, „the team is really strong. They have won many titles at European Championships so far and I knew I had a great team.“ „The fact that most of these youngsters regularly play the Euro-Tour where they compete with the top players of the game makes these kids even stronger and better“. „The take the right decisions in the respective moments. That is what is missing with the US team. We were much more experienced than them“, added Ouschan. Said US captain Johnny Archer „Europe definitely has the better team. That’s for sure, from top to bottom!“, Archer mentioned. „Although the score this year was one less than last year I think that this team we have something to built on. I was impressed with our team,“ Archer continued, „there’s still work to be done but I see things to be built on from this. I know we’re going to lose some players since they will be too old next year but there are players ready to come on.“ „One reason for this huge loss was we had a horrible day yesterday. 0:5 was just a dagger in the heart“, Archer explained. „Today we played better in the mixed doubles and we lost quite close. This shows that Europe does not give many opportunities away. When you do get them, you have to get advantage!“
 
Results Day 3
 
Dudanets/Tkach v Evans/Larson 6:4
 
Hofmann/Khodjaeva v Wolford/Reams 6:5
 
Zielinski v Perez 5:6
 
Maciol v Childress 6:2
 
Zielinski/Khodjaeva v Perez/Larson 6:3
 
Team Europe
 
Kristina Tkach
Diana Khodjaeva
Maksim Dudanets
Patrick Hofmann (MVP)
Wiktor Zielinski
Daniel Maciol
Captain Albin Ouschan
Captain Tomas Brikmanis
 
Team USA
 
April Larson
Sierra Reams
Shane Wolford
Nathan Childress
Manny Perez (MVP)
Ricky Evans
Captain Johnny Archer
Captain Earl Munson
 
That concludes the coverage from this year’s Atlantic Challenge Cup in Klagenfurt, Austria. The complete event was streamed for free on www.kozoom.com. Additionally, all matches will be shown LIVE on the EPBF Facebook page.

Team Europe takes a 2:1 lead while the US team draws first blood

Nathan Childress (USA)

Today the 2017 Atlantic Challenge Cup started at 19:30 in the Sports Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria.
 
The first match was a line up with all six players of each team playing against one another. Team EUROPE had the far better start. After seven racks, the European were ahead 5:2, only needing one more rack for the victory and the first point in the event. But the US team stayed in there and fought their way back into the match. The tide turned in rack eight when Manny Perez (USA) ran out on Daniel Maciol (POL). That gave some momentum for Team USA. They also won the following two racks and managed to tie that first match at 5:5. The decider was played between Shane Wolford (USA) and Wiktor Zielinski (POL). There, Zielinski broke end had the 1-ball down but he did not really have a shot at the 2-ball. He came up with a poor safety and allowed Wolford back into the table with a makable 2-ball. The US player pocketed the 2-ball and played perfect position for the next ball. With an open table in front of him, Wolford achieved the impossible and completed an amazing comeback for team USA to open their account at the ACC, taking a 1:0 lead over team Europe.
 
The next match was a triple match. Europe lined up Daniel Maciol (POL), Wiktor Zielinski (POL) and Diana Khodjaeva (BEL) against US players Shane Wolford, Nathan Childress and April Larson.  Again, the Europeans got the better start and had a nice and comfortable 3:1 lead after 4 racks. It was again Wiktor Zielinski, the youngest gun on team Europe, who committed a mistake by playing a poor safety and allowing his opponent Nate Childress to rip the match from him, turning the score to 3:2 for Europe still. After that, April Larson tied the match for the USA to display 3:3. Would the European again receive a defeat after a comfortable lead like in the first match? This time, the European juniors were definitely against this scenario. They got their minds together and focussed on the match, winning three racks in a row when Diana Khodjaeva took the match with 6:3 and tied the overall score between Europe and USA at 1:1 for the day.
 
The third match of the day was also a triple. Europe was represented by Maksim Dudanets (RUS), Patrick Hofmann (GER) and Kristina Tkach (RUS). Their opponents from the USA were Ricky Evans, Manny Perez and Sierra Reams. This time, the US team took an early 2:0 lead over the Europeans. But team Europe was on fire! They took the next five racks in a row to get on the hill with an impressive 5:2 advantage. Rack eight was opened by German Patrick Hofmann. He opened the match with the 1-ball down but no shot on the 2-ball. Hofmann decided to go for a safety shot. Perez went for a re-safe but left an open shot for his European opponent. However, Hofmann was not able to capitalise from it and missed the 2-ball. Perez used his chance and ran the table to make the score 5:3 against the US team. The next rack was played between Sierra Reams and Kristina Tkach. They both engaged in a safety battle in the early stage of the rack. Tkach turned out to win this encounter but hooked herself with the cue ball behind the 5-ball when the 4-ball was the ball on. Reams got to the table with five balls left and had a clear and open table in front of her. However, she already played a poor position for the 5-ball. She was still able to pocket it but the position for the 6-ball turned out even worse. Consequently, Reams missed the 6-ball and allowed Tkach to the table with three easy shots in front of her. The Russian young lady did not let that chance slip away and ran the table, winning the rack and the match with 6:3 for team Europe. This brought the overall 2:1 lead for the day to team Europe.
 
The Atlantic Challenge Cup continues tomorrow at 14:00 CET with the next session featuring scotch doubles in the boys and girls.
 
The complete event will be streamed for free on www.kozoom.com. Additionally, all matches will be shown LIVE on the EPBF Facebook page.

Europe Announces 2017 Atlantic Challenge Cup Team Captain

The European Pocket Billiard Federation today announced its team’s captain to face the Americans during this year’s staging of the Atlantic Challenge Cup taking place July 5 – 8, 2017 in Klagenfurt, Austria.
 
“We are thrilled to appoint Albin Ouschan to lead Team EUROPE as its Captain for the 2017 Atlantic Challenge Cup,” said EPBF President Gre Leenders. Albin is playing so well at the moment and it will be great to have someone with his experience on board. I must say, a lot of credit has to go to Albin for taking this on, he is also preparing for the World games in Poland later that month so a big hand has to go to him for giving his time for these young stars” Leenders continued.
 
Albin had this to say on his appointment. “I am very honored to get picked as captain for team Europe at this year’s Atlantic Challenge Cup but I also know from the Mosconi cup, just how much work is involved. I’ll try my best to have the team prepared, I know they’re all talented and some of them I have even played against already so I know what they’re capable of doing. I will do some research on last year’s matches and see where maybe the problems are, my part will be motivating this squad and try to take the pressure off them in sticky situations”
 
Current world 9-ball champion Albin Ouschan will team up with the EPBF youth sports director Tomas Brikmanis who will add the valuable experience of captaining team Europe to last year’s victory in Chicago.  Tomas said, “I am sure that Albin’s experience that he can pass on to these youngsters will be invaluable, after all, it is not every day that you can get advice from the current world 9-ball champion, is it? I am very happy to be a part of this team again and look forward to helping Albin with the task of retaining that trophy”.
 
Albin and Tomas will be up against the American duo of Johnny the Scorpion Archer and Earl Munson. Team Europe consists of Russia’s Kristina Tkach and Maxim Dudanets, Poland’s Daniel Maciol and Wiktor Zielinski. Germany’s Patrick Hofmann and Belgium’s Diana Khodjaeva complete the line up. Team USA consist of April Larson, Sierra Reams, Manuel Perez, Richard Evans, Nathan Childress and Shane Wolford.
 
Launched in 2015, the Atlantic Challenge Cup features the best youth players from Europe and America in a Mosconi Cup style event. Six players on each team, four boys and two girls, battle it out on an annual basis to see who has bragging rights across the Atlantic. The event is the result of a joint venture between the Billiard Congress of America and the European Pocket Billiard Federation.
 
Stay tuned to AtlanticChallengeCup.com for continuous updates on the 2017 event.

Tkach and Sniegocki Win the Euro-Tour

Kristina Tkach and Mateusz Sniegocki

Kristina Tkach (RUS) and Mateusz Sniegocki (POL) just snatched the titles of the Dynamic Billard Albanian Open and the women’s tournament in Tirana, Albania.

 

The final match between Sniegocki and Joshua Filler (GER) was not as close as predicted. In an interview before the match, both played showed immense respect for the other one and they both agreed that the match will become a close affair. But it turned out that Sniegocki was a bit better in the final than Filler. Though they both did not commit too many mistakes, Sniegocki solved the tricky situations better than Filler and handled them more efficiently. This gave him an advantage over his German opponent which in the end lead to a clear 9:4 victory for Sniegocki.

 

Final Eight

1. Mateusz Sniegocki (POL)

2. Joshua Filler (GER)

3. Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS)
Wojciech Szewczyk (POL)

5. Mark Gray (GBR)

David Alcaide (ESP)

Marcus Chamat (SWE)

Konrad Juszczyszyn (POL)

 

In the Women Open, Kristina Tkach defeated Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL) in the final match with 7:4. Tkach has had a brilliant two weeks here in Albania so far. Last week, she won all three disciplines (8-ball, 9-ball and 10-ball) in the girls division of the Dynamic Billard European Championships Youth. She took 100% of what she could have taken. Additionally, she added another victory now to her account with the Albanian Women Open. „I know it looks quite easy when you see my titles only,“ Kristina said in an interview after the final, „but believe me I really work hard for it.“ „Talent is one thing. I do have talent, but I also think that I practice more than most of the other players“, added Tkach. The 17-year-old Russian now belongs to the creme de la creme of European Women Pool and she will definitely be part of future final matches.

 

Final Eight

1. Kristina Tkach (RUS)

2. Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL)

3. Diana Khodjaeva (BEL)
Nataliya Seroshtan

5. Monika Zabek (POL)

Veronika Ivanovskaia (GER)

Ina Kaplan (GER)

Ine Helvik (NOR)

 

That concludes the coverage of the Dynamic Billard Albanian Open Euro-Tour and Albanian Women Open. Tomorrow, the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies will commence in Tirana. Competition starts at 09:00 CET with first round matches from the seniors straight pool competition.

 

The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies will be  played on 24 tables which are all streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be purchased at www.kozoom.com. Once a premium membership is held, all events for the respective period of time can be viewed LIVE. Additionally, a huge video gallery is contained in the website.

 

The event will be 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 websitewww.europeanpoolchampionships.eu , visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

German Wonderkid Filler Knocks Immonen For Eight

Joshua Filler

Joshua Filler (GER), the German wonderkid, just defeated Mika Immonen (FIN) in the single elimination round of the last 32 players of the Dynamic Billard Albanian Open in Tirana, Albania, with 9:7.

 

The result of the match is definitely a surprise but not yet the biggest story about the match. Also the pure fact that Filler won against Immonen in itself is not the biggest upset here. The major surprise of the match is the fact how Filler managed to triumph over Immonen. After eight racks played, Immonen was leading 7:1 (!) over Filler and just needed two more racks to waltz into the round of the last 16 players tomorrow. But then the match turned 180 degrees. Filler did not miss any more shots while Immonen started making mistakes. He scratched while playing a push-out, ran out of position and hooked himself up behind the wrong ball and left safety situations for Filler that the young German was able to run-out. What could hardly be believed became bitter reality for Immonen in this match. Filler succeeded in turning the match around, tore eight consecutive racks off Immonen and left the slate as the winner with a final result of 9:7. Filler will now face Nick Van Den Berg (NED) in the round of the final 16 players tomorrow morning at 10:00 CET. The Dutch just managed to stay alive in the field in squeaking past Maximilian Lechner (AUT) 9:8.

 

More surprising results happened in the round of the last 32 players tonight. Sanjin Pehlivanovic (BIH) who already eliminated Ralf Souquet (GER) one round earlier got the better of Mats Schjetne (NOR) and sneaked through with 9:8. The last remaining Albanian player, Eklent Kaci (ALB), out of the blue ousted EPBF Player of the Year 2015 Francisco Diaz-Pizarro (ESP) 9:6 and keeps his hopes alive for a high finish in the tournament on his home soil. 15-year-old Polish player Wiktor Zielinski (POL) continues his good performance from last week at the Youth European Championships. He sent former Mosconi-Cup player Nikos Ekonomopoulos (GRE) home with 9:5 and will now face Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) in the next round. Spanish stellar player David Alcaide (ESP) made short work with former World 9-Ball Champion Daryl Peach (GBR) and took him down with 9:3 in a single sided match. Tomorrow Alcaide will be up against Konstantin Stepanov (RUS) who eliminated Joao Grilo (POR) from the event with 9:8

 

Last 16 Players Single Elimination Lineups

Mark Gray (GBR) v Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz (ESP)

Joshua Filler (GER) v Nick van den Berg (NED)

Konstantin Stepanov (RUS) v David Alcaide (ESP)

Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) v Wiktor Zielinski (POL)

Albin Ouschan (AUT) v Marcus Chamat (SWE)

Eklent Kaci (ALB) v Mateusz Sniegocki (POL)

Konrad Juszczyszyn (POL) v Sanjin Pehlivanovic (BIH)

Wojciech Szewczyk (POL) v Niels Feijen (NED)

 

In the Women Albanian Open, the quarterfinalists who made their way through the winner’s round are Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS), Veronika Ivanovskaia (GER), Diana Khodjaeva (BEL) and Kristina Tkach (RUS). They are waiting for the winners from the following matches:

 

Losers Qualifikation Round

Marharyta Fefilava (BLR) v Monika Zabek (POL)

Claudia Von Rohr (SUI) v Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL)

Ina Kaplan (GER) v Melanie Suessenguth (GER)

Pia Blaeser (GER) v Ine Helvik (NOR)

 

Tomorrow, the Dynamic Billard Albanian Open will continue at 10:00 local time with matches from the last 16 single elimination. The Women Albanian Open will commence at the same time with matches from the loser’s qualification round.

 

The Euro-Tour is played on 24 tables which are all streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be purchased at www.kozoom.com. Once a premium membership is held, all events for the respective period of time can be viewed LIVE. Additionally, a huge video gallery is contained in the website.

 

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.eurotouronline.com, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

Favorites Fall on Judgment Day in Tirana

Marcus Chamat

The Dynamic Billard Albanian Open provided with several surprises and upsets today already. One of the biggest upset was the elimination of World 9-Ball Champion Albin Ouschan (AUT) through "The Napoleon" Marcus Chamat (SWE) with 7:9.

 

At 7:7, the match was in the „hot“ phase. Ouschan’s break was up and the World Champion had a ball down but the break was illegal since only one other ball crossed the head string. everything was nicely spread on on the slate for Chamat was did not let this chance pass by. He cleared the table and went on the hill 8:7 with his own break shot coming up. Two balls disappeared in the pockets and the break was perfect. He could have gone all the way already but he played a bad position on the 4-ball. So he came up with a good safety shot and a no-chance position for Ouschan. The Austrian avoided a foul and left a tough but possible shot for Chamat. One more time, Chamat came up with a good safety solution. This time, Ouschan attempted a jump shot but did not pocket the 4-ball. Instead, he left a shot for Chamat. The Swede now cleared the rack and won the match 9:7, sending Albin Ouschan home.

 

But not only the current World Champion is on his way home already. Also the current Euro-Tour leader, Mark Gray (GBR) got terminated. He really received a whipping by Joshua Filler (GER). Whereas Gray was able to send Filler to the loser’s side yesterday afternoon with 9:5, today there was no chance at all for Gray. Filler played rock solid, self-confident as can be and smashed Gray 9:2. Filler will be up against Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) in the first semi-final of the day. Chinakhov overpowered Wiktor Zielinski (POL) 9:2 and then ousted David Alcaide (ESP) 9:5 to get his spot in the semi-final against Filler.

 

The other semi-final will be an all-Polish affair between Mateusz Sniegocki (POL) and Wojciech Szewczyk (POL). Sniegocki ended the hopes of Chamat 9:3 while Szewczyk remained the upper hand over teammate Konrad Juszczyszyn (POL) 9:4.

 

Semi-final lineups:

14:30

Joshua Filler v Ruslan Chinakhov

16:00

Mateusz Sniegocki v Wojciech Szewczyk

 

The final match is scheduled for 19:00 CET.

 

In the Albanian Women Open, Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS) squeezed past Monika Zabek (POL) with 7:6 after having trailed 2:4 and 4:6 in the match. Seroshtan will play Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL) who defeated Veronika Ivanovskaia (GER) 7:4. The other semi-final will be held between Diana Khodjaeva (BEL) and Kristina Tkach (RUS). Khodjaeva ousted Ina Kaplan (GER) 7:5 in the quarters while Tkach took down Ine Helvik (NOR) with the same result. The semi-finals will both be played at 14:30 with the final match scheduled for 17:30 CET.

 

Semi-final lineups:

14:30

Nataliya Seroshtan v

Diana Khodjaeva v Kristina Tkach

 

The Euro-Tour is played on 24 tables which are all streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be purchased at www.kozoom.com. Once a premium membership is held, all events for the respective period of time can be viewed LIVE. Additionally, a huge video gallery is contained in the website.

 

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.eurotouronline.com, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

Gray Notched a Victory Over Filler

Mark Gray, (inset:Joshua Filler)

Euro-Tour’s ranked #1 player Mark Gray (GBR) just notched a 9:5 victory over up and rising Joshua Filler (GER) in the winner’s qualification round of the Dynamic Billard Albanian Open in the Expo Center in Tirana, Albania.

 

Mark Gray is always a hot favorite for the title in any Euro-Tour event. Currently leading the rankings, the Brit still was favored in this match with Filler who is regarded as „the“ rising star in European Billiards by many. The signs for the match were on the wall: This was going to be a tough battle for both of the two players. Indeed, Filler was a great challenge for Gray over a long period in the match. After ten racks, the score was 5:5. This proved that none of the two really got any momentum until then. Filler was at the table having won the safety scenario in that rack and had a clear layout in front of him. He incomprehensibly missed an easy 3-ball and gave the potential lead away to Gray who thanked him and went ahead with 6:5. The next break was Filler’s. He had balls down but no shot at the 2-ball. So again, a safety exchange opened the rack. Gray played the better shots and took w two-point lead with 7:5. Then Filler took a time-out since he needed to get going now otherwise Gray would be too far ahead of him. Rack 13 saw again Gray as the better safety player and he managed to win that rack too, climbing on the hill 8:5. Now it was Filler’s break and his last chance to somehow turn the tide in the match. Filler had a good break and a nice layout in front of him. However, he again missed an easy shot on the 4-ball and gave the rack away to Gray who took the rack and the match 9:5 over Filler. In this match, Filler committed too many mistakes and Gray was the deserved winner in the end.

 

Other remarkable results from today include Ronald Regli (SUI) eliminating Mario He (AUT) from the tournament in loser’s round 3 with 9:8. Mario He, being the winner of the last event in North Cyprus, met Regli who was the runner-up from Austria, the event before. Two high-class players that one would not have expected in the early loser’s rounds. But they both already lost once so they had to joust on the left side of the flowchart. At 8:8, He played a poor safety shot which allowed Regli to run out and stay alive in the tournament. In the next round he will face Mark Mägi (EST) who also managed to win his last match with 9:8 over Michal Turkowski (POL).

 

Earlier today, Karlo Dalmatin (CRO) ended the hopes of Daniel Tangudd (SWE), overrunning him with 9:6. Alen Muratovic (BIH) sneaked past Dimitri Jungo (SUI) with a 9:8 triumph over the Suisse.  Ermal Dylie (ALB) also kept a foot in the door, winning his match with Rui-Edgar Franco (POR) 9:8. Dylie’s teammate Arjan Matrizi (ALB) also stayed alive in the event defeating French legend Stephan Cohen (FRA) 9:7. Jim Chawki (SWE) send Nick Malai (GRE) home by sweeping him 9:7.

 

In the Albanian Women Open, Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL) pipped her teammate Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) 7:6 in the first round. She will play Sandra Baumgartner (AUT) in winner’s round 1 at 15:30 CET today. Baumgartner remained the upper hand over Yini Gaspar (SUI) 7:4 in her first match. Diana Khodjaeva (BEL) shelled Palina Chernik (BLR) 7:1 in round 1 and will now encounter Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR) in the next round.

 

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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.eurotouronline.com, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

Atlantic Challenge Cup Day One Recap

The first day of the Atlantic Challenge Cup is now in the books with Team EUROPE owning a narrow 2-1 lead. The event began with a team match with all six players from both teams playing so every player had the opportunity to adjust to the table and conditions and that match was a barn-burner that went to a double hill tie at five games apiece before Ricky Evans of Team USA captured the final nine ball to give the win to America.

From there we went into the first triplet match of the day. Team Europe put out a team of Maxim Dudanets, Vitaliy Patsura, And Kristina Tkach while the Americans offered Chris Robinson, Ricky Evans and April Larson. The first match was Chris Robinson  versus Maksim Dudanets of Moscow and Robinson (who proved to be Team USA's strongest player for the day) defeated Dudanets to give America the early lead.

But that lead evaporated quickly as Vitaly Patsura of the Ukraine took down Ricky Evans of Missouri to tie the match at two and then Kristina Tkach  of Moscow got by April Larson of Minnesota to give the Euros a 2-1 lead in our race to six games. Chris Robinson of California then evened us up at two apiece when he defeated Vitaliy Patsura.

The next two matches were traded as as first Ricky Evans overcame Maxim Dudanets and Kristina Tkach got past April Larson. Three all after the first six games. America then grabbed their last lead of the match when Chris Robinson outgunned Maxim Dudanets.

From there it was all Team Europe. Vitaliy Patusra beat up on Ricky Evans, Kristina Tkach kept the momentum going by besting April Larson, and Vitaliy Patsura finished the match off by overcoming Chris Robinson.

So after the first two matches our score was tied at 1 match apiece and the deciding match was another set of triplets with Team Europe presenting Andreas Madsen of Denmark, Kristian Cwilka of Poland and Diana Khodjeava of Belgium while Team USA came with Shane Wolford of Virginia, Ryan Ponton of Illinois and Serena Black, also of Illinois.

This match was lopsided in favor of Europe. Game one went to Andreas Madsen over Shane Wolford. The second rack was owned by Kristian Cwilka over Ryan Ponton and the next game found Diana Khodjeava taking it from Serena Black. Then Shane Wolford grabbed the only point in the match for Team USA as he defeated Kristian Cwilka. That would be the onl;y glory USA found as the next three racks and the match went to Team Europe when Andreas Madsen beat Ryan Ponton, Diana Khodjeave defeated Serena Black and Andreas Madsen capped us off and ended the venting with a nice win over Shane Wolford.

The poise and skills displayed by these youngsters is really quite amazing. Enjoy the action live on the internet with the free stream by going to http://www.playcsipool.com/live-streaming.html. PLay begins Satruday with an afternoon session at 3 PM CST and an eventing session kicking off at 7:30 PM CST.

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