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2017 World Cup of Pool – China, Holland and Austria through

Niels Feijen and Nick Van Den Berg

China 7-5 Portugal
Holland 7-0 Hungary
Austria 7-5 Sweden
 
THERE WERE wins for the big guns of China, Holland and Austria as the first round of the 2017 12BET World Cup of Pool moved towards its closing stages at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.
 
Featuring 32 two-man teams from around the globe, the 12BET World Cup of Pool is into its 11th year as reigning champions Chinese Taipei attempt to become the first team ever to successfully defend the title at the York Hall.
 
China, who with Wu Jiaqing and Dang Jinhu, looked to be one of the tips for the championship, had a real struggle on their hands to get past qualifiers Portugal in their first-round match-up. They lead 4-0 then 5-1 before the Portuguese pair, who won through a big qualifying tournament in Austria last year, got their break going.
 
With some solid shot making and some combinations the 9, they soon clawed their way back into it and were breaking at 5-5. However, class prevailed as the Chinese pair got back to the table and converted their chances to run out 7-5.
 
Two-time World Cup of Pool runners-up Holland easily negotiated their opening first round match as they hammered Hungary 7-0. It was the ever-reliable pairing of Nick Van Den Berg and Niels Feijen who once again looked solid as they had too much for the Hungarian pair of Gabor Antal and Gabor Solymosi. They now play old nemesis the Philippines in the second round.
 
Feijen said, “We got off to a great start and the break was clicking really well. Nick played some really nice recovery shots and overall played a really solid match.
 
“Everybody remembers one ball in 2014, the missed 8 ball that was the climax of the event but we played really solid that year and in 2013 – one ball is one ball and if we can play at that level again we can go all the way.”
 
Van den Berg added, “Normally you try and make a ball on the break but with this rule you’re trying to control the one ball. I hit the knuckle of the side pocket a few times so we had a tough shot sometimes to start but we played solid and made some good outs.
 
“We have some bad memories of playing the Philippines – we lost the final 10-8 here in 2013 and we are here to take revenge.”
 
In the final match of the afternoon, Mario He and Albin Ouschan of Austria struggled to get past Sweden but despite going from 6-2 to 6-5 against Marcus Chamat and Daniel Tangudd, the Austrians held on the reach the second round.
 
Play continues Thursday evening afternoon with one more first round match and two second round matches:
 
USA (5) v Singapore
 
Japan (9) v Canada (8)
Finland (13) v India
 
Broadcast for six days live on Sky Sports in the UK; the tournament is available live in over 100 countries around the world. A comprehensive list of countries and networks broadcasting the World Cup of Pool can be found here: http://www.matchroompool.com/world-cup-of-pool/#watchlive
 
The 12BET World Cup of Pool will carry a $250,000 prize fund including $60,000 for the champions. The event will be produced by Matchroom Sport Television and televised live on Sky Sports as well as other stations around the world.
 
12BET World Cup of Pool Tickets are on sale now at www.matchroompool.com   priced at just £10.00 per evening session (Tuesday to Sunday) and £8.00 per weekend afternoon session. Tuesday to Friday afternoons are free. A season ticket covering all sessions is priced at £60.00.
 
2017 12BET World Cup of Pool is sponsored by Rasson Billiards who supplies the Official Table; the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue and Chalk of the event.

2017 12BET World Cup of Pool – Hungary are in as more broadcasters sign up

There are just five days to go until the 2017 12BET World Cup of Pool breaks off at the York Hall in the heart of London’s vibrant East End. The event is into its 11th year and reigning champions Chinese Taipei – Ko Pin Yi and Chang Yu Lung – return to the scene of their triumph two years ago.
 
Now pool fans across Taiwan will be able to view the 12BET World Cup of Pool throughout as broadcasters Eleven Sports Network will be showing all six days of the event live throughout the country.
 
In addition, Fox Asia which goes to 28 countries in the region, will be taking an ‘as live’ feed of the event for subsequent broadcast.
 
Thus far there are 17 broadcasters taking the 12BET World Cup of Pool, going to a total of 128 countries.
 
CCTV – China
DAZN – Germany, Austria, Switzerland
DAZN – Japan
Eleven Sports Network – Taiwan
Eleven Sports Network – USA
Fox Sport – Asia
Fox Sport – Australia
Kwese Sports – South Africa
Kwese Sports – Sub-Saharan Africa
Nova TV -Czech Republic & Slovakia
OSN – Middle East
Sky –  New Zealand
Sky Sports – GB and Ireland
Sport 1 – Germany, Austria, Switzerland
SportKlub – Poland
Turk Telecom – Turkey
Viasat – Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria & Baltic states.
In other news, Hong Kong have withdrawn from the World Cup of Pool and will be replaced by Hungary who finished runners-up in the EPBF-run qualifying event last year to top the waiting list. The team comprises Gabor Antal and Gabor Solymosi, who was one of the pairing who reached the quarter-finals of the event when they last competed in 2013.
 
12BET World Cup of Pool Tickets are on sale now at www.matchroompool.com   priced at just £10.00 per evening session (Tuesday to Sunday) and £8.00 per weekend afternoon session. Tuesday to Friday afternoons are free. A season ticket covering all sessions is priced at £60.00.
 
The 12BET World Cup of Pool will carry a $250,000 prize fund including $60,000 for the champions. The event will be produced by Matchroom Sport Television and televised live on Sky Sports as well as other stations around the world.
 
2017 12BET World Cup of Pool is sponsored by Rasson Billiards who supplies the Official Table; the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue and Chalk of the event.

Deklerck, Matas and Bijsterbosch Win 10-ball Titles

At the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Men, Women and Wheelchair Athletes in the Salgados Palace Hotel in Albufeira, Portugal, the gold medals in 10-ball have been awarded. Kurt Deklerck (BEL), Amalia Matas (ESP) and Marc Bijsterbosch (NED) have taken the titles in their respective division.

 

It is the first European Champion title for the 23-year-old Bijsterbosch. After having eliminated his teammate and favoured player Niels Feijen (NED) 10:8 in the quarterfinal match, Bijsterbosch took on Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz (ESP) in the semi-final. He stood tall and took the victory with 10:6 which brought him into the final match. His opponent there was Christian Sparrenlowv-Fischer (SWE), another underdog that was not expected in the final match at all. Fischer eliminated Gabor Solymosi (HUN) clearly with 10:3 in the quarterfinal and Denis Grabe (EST) in a heartbreaking semi-final with 10:9. The final match was on between two newbies. In the beginning, both players were very concentrated and played equally strong. The scoreboard proved that none of the two was able to gain clear advantage over the other player. Bijsterbosch was leading 6:5 after 11 racks. But then he seemed to get momentum. His game worked, the table always unfolded very friendly for him and he used his chances ice-cold whereas Fischer seemed to struggle. This little proof of weakness was enough for the Dutch to run away from Fischer and finally take the match with 10:6 in the end to win his first gold medal on European level in the men’s division. However, the silver medal is also a ver high achievement for Sparrenloev-Fischer.

 

Top Eight Men:
1. Marc Bijsterbosch (NED)
2. Christian Sparrenloev-Fischer (SWE)
3. Denis Grabe (EST)
Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz (ESP)
5. Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS)
Gabor Solymosi (HUN)
Ivar Saris (NED)
Niels Feijen (NED)

 

In the women’s division, Amalia Matas was also another newbie to a final match in the European Championships. On her way into the final match, she defeated strong Kristina Tkach (RUS) 7:6, then Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR) in the semi-final with 7:2 and took her spot in the final match. He opponent there was Ana Gradisnik (SLO) who remained victorious over Eylul Kibaroglu (TUR) 7:4 and Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) 7:4. Gradisnik also had her first appearance in a final match of the European Championship in the women’s division. She collected three silver medals in the girls division back then. So the match was as open as in the men’s division. No favourite player, no underdog… all square in the beginning. But unlike in the men’s division, the women’s final was a very one-sided affair. Matas started really strong and continued to play on that level for the duration of the whole final match. She only allowed Gradisnik to snatch one single rack off her, winning the match and the title with 7:1 over a frustrated Gradisnik.

 

Top Eight Women:
1. Amalia Matas (ESP)
2. Ana Gradisnik (SLO)
3. Oliwia Czuprynska (POL)
Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR)
5. Eylul Kibaroglu (TUR)
Natalia Seroshtan (RUS)
Tina Vogelmann (GER)
Kristina Tkach (RUS)

 

In the wheelchair division, the final match was also not packed with regulars. Kurt Deklerck (BEL) encountered Roy Kimberley (GBR). The match looked for a long time as a clear affair in favour of Kimberley. After 5 racks, the score was 4:1 in favour of the Brit. But then the tide turned in the match. Deklerck got stronger and the match was on again. After 10 racks, the match was all levelled at 5:5 so the deciding 11th rack had to be played. There, Deklerck had the match ball in his hands but missed it by a small margin. He left a long shot for Kimberley who in turn also missed this shot. Probably the pressure was too high for him at this moment. He left an easy shot into the side pocket for Deklerck who pocketed the winning 10-ball and took the title in the wheelchair division.

 

Top Eight Wheelchair Athletes:
1. Kurt Deklerck (BEL)
2. Roy Kimberley (GBR)
3. Jouni Tahti (FIN)
Fred Dinsmore (IRL)
5. Tony Southern (GBR)
Manfred Gattinger (GER)
7. Daniel Luton (GBR)
David Himpe (BEL)

 

Medal table after 2 of 5 events:

 

Earlier today, 110 Men, 43 women and 14 wheelchair players have started the 8-ball competition at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Men, Women and Wheelchair Athletes in the Salgados Palace Hotel in Albufeira, Portugal. The defending Champion Vitaliy Patsura (UKR) had a very tough draw in his first match with Nick Van Den Berg (NED). The Dutch had already bested Daniel Kandi (DEN) in his first round match and encountered the defending Champion in winner’s round one. Having enough titles underneath his belt, too, the writing was on the wall that this match would become a thriller. Both players kept the promise. Patsura was getting a 3:1 advantage after van den Berg committed an easy mistake in rack 2. But the Dutch struck back and evened the match after six racks to 3:3. A shot-clock was assigned to the match after 7 racks since especially Patsura took very long for each shot. With the shot-clock, the match carried on a bit quicker and both players made an equal number of mistakes. The biggest mistake which in the end might have costed him the match van den Berg committed when the score was 6:6. Having two striped balls left on the table, van den Berg missed a very easy pot in the corner pocket in order to get ahead with 7:6. Instead, Patsura got his chance and benefited from it, getting the lead again. With 14 racks being played, the scoreboard displayed a hill-hill situation at 7:7. Van den Berg broke but no ball went in any pocket. Patsura got to the table and finished a complicated layout under high pressure to defeat van den Berg 8:7 and advance to the round of the last 64 players single elimination. Other remarkable results from the men’s 8-ball individuals today include Denis Grabe (EST) defeat Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz (ESP) 8:4. Mieszko Fortunski (POL) just made it over Andreas Madsen (DEN) by a hair’s breadth with 8:7. Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz (ESP) clearly destroyed Maksim Dudanets (RUS) 8:2.

 

In the women’s 8-ball individuals, Tamara Peeters-Rademakers (NED) came up with a huge upset and wiped the floor with defending Champion Kristina Tkach (RUS) 6:1 in winner’s round 1. After a tough struggle, Marharyta Fefilava (BLR) remained the upper hand over Amalia Matas (ESP) 6:5.

 

In the wheelchair 8-ball division, Jouni Tahti (FIN) managed to overpower Fred Dinsmore (IRL) 5:4 in the first round match. That will encounter Tony Southern (GBR) in winner’s round 1.

 

Tomorrow, the tournament will continue at 09:00 GMT with loser’S round 1 matches from the 8-ball individuals competition.

 

Every day, one match from the events will be shown LIVE on the Facebook page of the EPBF. All Facebook users may check out the high standard of quality which is provided for all the events and see what the Kozoom members receive all the time. You can see all the matches live via www.kozoom.com who stream the whole event on 24 tables on the internet LIVE. The FB live matches are announced on the EPBF Facebook page around noon every day. Results and schedule can be found at www.europeanpoolchampionships.com so why not come and check out all the LIVE action of the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Men, Women and Wheelchair Athletes starting Saturday 18th March at 09:00h GMT.

 

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

Sparrenloev-Fischer Through to Semi-Finals

Sparrenloev-Fischer (L), Gabor Solymosi (R)

The 10-ball individuals competition at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Men, Women and Wheelchair Athletes in Albufeira, Portugal, is down to the semi-finals. Christian Sparrenloev-Fischer (SWE) booked his seat in the semis with an impressive 10:3 victory over Gabor Solymosi (HUN).

 

It was probably impossible to foresee that match as a quarterfinal encounter at the European Championships. Sparrenloev-Fischer as well as Solymosi cannot be regarded as favourites for the title. But their way today showed some impressive results over strong opponents. Fischer started his day with an 8:5 victory over Sascha Specchia (SUI). Then he went on and took down Jani Uski (FIN) 8:3. In the next round, the last 16, Fischer defeated Fabio Rizzi (FRA) who had just surprisingly ousted Mateusz Sniegocki (POL) the round before. 8:2 was the clear final result that brought Fischer into the quarterfinal match. Solymosi overpowered Danilo Cipriani (ITA) 8:2, then Daniel Kandi (DEN) 8:5 and finally Geronimo Weissenberger (GER) 8:6 for his spot in the match with Fischer. Both contestants were in good shape with Solymosi having the better start. He took first blood and lead 1:0 but then there was a long road for him without scoring. Fischer snatched the following five racks from him in a row. Solymosi could not find the key to stop Fischer. He won two more rack to make the score 3:5 in favour of Fischer. Then the Swede wasted no more time with Solymosi and won five consecutive racks in order to win the match with 10:3 after an amazing performance. In the semi-final which will be played tomorrow at 18:00, Fischer will meet Denis Grabe (EST) for a spot in the gold medal match. The other semi-final in the men’s division will be played between Marc Bijsterbosch (NED) and Francisco-Sanchez-Ruiz (ESP).

 

In the women’s division, the first semi-final will be played between Ana Gradisnik (SLO) and Oliwia Czuprynska (POL). The other semi-final is a bit more of a surprise. After the elimination of Jasmin Ouschan, Kristina Tkach was the clear favourite for the title. But she had to give in to strong Amalia Matas (ESP). Matas will encounter Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR) in the other semi-final.

 

The semi-finals in the wheelchair division will be played between Jouni Tahti (FIN) versus Roy Kimberley (GBR) and Kurt Deklerck (BEL) versus Fred Dinsmore (IRL).

 

Tomorrow, the tournament will continue at 09:00 GMT with first round matches from the 8-ball individuals competition.

 

Every day, one match from the events will be shown LIVE on the Facebook page of the EPBF. All Facebook users may check out the high standard of quality which is provided for all the events and see what the Kozoom members receive all the time. You can see all the matches live via www.kozoom.com who stream the whole event on 24 tables on the internet LIVE. The FB live matches are announced on the EPBF Facebook page around noon every day. Results and schedule can be found at www.eurotouronline.com so why not come and check out all the LIVE action of the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Men, Women and Wheelchair Athletes starting Saturday 18th March at 09:00h GMT.

 

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 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.

2014 World Cup of Pool Euro Qualifier set for Slovenia

THE EUROPEAN QUALIFYING event for the 2014 World Cup of Pool gets underway tomorrow (Tuesday) in Portoroz, Slovenia with a first round match-up against China awaiting the victors. There are eight two-man teams taking part with the winning team gaining a sport at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth where the World Cup takes place from 23rd to 28th September.
 
With a $250,000 prize fund on offer, there will be everything to play for and the European qualifiers have got a superb record of upsetting the odds in recent years. Last year, Hungary KO’d China in the first round and then Russia to reach the quarter finals and in 2011 both Switzerland and Estonia turned the form book on its head when they beat China and England respectively in the first round in Manila.
 
The Teams
 
– Macedonia (Zika Mihajlovski / Novo Serafimoski)
– Czech Republic (Roman Hybler / Michal Gavenciak)
– Belgium (Serge Das / Olivier Mortier)
– Hungary (Balasz Miko / Gabor Solymosi)
– Bosnia Herzegovina (Sanjin Pehlivanovic / Alen Muratovic)
– Norway (Mats Schjetne / Ausun-Risan Heimsjo)
– Estonia (Denis Grabe / Mark Mägi)
– Slovenia (Matjaz Eculj / Miha Sinkovec)
 
 All qualifying matches will be streamed live by Kozoom via their streaming platform. Please go to www.eurotouronline.eu or www.eurotouronline.com  and click on the logo ‘Qualifier World Cup of Pool’.
 
Commented a Matchroom Sport spokesman, “There is plenty of strength in depth in European pool and the performances of the qualifiers down the years is testament to that. “The winners will go into the main event as unknowns and will have nothing to lose and every chance of upsetting the odds!”
 
The World Cup of Pool will carry a $250,000 prize fund including $60,000 for the champions. The event will be produced by Matchroom Sport Television and televised live on Sky Sports and other stations around the world and then syndicated internationally as 31 x 1 hour programmes.
 
All tickets are priced at £5 (afternoons) and £10 evenings and are available from the venue or www.seetickets.com
 
Diamond Billiards are the Official Table of the 2014 World Cup of Pool; the Official Cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith. Predator is the Official Cue of the event.

Big guns make their move

Team Chinese Taipei

Round 2

Hungary 7-4 Russia          
Philippines 7-3 Singapore         
Chinese Taipei 7-1 Greece
 
UNFANCIED QUALIFIERS Hungary continued where they left off against China on Wednesday as they once again made light work of more exalted opposition as they put paid to Russian hopes at the 888.com World Cup of Pool by a 7-4 score line.
 
There were also wins at the York Hall for Chinese Taipei and Philippines as the big guns made their move into the quarter-finals.
 
Balazs Mikos and Gabor Solymosi looked to be enjoying every minute of it and played in the sort of relaxed manner that can count for a lot in a high pressure event like the World Cup.
 
The Hungarians got off to a fast start as they made the most of some Russian errors and although Stepanov and Chinakhov mounted a comeback it was not enough.
 
That puts the Hungarian pair in the quarter-finals where they will face the Philippines who came through unscathed against Singapore in the all-Asian clash in the top half of the draw.
 
Dennis Orcollo and Lee Vann Corteza rarely broke sweat and they appear to have plenty left in the tank for what could be an arduous weekend.
 
The Singaporean pair of Chan Keng Kwan and the teenaged Aloysius Yapp didn’t have enough firepower to cope as the Philippines eased their way into the quarter-finals where they will face the Hungarians in what could be an intriguing match-up.
 
The final round two match of the afternoon saw Chinese Taipei step up to plate and eliminate Greece from the competition with a 7-1 rout. After both teams respective first round matches, there were plenty who favoured the Greek pair of Alexander Kazakis and Nick Ekonomopoulus to carry this one off, but the Taiwanese duo showed their true colours in victory.
 
Chinese Taipei quickly put their lacklustre display against Belgium in the first round behind them as they raced into a 5-0 lead with Greece barely reaching the table. The Greeks finally had their chance in the sixth game and they ran out to get onto the scoreboard.
 
Kazakis though missed an elementary pot on the 1 ball in the next after a decent break and that gave Chang Jung-lin and Ko Pin-yi an open table from where they reached the hill. A decent break and it was all over and they can look forward to a quarter-final clash on Saturday against either England A or Italy.
 
The 2013 888.com World Cup of Pool runs from Tuesday September 17 to Sunday, September 22 at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, East London. The field features 32 teams from 31 countries in a single elimination format. The total prize fund is US$250,000 with $60,000 going to the eventual champions.
 
Play continues this evening with the final three second round matches:
 
USA v Japan
Holland v India
England A v Italy
 
For live streaming of the 888.com World Cup of Pool go to http://www.pool.livesport.tv/home
 
The 2013 World Cup of Pool runs from 17 – 22 September and takes place at the York Hall, London. For those wanting to watch the action in person, all tickets are available from www.seetickets.com (Search ‘World Cup of Pool’)

Smooth Hungary leave China reeling

Miko Balazs and Gabor Solymosi

Japan 7-4 Sweden
Hungary 7-2 China
Russia 7-5 Hong Kong

 
The 2013 888.com World Cup of Pool received its first major shock today at the York Hall in East London as European qualifiers Hungary dumped two-time World Cup champions China out of the competition with a clinical 7-2 win.
 
The Hungarian duo of Gabor Solymosi and Mikos Balazs had scrapped their way through a European qualifying event in Croatia last month, but their respective careers to date have been fairly low key.
 
On the other hand, the Chinese pair of Li Hewen and Liu Haitao, have excellent track records with Li in particular, a twice winner of this event and also a bronze and silver medallist at the World Pool Championship in 2006 and 2012 respectively.
 
However, pedigree counted for nothing as the Hungarians played flawlessly to move into a 5-0 lead. Despite the Chinese grabbing a couple of racks, to give themselves a slim chance in the winner breaks format, they could do nothing with the break and the Hungarians cruised to the win.
 
“We were really confident we could beat China,” said a delighted Balazs.
 
“They are very strong but we practiced a lot and we knew if it came together and we played well that we would win the match.
 
“We have practiced a lot together to get the feel of playing together; it was practice, practice, practice. We are very happy to get through to the second round and we can win this tournament.
 
“The tables are great, we have been practicing a lot since we arrived here to get the feel of the table and they are superb to play on.” He added.
 
In the next round they face Russia, who completed an error-strewn 7-5 win over a Hong Kong team who went to pieces in the closing stages.
 
Stepanov and Chinakhov, who have represented Russia in all but one year of this competition, opened up a 4-0 lead as Hong Kong barely got to the table. That soon became 4-3 as the Russians derailed and at 5-5, Hong Kong (Lee Chenman and Kong Bo Hong) had a chance.
 
A series of inexplicable shots though in the pressurised final stages did for the Asian pairing as Russian took the match.
 
The 2013 888.com World Cup of Pool runs from Tuesday September 17 to Sunday, September 22 at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, East London. The field features 32 teams from 31 countries in a single elimination format. The total prize fund is US$250,000 with $60,000 going to the eventual champions.
 
Play continues this evening three more first round matches:
 
USA v Kuwait
Poland v Singapore
Canada v India
 
For live streaming of the 888.com World Cup of Pool go to http://www.pool.livesport.tv/home
 
The 2013 World Cup of Pool runs from 17 – 22 September and takes place at the York Hall, London. For those wanting to watch the action in person, all tickets are available from www.seetickets.com (Search ‘World Cup of Pool’)

World Cup of Pool Announces Stellar Lineup

Star-studded line up revealed

 

WITH THE eighth running of the annual World Cup of Pool now a month away, the full line-up of players competing in the $250,000 event can be revealed. 32 pairs of players representing 31 countries will be coming to London from the 17th – 22nd September as the fabled pool and boxing venue of the York Hall plays host to one of the biggest events on the pool calendar.

 

15 of the world’s top 20 ranked players will be in attendance in what arguably is the event’s strongest line up yet. Among favourites for the title will be two-time World Cup winners China – represented by Li Hewen and Liu Haitao – and the highly dangerous Filipino pairing ofDennis Orcollo and Lee Vann Corteza.

 

Other notable duos from the Far East include the Chinese Taipei representatives, Ko Pin-yi and Chang Jung-lin, and Japan’s Naoyuki Oi and Lo Li-wen.

 

Mosconi Cup legend Johnny Archer will be partnered by Shane Van Boeing as the USA look to repeat the feat of Shane and Rodney Morris in Rotterdam in 2008 by winning the trophy for the second time.

 

English hopes come in the shape of World No.1 Darren Appleton andKarl Boyes, as well as Daryl Peach and Chris Melling. Both will be fancied to make a big impact in London.

 

Nick Van Den Berg and Niels Feijen will be carrying orange hopes on their shoulders, while veteran Ralf Souquet will be partnered by young gun Dominic Jentsch as Germany attempt to win for the second time in three years.

 

Finally, can the Finnish pair of Mika Immonen and Petri Makkonenstage a repeat of their brilliant run to the title in Manila last year?

 

Matchroom Sport chairman Barry Hearn said, “Looking at the teams for this year’s event, I reckon that at least half of them are in with a shout if the balls roll their way.

 

“However, you’d have to look at the track record of China, the sheer class of the Filipinos, the pedigree of the United States and of course the two high-quality English teams.

 

“As we’ve seen in the past though, there are always unfancied sides that emerge from the pack and make serious challenges for the title. Either way, the World Cup of Pool will be a feast for cue sports fans and with the York Hall playing host, this one should be the best yet!”

 

Each session will consist of three matches and all tickets can be obtained from Matchroom Sport’s trusted ticketing partnerhttp://www.seetickets.com/event/world-cup-of-pool/york-hall-bethnal-green/724442

 

A full list of fixtures can be found at http://www.matchroompool.com/news/article/1ehx2u6i6g7rw1siu7xurd42xg/title/world-cup-of-pool-schedule

 

The Teams

 

Europe (18)

 

1. Finland – Mika Immonen & Petri Makkonen

2. England A – Darren Appleton & Karl Boyes

3. England B – Daryl Peach & Chris Melling

4. Holland – Niels Feijen & Nick Van den Berg

5. Germany – Dominic Jentsch & Ralf Souquet

6. Greece – Nick Ekonomopoulos & Alexander Kazakis

7. Poland – Radoslaw Babica & Tomasz Kaplan

8. Austria – Albin Ouschan & Jasmin Ouschan

9. Russia – Konstantin Stepanov & Ruslan Chinakhov

10. Italy – Fabio Petroni & Bruno Muratore

11. Spain – David Alcaide & Juan Carlos Exposito

12. Sweden – Andreas Gerwen & Marcus Chamat

13. Croatia – Karlo Dalmatin & Ivica Putnik

14. Belgium – Serge Das & Moritz Lauweryns

15. Hungary – Miko Balazs & Gabor Solymosi

16. Scotland – Jayson Shaw & Jonni Fulcher

17. Qualifier 1 – TBA

18. Qualifier 2 – TBA

 

Rest of World (4)

 

19. USA – Shane Van Boening & Johnny Archer

20. Canada – Alex Pagulayan & John Morra

21. Kuwait – Omar Al Shaheen & Khaled Al Mutairi

22. Australia – James Delahunty & David Rothall

 

Asia (10)

 

23. China – Le Hewen & Liu Haitao

24. Philippines – Lee Van Corteza & Dennis Orcollo

25. Taiwan – Chang Jung-lin & Ko Pin-yi

26. India – Raj Hundal & Amar Kang

27. Japan – Naoyuki Oi & Lo Li-wen

28. Korea – Ryu Sueng Woo & Ham Won Sik

29. Indonesia – Ricky Yang & Irsal Nasution

30. Malaysia – Alan Tan & Ibrahim Bin Amir

31. Singapore – Aloysius Yapp & Chan Keng Kwang

32. Hong Kong – Lee Chenman & Kong Bu Hong

 

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The 2013 World Cup of Pool Masters is delighted to work with our valued suppliers – Official Cloth: Iwan Simonis; Official Balls: Super Aramith; Official Cue: Predator.

World Cup of Pool – Teams announced for international team showdown

THE PARTYPOKER.NET World Cup of Pool will be making a welcome return to the Manila next month as pocket billiards’ premier international team event takes place for the seventh time. Scheduled to run from Tuesday 4th to Sunday 9th September, the World Cup will be at its 2010 venue at Robinsons Place Mall in Ermita.
 
There are a total of 32 teams competing with 31 nations represented – host nation the Philippines has two sides in the event. The defending champions are Germany as Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann attempt to become the first team ever to retain the title.
 
Once again the total prize fund is US$250,000 with $60,000 going to the eventual champions. Tickets for the extravaganza will be available at the venue on the day of play but with plentiful balconies offering superb views of the playing arena, organisers are anticipating crowds in the thousands rather than hundreds.
 
This year’s teams are:
 
Europe (15 teams)
 
Austria (12) – Albin Ouschan & Mario He
Belgium – Serge Das & Cliff Castelmein
Croatia – Karlo Dalmatin & Philipp Stojanovic
England (3) – Chris Melling & Darren Appleton
Finland (16) – Mika Immonen & Petri Makkonen
Germany (1) – Ralf Souquet & Thorsten Hohmann
Holland (7) – Nick Van den Berg & Huidji See  
Hungary – Miko Balázs & Gabor Solymosi
Italy (15) – Bruno Muratore & Fabio Petroni
Poland (10) – Karol Skowerski & Wojciech Szewcyk
Russia – Konstantin Stepanov & Vitaly Pavlukhin
Serbia – Andrea Klasovic & Zoran Svilar
Spain (13) – David Alcaide & Francisco Diaz Pizarro
Sweden – Marcus Chamat & Andreas Gerwen
Switzerland – Dimitri Jungo & Ronni Regli
 
Asia (13 teams)
 
China (4) – Liu Haitao & Lee Hewen
Chinese Taipei (6) – Han En Hsu & Hsin Ting Chen
Hong Kong – Lee Chenman & Kenny Kwok
India – Raj Hundal & Amar Kang
Indonesia – Roy Apancho & Muhammad Bewi Simanjuntak
Japan (11) – Naoyuki Oi & Satoshi Kawabata           
Korea – Ryu Seung Woo & Lee Wan Su
Malaysia – Patrick Ooi Fook Yuen & Ibrahim Bin Amir
Philippines A (2) – Dennis Orcollo & Lee Vann Corteza
Philippines B (8) – Efren Reyes & Francisco Bustamante
Singapore – Aloysius Yapp & Chan Keng Kwang
Thailand (14) – Nitiwat Kanjanasri & Kobkit Palajin
Vietnam – Nguyen Anh Tuan & Do The Kien
 
Rest of the World (4 teams)
 
Australia – Dave Reljic & Ian Barber
Canada (9) – Alex Pagulayan & John Morra
Kuwait – Abdullah Al Yousef & Omar Al Shaheen
USA (5) – Shane Van Boening & Rodney Morris
 
*Seeding in brackets
 
 
The 2012 World Cup of Pool is sponsored by PartyPoker.net, the world’s leading online poker school. Cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis, Super Aramith balls by Saluc, tables by Diamond Billiards and the Official Cue is Predator.
 
Luke Riches, Matchroom Sport: luke.riches@matchroom.com  +44 7785 395688  www.matchroompool.com
 
Notes: Matchroom Sport are one of the world’s leading producers of televised sport and are responsible for over 1,000 hours of original programming across a range of sports. Based in the UK and chaired by charismatic founder Barry Hearn, the World Cup of Pool is one of a stable of pool events that include the World Pool Masters and the Mosconi Cup.

Team Hungary and Team Serbia qualify for World Cup

Andrea Klasovic, Gabor Solymosi, Zoran Svilar and Balázs Miko

After the Dynamic Euro-Tour in St. Johann, Austria, the EPBF hosted a qualifier for two spots for this year’s Party Poker World Cup of Pool. The Party Poker World Cup  of Pool will be played in Manila, Philippines,  September 4th through 9th It will be organized by MatchroomSport. The World Cup of Pool will be aired live in the Philippines on Solar Sports from September 4 to 9.  Matchroom Sport will also produce 31 x one-hour highlights programmes, which will be broadcast around the world.

The heat was on in the Ballazzo Billiard Bar in St. Johann when the teams from Serbia, Estonia, Denmark, Hungary, Greece, Ireland,  Norway and Slovenia fought for  the remaining two spots.  The format was a scotch double with two players per team, playing 9-ball race to 8, winner breaks.  After the preliminaries were done, the two final matches were Serbia v Denmark and Greece v Hungary.

Serbia, represented  by Andrea Klasovic and Zoran Svilar had to deal with the Danish player Bahram Lotfy and veteran Peter F. Nielsen. After 13 racks, team Denmark was on the hill and Nielsen had an easy shot on the 8-ball in order to finish the Serbsand get his ticket to Manila when he missed that shot. What a shock for the Danes. Lotfy could hardly believe what he saw.  And as always in these situations, mistakes like this are cruelly punished. Serbia won this rack and tied the match hill-hill at 7:7 and ran out the next rack. The disappointment in the Danish camp was as large as the joy was for team Serbia who have not believed to make it to the Party Poker World Cup of Pool anymore.

In the second semi-final, Greece was the favorite team with Alexander Kazakis and the man who just won the Euro-Tour a day ago,  Nikos Ekonomopoulos.  Their opponent, team Hungary,  consisted of  Balázs Miko and Gabor Solymosi.  Also this matchup was close and surprisingly, the Hungarians took an early lead and ran away with 4:1. Then the Greek came back and even overtook the Hungarians. It looked like the Greeks would be on their way to Manila but obviously, they should not have reckoned without their host. Team Hungary was far from giving in and with a strong performance; they crossed the finish line first winning 8:6 over the favoured Greeks.

The two teams will join their fellow contestants from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, Finland, Germany, Holland, Italy, Poland, Russia,  Spain, Sweden  and Switzerland. The main event will carry 250.00,- US$ in prize money and will be staged at Robinson’s Place in Manila, Philippines. Further details can be viewed  at the official event website http://www.matchroompool.com/page/WorldCupofPool/Home

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