Cerimagic waving the flag for Bosnia & Hercegovina
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: In a one-sided match, Werner Scheu (AUT) defeated Johny Vanrijkel (BEL) with 7:0.
Johny Vanrijkel is known to the European Pool scene for three reasons: (1) he is an international EPBF referee; (2) he is running one of the most successful pool schools in Europe which created and supports talents like Serge Das, Kamila Khodjaeva and Kurt Deklerck; and (3) he is a great player in the senior's division. Combining all the factors one must say that Vanrijkel is an interesting draw to receive in the quarter-finals of the 8-ball discipline. Vanrijkel made his way straight to this match, winning clashes with Rado Doroslovac (SLO) 7:5, Marko Hartikainen (FIN) 7:5, Sascha Manojlovic (SUI) 7:4 and Frank Willner (GER) with 7:5. His opponent, unheralded Werner Scheu (AUT), made it to the quarter-final with victories over Jorgen Nilsen (NOR) 7:2, Maciej Trudnowski (POL) 7:4, Kim Uytenbogaardt (NED) 7:5 and Martin Schwab (GER) 7:5. So both players were undefeated in 8-ball by the time they crossed swords.
But the match turned out into a catastrophe for Vanrijkel. Nothing seemed to work his way while Scheu played rock solid. Maybe Vanrijkel was still exhausted from the match he had played in the round before. He had no break while Scheu had some time to recover from his previous encounter. As the match went along, Scheu did not allow Vanrijkel to find his way into the game at all. He taught him a tough lesson, handing him a doughnut with 7:0.
Other notable results include Tom Storm (SWE) smashing Gijs Van Helmond (NED) 7:2 and booking his seat in the semi-final of the the 8-ball competition. Storm will meet local star Dino Cerimagic (BIH) who surprisingly powered past Henrique Correia (POR) by a whisker with 7:6.
The semi-finals will be played at 18:00 CET with the finals to follow at approximately 20:00 CET.
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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: It looks as if no-one is able to stop Tom Storm (SWE) at the Dynamic Billard EPBF European Championships for Seniors and Ladies.
His latest victim was Martin Schwab (GER). In 25 (!) minutes, Storm eliminated Schwab with 75:3 in three innings. Storm plays so dominant that his opponents do not seem to have any remedy against him. When asked after the match about his good shape he replied: "Actually, I stopped playing three years ago. I started playing again earlier this year. It's like riding a bicycle, you know. You learn it once and never forget how to do it". He is obviously one of Europe's most talented and gifted players. Other players need a lot of practice and are still not able to come up with anything like Storm's performance. It will be very interesting to see whether he will be able to continue on this extremely high level.
Other notable results from the round of the last 16 players include Marko Hartikainen (FIN) ending Giorgio Margola's (ITA) hopes for a medal in straight pool with 75:12. Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER) won against Henrique Correia (POR) with 75:49. Gijs Van Helmond's (NED) straight pool experience was terminated by Manuel Pereira (POR) with 75:37.
The quarter-finals brought the following matches and results
This leaves us with Tom Storm playing Kim Uytenbogaardt and Reiner Wirbsbitzski playing Manuel Pereira on Monday. The semi-finals will be played Monday at 18:00 CET with the final match to follow right after them.
The tournament will be streamed LIVE on up to 20 tables at www.kozoom.com/en/pool-billiard/
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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: The biggest surprise of the tournament so far! Kim Uytenbogaardt (NED) overcame favored Tom Storm (SWE) in the semi-final of the senior's straight pool division with 75:70.
The odds were all on Storm. His performance in the straight pool competition has been second to none so far. HIs opponent has also won all his matches but by far not as spectacular as Storm did. So no wonder, everyone expected a clear run for Storm. But Uytenbogaardt did not agree with that. The Dutch senior player never gave up. In the early stage of the match, Storm ran away as expected. He missed a ball at 15:0 but Uytenbogaardt could not capitalize from it. He only made a few points before he allowed Storm back in. As the match went on, Storm took a comfortable 54:15 lead and things looked like a walk in the park for him. But two things happened unexpectedly. Storm missed easy shots and took the wrong decisions at times. When the time for a safety shot was there, he decided to go for it. This , plus an Uytenbogaardt who always believed in himself and stayed calm lead to a situation where Storm missed a ball being in the lead with 70:53. The pressure for the Dutch was unbelievably high. But he managed it and controlled his nerves, pocketing 22 balls and winning the match with 75:70.
In the other semi-final, Manuel Pereira (POR) remained victorious over Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER) 75:52.
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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
