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Predator Euro Tour Women – Down To The Final Four In Treviso

Kristina Zlateva

The second event of the year on the Predator Euro Tour Women is well  underway at the BHR Treviso Hotel in Italy as 46 of Europe’s finest female players contest the Treviso Open. With just two rounds of play  completed on the opening day of the competition (Saturday), the full  field resumed on Sunday morning.

Following a solid day’s play consisting of six rounds, the field reduced  down to the final four who will be contesting the semi-finals on Monday.

It was Swedish veteran Louise Furberg who was first into the semi-finals  as she enjoyed a fine win over Veronika Hubrtova (Czech). It was yet another solid victory for Furberg who, whilst not a regular on the tour  of late, showed what a danger she can be.

Kristina Zlateva of Bulgaria was the next player to make her way into  the last four as she disposed of Oliwia Zalewska 7-1. The ever-dangerous Zlateva, who recently competed in the WPA World 9 Ball Championship,  will be tough to beat as the tournament enters the business end.

No.9 ranked player Sara Rocha (Portugal) booked a semi-final meeting  with Furberg as she got the better of Diana Stateczny (Germany) by a 7-2 scoreline. The final semi-final spot was taken by Ana Gradisnik, the  Slovenian European No.1. She will face Zlateva in what will be a  hard-fought contest.

With the semi-final line-up set, play resumes at 10.00 on Monday morning with the championship match scheduled for 12 midday.

All Predator Euro Tour Women tournaments are 9-ball and the field  contest a double-elimination format, playing down to the last 16 competitors, and then single elimination until the finish. All matches  are a race to 7 racks with alternate break.

All the matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com
Results, live scoring and draw are available at www.epbf.com

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Czuprynska Victorious at Predator Klagenfurt Open 2019

Oliwia Czuprynska

Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) has won the Predator Klagenfurt Open 2019 with a 7:5 victory over Marharyta Fefilava (BLR) in the final match.
 
Probably the biggest surprise of the day were the results of the semi-final matches. Both favourites have not lived up to their expectations and were eliminated by their respective opponents. Ranking leader Kristina Tkach (RUS) lost 3:7 to Fefilava while hometown hero Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) was defeated with 6:7 by Czuprynska after the fell out of position on the 7-ball in the deciding rack. So the final match between Czuprynska and Fefilava was everything but expected. Czuprynska started very strong in the final match. She forced a foul shot on Fefilava and cleared the rack to get to a 1:0 lead. Rack 2 was then taken by Fefilava after Czuprynska came up with a poor safety shot. The next rack went almost alike but with the better outcome for Czuprynska this time. after three racks played, Czuprynska had a 2:1 lead over Fefilava. In rack 4, Czuprynska committed the first mistake which was used by Fefilava to snatch the rack again to get to 2:2. Both contestants performed at a very high level in that stage of the match. In rack five however, Czuprynska again committed an unforced error which indicated that her focus was not 100% perfect anymore. Maybe the victory over Ouschan one round earlier took too much power out of her. While Czuprynska showed some weakness, Fefilava stayed in the zone and got a slight advantage over the Polish. But she could not capitalise from Czuprynska’s mistakes and consequently, Czuprynska took another point into her account and led the match with 3:2. In rack six, Czuprynska was almost there when she dogged the 7-ball and gave the rock away to Fefilava. Instead of leading 4:2 the match was now again tied at 3:3. Whatever happened after that rack, it was not to Fefilava’s liking. The Polish dominated the match completely and ran away with 6:3 after nine racks, being on the hill. But Fefilava did not want to let go her chance to win this event. She pulled two racks back from Czuprynska to get to 5:6 and then went for her time-out. After that, Czuprynska still stood tall and won the next rack which brought her the match and the victory of the tournament. „I just got married last week“, stated Czuprynska after the final, „maybe that gave me extra strength and made me play better“ Czuprynska added with a smile.
 
Top Eight Finishers
 
1. Oliwia Czuprynska POL
2. Marharyta Fefilava BLR
3. Kristina Tkach RUS
    Jasmin Ouschan AUT
5. Louise Furberg SWE
    Ana Gradisnik SLO
    Kristina Zlateva BUL
    Melanie Suessenguth GER
 
That concludes the coverage of the Predator Klagenfurt Open 2019.
 
The Predator Klagenfurt Open were played in the Sportpark Klagenfurt Arena in Klagenfurt, Austria, on up to 20 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.

Defending European Champions Given A Hard Time In 8-Ball

Patsura, Franco, Himpe and Lotfy (clockwise)

Today the European Championship 8-ball competition was in full swing. Men, Women, Under 23 and Wheelchair athletes demonstrated their shotmaking and tactical skills on the battlefield of slate.
 
In the men’s division, defending Champion Bahram Lotfy (DEN) unexpectedly lost his opening match to Sebastian Staab (GER) 7:8. That brought him to the loser’s side straight away where he needed to win in order to get his ticket for the single elimination of the last 64 players. Lotfy encountered Marios Artemiou (CYP) and it did not take much off him to win this match with 8:1. Then in the single elimination, Lotfy was drawn against Konstantin Stepanov (RUS). That match started out quite even but Lotfy capitalised from his break shot while Stepanov was struggling to make a ball when it was his turn to open the rack. In the end, Lotfy remained victorious with 8:3 and will now face Karol Skowerski (POL) tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET in the next round. Other exciting matches in that round will be the clash between Eklent Kaci (ALB) and Thorsten Hohmann (GER) and the match with Mieszko Fortunski (POL) and Fedor Gorst (RUS), just to name a few.
 
In the women’s 8-ball, Vania Franco (POR) showed some attractive performance in order to make it to the single elimination stage. After having lost her first match 2:6 to Ewa Bak (POL), Franco went over to the loser’s side where she met Louise Furberg (SWE). The experienced player from Sweden had no chance against Franco who prevailed with 6:2. Then, Franco advanced and took down Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR) in a thrilling combat with 6:5. Right after that match, the Portuguese had to deal with yesterday’s surprise winner, Christine Feldmann (SUI). That match really took an unexpected turn since it was Franco to dominated the match from start to finish. Feldmann did not have the slightest chance and Franco demolished her with 6:1 in the end. In the single elimination stage of the last 16 players, Vania Franco will encounter Eylul Kibaroglu (TUR).
 
In the under 23 division, defending Champion Casper Matikainen (FIN) is straight on track. After having won a silver medal in the men’s 10-ball last night against Mieszko Fortunski (POL), Matikainen had his first matches in the Under 23’s division. He wasted no time and defeated Josef Nechvile (CZE) 8:1 and Daniel Lang (SVK) 8:4 to book his seat in the quarter-finals already. He will be joined there by Vitaliy Patsura (UKR), Pijus Labutis (LTU) and Jan Van Lierop (NED) who are also through to the single elimination over the winner’s side. The quarter-finals in 8-ball will be played tomorrow afternoon at 16:00 CET.
 
In the wheelchair division, the biggest of all upsets possible did happen. Unheralded David Himpe (BEL) handed a whitewash to defending Champion Jouni Tahti (FIN), defeating the Finish with 5:0. In the next round, Himpe had to give in 4:5 to another underdog, Leszek Blumczynski (POL) with 4:5. Tahti needs to overcome Kurt Deklerck (BEL) for his spot in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
 
The Dynamic Billard European Championships 2019 for men, women, U23 and wheelchair athletes will commence tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches in the 8-ball individuals competition Men and Women.
 
The Championships are 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 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 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 visit us on Facebook for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

Czuprynska Takes Her First Women’s Euro-Tour Title

Oliwia Czuprynska

Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) just won the Dynamic Billard Treviso Open Women’s Euro-Tour event with a convincing 7:2 victory over Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR) in the final match.

 

Czuprynska had the better roll of the balls in the final. Leading 3:2, she missed an 8-ball but the cue ball went snookered behind the 9-ball, leaving no shot for her opponent. Polovinchuk tried to hit the 8-ball over one rail and succeeded in doing so but the cue ball scratched in the side pocket. That brought Czuprynska to 4:2. Later on in the match, Czuprynska grew stronger while Polovinchuk obviously seemed to struggle to get going. Whatever the Ukrainian tried, she could not come up with something to put into her account. Trailing 2:5, Polovinchuk tried a kiss shot off the 1-ball and pocket the 9-ball. She did not make it; to the contrary, she left the 9-ball having over the pocket for Czuprynska who accepted the gift and went on the hill with a 6:2 lead. The final rack again was determined by the strong play of Czuprynska who finally pocketed the final 9-ball and won the match and the tournament with 7:2.

 

"I am so happy", stated Czuprynska, "this is my first victory in a Women’s Euro-Tour event. I am now looking forward to making it to the World Championships again and maybe finish with a 9th place or better", added Czuprynska.

 

Earlier today, Polovinchuk took care of two major upsets in the event. She ousted former Champion Monica Webb (USA) with 7:5 in the loser’s qualification round. Then she went on and defeated European star player Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) with 7:6 in the round of the last 16 players. In the quarter-finals, Polovinchuk took care of Kristina Tkach.

 

Top Eight Finishers Dynamic Billard Treviso Open 2015 Women’s Euro-Tour

1. Oliwia Czuprynska (POL)

2. Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR)

3. Ina Kaplan (GER)
Marika Poikkijoki (FIN)

5. Sara Rocha (POR)
Kristina Tkach (RUS)
Sandra Baumgartner (AUT)
Line Kjoersvik (NOR)

 

Top Ten ranked players in the Women’s Euro-Tour rankings:

1. Nataliya Seroshtan 2220 pts

2. Sandra Baumgartner AUT 1900 pts
3. Caroline Roos SWE 1880 pts

4. Jennifer Vietz 1745 pts

5. Louise Furberg SWE 1740 pts

6. Veronika Ivanovskaia GER 1730 pts

7. Ine Helvik NOR 1680 pts

8. Ana Mazhirina RUS 1670 pts

9. Melanie Suessenguth GER 1645 pts

10. Barbara Bolfelli ITA 1630 pts

 

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 womeneurotouronline.com , or contact our press office.

Monica Webb takes the title in the Women’s Euro-Tour

Monica Webb

Monica Webb (USA) just won the Dynamic Billard Austrian Open Women Euro-Tour event in beautiful St. Johann/Pg., Austria, with a convincing 7:3 victory over favored hometown hero Jasmin Ouschan (AUT).
 
It has been Webb’s tournament from the very beginning. She played great throughout the whole event. Results like 7:4 over #2 ranked player Ana Mazhirina (RUS), 7:3 over #5 ranked Ina Kaplan (GER), 7:2 over multiple European and World Champion Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) and 7:3 against another multiple European and World Champion Jasmin Ouschan in the final demonstrated her domination in this event. Although being handicapped with a foot in plaster she performed better than ever in Europe. „I felt great in this event“, stated Webb after the match. „I have practiced a lot during the last months and I think it is paying off now“. When asked about her plans for the future, she answered with a smile: „I will definitely continue playing the Euro-Tour“.
 
Jasmin Ouschan’s way into the final was also quite impressive. Two victories over Kamila Khodjaeva (BEL) with 7:3 and 7:5 and a 7:2 victory over Line Kjoersvik (NOR) are among the impressive results from Ouschan.
 
The final match however was not Ouschan’s. She committed too many mistakes which was very unusual for Ouschan. For example, she left the 9-ball hanging over the pocket and missed several easy shots. Maybe the pressure to win on home soil is too big on her. However, her opponent benefitted from these mistakes. „I think I also had some luck in the right moments“, commented Webb modestly. But luck belongs to any sports and her performance here did not have too much to do with luck. She was simply better than the rest of the field. She is a very modest person and her victory is absolutely deserved.
 
 
 
Top 8 finishers Men’s Dynamic Billard Austrian Open 2014
 
Monica Webb (USA)
Jasmin Ouschan (AUT)
Line Kjörsvik (NOR)
Veronika Ivanovskaia (GER)
Ana Mazhirina (RUS)
Claudia Kunz (SUI)
Kamila Khodjaeva (BEL)
Oliwia Czuprynska (POL)
 
Top Ten players Euro-Tour ranking
 
Jasmin Ouschan (AUT)
Ana Mazhirina (RUS)
Caroline Roos (SWE)
Martine Christiansen (NOR)
Ina Kaplan (GER)
Jennifer Vietz (GER)
Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS)
Louise Furberg (SWE)
Sandra Baumgartner (AUT)
Ine Helvik (NOR)
This concludes the coverage from Alpina Wellness and Sports Hotel in Alpendorf, St. Johann/Pg., Austria. All results and more info can be found online at www.eurotourwomenonline.eu .
 
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 websitewww.epbf.com or contact the press office press@epbf.com.

Souquet and Ouschan win the Dynamic Billard North Cyprus Open

Ralf Souquet and Jasmin Ouschan

Ralf Souquet (GER) and Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) have won the titles at the Dynamic Billard North Cyprus Open Euro-Tour.
 
In the men’s division, Ralf Souquet played at his best. He took down great names like Ivo Aarts (NED) 9:0, Imran Majid (GBR) 9:3, Mieszko Fortunski (POL) 9:3 and in the final match Karl Boyes (GBR) with 9:4. The final match was dominated by Souquet from start to finish. A bit scrappy in the beginning, Souquet turned out to have the far better break shot than Boyes. He pocketed almost every time a ball on his break and ran out 4 racks without even allowing Boyes into the table. The Brit however had to struggle with his break shot. Most of the time, he came up dry with no ball down or not enough balls crossing the kitchen line. This situation was taken advantage of by Souquet without any mercy. The BCA Hall of Famer played up to his standard and rightfully took the final match with 9:4. "I did not have the best two weeks before at the European Championships", stated Souquet after the match. "I won a bronze Medal in 9-Ball and one in the team competition. Normally, I am aiming for more", he added. "I am happy that I found my game in the Euro-Tour and that I was able to perform on that level", mentioned the likable German.
 
The first 8 players in the men’s division were:
 
1. Ralf Souquet (GER)
 
2. Karl Boyes (GBR)
 
3. Chris Melling (GBR)
Mieszko Fortunski (POL)
 
5. Phil Burford (GBR)
Imran Majid (GBR)
Francisco Diaz-Pizarro (ESP)
Serge Das (BEL)
 
The Top Ten men in the Euro-Tour rankings are:
 
1. Nick Van Den Berg (NED)
 
2 .Niels Feijen (NED)
 
3. Phil Burford (GBR)
 
4. Karol Skowerski (POL)
 
5. Tomasz Kaplan (POL)
 
6. Mateusz Sniegocki (POL)
 
7. Albin Ouschan (AUT)
 
8. Konstantin Stepanov (RUS)
 
9. Mark Gray (GBR)
 
10. Chris Melling (GBR)
 
These new rankings after the Dynamic Billard North Cyprus Open determine the European participants for the Men’s World 9-Ball Championships in Qatar later this year. Nominated through the WPA rankings will be: Thorsten Hohmann (GER), Karl Boyes (GBR), Mika Immonen (FIN), Nick Ekonomopoulos (GRE), Darren Appleton (GBR), Chris Melling (GBR), Niels Feijen (GER), Ralf Souquet (GER) and Huidji See. Nominated through the European Championships will be: Jürgen Jenisy (AUT), Albin Ouschan (AUT), Mateusz Sniegocki (POL), Konstantin Stepanov (RUS) and Michel Barthol (CRO). Nominated through the Euro-Tour rankings will be: Nick Van Den Berg (NED), Phil Burford (GBR), Karol Skowerski (POL), Tomasz Kaplan (POL), Mark Gray (GBR), Daryl Peach (GBR), Radoslaw Babica (POL), Stephan Cohen (FRA), Mieszko Fortunski (POL), Alex Kazakis (GRE), Imran Majid (GBR), Andreas Gerwen (SWE), Ivo Aarts (NED), Mario He (AUT), Petri Makkonen (FIN), Manuel Gama (POR), Artem Koshovyi (UKR) and Bruno Muratore (ITA). Nominated through the European Senior Championships will be: Tom Strom (SWE).
 
These names are subject to confirmation by the EPBF.
 
In the women’s final, Jasmin Ouschan demonstrated her superiority over all other players. In a total of six matches, she only lost seven (7!) individual racks! She defeated Katrine Feijen (DEN) 7:1, Monika Margeta (SWE) 7:1, Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL) 7:1, Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) 7:3, Monica Webb (USA) 7:1 and Kristina Tkach (RUS) in the final match even with 7:0. "I always try and play my best game", said Ouschan after the match. "This time, I was really feeling good and I think that was the reason why I could perform with my best game".
 
The first 8 players in the women’s division were:
 
1. Jasmin Ouschan (AUT)
 
2. Kristina Tkach (RUS)
 
3. Monica Webb (USA)
Ana Gradisnik (SLO)
 
5. Caroline Roos (SWE)
Kristina Zlateva (BUL)
Claudia Kunz (SUI)
Oliwia Czuprynska (POL)
 
The Top Ten women in the Euro-Tour rankings are:
 
1. Jasmin Ouschan (AUT)
 
2. Anna Mazhirina (RUS)
 
3. Caroline Roos (SWE)
 
4. Martine Christiansen (NOR)
 
5. Ina Kaplan (GER)
 
6. Jennifer Vietz (GER)
 
7. Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS)
 
8. Louise Furberg (SWE)
 
9. Sandra Baumgartner (AUT)
 
10. Ine Helvik (NOR)
 
That concludes the coverage of the Dynamic Billard North Cyprus Open Euro-Tour for Men and Women.
 
All results and more info can be found on www.eurotouronline.eu . Videos of the event can be viewed by premium members at www.kozoom.com.
 
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.eurotouronline.eu or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

“Black Widow” Camp announced

CAMBY, IN. — Aspiring young pool players will be offered a rare opportunity to learn from, and interact with, some of the game’s legends at the inaugural Black Widow Junior’s Camp, former world champion Jeanette Lee announced today.

The camp, which will be held July 29-31 at Bradford Woods, an educational nature facility in central Indiana, will feature instruction both on and off the table by Lee and a group of professionals like Johnny Archer, Allison Fisher, Nick Varner, Karen Corr, Shane Van Boening, Vivian Villarreal and more.
 

“Our future champions need and want our guidance and friendship,” said Ms.Lee, who established the Black Widow Foundation in order to develop programs like the Black Widow Junior’s Camp. “Students will have the opportunity to interact and bond with other players with similar interests and skill levels. They will also experience first hand the skill and dedication of the professional players.”

The Black Widow Junior’s Camp is designed to bridge the gap between accomplished junior players (age 14-18, with intermediate-to-advanced skill) and professionals. Class sessions will be short, designed to hold the interest of the students, allowing for maximum on-table instruction and demonstration. In addition to on-table instruction, campers will be offered short classes on marketing, public relations, nutrition and fitness, and career planning.

The program will feature core curriculum as well as electives, allowing for an experience that can be tailored to the specific needs and interests of individual campers.


The cost is $1,000 per student, which includes instruction, activities, lodging, all meals, snacks, prizes and 24-hour chaperones.

For more information on the Black Widow Junior’s Camp, go to http://blackwidowfoundation.org/, or call 317-455-3381.
 
About the Black Widow Foundation
The Black Widow Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable foundation, established in 2013. The BWF is committed to the positive development of personal character and leadership skill sets of aspiring youth amateur and professional billiard players, as well as supporting the positive development of atrisk youth and individuals facing difficult life challenges.

About Jeanette Lee
Jeanette Lee, known throughout the world as “The Black Widow,” has enjoyed one of the most illustrious careers in billiards history. Formerly ranked the No. 1 player in the world, Ms. Lee has won more than 30 national and international titles. She is also a member of both the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame (2013) and the Women’s Professional Billiard Association Hall of Fame (2012), and has been ranked among the industry’s most recognizable and influential people by Billiards Digest.

 

10-Ball titles for Wesolowska, Dinsmore and Alcaide

from L. to R: K. Wesolowska, F. Dinsmore and D. Alcaide

The 10-Ball titles at the 2014 Dynamic Billard European Championships have been awarded. In the women’s division, Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL) took the title over Ina Kaplan (GER). Fred Dinsmore (IRE) took the title in the wheelchair division over Roy Kimberley (GBR). In the men’s division, David Alcaide (ESP) collected the title with a victory over Ivo Aarts (NED) in the final match.
 
After she had already taken the bronze medal in the straight pool two days ago, Katarzyna Wesolowska was on a mission. The defending Champion, her teammate Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) lost her quarter-final match against Kristina Zlateva (BUL) with 2:6. That’s when she knew she had to stay in the competition to hold her home nation’s flag high. And she did that with style. Her way into the final match led her over Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS) with 6:4, Vania Franco (POR) with 6:1, Silvia Gaudino (ITA) 6:2. Then she had to face a strong opponent in Line Kjoersvik (NOR). However, she did not allow Kjoersvik to get into gear at all. 6:1 was the final result in Wesolowska’s favor. In the semi-final, she dealt with Marika Poikkijoki (FIN) 6:4. That brought her into the final match against Ina Kaplan. The German started her day with a 6:4 victory over favored Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) which gave her a lot of wind underneath her sails. She continued with a hill-hill arch against her teammate Kristina Schagan (GER). Schagan had beaten her in the preliminary rounds so she was up for some revenge. And she took it. 6:5 was the result in favor of Kaplan. After that, she made short work of Louise Furberg (SWE) and defeated her 6:1 in the semi-final. The final match was a „one-woman-show“ most of the time. Wesolowska took a 3:1 and 4:2 lead over Kaplan and the German could not find any way to stop the Polish from collecting rack after rack. With two more racks, Wesolowska won the match 6:4 and the Championship title.
 
In the wheelchair division, defending Champion Kurt Deklerck (BEL) was dethroned in the quarter-finals with a 4:6 defeat against Tony Southern (GBR). The British went on against his teammate Roy Kimberley (GBR) in the semi-final match which was taken by a hair’s breadth with 6:5 by Kimberly. In the lower part of the draw, Fred Dinsmore dealt with Henrik Larsson (SWE) 6:5 and Aslam Abubaker (GBR) 6:4. The final match provided no challenge for Dinsmore. He ruled at all times and won deserved with 6:0.
 
David Alcaide’s first step to glory was his match with Daryl Peach (GBR) in the round of the final 32 men. Peach had earlier defeated defending Champion Mateusz Sniegocki (POL) and is known to be a fierce opponent. However, Alcaide was better and won this match with 8:3. He then took the victory over Artem Koshovyi (UKR) 8:5. His counterpart in the quarter-final was none other than Nick Van Den Berg (NED). Alcaide managed to get the better of the Dutch and won with 8:6 to meet Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) in the semi-final. There, he was quite „lucky“ according to his own estimation and he won again 8:6.
 
The other finalist, Ivo Aarts, also had a tough draw today. He defeated Roger Rasmussen (NOR) 8:6 to meet his teammate, „The Terminator“ Niels Feijen (NED). Today, Aarts was the better player and rightfully went one step ahead into the semi-final, defeating Feijen with 8:4. In the semis, Aarts took care of Petri Makkonen (FIN) with a clear 8:3 result. The final match between Alcaide and Aarts was a bit a clash of the generations. Alcaide representing the more experienced generation and Aarts being a part of the „young orange“ team provided a great show in the final. However, Alcaide had the better run of the balls and took the Championship with an 8:4 victory over Aarts.

Defending Champions Van den Berg and Ouschan on their way

The day started rather stormy. The sea which is normally inviting the people for a nice swim was rough and capricious. Maybe that was a presage for today’s straight pool matches. 95 men and 45 women had taken up the challenge to see who will wear the crown in European straight pool in 2014. Defending Champions were Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) and Nick Van Den Berg (NED) and they knew that it will not be an easy task to claim the title again this year.

Van den Berg had a tough opening match against Daniele Corrieri (ITA). The Italian stood out at recent Euro-Tours by always making it to the final stages of the event. So the match was expected to be a tough fight… and it was! Van den Berg made a mistake at 4:0 and allowed Corrieri to enter the table with a clear shot. The Italian thanked him and made 56 balls. Racing to 100 points, that was more than half the points he needed for the victory. Then, van den Berg ran 28 balls but allowed Corrieri again back to the table with a shot. It looked like Corrieri would run the match but he scratched at 74:32 and allowed van den Berg to the table with ball in hand. That was all the Champion needed to send out a signal. He ran the needed 68 balls without allowing Corrieri back to the table. 100:74 was the final result in favor of van den Berg. Corrieri obviously lost too much energy in this match. He lost the next straight match to unheralded Dino Cerimagic (BIH) with 79:100. Van den Berg got Jürgen Jenisy (AUT) in the single elimination round of the final 64 players. Again, things did not look too bright for him in the beginning of the match. In fact, he was trailing 54:99 when Jenisy made a mistake. That brought van den Berg back into the match and woke his killer instinct. He did not allow his opponent any more clear shot in that match; to the contrary, Jenisy only managed to commit two more fouls while van den Berg was able to decide the match in his favor. 125:97 was the final result that puts van den Berg one round further where he will face Aki Heiskanen (FIN) while Jenisy will have to settle for 33rd place.

Niels Feijen (NED), van den Berg’s teammate, did not have a good start. He played Jakub Koniar (SVK) in the winner’s qualification round and was leading 92:78 when he made a mistake. Koniar kept calm and pocketed ball after ball, sending favored Feijen to the one-loss side.

Even BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet (GER) could not get through this day unwounded. He lost to David Alcaide (ESP) with 1:100 with Alcaide running 101 balls on him.

As the tournament went on, more tight matches came around. Nicolas Ottermann (GER) just managed to win over Murat Teker (TUR) with 100:96 and get to the single elimination stage of the final 64 players.

In the single elimination, Albin Ouschan (AUT) set a new record for the event. The race was raised to 125 points. Ouschan used only one (1!) inning to win over Mindaugas Salkauskas (LIT) with 125:0. That was an exclamation mark set by Ouschan. Aki Heiskanen (FIN) ended Chris Melling’s hopes for a straight pool title, eliminating him with 125:50. Another big name fell in the first single elimination round. Ralf Souquet (GER) got ousted by Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz with125:77. However, Sanchez’ journey ended in the next round when he unexpectedly fell to Christian Sparrenloev-Fischer (SWE) with 95:125.

The results in the men’s division prove the high standard of the event. One mistake is very often enough to decide a whole match.
 

In the women’s division, tight matches could be found very often. Kynthia Orfanidis (NED) had to give her first round match away to Sara Rocha (POR) with 74:75. The same result was final for Ina Kaplan (GER) in her match with Oliwia Czuprynska (POL). Kaplan was leading 74:68, being at the table with a complicated but possible layout. She needed one more ball to win the match. The cue ball was lying in a cluster but a shot at an object ball in the side pocket was possible. Kaplan missed that shot and left an open table for Czuprynska. The young Polish went to the table and pocketed the remaining balls, sending Kaplan to the loser’s side with 75:74. There, Kaplan was able to recover and eliminated Kynthia Orfanidis (NED) with 75:41 from the straight pool competition.

Defending Champion Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) had no mercy with her opponents. She defeated Martine Christiansen (NOR) with 75:53 and then Kristina Schagan (GER) with 75:7 to book her seat in the single elimination field of the last 16 women. She will be joined there by Kamila Khodjaeva (BEL) who won a tough fight over Marika Poikkijoki (FIN) with 75:64 in the loser’s qualification round. Another big name in the round of the final 16 women is Louise Furberg. She won with 75:66 over Anna Mazhirina (RUS), then 75:45 over Zrinka Antonijevic (CRO) and finally 75:37 over Silvia Gaudino (ITA). Line Kjoersvik (NOR), Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS), Ana Gradisnik (SLO) and Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL) complete the names of the women who made it through the winner’s round. The other eight names will be determined after the 09:00 round on Monday, March 31st.

The action will continue tomorrow morning at 09:00 local time.

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.

Favorites Right on Track

All according the plan at Ballazzo Women Euro-Tour in Austria

St. Johann, Austria: The Ballazzo Women Euro-Tour is down to the semi- final matches. The favorite players have not let their fans down and all made their way through the field so far.

Ana Mazhirina (RUS) dealt with Ewa Bak (POL) 7:2 and then eliminated Louise Furberg (SWE) with 7:3 in the quarter-final match. She dominated the match and did not leave a chance to Furberg. Her opponent in the upcoming semi-final match will be Ina Kaplan (GER) who ousted Silvia Gaudino (ITA) 7:2 and Caroline Roos (SWE) with the same result.

The top favored player to win the event is once more Jasmin Ouschan (AUT). She whitewashed Katrine Jensen (DEN) 7:0 and then took care of Jennifer Vietz (GER) with 7:3. Ouschan will play Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS) in her semi-final match. Seroshtan reached the semi-final with victories over Barbara Bolfelli (ITA) 7:2 and Martine Christiansen 7:5. 

The semi-finals will be played at 12:00 CET with the final scheduled for 14:00 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.eurotouronline.eu or contact our press office.