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Ekonomopoulos Through To Eurotour Last 16 With a Stellar Performance

Nikos Ekonomopoulos

Nikos Ekonomopoulos (GRE) is through to the stage of the final 16 players single elimination at the Dynamic Billard Italian Open in Treviso. With an outstanding performance so far today, he defeated  Daniel Maciol (POL) 9:5, then Mario He (AUT) in a 9:8 thriller and finally "Fabulous" Fabio Petroni (ITA) 9:5 in the single elimination rounds. Ekonomopoulos seems to be on fire these days and he will face Marc Bijsterbosch (NED).
 
Other remarkable results from today include Abdullah Al-Youssef (KUW) eliminating favored Mika Immonen (FIN) with 9:8 in loser’s round 3. Immonen had also been defeated by your Dutch player Tim De Ruyter (NED) in the round before. Al-Youssef then went on and encountered Jakub Sawicki (POL) who he also eliminated with 9:2. In the next round, the loser’s qualification round, Al-Youssef lost to Mieszko Fortunski (POL) 5:9.
 
The Nr.1 ranked player, Niels Feijen (NED) is also still on track with his mission to remain Nr.1 in the European rankings. Today, he won matches against Christian Sparrenloev-Fischer (SWE) and Wojciech Szewczyk (POL) to book his seat among the final 16 players of the Dynamic Billard Italian Open.
 
Up and rising German star player Can Salim-Giasar (GER) is also among the last 16 men standing. He took down Kamil Szaszor (POL), then lost to Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz (ESP) but fought his way back with victories over Manuel Gama (POR) and Woytek Trajdos (POL).
 
Mark Gray (GBR) is also among the elite group of the last 16 players. He made his way with victories over Omran-Saleem Abdullah (KUW), his roommate Daryl Peach (GBR) and Jani Siekkinen (FIN).
 
The event will continue tomorrow morning with the round of the last 16 players single elimination. Also, the Women’s tournament will start tomorrow morning at 9:00 CET with the first round matches. The tournament is played on 20 tables of which 12 will be in a livestream. 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 eurotouronline.com, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office.

Babica Trounced Drago at Dynamic Billard Open

Radoslaw Babica

Radoslaw Babica from Poland ousted "The Tornado" Tony Drago (MLT) from the Dynamic Billard Treviso Open Euro-Tour event with a narrow 9:8 victory.

 

One great and thrilling match happened today in the loser’s qualification round when Radoslaw Babica (POL) faced Tony Drago (MLT). The match went along very leveled and after 10 racks, the scoreboard displayed a tie at 5:5. Then, Babica went on the hill first and got an 8:6 advantage over Drago. But the "Tornado" struck back, winning two straight racks in order to make the match 8:8. Then, Drago was at the table with all balls in the open for him. However, he missed an easy 5-ball and allowed Babica back into the table. The Polish could not run-out but he turned the final rack into a safety exchange. Drago tried a risky bank shot when he had the option of either playing a safety or going for a bank. He missed it and allowed Babica to run the rack and win the match with 9:8.

 

Another interesting match was the clash between Michal Turkowski (POL) and Marcus Chamat (SWE). After five racks, Turkowski was leading 4:1 over Chamat. But the Swede did not even think about giving up. He fought back and got into the match, turning the scoreboard to 8:7 after 15 racks. Then Turkowski played up to his best and made the match another hill-hill thriller. In the final and decisive 17th rack, a safety battle occurred. Both players tried not to leave a shot for the opponent. Then Chamat left a shot for Turkowski which the Polish had to jump. He flunked the ball in over three rails but it could not be considered to be a lucky shot since he hooked himself again on the next ball. While he attempted to hit that object ball, Turkowski committed a foul shot and gave ball in hand to Chamat who capitalized from it and ran the rack to win the match by a hair’s breadth with 9:8. In the next round, the loser’s qualification round, Chamat fell to Ivica Putnik (CRO) with 5:9.

 

The results of the last 32 players single elimination are as follows:

Niels Feijen v Konrad Juszczyszyn 9:7

Oliver Ortmann v Manuel Gama 9:2

Serge DasFrancisco Diaz-Pizarro 3:9

John Tanttu v Marc Bijsterbosch 9:8

Mario Stahl v Alexander Kazakis 3:9

Radosław Babica v Mateusz Sniegocki 9:8

Tomasz Kaplan v Eklent Kaci 9:8

Konstantin StepanovAlbin Ouschan 7:9

Nick Van Den Berg v Mariusz Skoneczny 9:8

Ivica Putnik v Imran Majid 9:8

Mats Schjetne v Kasper Kristoffersen 9:4

Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz v Petri Makkonen 9:6

Mieszko FortunskiCan Salim-Giasar 5:9

Piotr KudlikRalf Souquet 3:9

Denis Grabe v Damianos Giallourakis 9:5

Roman HyblerMark Gray 4:9

 

That provides us with the following line-up for the round of the last 16 players:

Niels Feijen v Oliver Ortmann

Francisco Diaz-Pizarro v John Tanttu

Alexander Kazakis v Radoslaw Babica

Tomasz Kaplan v Albin Ouschan

Nick van den Berg v Ivica Putnik

Mats Schjetne v Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz

Can Salim-Giasar v Ralf Souquet

Denis Grabe v Mark Gray

 

Action continues tomorrow morning at 10:00 local time with matches of the round of the last 16 players. At 09:00, the women’s tournament will start with matches of the first round.

 

The tournament is played on 16 tables of which 12 are in a livestream. 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 eurotouronline.com , or contact our press office.

Orcollo Pulls a Second Great Escape

Dennis Orcollo (Photo courtesy of Dong Secuya/philboxing.com)

The Philippines Dennis Orcollo wins his second straight 9-8 match in as many days to advance to the knockout stage of the 2015 World 10-ball Championship in General Santos City.
 
Filipino pool players have a standard answer when asked by the media, “How did you play?” Even if they just played the greatest round of pool in the history of the sport, the comeback will invariably be a humble, “I’m just lucky.” 
 
World number 7 Dennis Orcollo is definitely not being humble today as he profusely thanks the pool gods for the good fortune he’s been the beneficiary of here in General Santos City in the southern Philippines. For the second straight day Orcollo pulled a great escape from what looked like sure defeat, winning 9-8 yet again, and  advancing to the single elimination round of 64 at the 2015 World 10-ball Championship.  
 
Playing against Pampanga’s Roland Garcia, Orcollo looked to be cruising into the knockout stages with an 8-5 lead in the race to 9 alternate break match. Garcia, though, stormed back and had only five balls left on the table for the win when, inexplicably, he touched and moved the 8-ball with his hand while lining up a shot on the five ball. Orcollo leapt out of his chair, said a quick thank you to his Lord, and cleared the colors for the win.
 
“I’m really lucky today,” Orcollo said afterwards and this time you knew he meant it. “I didn’t think I would even get back to the table. I still can’t believe I won that match.”
 
31 other players are feeling as relieved as Orcollo as they also booked their spots in the final 64 which begins on Wednesday evening. For another 32 players, however, the dream of world pool glory crashed and burned as they each suffered their second defeat in as many days, which meant they were eliminated from the event.
 
The field for the final 64 will be filled after the first three sessions tomorrow in what promises to be a day of drama and nerves.  Judgement Day in championship pool often makes otherwise reasonable men lose their minds, as the prospect of possibly being in contention for a world title suddenly dawns on them.
 
Many of those who have already qualified don’t seem to be in any danger of losing their cool any time soon. World number 1 Chang Yu Lung of Taiwan continued to fly under the radar today with another superb performance, beating Finland’s Petri Makkonen, 9-5, to advance. I say “under the radar” because Chang, with his stoic and emotionless demeanor, attracts little to no attention. If you watch him closely, however, he plays fearless pool and that quiet confidence will surely carry him far in this event.
 
Canada's Jason KlattWith a third of the field of 128 players, the Philippines was a lock to dominate the  final 64 and several notable names have looked exceptionally good so far. Jeff De Luna has given up just one rack in two matches and he could very well find himself the number one seed in the knockout rounds. Other Filipinos advancing today with fine performances were Francisco Bustamante, Alex Pagulayan, Lee Vann Corteza, Warren Kiamco, Roberto Gomez, Elmer Haya, Antonio Gabica, Raymund Faraon, and Carlo Biado.
 
When boxing legend and hometown boy Manny Pacquaio brought the World 10-ball to General Santos, one of his aims was to give the legions of lesser known Filipino pool players the chance to shine and this is exaclty what is taking place at the SM Mall. Several of the younger and not so well known Filipino players also advanced today and it’s clear that several will be establishing their credentials here this week. One of those looking to make a name for himself is Roland Dela Cruz, a relatively unknown Filipino who took down two-time World 9-ball Champion Thorsten Hohmann on the losers’ side. Hohmann’s early exit represented the biggest upset so far in this year’s event.
 
England’s Darren Appleton came up against two young Filipino players today.  Appleton, the 2008 World 10-ball champion, has spent enough time this country to know that top notch pool talent is waiting every corner in every city in the Philippines. To take anyone lightly is akin to pointing a gun at your own head. After handily defeating Angelo Ariola 9-2, the Englishman found himself in a tight tussle with Ruben Cuna. Appleton had to fight to the finish to advance to the Final 64 with a well-earned 9-7 win.
 
Afterwards, Appleton revealed he knows not to take any of the Filipinos lightly and in fact, he employed a strategy to thwart any chance of an upset.
 
“He’s a good young Filipino player,” Appleton said of Cuna. “My experience got me through that one. I played two Filipinos today and my game plan was to not show any emotion, not show any weakness to them. Because obviously they are very young and they’re not used to tournament play. They are not used to playing big names so I think that helps in the end because he missed a couple of balls that he wouldn’t miss in the pool room. I wanted to make him work for it.”
 
Also winning their second match and advancing to the knockout round were Germany’s Ralf Souquet, Taiwan’s Chang Jung Lin, Fu Che Wei and Ko Ping Chun, Canada’s Jason Klatt and John Morra, and Estonia’s Denis Grabe.
 
The group stages will finish up on Wednesday over the first three sessions. The round of 64 in the single elimination stage begins in two evening sessions Wednesday, and continues Thursday morning over  one session.
 
The semi-finals and final will take place on Saturday.
 
The winner of the 2015 World 10-ball Championship will receive $40,000, while the runner up will receive $20,000
 
**The 2015 MP Cup World 10-ball Championship takes place at the SM Mall in General Santos City, Philippines   from February 15-21 and is sanctioned by the World Pool & Billiard Association(WPA), the world governing body of pool. 
 
 
 
The WPA will be on hand in General Santos throughout this year’s World 10-ball Championship providing up to the minute information, photographs and in depth articles with insights and analysis from WPA Press Officer Ted Lerner. 
 
Fans can interact with us through the WPA’s official Facebook Page for the event at this link;https://www.facebook.com/wpaworld9ballchampionship
 
The WPA is also on Twitter; @poolwpa
 
For more information you can also visit the WPA website at www.wpapool.com.  
 
 Results Day 2
 
Group 13
Romero Silvano(PHI) 9 -0 Mark Rodriguez(PHI)(Silvano wins by default, Rodriguez no-show)  
 
Group 14
Oliver Villafuerte(PHI) 9 – 4 Mario He(AUT) 
Jerico Banares(PHI) 9 – 5 Marcus Chamat(SWE)
Jeffrey De Luna(PHI) 9- 0 Imran Majid(GBR)
Asis Tadique(PHI) 9 – 6 Johann Chua(PHI)
 
Group 15
Mika Immonen(FIN) 9 – 6 Jeffrey Calonge(PHI)
Stuart Pettman(GBR) 9 – 8 Liu Ri Teng(TPE) 
Emil Martinez(PHI) 9 – 5 Stephan Doiron(CAN)
Leonardo Didal(PHI) 9 – 8 Ko Pin Yi(TPE)
 
Group 16
Ricky Yang(INA) 9 – 0 Jeong Young Hwa(KOR) 
Jonas Magpantay(PHI) 9 – 6 Erik Hjorleifson(CAN)
Ruben Cuna(PHI) 9 – 4 Ricky Zerna(PHI) 
Darren Appleton(GBR) 9 – 2 Angelo Ariola(PHI)
 
Results Winners side matches. Winner qualifies for Final 64. Loser gets one more chance.
 
Group 1
Chang, Yu Lung(TPE) 9 – 6  Petri Makkonen(FIN)    
Piotr Kudlik (POL)  9 – 1 Pahdahsung Shognosh(CAN)  
 
Group 2
Raymund Faraon(PHI) Liu Chien Chieh(TPE 
Anton Raga(PHI) 9 –  5 Wang Can(CHN)  
 
Group 3
Mieszko Fortunski(POL) 9  – 5 Waleed Majid(QAT)  
John Morra(CAN) 9 – 5 Wu Kun Lin(TPE)  
 
Group 4
Lee Van Cortez(PHI) 9 – 5 John Rebong(PHI)  
Antonio Gabica(PHI) 9 – 8 Karol Skowerski(POL)  
 
Group 5
Jerico Bonus(PHI) 9 – 7 Marco Teutscher(NED)  
Ruben Bautista(MEX) 9 – 6 Ramil Gallego(PHI)  
 
Group 6
Ralf Souquet(GER) 9 – 3 Baseth Mapandi(PHI)  
Chang Jung Lin(TPE) 9 – 7  William Millares(PHI)  
 
Group 7
Radoslaw Babica(POL) 9 – 7 Michael Turkowski(POL)
Jason Klatt(CAN) 9 – 4 Ryu Seung Woo(KOR)  
 
Group 8
James Aranaz(PHI) 9 – 8 Ruslan Chinakhov(RUS)   
Dennis Orcollo(PHI) 9 – 8 Roland Garcia(PHI)
 
Group 9
Francisco Bustamante(PHI) 9- 3 Ivica Putnik(CRO)   
Alex Pagulayan(CAN) 9 – 1 Elvis Calasang(PHI)  
 
Group 10
Fu Che Wei(TPE) 9- 5 Karl Boyes(GBR)   
Warren Kiamco(PHI) 9 – 3 Jani Seikkinin(FIN)  
 
Group 11
Ko Ping Chung(TPE) 9 – 8 Richard Alinsub(PHI)  
Elmer Haya(PHI) 9 – 3 Manuel Gama(POR)  
 
Group 12
Alex Kazakis(GRE) 9 – 5 Hsu Jui An(TPE)   
Roberto Gomez(PHI) 9 – 6 Sahroni(INA)
 
Group 13
Carlo Biado(PHI) 9- 4 Ryan Maglassang(PHI)
Denis Grabe(EST) 9- 5Romero Silvano(PHI)
 
Group 14
Oliver Viliafuerte(PHI) 9 – 5Jerico Banares(PHI) 
Jeffrey de Luna(PHI) 9 – 1 Asis Tadique(PHI)
 
Group 15
Stuart Pettman(GBR) 9 – 5 Mika Immonen(FIN)  
Emil Martinez(PHI) 9- 2 Leonardo Didal(PHI)
 
Group 16
 Jonas Magpantay(PHI) 9 – 1  Ricky Yang(INA)
Darren Appleton(GBR) 9 – 7  Ruben Cuna(PHI)
 
 
Results Losers Side Matches. Losers are out, winners get one more chance to qualify.
 
Group 1
David Alcaide David(ESP) 9 – 4 Augusto Boots(PHI)  
Aloysius Yapp(SIN) 9 – 6  Cristian Gariando (PHI)
 
Group 2
 Kamal Chawla(IND) 9 – 7 Ibrahim Amir(MAS)  
David Renemar(PHI)  9 – 8 Antonio Lining(PHI)  
 
Group 3
Demosthenes Pulpul(PHI)  9 – 4 Jordan Legaspi(PHI) 
Jundel Mazon(PHI)   9 – 8 Hsu Kai Lun(TPE) 
 
Group 4
Muhammad Zulfikri(INA) 9 – 7 Maritn Daigle(CAN)
Lui Haitao(CHN) 9 – 1 Raj Hundal(GBR)
 
Group 5
Nick Ekonomopoulos(GRE) 9 – 6 Mateusz Sniegocki(POL)
Sundeep Gulati(IND) 9 – 4 Vincent Goh(AUS)
 
Group 6
Patrick Gonzales(PHI) 9 – 6 Ham Wonsik(KOR) 
Val Pauay(PHI) 9 – 7 Benjie Gueuarra(PHI)
 
Group 7
Sean Nark Malayan(PHI) 9 – 7 Hunter Lombardo(USA)
Thomasz Kaplan(POL) 9 – 2 Toh Lian Han(SIN)
 
Group 8
Rodney Morris(USA) 9 – 8 Irsa Nasution(INA)
Oliver Medenilla(PHI) 9 – 3 Babken Melkonyan(ROM)
 
Group 9
Albin Ouschan(AUT) 9 – 8 Chen Hsin Ting(TPE)
Cheng Yu Hsuan(TPE) 9 – 1 Kwon Hojun(KOR)
 
Group 10
Ronnie Alcano(PHI) 9 – 6 Dante Razalan(PHI)
Raymart Comomt(PHI) 9 – 1 Behzad Zareifrad(IRI)
 
Group 11
Marc Bijsterbosch(NED) 9 – 6 Daryl Peach(GBR) 
Muhammad Bewi(INA) 9 – 7 Romel Sultan(PHI)
 
Group 12
Yang Ching Shun(TPE) 9- 4 Daniele Corrieri(ITA) 
Roland Dela Cruz(PHI) 9 – 6 Thorsten Hohmann(GER)
 
Group 13
Ryan Maglassang(PHI) 9 – 5  Romero Silvano(PHI)
Konstantine Stepanov(RUS) 9 -5 Mark Mendoza(PHI)
 
Group 14
Marcus Chamat(SWE) 9 – 5 Mario He(AUT) 
Johann Chua(PHI)  9 – 3 Imran Majid(GBR)
 
Group 15
Jeffrey Calonge(PHI) 8 -9 Liu Ri Teng(GBR)
Ko Pin Yi(TPE)  9 – 0 Stephan Doiron(CAN)
 
Group 16
Erik Hjorleifson(CAN) 9 – 5 Jeong Young Hwa(KOR) 
Ricky Zerna(PHI) 9 – 4 Angelo Ariola(PHI)

 

Striding, and Stumbling, Out Of The Gates

Waleed Majid of Qatar

Day 1 at the 2015 MP Cup World 10-ball Championship in General Santos City sees some favorites cruise while others struggle to find their form.

 

One thing that is a constant in any world championship in the sport of pool is good old pressure. But as the 2015 MP Cup World 10-ball championship kicked off on Tuesday in the Philippines southernmost city of General Santos, it was not the usual nerve rattling pressure that makes grown men cry and brings back the fans time and again that was on display. It was, rather, that nagging pressure to get out of the gates quickly, to find that championship spark that can carry you to glory later in the week.

 
“There’s two kind of pressure in these events,” said an obviously relieved Karl Boyes after he took down former world 9-ball champion Ronnie Alcano of the Philippines 9-7 in their first match of the group stages. “The first pressure is trying to get through the group stages, to just get those two wins and get into the single elimination. There’s nothing worse in this game than going out in a world championship in the group stages. All of us feel that the tournament doesn’t really begin until the single elimination stage. Then, if you can then make it to the final 16, that’s when you look around and realize you’ve got a chance to win the world title.”
 
Indeed with 51 matches in the books after a long Day 1, nobody amongst the 128 players from nearly two dozen countries is touching the subject of winning the crown. For the next two days, it’s all about winning the required two matches, getting out of your group and securing a spot in the money rounds, the Final 64, which begins Thursday night. It’s a pressure to perform, and, especially for the top players, to not embarrass themselves.
 
There was a host of terrific matches inside the SM City Atrium today with many  contests featuring top names squaring off against each other, adding that extra element of drama and gravity to the proceedings. Plenty of matches went all the way to the wire, leaving one player greatly relieved and the other suddenly staring at elimination.
 
In a match featuring two up and coming quality players, Canada’s John Morra found himself down to 8-5 in a race to 9 to the Philippines Jundel Mazon. But just when Mazon thought he had the match won, he slipped and allowed the Canadian a lifeline. Morra turned the tables on the Filipino and sent him to the losers’ side of the group with a brilliant comeback.
 
“He made a few mistakes when he was up 8-5,” Morra said.  “I just started putting pressure on him and I could see he was feeling it. I played really well at the end.”
 
The Philippines Dennis Orcollo is surely one of the favorites here this week, but he struggled against fellow Filipino Oliver Medenilla. Down most of the match, Orcollo discovered his groove just in time to win a squeaker, 9-8.
 
“I didn’t feel that good today and I didn’t break that well,” said Orcollo, the world number 7. “There’s always pressure in the first match because you don’t know the tables and how to break. But I finally figured out the break. That’s the key to winning this tournament is the break shot. If I can break good, I’ve got a chance. And I know how to deal with the pressure in the knockout stages.”
 
The Philippines veteran Warren Kiamco is coming off a massive victory in the US at the Derby City 9-ball and could surely find himself in the winner’s circle here this week. But young Filipino upstart Raymart Comomt proved yet again that the talent pool in the Philippines runs as deep as Sarangani Bay here in Gen San. Comomt took Kiamco to the limit before falling to his elder at the finish line, 9-8.
 
Two-time World 9-ball Champion Thorsten Hohmann has found lots of success in the Philippines but he’ll have to bear down over the next two days, as he fell in a nail biter to Indonesia’s Sharoni, 9-8. China’s talented young star Wang Can had his hands full with Philippine veteran Antonio Lining, winning a tight match, 9-8.
 
One player who seems to play pressure free these days is World number 1 Chang Yu Lung of Taiwan. He opened the day in a quality matchup against Spain’s David Alcaide. Smooth and steady as always, Chang cruised to a 9-6 victory and looks set to go far this week.
 
Perhaps the finest performance of the day was put in by the Philippines’ Antonio Gabica. The Qatar based Gabica, who two years ago took runner up in the World 9-ball Championship in Qatar, stomped on world number 11 Lui Haitao of China, 9-3.
 
Another Qatar player, Waleed Majid, currently ranked number 12 in the world, continued  his fine tournament form as he defeated the Philippines Jordan Legaspi 9-6. Majid is the highest ever ranked player out of the Middle East and his dedication to the sport is paying big dividends.
 
Other notable winners today include Filipinos Francisco Bustamante, Lee Vann Corteza, Alex Pagulayan, Carlo Biado, Roberto Gomez and Raymund Faraon.  Germany’s Ralf Souquet and Taiwan’s young Ko Ping Chun also notched victories.
 
The Netherlands big stars, including World number 2 Niels Feijen, Nick Van Den Berg, and 2011 World 10-ball Champion Huidji See are not entered in this year’s event but a rising Dutch player clearly wants some of that limelight.  Marco Teutscher defeated world number 8, and Mosconi Cup star Nikos Ekonomopoulos, 9-5.
 
Play in the group stages continues on Day 2 of the World 10-ball Championship. The field of 128 will be cut in half by late on Day 3 on Wednesday when the final 64, single elimination stage of the tournament begins. The semi-finals and final will take place on Saturday.
 
 The winner of the 2015 World 10-ball Championship will receive $40,000, while the runner up will receive $20,000
 
**The 2015 MP Cup World 10-ball Championship takes place at the SM Mall in General Santos City, Philippines   from February 15-21 and is sanctioned by the World Pool & Billiard Association(WPA), the world governing body of pool. The entire event is sponsored by Manny Pacquiao. 
 
To view the brackets please CLICK HERE
 
The WPA will be on hand in General Santos throughout this year’s World 10-ball Championship providing up to the minute information, live scoring, photographs and in depth articles with insights and analysis from WPA Press Officer Ted Lerner. 
 
Fans can interact with us through the WPA’s official Facebook Page for the event at this link;https://www.facebook.com/wpaworld9ballchampionship
 
The WPA is also on Twitter; @poolwpa
 
For more information you can also visit the WPA website at www.wpapool.com.  
 
RESULTS DAY 1
Winners need one more win to advance to the Final 64. Losers go to the losers side of the double elimination bracket for another chance.
 
Group 1
Chang, Yu Lung(TPE) 9 – 6 David Alcaide David(ESP) 
Petri Makkonen(FIN) 9 – 7 Augusto Boots(PHI)  
Pahdahsung Shognosh(CAN) 9 – 8 Cristian Gariando (PHI)
Piotr Kudlik (POL) 9 – 8 Aloysius Yapp(SIN)
 
Group 2
Raymund Faraon(PHI) 9 – 4 Kamal Chawla(IND)
Liu Chien Chieh(TPE) 9 – 2 Ibrahim Amir(MAS) vs. 
Anton Raga(PHI) 9 – 3 David Renemar(PHI) 
Wang Can(CHN) 9 – 8 Antonio Lining(PHI)  
 
Group 3
Waleed Majid(QAT) 9 – 6 Jordan Legaspi(PHI)
Mieszko Fortunski(POL) 9- 5 Demosthenes Pulpul(PHI)  
Wu Kun Lin(TPE) 9 – 8 Hsu Kai Lun(TPE)  
John Morra(CAN) 9 -8  Jundel Mazon(PHI)  
 
Group 4
Lee Van Cortez(PHI) 9 – 2 Muhammad Zulfikri(INA)
John Rebong(PHI) 9 – 7 Maritn Daigle(CAN)
Karol Skowerski(POL) 9 – 7  Raj Hundal(GBR)
Antonio Gabica(PHI) 9 – 3 Lui Haitao(CHN)
 
Group 5
Marco Teutscher(NED) 9 – 5 Nick Ekonomopoulos(GRE) 
Jerico Bonus(PHI) 9 – 8 Mateusz Sniegocki(POL)
Ruben Bautista(MEX) 9 – 4 Sundeep Gulati(IND)
Ramil Gallego(PHI) 9 – 2 Vincent Goh(AUS)
 
Group 6
Ralf Souquet(GER) 9 – 6  Ham Wonsik(KOR)
Baseth Mapandi(PHI) 9 – 6  Patrick Gonzales(PHI)
William Millares(PHI) 9 – 6 Val Pauay(PHI)
Chang Jung Lin(TPE) 9 – 7  Benjie Gueuarra(PHI)
 
Group 7
Radoslaw Babica(POL) 9 – 6 Hunter Lombardo(USA)
Michael Turkowski(POL) 9 – 6 Sean Nark Malayan(PHI  
Ryu Seung Woo(KOR) 9 – 5 Thomasz Kaplan(POL)
Jason Klatt(CAN) 9 – 6 Toh Lian Han(SIN)
 
Group 8
James Aranaz(PHI) 9 – 6 Rodney Morris(USA) 
Ruslan Chinakhov(RUS) 9 – 4 Irsa Nasution(INA)
Roland Garcia(PHI) 9 – 7 Babken Melkonyan(ROM)
Dennis Orcollo(PHI) 9 – 8 Oliver Medenilla(PHI)
 
Group 9
Ivica Putnik(CRO) 9 – 7 Albin Ouschan(AUT) 
Francisco Bustamante(PHI) 9- 2 Chen Hsin Ting(TPE)
Elvis Calasang(PHI) 9- 5 Kwon Hojun(KOR)
Alex Pagulayan(CAN) 9 – 3Cheng Yu Hsuan(TPE)
 
Group 10
Karl Boyes(GBR) 9 – 7 Ronnie Alcano(PHI)
Fu Che Wei(TPE) 9- 8 Dante Razalan(PHI)
Jani Seikkinin(FIN) 9 – 5 Behzad Zareifrad(IRI)
Warren Kiamco(PHI) 9 – 8 Raymart Comomt(PHI)
 
Group 11
Ko Ping Chung(TPE) 9 – 6 Daryl Peach(GBR) 
Richard Alinsub(PHI) 9 – 6 Marc Bijsterbosch(NED)
Manuel Gama(POR) 9 – 3 Jomel Sultan(PHI)
Elmer Haya(PHI) 9 – 7 Muhammad Bewi(INA)
 
Group 12
Alex Kazakis(GRE) 9 – 6 Yang Ching Shun(TPE)
Hsu Jui An(TPE) 9 – 4 Daniele Corrieri(ITA) 
Roberto Gomez(PHI) 9 – 3 Roland Dela Cruz(PHI)
Sahroni(INA) 9 – 8 Thorsten Hohmann(GER)
 
Group 13
Carlo Biado(PHI) 9- 4 Ryan Maglassang(PHI)
Mark Rodriguez(PHI)  Romero Silvano(PHI)
Denis Grabe(EST) 9 – 6 Mark Mendoza(PHI)
Michael Feliciano(PHI) 9 – 7 Konstantine Stepanov(RUS)

WCOP: Full line-up announced for pool’s battle royal

2013’s finalists: Holland and the Philippines

WITH THE ANNUAL World Cup of Pool set to get underway on the 23rd September, the full line-up of players can now be confirmed and it is arguably the strongest set of players ever assembled in the nine year history of the event.
 
There are 12 World Champions competing as well as six US Open Champions and countless European and Asian Champions. In addition the field also contains seven former World Cup winners and nine World Pool Masters champions, making it a must-see tournament for UK pool fans.
 
Taking place at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth from Tuesday 23rd to Sunday 28th September, there are 16 first round matches over the first three days.
 
Europe (17)
Austria – Albin Ouschan & Mario He
Croatia – Ivica Putnik & Karlo Dalmatin
Czech Republic – Roman Hybler & Michal Gavenciak
England A – Darren Appleton & Karl Boyes
England B – Daryl Peach & Chris Melling
Finland – Mika Immonen & Petri Makkonen
France – Stephan Cohen & Alex Montpellier
Germany – Ralf Souquet & Thorsten Hohmann
Greece – Nick Ekonomopoulos & Alexandros Kazakis
Holland – Niels Feijen & Nick Van Den Berg
Italy – Fabio Petroni & Daniele Corrieri
Poland – Karol Skowerski & Mateusz Sniegocki
Portugal – Manuel Gama & Guilherme Sousa
Russia – Konstantin Stepanov & Ruslan Chinahov
Spain – David Alcaide & Francisco Diaz-Pizarro
Sweden – Andreas Gerwen & Tomas Larsson
Switzerland – Dimitri Jungo & Ronald Regli

 
Rest of World (5)
Australia – Phil Reilly & James Georgiadis
Canada – Alex Pagulayan & John Morra
Chile – Alejandro Carvajal & Enrique Rojas
Qatar – Waleed Majid & Bashar Hussain
USA – Shane Van Boening & Earl Strickland
 
Asia (10)
China – Wang Can & Dang Jinhu
Chinese Taipei – Chang Yu-lung & Hsu Kai Lun
India – Raj Hundal & Amar Kang
Indonesia – Irsal Nasution & Muhammad Zulfikri
Japan – Hayato Hijikata & Masaaki Tanaka
Korea – Jeong Yung Hwa & Ha Minuk
Malaysia – Ibrahim Amir & Alan Tan
Philippines – Dennis Orcollo & Lee Vann Corteza
Thailand – Nitiwat Kanjanasri & Tanut Makkamontee   
Vietnam – Nguyen Phuc Long & Dang Thanh Kien
 
Now in its ninth year, the World Cup of Pool features 32 two-player teams from around the world battling it out for a $250,000 prize fund. The defending champions are the Philippines who will be among the favourites to claim a record-breaking fourth World Cup.
 
The event starts on Tuesday 23rd September and there are two sessions daily at 12 noon and 6.00pm during weekdays and then 1.00pm and 6.00pm at the weekend. Team USA get their campaign underway on Wednesday 24th September.
 
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.

Rise Of The Upstarts – World 9-Ball Final Sixty Four

Photo Courtesy of Richard Walker

Pool’s next generation of superstars took a giant leap towards claiming their place in the sun today, producing a slew of shocking and unexpected results as the field at the 2014 World 9-ball Championship was cut in half from 64 players down to 32.
 
It was an extraordinary day given over to unknown upstarts, newcomers, fearless young guns, and a few wily but unheralded veterans, all of  whom seemed to collectively state to pool’s elite that it was time for some new and different names to grab the headlines for a change.
 
So how bad was it for pool’s biggest names?  Well, here’s a statistic that could come straight from the crime blotter; five former world 9-ball champions, and the defending champion Thorsten Hohmann all went down to defeat. Heavy favorites like the Philippines’ Dennis Orcollo and Lee Van Corteza also were sent home.
 
The remaining field still comprises two former world champions, and plenty of pool’s top ranked players. And when they set off tomorrow with all these fresh faces in the mix, the results are likely to remembered for some time to come. That’s because Thursday’s breakneck schedule will see the remaining 32 players whittled down to just four by the end of the day. The semi-finals and finals will them be contested on Friday.
 
The tone of the day was set early in the first session by Qatar’s very own Waleed Majid. On paper the 26 year old Qatari had no chance against world number four Lee Vann Corteza, who was tapped by some to win this world title. Majid had never before even gone beyond the group stages.
 
Majid, though, played like he was the one pegged for greatness. Smooth, confident, fearless, the Qatari played near flawless 9-ball, putting the Filipino on the ropes early and keeping him there until the very end and taking an impressive 11-6 victory. It’s the first time a Qatari pool player has ever reached the round of 32 in the World Championship.
 
While drinking in the hugs, kisses and accolades of his fellow countrymen, Majid revealed that playing the world’s best players doesn’t scare him, but rather it motivates him to play beyond his own capabilities
 
Marc Teutscher of the Netherlands“During the match I always just look at the table,” Majid said. “I don’t look at my opponent. But before the match if I see I’m playing a world class player, then that really helps me concentrate and play better.
 
“I felt good in practice before the World 9-ball Championship. I want to do good because I want to help pool in Qatar. I will give everything to help Qatar because Qatar supports me.”
 
Majid said that before the tournament, he actually had the fervent desire to meet 2012 World 9-ball champion Darren Appleton, a wish which will now come true in the round of 32 on Thursday in front of what promises to be a very one-side home town crowd.
 
“Before the tournament I was actually hoping to play Darren Appleton. I want to test my skills. I’m ready to play him. I will  try my best and hopefully I can win and bring a big honor to Qatar and Qatar Billiard Federation.”
 
Appleton would present a very formidable obstacle to even the most seasoned veteran as he is clearly playing at the top of his extraordinary game. The Brit found himself up against fellow Englishman and good friend Daryl Peach in a match of two former champions. Appleton got off to a quick start and never looked back and cruised to an easier than expected 11-3 win. 
 
Appleton said not only was he feeling confident about his game, but he was feeling very relaxed and comfortable in the Al Saad Sports Club. It was in this very building two years ago where Appleton had his greatest triumph, winning the World 9 ball Championship in a thriller against China’s Li He Wen.
 
“I feel at home here in the Al Saad because this is where I won the World 9-ball Championship in 2012. Last year they had the tournament in another venue so in a way I feel like I’m defending my title. I have a lot of fond memories here. And I’d like to create a few more in the next few days.”
 
The Philippines Dennis Orcollo was expected to create a major memory this year, but the Filipino star ran into a streaking Naoyuki Oi of Japan. Oi, who reached the semis here two years ago, has a marvelous game when he gets his engine cranked and today he played in full gear from the beginning. Orcollo fell  behind big early and never recovered, as Oi held him off for an 11-8 win.
 
Two more Filipinos fell by the wayside early to two of the tournaments impressive young guns. China’s Wang Can certainly seems headed for big things and today he continued his imposing play as he won a stingy victory over the Philippines Warren Kiamco, 11-8. Austria’s young Mario He appears to be coming into his own and looked solid in outlasting former world champ Alex Pagulayan 11-9.
 
While Filipino fans were in shock at the early exit of many of their big names, several others, including a few newer players, stepped into the void to grab the limelight. Last year’s semi-finalist Carlo Biado played strong today, as did Johann Chua who continued to look brilliant with a dominating performance over Italy’s Daniele Corrieri, 11-4. Raymond Faraon and Elmer D. Haya, two relative unknowns who toil as overseas workers teaching pool in the Middle East also advanced with solid wins.
 
Canada’s Jason Klatt has been on the scene for a few years but he has never looked better than in the last few days.. The 28 year from Selkirk, Canada, and who now lives in Bloomington, Illinois, manhandled the Philippines Jeffrey De Luna, 11-6. Klatt’s spent much of the last two years on the road in the US, playing tournaments, money games and practicing his craft. Much of this travel has been with his good friend, Darren Appleton. Klatt says the lessons learned from hanging around with a talent like Appleton are starting to sink in.
 
“Just being around a guy  of his caliber rubs off,” Klatt said. “He was always telling me, ‘You’ve just got to believe in yourself.’ And I think I’m starting to see the results now.”
 
Later in the day Shane Van Boening kept the USA’s hopes alive with a hard fought win over Taiwan’s Chang Jung Lin. Former world champion Wu Jiaqing, now playing for China, finally showed his world class form with a drubbing of Taiwan’s Lo Li Wen, 11-4.  Taiwan’s young Hsu Kai Lun and China Open champion Chiang Yu Lung also moved on.
 
Some the day’s best fireworks were saved for the last session of the day. The Czech Republic’s Roman Hybler has been on the scene for over ten years but hadn’t made much noise in about that much time. Today the 37 year old Hybler roared back into the pool spotlight with an impressive outing against former world champ Mika Immonen, winning 11-7.
 
“When I woke up today and went to the practice hall I felt good, I felt I had a chance today,” Hybler said.  “If I can Mika, I can beat anyone.”
 
China’s Li He Wen, last year’s runner up Antonio Gabica, and Austria’s Albin Ouschan all put in solid efforts today to advance. The Philippines veteran Ramil Gallego, who lives in Japan, took hall of famer Ralf Souquet to the brink and squeaked by at the wire, 11-10, sending the German great home earlier than anyone expected.
 
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the entire day happened at about the same time on the other side of the arena. Dutch newcomer Marc Teutscher was hanging around defending champion Thorsten Hohmann for much of their tense match. But absolutely nobody could imagine the 22 year old, playing in his very first world championship, could overtake the great German. But Teutscher kept battling away and after trailing for most of the match, finally took a late lead and held off  Hohmann with some amazing pressure shots to pull off a shock win, 11-9.
 
Teutscher’s win was the perfect ending to an amazing day in pool.  With  many of the sport’s biggest names sent packing, and the appearance of many new names, young sharp shooters, and grizzled veterans rising to the fore, the next two days are sure to see some unusual and exciting turn of events as pool crowns a new world champion.
 
The round of 32 begins Thursday at 11am Doha time, GMT +3.
 
**The 2014 World 9-ball Championship takes place at the Al Saad Sports Club in Doha, Qatar from June 16-27. The winner of the 2014 World 9-ball Championship will receive $30,000. The runner up will receive $15,000. The total prize fund is $200,000.
 
The players will be competing on Wiraka New Model Tables with Simonis 860 Cloth, Electric Blue Color and using Aramith Super Pro TV Balls.
 
The Qatar Billiard and Snooker Federation, which is once again hosting and organizing the World 9-ball Championship, will be providing free live streaming of the entire tournament on its website, http://live.qbsf.qa/.   
 
To  view the brackets  please visit this link: http://www.qbsf.qa/en/downloads/2014/2014_W9BC_Final_round_format.pdf
 
The WPA will be on hand in Doha throughout this year’s World 9-ball Championship providing up to the minute information, live scoring, photographs and in depth articles with insights and analysis from WPA Press Officer Ted Lerner. 
 
Fans can interact with us through the WPA’s official Facebook Page for the event at this link;https://www.facebook.com/wpaworld9ballchampionship
 
The WPA is also on Twitter; @poolwpa
 
For more information you can also visit the WPA website at www.wpapool.com. Fans can also visit the website of the Qatar Billiard and Snooker Federation at;  www.qbsf.qa 
 
*The 2014 World 9-ball Championship will be held in Doha, Qatar from June 16-27,2014 and is sanctioned by the World Pool & Billiard Association(WPA), the world governing body of the sport of pocket billiards. 128 players from across the globe will compete for the most prestigious prize in Men’s Pool. The 2014  World 9-ball Championship is a WPA ranking event.
 
 
 
Results Final 64
 
1st Session
 
Wang Can(CHN) 11 – 9 Warren Kiamco(PHL)
Raymond Faraon(PHL) 11 – 5 Liu Cheng Chieh(TPE) 
Elmer D. Haya(PHL) 11 – 4 Francisco Felicilda(PHL)
Hijikata Hayato(JPN) 11 – 8 Tanaka Masaaki(JPN)
Waleed Majed(QAT) 11 – 6 Lee Van Corteza(PHL)   
Darren Appleton(GBR) 11 – 3 Daryl Peach(GBR)
Konstantin Stepanov(RUS) 11 – 8 Andreas Gerwin(SWE)  
Johann Chua(PHL) 11 – 4 Daniele Corrieri(ITA)
 
2nd Session
Mario He(AUT) 11 – 9  Alex Pagulayan(CAN)
Jeong Young Hwa(KOR) 11 – 9 Jayson Shaw(GBR)  
Radoslaw Babica(POL) 11 – 3 Manuel Gama(POR)
Neils Feijen(NED) 11 – 4 Salaheldeen Al Rimawi(UAE)
Carlo Biado(PHL) 11 – 6 Meiszko Fortunski(POL)
Jason Klatt(CAN) 11 -6 Jeffrey De Luna(PHL)  
Naoyuki Oi(JPN) 11 – 8 Dennis Orcollo(PHL)  
Ko Pin Yi(TPE) 11 – 3 Sundeep Galati(IND)
 
Hsu Kai Lun(TPE) 11 – 6 Fu Che Wei(TPE)   
Wu Jiaqing(CHN) 11 – 4 Lo Li Wen(TPE)
Stephan Cohen(FRA) 11 – 5  Huidji  See(NED)
Chang Yu Lung(TPE)    11 – 9 Cheng Yu Hsuan(TPE)   
Shane Van Boening(USA) 11 – 9 Chang Jung Lin(TPE)
Dang Jing Hu(CHN) 11 – 6 Karl Boyes(GBR)   
Tohru Kuribayashi (JPN) 11 -9  Alexander Kazakis(GRE)
Nick Ekonomopoulos(GRE) 11 – 5 Fabio Petroni(ITA)
 
4th Session
Antonio G.bica(PHL) 11 – 7  Medhi Rasekhi(IRI)
Ryu Seung Woo(KOR) 11 – 9 Bruno Muratore(ITA)  
Roman Hybler(CZE) 11 – 7 Mika Immonen(FIN)   
Albin Ouschan(AUT) 11 – 5 Oliver Ortmann(GER)   
Li He Wen(CHN) 11 – 7 Dimitri Jungo(SUI)
Marc Teutscher(NED) 11 – 9 Thorsten Hohmann(GER)
Nick Van Den Berg(NED) 11 – 8 Aloysius Yapp(SIN)
Ramiel Gallego(PHL) 11 – 10 Ralf Souquet(GER) 

 

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.

No one able to stop Feijen so far

Niels Feijen (NED)

Niels Feijen is on fire! After winning the 9-Ball European Champion title two days ago, he is now in the final 16 players of the Dynamic Billard North Cyprus Open Euro-Tour event. He had an epic clash with Albin Ouschan (AUT) in the round of the last 32 players. Feijen seemed to be unstoppable by Ouschan. After 8 racks, the scoreboard displayed 7:1 for Feijen. Then the tide seemed to turn in the match. Ouschan won a rack after Feijen gave him a good safety position but Ouschan luckily pocketed the 2-ball. That obviously gave him wind underneath his wings. Ouschan managed to pull a few racks back from Feijen. And „The Terminator“ seemed to be impressed by Ouschan’s comeback. 6:7 was the score after 13 racks. Then, Ouschan came up with a sloppy played safety shot. That was his end in the tournament. Feijen ran that rack and the next one to win this match with 9:6. He will now face Chris Melling (GBR) in the next round.
 
Other notable results from today include Manuel Gama (POR) ousting Darren Appleton (GBR) from the event with 9:6. Serge Das (BEL) had a close heads-up match with Daryl Peach (GBR). Das had the better end in his favor, winning the match with 9:8 over Peach. Young „Orange“ player Ivo Aarts (NED) also still has the chance to leave his footprints in the tournament. He defeated Babken Melkonyan (ROM) with 9:6 and will now have to deal with „grandmaster“ Ralf Souquet (GER) in the next round.
 
In the women’s Euro-Tour event, all-time favored player Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) won her match in the round of the final 16 players clearly with 7:1 over Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL). She will now face Wesolowska’s teammate Oliwia Czuprynska (POL) who eliminated Kateryna Polovinchuk (UKR) 7:1 in the next round. Kristina Zlateva (BUL) has a match with Monica Webb (USA) in the same round. Zlateva overcame Martine Christiansen (NOR) 7:3 while Webb destroyed Darya Sirotina (RUS) with 7:1. Caroline Roos (SWE) will play Ana Gradisnik (SLO) in the same round, just like Claudia Kunz (SUI) versus Kristina Tkach (RUS).
 
The Euro-Tour event will continue tomorrow morning at 10:00 am local time.
 
All results and more info can be found on www.eurotouronline.eu . LIVEStream of all 24 tables can be viewed at www.kozoom.com.
 
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 press@epbf.com.

Feijen ends Souquet’s hopes for another Euro-Tour title

Niels Feijen and Ralf Souquet

Niels Feijen (NED) ousted Ralf Souquet (GER) from the Dynamic Billard Italian Open 2014, handing him a clear 9:3 defeat in the round of the final 32 players. The fact that these two players met in this early stage of the event was a bit unfortunate. However, Feijen dominated the match and the balls also did not roll in Souquet’s favor. In the end, Feijen deserved the victory. He will now play Karl Boyes (GBR) in the round of the final 16 players. Boyes took care of Fabio Petroni (ITA), one of the local heroes of the event.

The whole day was determined by close matches and strong comebacks. Already at 09:00 in the first round of the day, Radoslaw Babica (POL) performed a marvelous comeback. He was already trailing 2:6 to Pierfrancesco Garzia (ITA) when he managed to turn the match around and claim the victory with 9:7.
 
In the next round it was Henrikas Strolis (LIT) who came up as a big surprise. He was trailing 3:7 and still managed to win 9:8 over Michele Bianchini (ITA) who missed the 7-ball at 8:8.
 
Roman Hybler (CZE) looked like the sure winner in his match with Sanne Azar (SWE). He suddenly snookered himself with only three balls left on the table. He tried a jump shot but could not pocket the object ball. Azar accepted the gift and won 9:8.
 
The drama continued through the winner’s qualification round. Mateusz Sniegocki (POL) and Marcus Chamat (SWE) also went hill-hill and this time Chamat committed a foul on the 2-ball when he tried a difficult safety shot. Sniegocki ran out an booked his seat among the top 32 players of the event, sending Chamat to the loser’s side. There, he met Phil Burford (GBR) as a revenge match from round 1 where Chamat defeated Burford. In the loser’s qualification match, Burford succeeded in taking revenge winning the match this time – 9:8 of course!
 
Talking about revenge matches, Marco Dorenburg (GER) made his way through the loser’s side with victories over Olivier Mortier (BEL) with 9:1, Manuel Gama (POR) with 9:8 and Ivica Putnik (CRO) with 9:8. He then met Daryl Peach (GBR) in the loser’s qualification round. Dorenburg lost his opening match to Peach and looked forward to his chance to get even. And he achieved the impossible! Dorenburg ousted Peach with 9:7 from the event. He was then drawn against Marc Bijsterbosch (NED) who he also defeated with 9:2. Dorenburg booked his seat in the round of the final 16 players.
 
Tomorrow’s lineup is as follows:
 
Dorenburg GER v Kaplan POL
 
vd Berg NED v Babica POL
 
Feijen NED v Boyes GBR
 
Sniegocki POL v Stepanov RUS
 
Ouschan AUT v Skowerski POL
 
Caperna ITA v Ekonomopoulos GRE
 
Melling GBR v Das BEL
 
Gray GBR v Jones GBR
 
The tournament continues at 10:00 local time.

 

Players Feel The Heat From On High

Dennis Orcollo (Photo courtesy of Takayamo Takao/onthehill.jp and the WPA)

THE POOL GODS MAKE THEIR DRAMATIC PRESENCE FELT IN DOHA AS ONLY 32 REMAIN FOR THE SPORT'S BIGGEST PRIZE
 
(Doha, Qatar)–When players and fans talk about the “pool gods,” they’re referring to that mysterious force that seems to regularly take over important matches, sometimes for no apparent reason. Often times, though, in hindsight, there are clear reasons for the gods’ actions; to stamp down over confidence, reward risk, or penalize players for missing shots that were meant as gifts. Anyone who’s watched or played enough pool swears the pool gods are real. These other worldly forces provide the ingredients for championship pool’s incredible nerve racking drama.
 
The pool gods certainly appeared to be hovering over the proceedings Wednesday inside the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, as the final 64 players did battle in a rollicking day long pool-fest in the first single elimination round of the 2013 World 9-ball Championship.
 
After the 11 hours of play, 32 players headed for the exits, while 32 stayed alive and will come back Thursday for a veritable sprint to the finish line that promises some incredibly exciting pool. By the end of play Thursday, the run for pool’s biggest prize will be down to just four players.
 
There was nothing anyone could call a major upset today, but the twists and turns provided a full day’s entertainment for the several hundred fans on hand. For many of the players, they looked like they had just emerged from full scale battle.
 
Taiwan’s Chang Jung Lin must surely being looking upstairs and asking lots of questions today. The world ranked number 8 came to Doha with heavy expectations and deservedly so as he is Taiwan’s number 1 player and is a proven winner of big events.
 
Down 4-2 in a race to 11 match against German veteran Oliver Ortmann in the day’s first of four sessions, Chang stormed in front 6-4 and looked to be marching towards victory. But suddenly, the towering Chang’s break shot completely abandoned him. Unable to find an opening after the break, or even pot a ball, Chang lost his confidence, while Ortmann, seizing on the moment, found his. The German won seven straight racks to send Chang packing.
 
 “It all depends on the break shot,” Ortmann said. “You have to hope your opponent breaks bad. That’s the only chance you have against a guy like him. I know how good he is. He’s one of the best in the world so to beat him gives me a lot of confidence.”
 
Taiwan's Ko Pin YisWith his performance today, Chang’s stable mate Ko Pin Yi has certainly installed himself as one of the favorites to at least make it to the final four after tomorrow. Ko has been untouchable this week and continued his fine run today, easily beating Korea’s Ryu Seung Woo, 11 – 2.
 
The first session featured several showdowns between former world champions. 2001 World Champion Mika Immonen was down 3-1 to 2004 World Champion Alex Pagulayan. The Finn, however, turned up the heat and won 11-6. Immonen has been playing superb pool at the highest levels for the last six months and, as usual for Mika, confidence was in no short order.   
 
“I feel solid,” he said. “If it’s an equal opportunity, I like my chances here.”
 
China’s supremely talented Wu Chia Ching always provides a heavy dose of reality to anyone he plays. 2000 World 9-ball Champion Chao Fong Pang, however, didn’t seem too impressed early on. The veteran Chao led Wu through the first three quarters of their match. But Wu proved to be just too good and won down the stretch, 11-8.
 
Filipino fans had hoped their hero Efren “Bata” Reyes could conjure up the old magic just one more time. But the Netherlands Nick Van Den Berg would have none of it as he handily defeated Reyes 11-5.
 
“I had an answer on almost every safety he played,” Van den Berg said. “For the rest i played solid and my break is getting better.”
 
Those pesky pool gods made their presence felt in the second session, just when Great Britain’s Karl Boyes thought he had a slot in the final 32 in his back pocket. Boyes had cruised to a 10-4 lead over the Philippines Marlon Villamor when, out of the blue, his break abandoned him. At the same time, Villamor started freewheeling and playing lights out pool, and tied the contest at 10-10.
 
Boyes was a bag full of nerves in the last rack and was faced with a safety on the 1-ball, or a difficult bank. The bank was one of those shots that if it goes wrong he loses, but if it goes right, he hits the jackpot with a win. Boyes chose to risk everything and nailed the bank and went on to run the table for a spot in the Final 32.
 
After the hell-ride of a match, Boyes was left shaking his head in disbelief, but also realizing how the higher powers play tricks with your mind.
 
Great Britain's Karl Boyes“The gods just changed up on me,” the Brit said. “You feel like you’ve seen it all in this game and then something else happens. You can never fully understand 9-ball. One minute I’m in total control and he’s gone. The next minute I’m under pressure and shaking like a leaf and he’s looking great.
 
“I played so many safes against him and he kicked out and had me hooked. So I figured I’m not letting him back at the table. If I’m going to go out, I’m going to go home hitting the ball.”
 
That sounds like something the gods like to hear, Karl.
 
Just about the same time, the USA’s Corey Duel and Great Britain’s Daryl Peach, the 2007 World Champion, were doing battle on the precipice as they slowly ground their way to a 10-10 thriller. In the final rack, Peach got highly unlucky on one safe, only to play a brilliant out on the next shot that led to an open table and a massive sigh of relief when the final 9-ball dropped.
 
In other action in session two, the Philippines Lee Vann Corteza had to come from behind early to take out pesky Manuel Gama of Portugal, 11-7. Austria’s 20 year old Mario He ensured his best result ever in a world championship with an 11-7 win over Mark Gray of Great Britain. Greece’s Nick Ekonomopoulos finally had a solid match with a strong 11-8 win over China’s Wang Can.
 
The drama continued in the evening as the Philippines Dennis Orcollo and Taiwan’s Cheng Yu Hsuan engaged in an amazingly high quality and tense affair in front of several hundred partisan Filipino fans.
 
It looked dark days for Orcollo early on as he fell behind 7-2. But Orcollo knows that in pool, you sometimes have to just bide your time and wait for that mysterious momentum to turn. Indeed that chance came with the Filipino about to go 8-3 down when Cheng missed a 7-ball. From there, the pool gods swung the “mo” to the other side and Orcollo was soon up 8-7.  The pair then duked it out right to the bitter end and Orcollo pulled it out at the wire.   
 
“At the beginning he got lucky and I had a few dry breaks,” Orcollo said. “But I just stayed calm and I just wait for my chance. When he missed the seven ball, I knew right there that that was my chance. Instead of 8-3, it’s now 7-4. Then the balls turned against him.”
 
 Across the room, 2003 World Champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany looked like he was dead in the water down 10-8 to Japan’s Toru Kuribayashi. But two late mistakes by the Japanese left the door open for Hohmann, and he stormed back for a heart pounding 11-10 win.
 
Defending champion Darren Appleton kept his hopes alive with an 11-4 win over 19 year Dutchman Ivo Aarts. Also advancing were Canada’s John Morra, Indonesia’s Mohammed Zulfikri, and the Philippines Jeff de Luna, who battled hard against the Netherlands Niels Feijen and won 11-9.
 
The Philippines Dennis OrcolloThe Philippines continued to look exceptionally strong in the final session of the night. Carlo Biado got out to a quick start against German Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet and never looked back, winning 11-5. Come backing Marlon Manalo put lid on the hopes of Kuwait with a workmanlike win over 21 year Omar Al Shaheen. Veteran Ramil Gallego defeated Chile’s Enrique Rojas, 11-8.
 
Great Britain ended the day with five players remaining and Chris Melling looks to be one of the strongest at the moment. The 2011 China Open champion can be positively ferocious when he is on his game, and that looks to be the case this week. Melling played near perfect pool in an 11-7 win over Taiwan’s Chang Yu Lung.
 
“I played unbelievable,” said Melling, never shy of confidence. “I ran seven racks off my own break. 
I think I’m playing better than when I won the China Open.”
 
Also advancing were Spain’s David Alcaide, Venezuela’s Jalal Yousef, and the USA’s Shane Van Boening. Van Boening had an easy time today with an 11-2 waltz over Lebanon’s Mohd Ali Berjawi.
 
Long time pool fans will certainly be cheering the progress of Italy’s Fabior Petroni, who has seemingly rolled back the clock this week. Petroni certainly looked fab with a fine 11-6 win over Switzerland’s Dmitri Jungo.
 
Thursday promises to be the events most exciting day as the field will be reduced from 32 players down to four. Look for the  pool gods  to be hanging around the Al Arabi throughout the day.
 
The semi-finals and finals will be played on Friday, September 13.
 
Play begins Thursday at 11am(GMT +3)
 
The winner of the 2013 World 9-ball Championship receives $36,000. The runner up will pocket $18,000. The total prize fund is $250,000.
 
*The World Pool-Billiard Association(WPA)  will be on hand in Doha throughout the week bringing you all the drama from the 2013 World 9-ball Championship. WPA Press Officer Ted Lerner will be reporting from the Al Arabi Sports Club with daily articles containing insight, interviews and analysis, as well as photos. Ted will also be manning the WPA Facebook page and Twitter feed and responding to fans queries and comments. Fans can also follow all matches via the WPA live scoring platform.  
 
Please visit the WPA Facebook page for the 2013 World 9-ball Championship here http://www.facebook.com/wpaworld9ballchampionship
 
Follow the WPA on Twitter:  @poolwpa
 
Visit the official website of the WPA at www.wpapool.com