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Stolka Takes Opening Seniors Gold

Harald Stolka

Germany’s Harald Stolka won the first gold medal of the 2022 Dynamic Billard European Pool Championships Seniors as he defeated countryman Reiner Wirsbitzki 75-52 in an entertaining final to claim victory in the men’s Straight Pool division. Both players had plenty of visits but it was Stolka’s more dominant scoring that saw him through.

For Stolka, it was a wonderful moment, given that this was his first  event at his first ever European Seniors, “That’s incredible. I’m really proud to beat my friend Reiner as I have a lot of respect for him because of his victories in the past. I’m really proud of what I’ve done and this is great!

“Last year I played the German Championships and lost to Reiner twice and I couldn’t win any title and that’s why I was mentally prepared for a tough tournament right here. Right now, I’m real happy. I will be trying now to play to win a medal in each division but if I travelled home right now that’s OK!” he added.

Stolka got proceedings underway in the race to 75 match but scratched on his second shot of the run. Wisbitzki could only add one point and Stolka returned to the table with an opportunity. The German veteran cleared the table, leaving the green 14 as his break ball for the next rack, leading 12-1.

He cleared the next rack to increase his lead to 26-1, leaving the 1-ball available as his break ball. With the 1-ball so close to the pack, the split wasn’t great but Stolka  worked away trying to get some movement on the pack and picked any off  the loose balls.

Stolka completed the rack with a handy 40-1 lead but his break ball in the next looked too straight to gain much impact on the rack. He did well to nudge a ball or two out to keep it going but he missed the 10-ball and allowed Wisbitzki back in, trailing 42-1.

Wirsbitzki needed a significant visit and he cleared to the table to reduce the deficit to 42-13, leaving the brown 7 out with a great angle to move the rack. He managed to split the pack, pocketing two balls in the process and negotiated his way around the table to complete it and move the score to 42-27.

Wirsbitzki though, missed his break ball, a relatively easy 9-ball to the corner pocket, and Stolka was back in. Stolka set about his task but with three balls left he missed a straight 8-ball leading 54-27. Wirsbitzki, completed the rack and left a straightish looking 2-ball, situated just outside of the rack.

Wirsbitzki got bogged down in the next, chasing position, but good work allowed him to mop up the table to get within 11 points of Stolka, trailing 54-43, and leaving the red 2-ball out at a nice angle. The break didn’t quite work out for Wisbitzki as the cue ball landed stuck on the bottom rail. A table length attempt on the 1-ball missed and Stolka returned to the table needing 21 points for victory.

There was still a bit of congestion as Stolka worked his way around the balls and he managed to loosen them up sufficiently to complete the rack and leave himself within 8 points of victory. With the cueball finishing within the confines of the triangle, Stolka started the rack from behind the headstring and did a terrific job in loosening the balls required for victory.

He was derailed by a bad scratch as the moving white just clipped the 5-ball, detouring it into the centre pocket. With the position of the balls, safety was the only option for both players as they looked for an opening. A great angled long pot on the pink 4, gave Wirsbitzki a chance to develop the table. However, with three balls left, he missed a bank on the 14-ball, giving Stolka the chance to close the match out.

He left He left the 14-ball on the rail with a good enough angle to release sufficient balls from the rack and he played it perfectly and downed the final two balls for victory.

Wirsbitzki said, “Firstly, I’m very happy about the silver medal. I didn’t start so well in the tournament and from match to match I played a little bit better. Harald played better across the tournament, better than me, and the best player of this tournament is the European Champion so congratulations to him.”

Bronze medals went to Dominik Zajac of Poland and Switzerland’s Sascha Specchia.

The 2022 Dynamic Billards European Championship Seniors and Ladies comprises nine separate events across four disciplines – 8, 9 and 10 ball as well as straight pool for men and teams.

Play continues later today with action in both the mens’ and ladies’ 10-ball divisions.

All matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com as well as selected matches on the EPBF’s Facebook page.

Results, live scoring and draws are available at
www.epbf.com/tournaments/european-championships/

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EPBF European Championship – 10 Ball Golds For Andersson And Specchia

Ulrike Andersson and Sascha Specchia

The 10 Ball Division concluded today at the EPBF / Dynamic Billiards European Seniors Championships in Treviso, Italy and there were gold medals for Ulrike Andersson of Sweden in the ladies’ division and Switzerland’s Sascha Specchia in the men’s’.

13 players contested the ladies’ tournament and it was Andersson who prevailed in the final, beating Germany’s Susanne Wessel 5-3 in an exciting encounter in which both players’ lack of success on the break shot added to the drama.

Earlier in the competition Andersson had been defeated 5-1 by Wessel at the winners’ qualification stage so her success in the final was all the sweeter. With the match finely poised at 3-3, Wessel frustratingly delivered her fourth dry break of the final and it was Andersson who got things rolling with a tremendous pot.

She made a poor positional shot though, making the orange 5 more difficult than it should have been and consequently missed it.  Wessel then took up the running but heartbreakingly scratched going from 7 to 8. With ball in hand, Andersson cleared to reach the hill with the break in her favour.

Another dry break though saw Wessel return to try and save the match. Working her way through the table, the German lady fell short on the 6 ball. The balls were there for the taking and Andersson composed herself to run through to the 10 ball before her opponent conceded it to hand her the title.

The win completed a career hat trick of senior European Championship titles for Andersson as she added to 8 ball and 9 ball titles won at previous European Championships.

“After losing to Susanna earlier, I improved through the day and played my best game of the tournament in the final and I’m really happy about that. I won my first European Championship title in the straight pool division in 1999!

“Of course, now I’m going to try for the 8 and 9 ball divisions. Try to love the game as much as I do and maybe you will in it,” She added.

In the men’s division it was Sascha Specchia who put in a dominating performance in the championship match to defeat compatriot Murat Ayas by 7-1. The 47 year-old from Lyss, Switzerland, moved effortlessly through the winner’s side of the 72-man field, winning seven matches in total on his way to the gold medal.

Wins against Gianluca Boni (7-0) and Zdenko Lisik (7-4) got the Swiss into the last 32 where he defeated Tuesday’s straight pool gold medallist Jorge Tinoco. A brace of Italian players – Riccardo Sini and once again, Boni, were his last 16 and quarter-final victims respectively.

A win over Sweden’s Morgan Norberg saw Specchia guarantee at least a silver medal. His opponent in the final, Murat Ayas, lost his opening game which always adds pressure, but he battled through to the semi-final where he defeated Reiner Wirsbitzki, to hand the German a bronze medal to add to the silver he had already won in the straight pool division.

The final itself didn’t really take off as Specchia ran away with it to earn the coveted gold medal.

Commented Specchia; “I don’t know what to say! I’ve won gold in the Junior’s, silver in the Men’s and silver in the Seniors and now gold so it’s been a beautiful day for me.

“It’s not really easy to play against a friend and team mate, but a final is a final and we play pool and pool is a single sport and we both wanted to win,” he added.

Medals – Men

Gold –          Sascha Specchia (SUI)
Silver –        Murat Ayas (SUI)
Bronze –        Morgan Norberg (SWE)
Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER)

Medals – Ladies

Gold –          Ulrike Andersson (SWE)
Silver –        Susanne Wessel (GER)
Bronze –        Alexandra Cunha (GBR)
Karin Michl (GER)

Play continues on Friday the men’s and ladies’ 8 ball divisions.

Matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com

Results, live scoring and draw are available at www.epbf.com

Helvik and Sini Take the Final Gold Medals In 9-Ball Individuals

Ricardo Sini and Ine Helvik

The titles at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors & Ladies 2019 9-ball have been awarded today. Ine Helvik (NOR) and Ricardo Sini (ITA) have snatched the last two remaining titles.
 
The final in the seniors 9-ball division was played between Ricardo Sini and Sami Karttunen (FIN). Sini had a furious start and ran away with a 4:1 score after 5 racks played. But then he started committing several unforced errors which brought Karttunen back into the match. After 9 racks played, the Finish was even leading 5:4 over Sini. Throughout the whole match, Sini had the better break shot but his easy mistakes almost cost him the match. He recovered after rack 9 and got back to his earlier shape, winning the match with 8:5 over Karttunen. This was mainly since Sini got the breaks right and Karttunen had some unfortunate scratches in the latter stage of the match.
 
Top 8 Seniors 9-ball
 
1. Ricardo Sini ITA
2. Sami Karttunen FIN
3. Reiner Wirsbitzki GER
    Murat Ayas SUI
5. Sascha Specchia SUI
    Tomi Ahonen FIN
    Sten Jaerledal SWE
    Mahmut Mutto SWE
 
In the final of the ladies 9-ball division, Ine Helvik met Susanne Wessel (GER). Helvik got off to a 3:0 lead and never allowed anyone to think that she was giving this lead away at any time. Wessel tried to recover but Helvik played too strong and too consistent for her today. 6:3 was the final result which brought the title to Helvik in the ladies final match.
 
Top 6 Ladies 9-ball
 
1. Ine Helvik NOR
2. Susanne Wessel GER
3. Ann-Sofie Lofgren SWE
    Karin Michl GER
5. Tuuliina Panula FIN
    Nicole Kaldewey GER
 
Final Medal table
RANK NATION GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL
1 GER 2 3 4 9
2 NED 2   2 4
3 SUI 1 1 3 5
4 ITA 1 1   2
  POR 1 1   2
6 NOR 1   4 5
7 SWE 1   2 3
8 FRA   1 2 3
9 AUT   1 1 2
10 FIN     1 1
 
 
That concludes the coverage from the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors & Ladies 2019. The next event to be covered will be the Dynamic Billard Klagenfurt Open 2019, October 10-12, and the Predator Klagenfurt Women Open, October 12-13.
 
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.

Mutto over Peeters in Euro Seniors 9-Ball

Mahmut Mutto

Mahmut Mutto (SWE) ousted Rene Peeters (NED) in the round of 16 players of the seniors 9-ball at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors & Ladies 2019.
 
The match was a heartbreaker. Neither player was able to take control of the match and found themsevles tied at 7-7. Peeters had the break shot but he came up dry. A safety battle evolved with Peeters playing a good shot at the 1-ball. However, he mistakenly pocketed the 1-ball and had to play a safety on the 2-ball. Mutto hit it and left a tough shot for Peeters who tried to pocket it. He failed and Mutto took his chance to run the table, winning the match 8-7 over Peeters, booking his seat in the quarterfinal tomorrow.
 
Earlier today in the round of the last 32 players single elimination, Sascha Specchia (SUI) met Jesse Thehu (NED). That was a rematch from the straight pool finals last week, which was just won by Thehu. Specchia had a score to settle from that match, and in the beginning of the match it looked like he was on his way to do exactly that. He took the first 3 consecutive racks and came to a 3-0 lead without much effort. Rack four then went to Thehu. But Specchia dominated the match while things did not fall into place for Thehu. After 8 racks played, Specchia was on the hill with a nice 7-1 lead over Thehu. With one more rack going to Thehu’s account, Specchia ended the road for his Dutch opponent in the next rack and won the match with a clear 8-2 result. He advanced to the round of 16 players where he met David Larsson (SWE). In that match, Specchia had definitely more work to do but in the end came up with a nice 8-6 win which took him to the quarterfinals of the 9-ball individuals.
 
In the ladies division, Ine Helvik (NOR) and Susanne Wessel (GER) are through to the semi-finals. Helvik defeated Ann-Sofie Lofgren (SWE) 6-4 while Wessel overpowered Karin Michl (GER) 6-1. The other two seats for the semi-finals will be decided in the matches between Tuuliina Panula (FIN) v Karin Michl and Nicole Kaldewey (GER) v Ann-Sofie Lofgren. These matches will be played tomorrow morning at 11:00 CET.
 
The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies 2019 will commence tomorrow morning at 11:00 CET with quarterfinal matches in the 9-ball individuals competition.
 
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.

Euro 10-Ball Titles Captured by Correia and Wessel

Susanne Wessel and Henrique Correia

The titles in the 10-ball competition of the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors & Ladies 2019 have been awarded. Susanne Wessel (GER) won the ladies event while Henrique Correia (POR) took the crown in the seniors event.
 
The final match in the seniors division between Henrique Correia and Timo Hofmann (GER) was determined by several uncharacteristic mistakes. Correia came out strong and went up 2-0, but then was plagued by multiple errors that Hofmann benefitted from. The German took the lead at 3-2 before he too, saw errors get the best of him. With three major mistakes in three consecutive racks, Hofmann gave the match away. allowing Correia to take racks which he should have won himself. Instead of being 6-3 in front, Hofmann found himself trailing 3-6 before he won another rack to get to 4-6. Then, in the 11th rack, both players disregarded an 8-ball in a precarious position. Correia missed the 7-ball, leaving it for Hofmann, but it was Hofmann who quickly discovered that the 8-ball could not be sunk in the side pocket. Hofmann missed a difficult shot and left 3 easy shots remain for Correia who used this chance to win his 11th title on a European Championship level.
 
Top 8 Finishers
 
1. Henrique Correia POR
2. Timo Hofmann GER
3. Didrik Vatne NOR
    Jorgen Nilsen NOR
5. David Larsson SWE
    Michael Stark AUT
    Reiner Wirsbitzki GER
    Sascha Specchia SUI
 
In the final of the ladies division, Susanne Wessel met Nathalie Rohmer (FRA). Wessel was favoured and it looked like she was living up to that expectation when she took a quick 4-0 lead over Rohmer. The nerves of being one game away from the title then seemed to get to her, as she missed important shots. In rack six, she missed an easy 10-ball which left the fans wondering if she would lose the match to her nerves. Finally, in rack seven, Wessel sealed the deal and cleared the table, winning the final match 5-2 over Rohmer for her 8th Gold Medal on European level.
 
Top 6 Finishers
 
1. Susanne Wessel GER
2. Nathalie Rohmer FRA
3. Ine Helvik NOR
    Karin Michl GER
5. Cristina Moscetti ITA
    Ortenzia Haefliger SUI
 
Medal table after 2 of 5 events
 
Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 GER 1 1 1 3
2 NED 1   1 2
3 POR 1     1
4 SUI   1   1
  FRA   1   1
6 NOR     3 3
7 AUT     1 1
 
The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies 2019 will commence tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches in the 9-ball individuals competition.
 
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.

Thehu Takes The First Title In The Seniors

Jesse Thehu

In the seniors division of the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors & Ladies 2019, Jesse Thehu (NED)  won the Gold Medal over Sascha Specchia (SUI) 100-91 in an entertaining final match.
 
Thehu had the better start and the better ending in the match. He ran out and took a huge lead at 93-3 over Specchia. While everybody thought the match would be over soon, Thehu then committed several easy mistakes which brought Specchia back into the match. The Swiss fought his way back into the match and trailed by only one at 92-91 with 9 balls remaining on the table. It was Specchia's turn to make a mistake though and he missed a relatively easy 1-ball in a decisive moment. Thehu made the most of the opportunity and ran the table to win his 2nd European Championship title in Straight Pool.
 
Top 8 Finishers
 
1. Jesse Thehu NED
2. Sascha Specchia SUI
3. James Telfer NED
    Michael Stark AUT
5. Henrique Correia POR
    Riccardo Sini ITA
    Steffen Gross GER
    Kent Karlsson SWE
 
Medal table after 1 of 5 events
 
Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1. NED 1   1 2
2 SUI   1   1
3. AUT     1 1
 
 
 
 
The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies 2019 will commence tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches in the 10-ball individuals competition.
 
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.

Hofmann Through To Quarterfinals In Senior’s 10-Ball

Timo Hofmann (GER)

Timo Hofmann (GER) has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 10-ball individuals with a 7-3 victory over Espen Andersen (NOR)
 
Today, in the final round 16 players senior’s 10-ball competition of the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors & Ladies 2019, Espen Andersen encountered Timo Hofmann. Both players came into the match undefeated and had both displayed strong play in the event so far. Neither player will want this match on their highlight reel, as the pressure got to both players early in the match. Both players were guilty of mental errors and the match was deadlocked at 3-3 after six racks. Hofmann managed to get himself together first and that was the deciding factor as he found his stroke and consequently took rack after rack from Andersen who seemed a bit helpless at times. The Norwegian was not able to win another rack which meant that Hofmann sailed through to a nice 7-3 victory over Andersen. This victory booked the German a seat in the quarter-final of the 10-ball seniors which will be played tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET. His opponent will be Sascha Specchia (SUI), the runner-up in the straight pool competition.
 
In the ladies’ 10-ball competition, the two German players Karin Michl and Susanne Wessel made their way through the winner’s qualification round. Michl took down Ine Helvik (NOR) 5:1 while Wessel defeated Nathalie Rohmer (FRA) 5:2.
 
Later in the day, the team competition got started. One close match in the winner’s qualification round of the seniors was the encounter between France and Portugal. Sergio Silva took the first point for Portugal with a 7-1 victory over Betrand Deloriol in 8-ball. Then, both of the other matches went hill-hill at the same time. It was Henrique Correia who snatched the second and game-winning point for the Portuguese by winning his 10-ball match 7-6 over Michel Natali. 
 
The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies 2019 will commence tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches in the 10-ball individuals competition. The 10-ball finals will be played at 13:00 CET.
 
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.

Sparrenloev-Fischer Through to Semi-Finals

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The event will be hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.eurotouronline.com, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

Azar and Bolfelli win the 8-ball individuals

Barbara Bolfelli and Senharip Azar

Barbara Bolfelli (ITA) and Senharip Azar (SWE) have just won the Dynamic Billard European Championship titles in the 8-ball individuals.
 
Bolfelli met Susanne Wessel (GER) in the final match. Bolfelli, being the defending Champion, played more self-confident from the very beginning. It seemed as if Wessel could not get a foot on the ground. She either missed balls or ran out of position. In the end, the final match turned out to be a disaster for Wessel. Bolfelli destroyed Wessel’s hopes for the title with a more than clear 5:0 victory.
 
Top 6 Finishers Ladies 8-Ball
 
1 Barbara Bolfelli (ITA)
2 Susanne Wessel (GER)
3 Cristina Moscetti (ITA)
Nathalie Rohmer (FRA)
4 Anja Hehre (GER)
Karin Michl (GER)
 
In the senior’s division, newcomer Senharip Azar played his first year in the seniors Championships. He came to the final with an amazing 7:1 victory over Dino Cerimagic (BIH) in the semi-final. In the other semi-final, Dirk Stenten (GER) overpowered Csaba Nagy (HUN) 7:3. The final between Stenten and Azar turned out to be a one-man show from Azar. Stenten could not finish his racks and almost always left a chance for Azar to take over the table. That’s what cost him the title in the end. Azar was the better player today and rightfully won the final match with 7:3.
 
Top 8 Finishers Seniors 8-Ball
 
1 Senharip Azar (SWE)
2 Dirk Stenten (GER)
3 Dino Cerimagic (BIH)
Csaba Nagy (HUN)
4 Vegar Kristiansen (NOR)
Henrique Correia (POR)
Steffen Gross (GER)
Sascha Specchia (SUI)
 
Medal table after 3 of 5 events
 
1 Italy
2 Germany
3 Portugal
Sweden
4 Netherlands
Norway
5 France
6 Bosnia & Hercegovina
Hungary
 
The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies will continue tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches of the 9-ball individuals competition. At 21:00 CET, the team finals will begin.
 
All matches can be viewed LIVE at www.kozoom.com. Up to 24 tables in HiRes quality are providing you with all the action of the event. You do not miss out one single match! Join today!
 
More information about participants, schedules, achievements, rankings, etc can be found on the event website www.epconline.eu
 
The event is hosted by the European Pocket Billiard Federation EPBF and organized by International Billiard Promotion Foundation IBPF.

Correia defends the 10-ball crown while Moscetti takes her first title

Christina Moscetti and Henrique Correia

Henrique Correia (POR) and Christina Moscetti (ITA) won the titles in the 10-ball individuals at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies in St. Johann i.Pg., Austria.
 
The early stage of the final match was determined by several mistakes from Correia. That allowed Thehu to take a quick 3:1 advantage over Correia. But then he scratched in rack 5 and Correia managed to pull back two racks, tying the match at 3:3. In rack 7, Thehu committed a foul and gave ball in hand to Correia who consequently made use of the situation and went ahead 4:3. Rack 8 was dominated by safety play on the 2-ball. Correia managed to force Thehu to commit another foul, and Correia tried to run the rack to get to 5:3. But he missed the 9-ball in the side pocket. Luckily for him, he left a tough shot for Thehu. The missed the 9-ball, too, and left a walk in the park for Correia who got to 5:3. The Portuguese also took the next rack to get on the hill 6:3. With that advantage, Correia got ball in hand in the 10th rack since Thehu committed a foul, again. But Correia could not run out. He missed the 6-ball in the side pocket, leaving again a tough shot for Thehu. Thehu played a good safety but unfortunately for him, he pocketed the 6-ball and hooked himself on the 7-ball. That was all Correia needed to win the match and the title with 7:3. „I would like to dedicate this title to my friend Paolo Costa“, said an emotional Correia after the awards ceremony.
 
Top Eight Finishers Seniors 10-ball
 
1 Henrique Correia (POR)
2 Jesse Thehu (NED)
3 Vegar Kristiansen (NOR)
Dag-Joran Aralden (NOR)
4 Sascha Specchia (SUI)
Dirk Stenten (GER)
Gijs Van Helmond (NED)
Espen Saltnes (NOR)
 
Cristina Moscetti and Karin Michl both started out quite leveled. After 6 racks, the score was tied at 3:3. Rack 7 was hard fought over. It was Karin Michl who finally won the rack and got to the hill first, leading 4:3. The next break was Moscetti’s. She had a ball down and missed the first shot. After a few safety shots, Moscetti got momentum first and had the balls spread open on the table for her. She cleared the table to make the final match a hill-hill thriller. Rack 9 saw Karin Michl breaking the balls. She had no balls down and gave the table to Moscetti who opened the safety battle. With a lucky safety, Michl forced Moscetti to play a foul shot and received ball in hand with seven balls left on the table. Since these balls were still not in good positions Michl decided to pocket some balls and then go for safety again. When she got to the table she made some amazing shots including pocketing the 6-ball over one rail and getting perfect position for the 7-ball. But when she pocketed the 7-ball, she scratched in the side pocket. Mosquito got to the table with ball in hand and only two balls left. That brought her the title. „It is like a dream for me“, stated Moscetti, „I still cannot believe it.“
 
Top Six Finishers Ladies 10-ball
 
1 Cristina Moscetti (ITA)
2 Karin Michl (GER)
3 Nathalie Rohmer (FRA)
Hildegard Kasper
4 Barbara Bolfelli (ITA)
Ilona Zalmanova (CZE)
 
Medal Table after 2 of 5 events
 
1 Germany
2 Italy
Portugal
3 Netherlands
Norway
4 France
 
The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies will continue tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches of the team competition.
 
All matches can be viewed LIVE at www.kozoom.com. Up to 24 tables in HiRes quality are providing you with all the action of the event. You do not miss out one single match! Join today!
 
More information about participants, schedules, achievements, rankings, etc can be found on the event website www.epconline.eu
 
The event is hosted by the European Pocket Billiard Federation EPBF and organized by International Billiard Promotion Foundation IBPF.