Eyllul Kibaroglu, Henrik Larsson and Mieszko Fortunski
There was joy for hosts Turkey as Eyllul Kibaroglu took 10 ball gold in the Ladies’ division while Poland took both gold and silver in the Men’s division as Mieszko Fortunski beat Daniel Maciol 8-4 at the Dynamic Billiards European Championships taking place in Antalya, Turkey. In the Wheelchair division it was Sweden’s Henrik Larsson who took yet another EC gold.
In the men’s final, Fortunski, the 29 year-old from Wroclaw, put in a superb showing as he led throughout to secure a deserved 8-4 victory. Maciol’s break let him down on occasions and Fortunski capitalised on it with some solid play. It proved to be back-to-back 10 ball titles for the Pole following victory in Treviso, Italy in 2019.
There were 115 present in the event including Joshua Filler who was making his debut at this year’s championship. He was knocked out though, at the hands of Roman Hybler (CZE) in a classic 8-7 win. Hybler went onto the quarter-finals where he was beaten by the eventual runner-up.
The semi-finals saw comfortable wins for the two Poles as Maciol beat BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet, who collected yet another EC medal to go into his over-flowing trophy cabinet. Fortunski overcame Marc Bijsterbosch, who claimed a bronze also, to go with the silver he won in the straight pool division.
As is usual at a major final, there was tension in the air and it was Maciol, the 22 year-old from Katowice, who ran out the first rack after winning the lag. Fortunski levelled it in the next rack before a dry break in the third left the door open for Fortunski who completed a great clearance to take one against the break.
However, Fortunski missed the 2 ball in the fourth game, focusing too much on keeping the white out of the corner pocket, and a composed Maciol ran the table for 2-2. Another dry break from Maciol was his sole contribution to the next as Fortunski confidently cleared for a 3-2 lead.
Fortunski ran out the next to take a two-rack lead. Under some pressure now, Maciol finally came good on the break and cleared well to reduce arrears and hope for a mistake from his opponent.
Fortunski lost the cue ball in the eighth game and could only play a difficult containing safety which left a tricky long pot on the 1 ball. Sensing that offence was his only route to regaining parity, Maciol took it on and missed. Worse still, it left an easy pot on the 1 ball, and Fortunski took full advantage and ran out for 5-3.
Maciol was thrown a life-line in the next as his opponent broke dry and he made the clearance to stay in the game. He gave it back in the next when he missed the 2-ball following a dry break. Fortunski missed it himself but was handed the table back following a poor shot and ran out to reach the hill at 7-4
With three balls between Fortunski and the title, he missed a horror 7-ball as he seemed to twitch on the shot. It was a golden opportunity for Maciol but his speedy cut on the 7-ball saw the white collide with the 10 ball and drop into the corner pocket. With ball in hand, Fortunski made no mistakes to secure the European Men’s 10 Ball Championship.
After the match, Fortunski was relieved to have come through such a strong field, “For sure it wasn’t easy for me, I had a lot of tough matches. I played against Mario He, Schjetne, Bijsterbosch, Gorst, and in the final with Maciol so my road to the title was really hard and I’m really happy.
“It’s my second in a row so I’m double happy! 10 ball for sure is my best game. There were no lucky shots, well not too much, but I believed and was confident for the final.”
Medals – Men
Gold – Mieszko Fortunski (POL)
Silver – Daniel Maciol (POL)
Bronze – Marc Bijsterbosch (NED)
Ralf Souquet (GER)
There was arguably the loudest cheer of the week at the Venezia Palace Hotel as local star Eyllul Kibaroglu deposited the 10-ball to claim the gold medal in the Ladies’ 10 Ball event. The 33 year-old from Ankara defeated Tamara Rademakers 6-2. It was her second European Championship gold and you would have to go all the way back to 2007 in Liberec, Czech Republic when she took the top spot in the 9 ball division.
It was sweet revenge for Kibaroglu who had been sent to the one-loss side in her second match of the tournament by Rademakers. However, she battled on defeating Spanish straight pool silver medallist Amalia Matas, and fancied Ana Gradisnik 6-3 in the quarter-finals.
Rademakers ran through the winners’ side and beat Margaret Fefilova 6-2 in the semi-finals to meet Kibaroglu, who had defeated Bojana Sarac 6-5 at the same stage. The final wasn’t perhaps the classic hoped for as the Turkish girl romped home 6-2 to secure the gold.
“I’m so excited to get the second title after 14 years. I’ve waited for it too long and too many times. I’ve made too many quarter-finals on the Euro Tour and European Championships but this is the right time and the right moment in my home country. I’m proud and more than happy and excited.
“I’m very thankful to the Turkish Federation who have been supporting me a long time and I’m very appreciative of the EPBF for putting on this beautiful tournament.”
Playing out at the same time as the men’s and ladies’ finals, was the final of the Wheelchair division and it was veteran Henrik Larsson who grabbed a brilliant 14th European Championship gold medal. He defeated Finland’s Jouni Tahti 5-4 in the championship match to successfully defend the title he won in Italy two years ago.
It was a thriller with the destination of the gold medal determined in the final rack, and it was Larsson who came through to deny European wheelchair pool legend Tahti and incredible 26th gold medal.
Larsson was delighted post-match; “I’m tickled! I’m going to practice extremely hard in 2022 and play the Euro Tour and all that and see what is my potential and when I find that out, I don’t know what I’m going to do!
“I’m really happy to see all the improvements and the sport growing. You see so many guys now in wheelchairs shooting and I’m really looking forward to what we can expect for the sport in the following couple of years,” he added.
Medals – Wheelchair
Gold – Henrik Larsson (SWE)
Silver – Jouni Tahti (FIN)
Bronze – David Slacek (SLO)
Matej Brajkovic (SLO)
Russia’s Fedor Gorst and Germany’s Ina Kaplan are the straight pool champions at the Dynamic Billiards European Championships taking place in Antalya, Turkey.
Gorst, the 26 year-old Russian, had flown into Turkey following a heavy stint of tournaments in the USA but any signs of fatigue were set aside as he won eight straight matches to secure the first trophy of the annual Euro pool festival.
With 95 players competing in the division, Gorst managed to stay on the winner’s side with some dominant performances. Play resumed today at the last 32 stage and the 21 year-old superstar from Moscow didn’t disappoint as wins against Kim Laaksonen (Finland) and Michael Schneider (Switzerland) took him through to the quarter-finals.
The race moved up from 100 to 125 as Gorst despatched Tim De Ruyter (Netherlands) and then veteran Swiss Dmitri Jungo 125-22 to secure a berth in the final. His opponent, the ever-dangerous Marc Bijsterbosch, had lost his opening match to Alex Montpelier but had battled through the one-loss side, including a big win against fancied Thorsten Hohmann, to reach the last 32.
Wins against Fabio Petroni and a revenge victory over the aforementioned Montpelier (France) put the Dutchman into the medals and a semi-final win over Roman Hybler ensured a show-down with Gorst for the championship.
It was the Russian who controlled the game though for a 125-11 win for the title.
“I’ve just come back from the USA after a few tournaments there but I’m a professional and totally dedicated to the sport, so I can only give 100% whatever the circumstances.
“I’m excited to have won the first men’s gold of the championships, but now it’s time to get some rest and prepare myself for the 8 ball,” added Gorst.
Medals – Men
Gold – Fedor Gorst (RUS)
Silver – Marc Bijsterbosch (NED)
Bronze – Dimitri Jungo (SUI)
Roman Hybler (CZS)
In the ladies’ division, revenge was sweet for Germany’s Ina Kaplan as she headed the field of 36 players to take the gold medal in the ladies’ straight pool, her first gold in her long history in the championships. Kaplan, 34, had been bounced into the loser’s side 75-31 by Spain’s Amalia Matas in the winner’s qualification round. She battled through though, beating Monika Zabec (Poland) in the quarters and then compatriot, Tina Vogelmann in the semi-finals to set up her second match against Matas for the title. It was a very close one with Kaplan reaching the magic 75 with her opponent stranded on 69.
Commented Kaplan, “Straight pool is not my major discipline. In 9 ball and 10 ball I had three finals and always lost. My mind was going crazy. Finally, I got it now so I’m over the moon! I never ever thought my first gold would come in straight pool – it’s a miracle, I think!
“I don’t play straight pool that much. I practised before this tournament as I wanted to get off to a good start. Yesterday I didn’t play that well but it was getting better and better and now I’m standing here with the gold medal. Never give up, always play your heart out and believe in yourself!” see added.
Medals – Ladies
Gold – Ina Kaplan (GER)
Silver – Amalia Matas (ESP)
Bronze – Tina Vogelmann (GER)
Tamara Rademakers (NED)
Alcaide probably lost the match in the first few racks. He made some grave mistakes that put him in arrears and he never seemed to recover from those mistakes. Huidji See was even taking a nice 5:1 advantage over Alcaide. Though the Spaniard tried a comeback, he was not able to tie the match again at any time. The closest he could get was a 4:5 deficit to See. Then the Dutch World 10-ball Champion won another 3 racks in a row which put him on the hill with 8:4. Alcaide fought and tried to avoid the defeat but all he could do was win another rack and lose the match finally with 9:6.
Other notable results from this morning include The Dutch women’s team, consisting of Kynthia Orfanidis and Tamara Rademakers, winning over Team Sweden with Louise Furberg and Caroline Roos with 2:0. Team Norway (Ine Helvik and Line Kjoersvik) sent team Spain (Silvia Lopez and Amalia Matas) home with 2:0.
In the men’s team competition, team Spain eliminated team Sweden with 3:0. A small upset was team Poland winning over favoured team Russia with 2:1.
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 , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press offic
Wednesday, 28 March 2012: After a long match over 17 racks, Ivica Putnik (CRO) stayed on top of Paddy McLoughlin (IRE) with 9:8.
The match was a head to head race all the way through. Both players played on an even level and made some mistakes. In the end, McLoughlin seemed to cross the finish line first and went on the hill, taking an 8:7 lead over Putnik. But Putnik struck back and levelled the match at 8:8. Then, McLoughlin had a dry break and Putnik got to the table. He played some good shots but missed the 5-ball. However, the ball went into another pocket and allowed Putnik to stay at the table and run the rack and win the match with 9:8. Tough luck for the Irish.
In the women’s division, Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) beat Kim Christin Witzel (GER) with 7:2. Chantal Manske (GER) defeated Tamara Rademakers (NED) with 7:6. Line Kjoersvik (NOR) won her match over Amalia Matas (ESP) with 7:6.
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 , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.
Left to right: Natalya Seroshtan, Jouni Tahti and Mario He Foto: EPBF/DK
The three European 8-Ball Champions 2012 are Mario He (AUT), Natalya Seroshtan (RUS) and Jouni Tahti (FIN).
In the men’s division, the final match was a catastrophe for opponent Artem Koshovyi (UKR). He had played so well during the event but in the final, the balls definitely rolled for He. The Austrian demolished Koshovyi with 8:0 and demonstrated his performance skills in a very impressive way. “I am really happy to have won this tournament”, said He, “I still can’t believe it.” “I hope all my friends in Austria will party tonight and celebrate this historic victory with me”.
In the women’s division, 15-year-old Natalya Seroshtan ended Marika Poikkijoki‘s winning streak with some very good pool. After 5 racks, Seroshtan was ahead with 4:1. Again, a shot-clock was introduced to the match since Poikkijoki used too much time for her shots. Whether that affected her game or not can only be guessed. But it definitely did affect the performance of young Seroshtan. She remained strong at the table and won deservedly 6:3. “This victory means so much to me”, she said very modest when interviewed after the final. When asked about a role model, she said “Jasmin Ouschan, of course!” Jasmin heard that and threw her a big smile and gave thumbs up for her play.
In the wheelchair division, Jouni Tahti (FIN) grabbed the 13th European Champion title of his career. He defeated Roy Kimberley (GBR) after a long and hard battle with 5:2
The Dynamic European Championships will continue on Wednesday morning, 09:00 CET.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.epconline.eu , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office
Monday, 26 March 2012: In a thrilling encounter, Andreas Gerwen (SWE) wrestled Zoran Svilar (SRB) down with 8:4.
Already in the very first rack, Svilar committed a grave mistake. He was on the table and the balls had a nice layout for him to draw first blood. But he missed an easy shot and gave the first rack away to Gerwen. That is something that you should not do with players of this level. The next rack, Gerwen broke and came up dry. Svilar started potting and again missed an easy shot. What a catastrophe for Svilar. Was it lack of concentration? Gerwen benefitted again from that mistake and took the rack. These two mistakes in the early stage of the match were quite critical for Svilar. He always carried them with him like a ball and a chain through the match. Gerwen was always on top of things and even when Svilar played without mistakes, Gerwen did as well. Until the 10th rack. Then Gerwen scratched on his break and left an open and easy table to run for Svilar to try and tie the score at 5:5. But Svilar lost position for the 8-ball and hooked himself. He tried to make it but did not succeed. Gerwen took that rack and instead of a tie situation, the score was now 6:4 in favour of Gerwen. That probably broke Svilar’s neck. He broke the balls in the 11th rack and nothing went in with the cue ball in a nice position for Gerwen. The Swede thanked in his own way by pocketing all balls and going on the hill, taking a 7:4 lead over Svilar with his own break to come up. He broke the balls, had a tough shot to begin with but played very strong and won the rack and the match with 8:4. Gerwen has played stronger than Svilar and is rightfully through to the last 32 player’s in the men’s division.
Other notable results in the men’s division include Ralf Souquet (GER) winning over Miquel Silva (POR) with 8:3. David Alcaide (ESP) made it with 8:1 over Johan D’Hondt (BEL).
In the women’s division, Katerina Polovinchuk (UKR) ended the roll of Kristina Zlateva (BUL) with 6:4. The Bulgarian was eliminated from the 8-ball competition. The same fate was shared by Louise Furberg (SWE) who got beaten by Darya Sirotina (RUS) with 2:6. Amalia Matas (ESP), winner against Jasmin Ouschan last night, got ousted by unheralded Claudia Kunz (SUI) with 5:6). Tamara Rademakers (NED) ended Line Kjoersvik‘s (NOR) hopes for a medal in 8-ball this year with 6:4.
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 , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.
Jaroslav Polach (SVK) was able to win against Petri Makkonen (FIN) with 8:4 in the early rounds of today’s 8-ball competition.
With straight pool and 10-ball already finished, today the 8-ball competition started at the Dynamic European Championships. One of the feature matches was the clash between Slovakia’s Jaroslav Polach and Finland’s Petri Makkonen. Polach quickly found his rhythm, unlike his opponent. Makkonen was always trailing throughout the whole match and committed some remarkable errors. The match however was on a high level since one mistake mostly meant the end of that rack to the player who did not manage to run out. Polach showed some strong potting skills and position play. Makkonen, who seemed to be off the roll a bit, struggled with his own game and found no possibility to stop Polach from taking the victory in this match.
Other notable results include Marcus Chamat (SWE) destroying his opponent, Ozgur Akkurt (TUR) with 8:0. Manuel Gama (POR) won unexpectedly clear over Mats Schjetne (NOR) with 8:3. First upset of the day was probably the fact that 10-ball World Champion Huidji See (NED) fell with 7:8 to his opponent, Dmitry Chuprov (BLR). Also a big surprise was the fact that Sina Yuksel (TUR) demolished yesterday’s finalist Stephan Cohen (FRA) with 8:7.
In the women’s division, Tamara Rademakers (NED) stood tall over Kristina Zlateva (BUL) with 6:4. In an all-Russian clash, Anna Majirina succumbed to Natalya Seroshtan with 2:6. Straight Pool bronze medallist Christine Wiechert (GER) lost her opening match to KaterinaPolovinchuk (UKR) with 3:6.
In the wheelchair division, two favourites met in the first round. Jouni Tahti (FIN) was able to remain the upper hand over Henrik Larsson (SWE) and win with 5:3.
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 , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office
In a tight match, Georgiev Lyudmil (BUL) defeated Ozgur Akkurt (TUR) with 100:68.
Both players seemed to struggle their way into the match. None of the two had a great advantage over the opponent and it was Lyudmil to get momentum first. He managed to gain a 51:35 advantage over Akkurt. The Turkish player obviously could not find a proper answer for that. He came a bit closer but Lyudmil was able to keep the distance to Akkurt and crossed the winning line, taking the match 100:68. Lyudmil will now play in the single elimination field of the last 64 players while Akkurt needs to get another win in the loser’s bracket.
Other notable results include Vincent Facquet (FRA) winning 100:86 over Milos Verkic (SRB). Good news for France: His teammate Eric Chen (FRA) also took his match against favoured Ruslan Chinakhov and just won with 100:90. Reigning 9-ball European Champion Nick van den berg (NED) lost 4:100 against a strong playing Zoran Svilar (SRB). Evgen Novosad (UKR) stole the match from his opponent Petri Makkonen (FIN) with 100:96.
In the women’s division, Tamara Rademakers (NED) beat Line Kjoersvik (NOR) with 75:49. Simone Kuenzel (GER) won her match over Natalya Seroshtan (RUS) with 75:52.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.epconline.eu , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office
Final 16 Players Compete in Single Elimination Stage for the Title
LINCOLN CITY, OR – The Women’s Pro Billiard Tour’s WPBA Tour Championships is down to the final 16 players who will compete in the single elimination stage to determine the eventual champion on Sunday.
On the winner’s side, eight players emerged victorious after the second seeded round of play:
The eight winners were then drawn into the eight emerging from the one loss side, including Vivian Villarreal, with wins over Shelby Locati 9-1 and Eleanor Callado 9-7; Melissa Little, with wins over Jennifer Chen 9-4 and Kim White 9-7; Liz Cole, with wins over Dawn Hopkins 9-3 and Cathy Metzinger 9-6; Jennifer Barretta, with a win over Maureen Seto 9-4; Brittany Bryant, with wins over Tina Hess 9-1 and Val Finnie 9-6; Erica Park, with wins over defending champion Xiaoting Pan 9-6 and Nicole Keeney 9-3; Helena Thornfeldt, with wins over Teruko Cucculelli 9-4 and Tamara Rademakers 9-7; and Ewa Laurance, with a win over Emily Duddy 9-4.
Fans can keep up with match results at www.wpba.com via the Tour Championship Tournament Board. The final sixteen will narrow to eight players late this evening. Those eight be featured in the ESPN televised quarter finals on Saturday!
For more information, or to obtain tickets call 1-888-MAIN-ACT (624-6228) or 541-996-5775. Chinook Winds Casino Resort, located on the beach in Lincoln City, is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
About the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA)
The WPBA was established in 1976 as the Women’s Professional Billiard Alliance, and celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2011 as the oldest pro player organization in the sport. The WPBA sanctions and produces the Women’s Pro Billiard Tour, which features ESPN-televised events with the world’s greatest women players. Visit www.wpba.com for more. The WPBA Classic Tour is sponsored by the American Poolplayers Association, Diamond Billiards, Iwan Simonis, Delta 13, Pooldawg and Aramith.
Defending Champion Xiaoting Pan Upset by Texas’ Kim White!
LINCOLN CITY, OR – The Women’s Pro Billiard Tour kicked off its culminating season Tour Championship at the Chinook Winds Event Center with 48 of the best women pool players in the world competing throughout Thursday.
32 competitors completed first round matches in the day session; the 16 winners of those matches then had to face the top 16 seeded players in the event. The big upset of this round was Texas player and Lone Star regional tour promoter Kim White’s victory over defending champion Xiaoting Pan of China in a 9-8 thriller for USA fans!
All first round losers moved to the one loss side of the double elimination chart — if they are defeated again, they are eliminated from the tournament. Elimination results will post later today. Beginning Saturday morning, quarter final, semi final and final matches will be taped by ESPN for seven one-hour national broadcasts. Here are the Round One Results:
Fans can keep up with match results at www.wpba.com via the Tour Championship Tournament Board.
For more information, or to obtain tickets (day passes are just $20), call 1-888-MAIN-ACT (624-6228) or 541-996-5775. Chinook Winds Casino Resort, located on the beach in Lincoln City, is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
About the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) The WPBA was established in 1976 as the Women’s Professional Billiard Alliance, and celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2011 as the oldest pro player organization in the sport. The WPBA sanctions and produces the Women’s Pro Billiard Tour, which features ESPN-televised events with the world’s greatest women players. Visit www.wpba.com for more. The WPBA Classic Tour is sponsored by the American Poolplayers Association, Diamond Billiards, Iwan Simonis, Delta 13, Pooldawg and Aramith.
