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2017 World Cup of Pool – Finland fires out a warning shot

Poland 7-6 Greece
Finland 7-0 Norway
Chinese Taipei 7-3 Kuwait
 
 
Previous Champions Finland, who took this title in 2011, looked in solid form as they opened their 2017 12BET World Cup of Pool account with a 7-0 whitewash over Norway. It was the same pairing of Mika Immonen and Petri Makkonen that won back in Manila and they barely broke sweat as the moved past Mats Schjetne and Tom Bjerke.
 
Featuring 32 two-man teams from around the globe, the 12BET World Cup of Pool is into its 11th year as reigning champions Chinese Taipei attempt to become the first team ever to successfully defend the title at the York Hall.
 
Commented Immonen, “We got off to a rocky start with a few hiccups in the first rack but once we got over that hurdle we were pretty smooth. There is room for improvement but all-in-all I am pleased with the performance.
 
“We gave them a couple of opportunities but they weren’t able to capitalise. We aren’t fooling ourselves – it could have been 3-3 when it was 6-0. Norway are brilliant players but they need a little more experience and maybe the pressure affected them. We are here to win the tournament but at the same time it is one rack and one match at a time.”
 
Poland, who Finland beat in an epic final in ’11, looked dead and buried as they trailed 5-1 against the strong Greek pairing of Nick Ekonomopoulos and Alex Kazakis.
 
However, as weak as they looked in the opening stages, Mateusz Sniegocki and Wojciech Szewczyk, fired back as the Greeks floundered and in the end, they manged to upset the odds.
 
The final match of the session saw defending champions Chinese Taipei (Ko Pin Yi and Chang Yu Lung) defeat Kuwait by 7-3. The Taiwanese took the early lead but struggled to find their true form in the warm conditions in the arena. The Kuwaiti pair of Bader Al Awadhi and Mohammad Al Khashawi pulled three racks back but the defending champions had too much.
 
Play continues this evening with three more matches:
 
Japan (9) v Thailand
Philippines (11) v Qatar
England B (10) v Indonesia
 
Broadcast for six days live on Sky Sports in the UK; the tournament is available live in over 100 countries around the world. A comprehensive list of countries and networks broadcasting the World Cup of Pool can be found here: http://www.matchroompool.com/world-cup-of-pool/#watchlive
 
The 12BET World Cup of Pool will carry a $250,000 prize fund including $60,000 for the champions. The event will be produced by Matchroom Sport Television and televised live on Sky Sports as well as other stations around the world.
 
12BET World Cup of Pool Tickets are on sale now at www.matchroompool.com   priced at just £10.00 per evening session (Tuesday to Sunday) and £8.00 per weekend afternoon session. Tuesday to Friday afternoons are free. A season ticket covering all sessions is priced at £60.00.
2017 12BET World Cup of Pool is sponsored by Rasson Billiards who supplies the Official Table; the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue and Chalk of the event.

Several Favourites Struggle in Early Rounds in Treviso

Alexander Kazakis

Alexander Kazakis (GRE) has had a good day „at the office“ today. After having won the 10-ball Kremlin Cup earlier this month, Kazakis came here to Treviso with a lot of wind underneath his wings to play the Dynamic Billard Treviso Open, the final event of the Euro-Tour in 2016. He seems to be on a streak. In his first winner’s round match, Kazakis wasted no time with Guilherme Sousa (POR) and defeated him 9:4. In the next round, the opponent was punished even harder. Ryan Pisany (MLT) fell to the sharp blade of Kazakis and received the maximum penalty. 9:0 was the final result that put Kazakis in the winner’s qualification round where he will be up against Arjan Matrizi (ALB).

 

Former World 9-ball Champion Daryl Peach (GBR) did not catch that good of a day as Kazakis. He won his first match 9:4 over Adam Mscisz (POL) but then met Sascha Trautmann (GER). The German prove to be too strong for Peach today and showed no mercy for him. 9:3 was the final result that put Peach on the loser’s side of the draw.

 

Joining the list of the fallen heroes from today is Albin Ouschan (AUT), current 9-ball World Champion. He started with an easy prey in winner’s round one with a comfortable 9:4 victory over Mariusz Skoneczny (POL). In the next round, Ouschan stood against Andrey Seroshtan (RUS). That match went completely against the World Champion. Seroshtan dominated the table and in the end handed Ouschan a tough and painful 9:4 debacle. Seroshtan, who earlier today overpowered Andreas Madsen (DEN) 9:5 now will go against Jose Alberto Delgado (ESP) in the winner’s qualification round.

 

Another interesting encounter took place in winner’s round one between Konstantin Stepanov (RUS) and newbie Aleksa Pecelj (SRB). The 16-year-old kid from Serbia came here to Treviso for his first Euro-Tour experience and he came up with some impressive performances. In round one, he defeated Jorge Garcia-Fonseca (ESP) with 9:0. Then he met Stepanov who is constantly ranked in the top 32 in Europe since years. However, Pecelj did not show too much respect and tried to live for the moment. He used his chances whenever he got them and Stepanov committed some unnecessary mistakes. This combination lead to a score of 8:8 with Pecelj having the final break shot. He could not make a ball off the break but left no shot for Stepanov. The cue ball was hiding partly behind the 8-ball and he could not see the whole of the 1-ball. He played a push-out and left a tough position for Pecelj. The young Serbian decided to go for a combination shot that was very hard to make. Playing that shot in that situation would have probably not been the choice of many players. But Pecelj went for it and made it. He then used his chance and ran the rack to win with 9:8 over a disappointed Stepanov. In his next match in winner’s round two, Pecelj lost to Olivier Mortier (BEL) 7:9.

 

This year’s Mosconi Cup Captain for Team EUROPE, Marcus Chamat (SWE). received a painful whipping today from Hubert Lopotko (POL). In winner’s round one, Lopotko destroyed Chamat on table 1 and handed him a clear 9:5 defeat. Thereafter, Chamat went to the loser’s side and ousted Tom Bjerke (NOR) 9:6. Having received a walk-over in the next round, Chamat will be up next against Thomas Poeschl (GER) on Friday morning at 10:30 local time. On the other hand, Lopotko has made his way through to the winner’s qualification round by taking down Kristjan Kuusik (EST) 9:5 after the destruction of Chamat. At 13:30tomorrow, he will face Stephan Cohen (FRA) for a spot in the single elimination of the event.

 

The Euro-Tour is played on 20 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 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 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.

Karttunen Bests Bjerke in First Round of 9-Ball

Karttunen (L), Tom Bjerke

In the first round of the 9-ball individuals at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies in Tirana, Albania, Sami Karttunen (FIN) bested Tom Bjerke (NOR) 8:4.

 

The 9-ball individuals have started today in Tirana in the seniors as well as the ladies division. 77 seniors and 14 ladies are doing their best to get a shot at the coveted title of the European Champion. In the seniors division, Sami Karttunen encountered Tom Bjerke. Karttunen broke the first rack but came up dry on the break shot. Bjerke cleared the table and opened his account with 1:0. He took the next two racks as well to gain a nice 3:0 lead over Karttunen. The Finish did not get started yet and it looked like he had missed the beginning of the match completely. However, after 5 racks the score was 4:1 in favor of Bjerke. Suddenly Karttunen gained momentum and pulled back racks from Bjerke who seemed to be surprised by the „awakening“ of his opponent. Three racks later, the scoreboard displayed a 4:4 tie in the match. From then on, Bjerke could not find his form from the taking the match 8:4. The next match with Tom Damm (GER) however stopped Karttunen’s flow on a dime. He lost 6:8 and finds himself now on the left side of the draw just like Bjerke who lost his second match in a row to Thomas Radakovits (AUT) 3:8 and is now terminated from the 9-ball individuals.

 

Other remarkable results from today include defending Champion Henrique Correia (POR) routing Marko Hartikainen (FIN) 8:3 in his opening match in winner’s round 1. Maciej Trudnowski (POL) took down Jesper Schmidt (DEN) 8:5 and will next encounter Jan Keller (DEN) for a spot among the last 32 players single elimination.

 

In the ladies division, Karin Michl (GER) demolished Barbara Bolfelli (ITA) 5:0. Ann Sofie Löfgren (SWE) got the better of Monika Jarecki (GER) 5:2. Nathalie Rohmer (FRA) made it over Anne Nieminen (FIN) with 5:2 and will now deal with Cristina Moscetti (ITA) who had a walk-over in the first round.

 

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 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 www.epconline.eu, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press officepress@epbf.com.

Azar Took Down Tot in Senior’s Straight Pool

Tot (L), Azar (R)

Sanne Azar (SWE) took down Sandor Tot (HUN) 75:22 in the winner’s qualification round of the straight pool competition at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for seniors and ladies.

 

Today is day one of the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies in Tirana, Albania. Having completed four events already, this morning saw the start of the „old boys“ event with the straight pool discipline. One of the favored players in Sanne Azar. He took the Gold Medal in 8-ball and the Silver Medal in 9-ball at last year’s event. His opponent in the winner’s qualification round was Sandor Tot, former European Champion. The writing was on the wall that this match could turn into a heated-up encounter between two equal performers. But Tot could not match the expectations that were laid upon him. Azar dominated the table and did not allow Tot to find his game. On top of that, when Tot got to the table he committed mistakes that were avoidable.  Leading 8:-1, Tot actually had the chance to direct the match his way but he missed and easy shot in the side pocket. Azar answered that negligence in pocketing 34 balls, taking a 33:8 lead now. When Tot got back to the table, he made 9 balls and again committed an avoidable mistake. He ran out of position and had to play a combination shot to the side pocket which he missed. Again, Azar punished him for it and the score was 52:17 before Tot got back to the table. Whatever the Hungarian tried he did not seem to be focussed enough. In the end, Azar rightfully took the match 75:22 and proceeded to the single elimination stage of the last 32 players while Tot needs to seek his fortune making it through the loser’s side of the draw.

 

Other remarkable results from today include defending Champion Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER) winning his first two matches 75:65 over Henri Kaksonen (FIN) and 75:4 over Tom Bjerke (NOR). At his first appearance it the senior’s, Italy’s Fabio Petroni won 75:46 over Martin Schwab (GER) and 75:30 over Dino Cerimagic (BIH). Vegas Kristiansen (NOR) also played solid and made his way to the single elimination stage with two straight victories on the winner’s side. He swept Glenn Andersson (SWE) 75:18 and then Gianluca Boni (ITA) 75:2. For that match, Kristiansen needed two innings only. The other remaining favorite is probably Henrique Coreia (POR). He was sent to the loser’s side by strong Dutch contestant Jimmy Worung with 75:49.

 

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 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 www.epconline.eu, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press officepress@epbf.com.

Wirsbitzki Demolished Damm in All-German Affair

Reiner Wirsbitzki

In the all-German clash in the straight pool division at the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies, defending Champion Reiner Wirsbitzki creamed teammate Thomas Damm 75:17 and advanced into the round of the last 16 players.

 

The defending Champion actually needed three innings to finish his teammate Damm not counting the safety shot exchange in the beginning of the match. While Wirsbitzki was in command of the table at all times, Damm seemed to be a bit lost and could not get going at all. Damm missed an easy 8-ball when trailing 8:13. Then Wirsbitzki got to 50:8 before he allowed Damm to get to the table again. Whether the time that Damm had to spend in his chair was too long can only be guessed here. However, when he got back trailing 8:50, he pocketed 9 balls and the missed again another easy 1-ball. That was too many missed in one match against Wirsbitzki who is a powerhouse in European senior’s straight pool. 75:17 was the final result in for of Wirsbitzki who advances to the round of the final 16 players where he will face another guy with a history in the game, Sandor Tot (HUN). Tot just eliminated Steffen Gross (GER) 75:6 in 30 minutes.

 

Other remarkable results include Fabio Petroni (ITA) defeating Zdenko Lisik (SVK) 75:23. Also another strong player joined the round of the last 16 players. Jimmy Worung (NED) smashed Jan Keller (DEN) 75:4. With exactly the same result, Vegar Kristiansen (NOR) ended the hopes of his teammate Tom Bjerke (NOR) in the straight pool competition.

 

The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies will continue tomorrowmorning at 09:00 CET with matches of the 10-ball individuals in both, seniors and ladies division.

 

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 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 www.epconline.eu, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press officepress@epbf.com.

Wirsbitzki Over Correia in Seniors Straight Pool

Reiner Wirsbitzki from Germany is the new European Champion in straight pool seniors division. He defeated Henrique Correia (POR) with 100: 50 in the final match.

 

The final match was a one man show by Wirsbitzki. He had the better start and ran away with over 50 points after the first five innings. He never left a shot for Correia and took a comfortable 53:1 lead over the Portuguese. That gap proved to be too big for Correia to close. Correia was also not very lucky. When he tried to launch a comeback on Wirsbitzki, the cue ball scratched in the side pocket. Altogether, the clear victory for Wirsbitzki is very much deserved and displays his solid performance throughout the whole competition. The German took his third Gold Medal in the seniors after winning the 8-ball competition 2011 in Luxembourg and the 10-ball last year in Sarajevo. „This title was hard work for me“, stated Wirsbitzki after the final match, „I am tired and exhausted but also very happy“. „The title in straight pool means a lot to me. I have been a favorite quite some time but I never won it. Today, I knew it was going to be my final“. Tied for third were Rene Peeters (NED) and Kent Karlsson (SWE).

 

Earlier today, the day started with the 10-ball competition. 79 players in the seniors and 15 ladies started the matchday. Just like in straight pool, the defending Champion lost his first match quite unexpectedly. Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER) received a 6:7 defeat from Rene Peeters (NED). He had to go to the loser’s side where he qualified for the single elimination round of the final 64 players. There, he will play Csaba Nagy (HUN) who defeated Arto Taavila (FIN) 7:5 and Tom Eksell (SWE) 7:1. Last year’s runner-up Vegar Kristiansen (NOR) was a bit more consistent. He won his first match 7:1 teammate Tom Bjerke (NOR) and has now gotten Mika Maatta (FIN) in the next match. One big name in European senior pool, Henrique Correia (POR) lost completely unexpected 3:7 to Jorgen Nilsen (NOR). He then whitewashed Tomaz Benedicic (SLO) 7:0 to also enter the final elimination stage where he will have to deal with Magnus Vesterlund (SWE). Surprise player Rado Doroslovac (SLO) won 7:4 over Marco Devruscian (ITA) before he had to give in with 6:7 to Frank Willner (GER). He was lucky and received a walk-over on the loser’s side. He was drawn against Espen Saltnes (NOR) in the next round. The single elimination of the final 64 players will be played tomorrow at 09:00 and 10:45 CET.

 

In the ladies division, defending Champion Barbara Bolfelli (ITA) had a walk-over in the first round. She then made short work of Anja Hehre (GER) and taught her a lesson 5:1. Bolfelli will meet Susanne Wessel (GER) in the winner’s qualification round. Wessel comes with two impressive victories under her belt, 5:1 over Ilona Zalmanova (CZE) and 5:0 over Patrizia Ignesti (ITA). The other match in the winner’s qualification round will be played between Karin Michl (GER) and Cristina Moscetti (ITA). On the loser’s side, among others Ann-Sofie Löfgren (SWE), Nathalie Rohmer (FRA) and Monika Oeschger (SUI) struggle to stay in the competition.

 

The Dynamic Billard European Championships 2014 for Seniors and Ladies will continuetomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches of the 10-ball individuals.

 

All matches can be viewed LIVE at www.kozoom.com. 22 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.

First Casualties Exit Eurotour Cyprus Open

Richard Jones (GBR)

Kyrenia, North Cyprus: As the final curtain slowly falls on day one of the Dynamic Billard North Cyprus Open in Kyrenia, Turkish North Cyprus, the first players have exited the tournament having received two losses already.
 
Richard Jones (GBR) is not among those unlucky lads. He unexpectedly lost to Daniele Corrieri (ITA) this afternoon but stayed alive in the tournament with a 9:6 victory over Tom Bjerke (NOR). He will have to win another match over Ramazan Akdag (TUR) today to read his name on tomorrow's tournament brackets. Many of the players who already exited the event are local. Three of the biggest names in North Cypriot pool had an appearance in the loser's round with only one of them standing tall after the rounds.
 
Berk Mehmetcik (TNC) was the "lucky" one to remain in the tournament with a convincing victory over his fellow countryman Huseyin Alnar with 9:6. Onuc Altur (TNC) first had to deal with his older brother Orcun Altur and defeated him 9:5. However, in the next round Onuc Altur got defeated by Kristoffer Mindreboe (NOR) with 9:5. Another big loss for North Cyprus today was Huseyin Borankan who fell with 6:9 to Thomas Poeschl (GER).
 
All action can be followed LIVE on all 12 tables throughout the tournament on www.kozoom.com/en/pool-billiard/
 
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website http://www.eurotouronline.eu or contact our press office.