Long time followers of the WPA World 9-ball Championship know that the event is always full of surprises. The upstarts, the unknowns, the unexpected seem to make a splash in each and every edition of pool’s crowning glory.
As this slowly building drama begins to rise towards a guaranteed thunderous climax six days from now, fans already know the upsets and shocks are going to start mounting. But while the newbies and nobody’s of pool will definitely make their noise, even more true is that good old fashioned sporting standards like experience, possessing a history of winning and performing under crushing pressure are generally going to carry the day.
As day one of the 2014 World 9-ball Championship commenced in this fabulously wealthy desert kingdom this most valuable of athletic tenants carried the storyline in one of the day’s better matches. The Philippines’ Dennis Orcollo would be among any betting man or woman’s top contenders out of the field of 128 players entered here in Doha. But in his first match in the group stage he drew a very difficult opponent in Canada’s Jason Klatt.
Down 6-4, then 8-6 in the race to 9 match, and clearly struggling to find his normally sensational groove, Orcollo was staring at the prospect of a long and arduous road back to reach the final 64. But then, in that manner that champions always put forth, the Filipino star managed to claw back and claim a very hard fought and nervy victory, 9-8. Afterward, Orcollo admitted he was slow to get a feel for the brand new Wiraka table. But he also admitted he’s been around long enough to know what to do when things don’t go your way.
“I felt uncomfortable with the table,” Orcollo said. “I struggled but I didn’t give up. You know I have a lot of experience. And I know that with pressure comes negative thoughts. It’s going to happen in pool. There’s nothing you can do about it. I just try to calm down and stay focused, stay positive and that’s what I did today.”
With the gritty win Orcollo moves to the winner side of his group bracket and now only needs to win one more match to advance to the money rounds. What could have been a disaster has, because of experience, turned into a battle hardening test that will clearly serve the Filipino well moving forward. It also should serve as a lesson for fans looking for an upstart to wreak havoc on the field. Yes, that’s a real possibility in this often wild and crazy sport that is loaded with new and burgeoning talent. But pool, like everything else, generally doesn’t operate outside the laws of the universe. Put a simpler way, the crème generally rises to the top.
There was plenty of tasty crème rising to the top in the 48 matches at the Al Saad Sports Club on Day 1 as most of the favorites claimed victory in the first day of group play. Defending champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany kicked things off with a 9-2 drubbing of India’s overmatched Sumit Talwar. His opponent in last year’s final, the Philippines Antonio Gabica, didn’t have near as easy a draw, as he found himself locked in battle with two time runner up Kuo Po Cheng of Taiwan.
The USA's Shane Van BoeningMuch like he did last year during his historic run to the finals, Gabica hung around for three fourths of the match, only to pull away at the end for a 9-5 win. Gabica, who’s lived in Qatar for five years and helps coach the Qatar national pool team, admitted afterward that he wasn’t thinking about last year’s finals debacle when nerves and pressure got the better of him and he blew a 6-4 lead to Hohmann. Gabica said this year he was feeling a different kind of pressure; the one that comes from just trying to put food on the family table.
“That’s too much pressure out there,” the friendly Gabica said after the match. “You know at this stage of the tournament if you lose, you don’t get prize money. That’s why I don’t think about last year. I just think about getting to the final 64. I want to get the prize money.”
One player who fans would love to see make a dash to glory is the USA’s Shane Van Boening. The three time and reigning US Open champion has the pedigree to win here in Doha. But Van Boening never seems to perform that well outside the borders of America.
Today Van Boening defeated Eritrea’s very talented Hamzaa M. Saeed Ali, 9-5. After his match, the American opened up about the reasons he feels why he hasn’t yet cracked the winners circle outside of the US borders.
“If it’s winner breaks, then I have a chance,” Van Boening said. “I won three US Opens and they were winner breaks. I’m a rhythm player. I like to run out and then keep playing. I don’t like to give my opponent a chance. I like to put a guy in his chair for a while. With the alternate break format I have a hard time getting in rhythm. “
The Philippines Hall of Famer Efren Reyes clearly couldn’t get in any rhythm today. Several hundred Filipino overseas workers showed up to cheer on their hero but came away disappointed as “Bata” never got in the match as he lost handily to Korea’s Jeong Young Hwa, 9-5.
Other favorites winning solidly today included former champions Mika Immonen of Finland, Germany’s Ralf Souquet, and Wu Jiaqing of China. Also notching solid performances were Greece’s Nick Ekonomopoulos, Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, the Philippines Carlo Biado, and England’s Karl Boyes.
A few dark horses made some noise during today’s four sessions and fans should definitely keep an eye on these upstarts who could wreak havoc in the coming days. China’s Wang Can is perhaps the best of this lot and he looked brilliant today in a 9-2 drubbing of the USA’s Brandon Shuff. Austria’s Mario He seems to have it together at just the right time, as he beat recent China Open winner Chang Yu Lung, 9-7. Ko Ping Chung, the younger brother of Taiwan star Ko Pin Yi, eked out a 9-8 win over Poland’s Karol Skowerski.
Waleed Majed of QatarThe Philippines Warren Kiamco is one of those players who could sneak up on the field in the later rounds. Today the veteran Kiamco carved out a solid 9-7 win over France’s Stephen Cohen. Singapore’s young Aloysius Yapp can’t realistically win this event, but he could stir the pot. Today the boyish Yapp defeated Mohamed Elassal of Egypt 9-5.
Great Britain’s Jasyon Shaw has certainly logged in a few miles in the past few years and is due to make some noise in a big event. He clearly brings the right attitude into the arena, and it’s something others might want to try and copy. That is, if they have the nerve to under all this pressure.
“You’ve gotta take your chances out here,” Shaw said after defeating Taiwan’s Chang Jung Lin, 9-6. “If you don’t take chances, you might as well pack up your cue and go home.”
The group stages continue on Day 2 at the Al Saad on Sunday. All the losers will square off on Day 2 with 32 players being shown the exits by the end of the day’s play. The first session begins at 12 noon local 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/.
The view the complete brackets for the Group Stages, please CLICK HERE
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 FROM DAY 1
Winners need one more win to advance to the Final 64. Losers move to the losers side of their group bracket. All groups are double elimination.
Every year at Interpool Open there are a 10-ball Challenge with a total prizefund of nearly $5 000. 16 players, single elimination, race to 8 and the top 4 players get paid.
After a rough start in the first round where Francisco Bustamante beat Tom Storm (SWE) 8-7 he dominated the second round against (FRA) winning 8-3. Another tuff match for Bustamante in the semifinal against Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) and another hill hill win, 8-7. In the final the opponent was one of the worlds best carom players through all times, Torbjörn Blomdahl (SWE). Blomdahl really impressed the crowd and the players with massive skills in the game of 10-ball. But against Francisco Bustamante (PHI) he did not stand a chance this time, Bustamente winning the final 8-1 and the first prize of $2 200.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: The Dynamic Billard EPBF European
Championships for Seniors and Ladies have come to and end. The last finals which were played in 9-ball brought titles for Susanne Wessel (GER) and Tom Storm (SWE).
Tom Storm defeated Johny Vanrijkel (BE) in the senior's final with 9:3. Storm was expected for a title earlier and it was his turn. Vanrijkel has played a solid and great tournament but in this final, he missed too many shots and made Storm's life rather easy. The 9:3 victory for Storm was completely deserved.
In the ladies' final, Susanne Wessel clearly eliminated AnnSofie Löfgren (SWE) with 6:1. Wessel took her second title this week while Löfgren collected her third medal at these Championships, two Silver and one Bronze.
Medal table after 5 of 5 events
Rank
Nation
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Total
1.
Germany
4
1
3
8
2.
Portugal
2
1
1
4
3.
Sweden
1
3
4
8
4.
Italy
1
0
2
3
5.
Norway
0
1
1
2
6.
Belgium
0
1
0
1
Netherlands
0
1
0
1
8.
Bosnia & Hercegovina
0
0
2
2
9.
Austria
0
0
1
1
Czech Republic
0
0
1
1
FInland
0
0
1
1
That concludes the coverage of this year's Dynamic Billard EPBF European Championships for Seniors and Ladies. We will come up with the coverage of the Euro-Tour in a few days.
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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
Unexpectedly close results in the ladies' division
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina:Pascal Budo (BEL) just eliminated Mika Määttä (FIN) with 9:6 from the 9-ball individuals.
Both players did not necessarily have a good start yesterday. Määttä received a disastrous 9:0 defeat from Tom Storm (SWE) while Budo fell to Pereira (POR) with 9:2. They were both seriously longing for a victory since the loser was going to be eliminated from the 9-ball. This explained them playing rather cautious than going for offensive shots. So the match crept along with the players taking their racks in alternate turns. They took their time for each shot and the tournament direction felt it appropriate to impose a shot-clock on the match. After twelve racks the match was leveled at 6:6. Määttä went for his time-out. When he got back, it seemed that his time-out had served Budo better than him. Budo pocketed the next two racks in his account, leading 8:6. In rack 15, Budo finished the match, running all balls after Määttä's unsuccessful break shot. Budo stays in the 9-ball competition on the loser's side and will play Werner Scheu (AUT) in his next match while Määttä will have to settle for 49th.
In the winner's qualification round, we had a re-match from last night's 8-ball final between Tom Storm (SWE) and Manuel Pereira (POR), Storm took revenge and won the 9-ball with 9:7. In another Swedish-Portuguese skirmish, Kent Karlsson (SWE) delivered a 9:3 defeat to Henrique Correia (POR). Correia defeated defending Champion Giorgio Margola (ITA) in the first round of the event but Karlsson was too much of an obstacle for him today.
An upset occurred in the ladies' division when Lot van Helmond (NED) got the better of Barbara Bolfelli (ITA) with 5:4. Newly crowned 8-ball Champion in the ladies' division, Susanne Wessel (GER) did not have an easy start into the new working day. She met Monika Oeschger (SUI) in the first winner's round of ladies' 9-ball and just made it with a 5:4 victory into the next round on the winner's side.
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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
8-Ball Gold Medalists Manuel Pereira and Susanne Wessel
Storm lost classic final thriller
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: The Gold Medals in 8-Ball go to Manuel Pereira (POR) and Susanne Wessel (GER).
The final match in the senior's division was definitely wanted for by many viewers. Tom Storm (SWE) and Manuel Pereira both demonstrated enjoyable performances throughout the event but haven't yet met. It was clear that the match would be played on a very high quality level. So it was going to be interesting who would get in gear first, ready to go. In the first six racks, Storm and Pereira took turns in winning, leading to a 3:3 after 30 minutes of classic 8-ball. Then Storm lost his break shot. At this level, it was a lethal mistake. While Pereira always pocketed something on his break, Storm scratched and did not make balls anymore. That allowed Pereira to get an advantage over Storm. In the 10th rack, Pereira was breaking having a 6:3 lead. Suddenly, he scratched himself and opened doors for Storm that seemed to be closed already. Storm pulled that rack back from Pereira to turn the score to 6:4 only. But again, he could not pocket a ball on the break. Pereira used the chance Storm gave him and finished the match with 7:4.
In the ladies division, the final was an all-German clash between Karin Michl and Susanne Wessel. The two contestants were both not expected in the final and appeared to be a bit nervous. Still, the match was thrilling since they took turns in winning racks which lead to a 4:4 situation. In the final rack, Wessel had the better end on her side and took the rack, the match and the title with 5:4.
Medal Table After 3 of 5 Events
Rank
Nation
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Total
1
Germany
2
1
2
5
2
Portugal
2
0
0
2
3
Italy
1
0
1
2
4
Sweden
0
2
3
5
5
Netherlands
0
1
0
1
Norway
0
1
0
1
7
Bosnia & Hercegovina
0
0
2
2
8
Austria
0
0
1
1
Czech Republic
0
0
1
1
Tomorrow, the event will continue with matches in the 9-ball individuals and in the team competition.
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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: In the round of the final 32 seniors standing, Henrique Correia (POR) made short work of Tomasz Malinowski (POL), eliminating him with 7:1 from the event.
The writing was on the wall: Correia is one of the toughest draws to get here in the senior's division. Tomasz Malinowski had the dubious privilege to learn that at first hand. The 8-ball match between him and Correia turned out to be a one-man-show featuring Henrique Correia only. Whatever Malinowski tried Correia had the better answer for. He got momentum early in the match and did not leave any chances for Malinowski to come up with a decent performance. In the end, the 7:1 result for Correia was more than deserved. Correia will advance to the round of the last 16 players in 8-ball.
Other notable results include grandmaster Tom Storm (SWE) getting the better of Max Perego (ITA) with 7:5. Local hero Dino Cerimagic (BIH) keeps his chances for another medal by clearly ousting Angelo Salzano (ITA) 7:2. Vegar Kristiansen's working day is also over. He took his match over Arto Taavila (FIN) with 7:2.
In the ladies' division, Susanne Wessel (GER) booked her ticket for the semi-final match with a whitewash. She defeated teammate Karin Michl 5:0. She is joined by 10-ball Champion Barbara Bolfelli (ITA) who conquered Wienke Thamsen (GER) unchallenged with 5:2.
The last round for today will feature team matches. Tomorrow, the day will begin with the start of the 9-ball individuals. At 15:00 CET, the quarter-finals in 8-ball will set the stage for the final rounds in 8-ball.
The tournament will be streamed LIVE at all days on up to 20 tables at 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 www.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: In a match with many presents distributed, Gijs Van Helmond (NED) had the better end with a 9:4 victory over Roger Lysholm (NOR).
This morning, the 9-ball individuals have started in Sarajevo at the Dynamic Billard EPBF European Championships for Seniors and Ladies. One first round match was the encounter between Gijs van Helmond and Roger Lysholm. It must have been like Christmas came early this year for van Helmond. His opponent missed several important shots that made van Helmond stronger even though he had a difficult start himself, missing many shots. But Lysholm missed more crucial ones. It started in rack one, when Lysholm already missed the 9-ball. That was not a positive signal for Lysholm who usually performs on a pretty high level. This ran like a continuous thread through the complete match. Van Helmond got stronger and played decent pool. Whenever it looked like Lysholm would get going, he missed another 7-, 8- or 9-ball and presented a gift to van Helmond. Though Lysholm struggled, he could not find his rhythm. He managed to keep the match open for eight racks to a score of 4:4. Then, his mistakes increased and he was sentenced to watch van Helmond pulling point after point from him. In the end, the 9:4 victory for van Helmond was the logic consequence of both player's performances.
Other notable results from this morning include Tom Storm (SWE) whitewashing Mika Maata (FIN) 9:0. Giorgio Margola (ITA) fell to the sharp blade of Henrique Correia (POR) with 3:9. Rudi Zick (GER) who celebrates his birthday today, also received some presents from his opponent Sascha Manojlovic (SUI) and managed to take his first round match with 9:8.
9-ball will be played until 13:00 CET today. Then, the tournament switches back into the 8-ball mode to find out who will claim the titles in this discipline. The final matches in 8-ball will begin tonight at 20:00 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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
Cerimagic waving the flag for Bosnia & Hercegovina
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: In a one-sided match, Werner Scheu (AUT) defeated Johny Vanrijkel (BEL) with 7:0.
Johny Vanrijkel is known to the European Pool scene for three reasons: (1) he is an international EPBF referee; (2) he is running one of the most successful pool schools in Europe which created and supports talents like Serge Das, Kamila Khodjaeva and Kurt Deklerck; and (3) he is a great player in the senior's division. Combining all the factors one must say that Vanrijkel is an interesting draw to receive in the quarter-finals of the 8-ball discipline. Vanrijkel made his way straight to this match, winning clashes with Rado Doroslovac (SLO) 7:5, Marko Hartikainen (FIN) 7:5, Sascha Manojlovic (SUI) 7:4 and Frank Willner (GER) with 7:5. His opponent, unheralded Werner Scheu (AUT), made it to the quarter-final with victories over Jorgen Nilsen (NOR) 7:2, Maciej Trudnowski (POL) 7:4, Kim Uytenbogaardt (NED) 7:5 and Martin Schwab (GER) 7:5. So both players were undefeated in 8-ball by the time they crossed swords.
But the match turned out into a catastrophe for Vanrijkel. Nothing seemed to work his way while Scheu played rock solid. Maybe Vanrijkel was still exhausted from the match he had played in the round before. He had no break while Scheu had some time to recover from his previous encounter. As the match went along, Scheu did not allow Vanrijkel to find his way into the game at all. He taught him a tough lesson, handing him a doughnut with 7:0.
Other notable results include Tom Storm (SWE) smashing Gijs Van Helmond (NED) 7:2 and booking his seat in the semi-final of the the 8-ball competition. Storm will meet local star Dino Cerimagic (BIH) who surprisingly powered past Henrique Correia (POR) by a whisker with 7:6.
The semi-finals will be played at 18:00 CET with the finals to follow at approximately 20:00 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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
Wheelchair player Deklerck in the single elimination stage of seniors 8-ball individuals
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: In an exciting encounter, Kent Karlsson (SWE) defeated Michael Stark (AUT) 7:5.
Kent Karlsson has collected eight European Championship medals already; including the Gold Medal in Straight pool in 2002. His expectations were definitely high when he came to Sarajevo – but he could not yet live up to them. This year's Dynamic Billard European Championships for seniors and ladies here in Radon Plaza Hotel, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina, have not made it to his record book yet. In 8-ball, he lost his first round match by a hair's breadth with 6:7 to Paulo Costa (POR). Still having one foot in the door, he crept through the loser's side, meeting Austria's Michael Stark in the 2nd loser's round. Stark has already hit the headlines here when he ousted #1 seeded player Gijs Van Helmond (NED) from the straight pool chart. Karlsson was warned that this match would not be a walk in the park for him. However, it started off as one. After one hour, six racks of 8-ball were played and the scoreboard showed a clear lead of 5:1 for Karlsson. But Stark was far from giving in. He got back in the match and struck back. After eleven racks, the score was only 6:5 for Karlsson and he could feel his opponent's hot breath up his neck. Stark was only behind one more rack and suddenly the pressure was on Karlsson. What used to be smooth sailing became hard work. Karlsson used all of his experience and focus and wrestled Stark down in the 12th rack, winning the match with 7:5. Karlsson will now have to deal with Angelo Salzano (ITA) while Stark has to settle for 49th rank in the 8-ball senior's individual.
Other notable results from the 8-ball rounds include wheelchair player Kurt Deklerck (BEL) booking his spot in the single elimination round of the final 32 players with a 7:6 victory over Alex Habo (HUN). Roger Lysholm (NOR) smashed David Plattner (SUI) 7:4 while Tom Storm (SWE) needed 13 racks to win 7:6 against Giorgio Margola (ITA). Lysholm and Storm will join Deklerck in the single elimination stage while Plattner and Margola need another victory on the loser's side to join them.
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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: In a semi-final match that was packed with good shots and powerful pool, Vegar Kristiansen (NOR) eliminated Tom Storm (SWE) with 7:3.
It was a match between two big players from the past… who are still sharp. Both of them have proven at these Dynamic Billard European Championships that they are still able to come up withe excellent pool. Additionally, Kristiansen has received his luggage today so now he was finally able to play with his glasses and his own cue stick. The match promised to be a classic and it started accordingly. After six racks, the score was 3:3. Kristiansen was able to et a small 3:1 lead but Storm pulled those racks back from him. In the 7th rack, Storm should have taken the lead but he missed an easy 5-ball and left it to Kristiansen to take the 4:3 lead. The following racks proved to become a nightmare for Storm. Kristiansen won rack eight with good safety play. In rack nine, Storm missed an easy 8-ball. What a catastrophe for the likable Swedish. That avoidable mistake took Kristiansen on the hill with 6:3. The 10th rack became a thriller as well. Storm got ball in hand at a certain stage and tried to play the 3-ball into the 10-ball to take a shortcut win. But the 10-ball was hanging in the pocket, staying on the slate. Both contestants then tried with several shots to pocket the 10-ball. It was Kristiansen who succeeded first and won this decisive rack. 7:3 was the final result which booked Kristiansen a place in the Gold Medal match while Storm again had to settle for third place.
The other semi-final match between Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER) and local hero Dino Cerimagic (BIH) also became a thrilling showdown. After twelve racks, the match was tied at 6:6. The pressure was on Cerimagic. The crowd really wanted him to win this match. After Muratovic last week in the junior's, this would be the second medal in the short history of the federation from Bosnia & Hercegovina. Could he come up with more than Bronze? Unfortunately for him, Wirsbitzki played concentrated, strong and cold as ice in the 13th rack, pocketing all balls he needed to win the match and proceed into the final against Kristiansen.
In the ladies division, Ann-Sofie Löfgren (SWE) booked her ticket for the final match with a solid 5:1 victory over Ilona Zalmanova (CZE). Her opponent in the final will be Barbara Bolfelli (ITA) who took her match over Karin Michl (GER) with 5:2.
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.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.
