05/01/2015
Even Alfred Hitchcock couldn‘t have directed it any better! On Day 7 of the European Billards-Championships the gold medalists in the 5 Pins Team-Event were found. Italy’s professional players were by far the favorite, with the host country Germany doing their best to win the title for the second time after 2010.This afternoon the semifinals were played, both matches Germany vs. France and Italy vs. Switzerland, were decided in the relay. Both Germany and Italy were ahead of their opponents by 2:1, the relay counts for two points and anything could have happened. Whilst Italy had no problem in beating Switzerland by 200:98 points, the German game was very close. At the end it was Sven Petzke who made the better end for his team and scored the deciding points to reach the final.The final itself was a thriller from the very beginning. Gerd Kunz on German side managed to win his game and make it 1:0. Thomas Hähne was down throughout but didn’t fall, when it came to the decision he was the first to score the 120th point. However, Germany needed one more point, Sven Petzke/Alexander Reh looked good in the doubles, consistently around ten points ahead, but in the end it was the Italian crew who scored much better, they turned the match around and won by 120:107 points. Everyone‘s expectations became a reality with the relay bringing the decision. Once again it was Germany who made the better start. Alexander Reh was the first to reach 50 points and handed over to Gerd Kunz. He managed to increase the lead and it was Thomas Hähne who played solidly and sent Sven Petzke with a 30-points lead on his journey. At around 180:155 Petzke looked strong but began to struggle. Italy‘s Daniel Lopez had a bit of luck by making eight points instead of zero which motivated the Italian while Petzke ran into more problems. At the score of 193:191 it was Italy in the lead for the first time. Petzke fought back and scored another eight points to make it 199:193. With only one point missing for Team Germany’s dreams to come true, Lopez, with experience and finesse scored the final seven points! It was an all Italian celebration at the award ceremony. Germany showed great sportsmanship and congratulated their opponents whilst celebrating the silver medal. They played exceptionally well, promoting both Billiard sports and 5 Pins in their home-country.
The preliminary stage of the men’s 3-Cushion Team-Event was played today. Both Belgium A and Belgium B won their groups and will perform in tomorrow’s quarterfinals. For the German A-Team the European Championships were almost over before they even began. Martin Horn and Christian Rudolph lost their first match against Sweden and therefore had to win against Spain by a significant result. Both played brilliant Billiards under a diffcult situation and as a result the fans will see their idols playing in the quarterfinal on Friday.
In the Men’s 3-Cushion-Tournament on the small tables the participants for the quarterfinals are set. Already out of the event is Austria‘s Herbert Szivacz who finished second two years ago. Also Birol Uymaz (Turkey) who played a very strong preliminary round dropped out in round 32. His fellow countryman Ömer Karakurt, who became European Champion in the Juniors devision in 2013, is still in and may bring home the next gold medal for Turkey. The quarterfinals will be played early on Friday morning.
The women have begun their first event in this Championship with Libre matches. Six players are divided into two groups and the semifinals and the final will be played on Friday. The best matches have been played so far by French Magali Declunder who will face Susanne Stengel-Ponsing from Germany in the semis.
All results, pictures and further media-information can be found here. Pay-per-View-Livestream is broadcasted by www.kozoom.com.
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