Carom
OUD-TURNHOUT - The difference in score at the finish line was much bigger than expected: the Belgian team Biljartvrienden has been promoted to the highest league last night, Mr. 100 Lier lost the decisive double match and relegates to the second division.
That's serious bad luck for the famous Ceulemans team. The legend Raymond Ceulemans therefore can't be admired at the highest level next season and also Peter Ceulemans, who moved to Mr. 100, has to start in the second class.
The double, which was needed to decide about promotion and relegation, ended in the first encounter in a 4-4. In the return, one day later, Biljartvrienden dropped the curtains at 6-2. ,,When we could start the second part at 2-2, it was a piece of cake,'' said John Tijssens. ,,We finally won by nearly 90 caroms ahead.'' The difference, after calculation, was not that high: 47 caroms.
Raimond Burgman and John Tijssens remained unbeaten in the double and defeated Kurt and Bart Ceulemans both in Lier and in their own Biljartcentrum De Breugel in Oud Turhout.
The leaders of Biljartvrienden were both a way too strong for their opponents. Burgman defeated Kurt Ceulemans in Lier 50-25 (26 innings) and in the return 50-28 (34). Tijssens overpowered Bart Ceulemans 50-28 (29) and 50-28 (40). The only surprise in the duel was Eric van Loon's win in the second game against Raymond Ceulemans: 42-36. Koen Ceulemans won both his matches against Patrick Vloemans in 41 and 55 innings.
Biljartvrienden plays next season in a different line-up in the highest class. Raimond Burgman and John Tijssens play at one and two, Johan Claessen joins the team and sponsor Hans van der Wurf plays at four. Mr. 100 Lier plays in the second division with Peter Ceulemans and further Kurt, Raymond and Bart Ceulemans.