1-Cushion
HAARLO - Henri Tilleman was seeded already for the final of the 71/2 at the European championship, in which he will meet Patrick Niessen tomorrow. Tonight he seemed on the way to the finals in one cushion too. The all-rounder led in the semifinals against Michel van Silfhout 130-89 and had the balls in a perfect scoring position.
However the balls didn't roll as he wanted: a 'rappel-shot' ended with a very tough ball in the corner. He had to play him with the 'wrong' hand to resolve the problem. But what he feared, happened: the cue ball missed ball three by a small kiss and he left an ideal position for his opponent.
Michel van Silfhout benefited eagerly: he collected, scored, knew he couldn't give his opponent any chance in his last inning and saw a 'piqué' roll so favorable, that his last caroms were very easy to make.
With a last run of 61 the Dutch duel was decided: Van Silfhout finished on 150 in twelve innings, Henri Tilleman had no equalizer. Tomorrow Van Silfhout will play the final against Frédéric Caudron.
The Belgian is looking for his fourth European title in this discipline after victories in Wychen (2), Carvin and Bottrop. The latest was in 2008.
Caudron came to the final by defeating Alain Remond tonight (150-113 in seven). The decision came on a score 112-105, when the Belgian finished with a run of 38.