3-Cushion
ZUNDERT - The traditional Christmas tournament in Zundert gets a new look. The formula is changed spectacularly. Louis Havermans, one of the organizers: ,, We have chosen for a facelift, because we want to bring the audience more spectacle.'' The international three cushion tournament is planned for Wednesday 27 to Sunday 30 December. The field of eight players consists of two Dutch, three Belgians, one Turk and one German.
Moreover, the matches are played in short sets for the first time, one billiard table will be in the arena of Den Hoek in Zundert. Havermans: ,,With the organization, we have decided to this new formula, because we think it should be faster and more exciting. Let's see if it's a success. We are all real billiard lovers and we know that many people like to watch a run of 20 or 25 and a match of 40 in 8 innings. But we have opted for flashy matches, to keep the audience constantly interested.''
Murat Naci Coklu and Eddy Merckx are the top ten players on the world ranking in the field. Coklu is the number seven, Merckx the number 8. Havermans: ,, We're discussing every year the players we want to invite and sometimes there are players, who are far away or are not able to play in that week.''
In a comment, Murat Naci Coklu said: ,,We will see how it turns out, to play sets of 9 points. I have never done it before. We played to sets of 11 at the Turkish championship last year. Thirty seconds is no problem for me, I like fast matches. About the format: this is a tournament outside the official matches. So they can decide for themselves how to play. For the World Cups we often have discussions among the players. I would like to play to 50 points or to best of 5 sets.''
Eddy Merckx, who won the tournament last year: ,,I like it that they do an attempt to give billiards a new look. And short matches are better than long, boring matches will chase away the audience.''
The main prizes are 2750 euros for the winner, 2000 for the number 2.
The participants, who will be divided into two groups of four later this week, are:
Barry van Beers
Gerwin Valentijn
Eddy Merckx
Eddy Leppens
Peter Ceulemans
Roland Forthomme
Murat Naci Coklu
Martin Horn.
The group matches are played to best of 7 in sets of 9 points. The semi-finals are to best of 9, the final on Saturday to best of 11. The time clock is 30 seconds. Kozoom is invited to broadcast all matches.