Eddy Leppens almost perfect in balk line

PRAGUE/DOETINCHEM/BOCHUM - The star player this weekend, the Belgian Eddy Leppens, was wondering if he had played a record with his team. Vitkov Prague triumphed in the last match of the European team qualifications classic disciplines with an impressive score: Leppens finished balk line 47/2 in one inning, Marek Faus 71/2 in one inning and Wolfgang Zenkner one cushion in five innings.

But it was not a record: Jean Paul de Bruijn, who played in the Dutch league on Sunday, told the Belgian he was dreaming. The multiple European champion Etikon (Netherlands) played three matches in four innings: Jean Paul de Bruijn and Patrick Niessen in one inning, Henry Tilleman in two innings. However... Vitkov Prague presented itself as a major competitor for Etikon in the final and Eddy Leppens showed a gorgeous form in the balk line 47/2. ,,I've never been so good as I was here'', he said.

Three matches to 250 caroms in four innings: 2, 1 and 1 inning. ,,I missed in my first match after 144 caroms due to a butage'', Leppens explained. ,,But 187.50 average is the best ever for me. I'm very happy, mainly because I practiced only two hours balk line. But I must say that I played it very often in my career. It's very strange that I never took a national title in this discipline.''

Three group winners in Prague, Doetinchem and Bochum advanced this weekend for the final weekend of the European Cup classic games, along with the two best runners-up in those groups. The Dutch five fold title holder Etikon/AEJ is automatically placed and will face the five competitors in Rosmalen (Netherlands) from 8th to 10th of May.

Vitkov Prague remained unbeaten in the Group Prague with KBK, Chartres and Coral Colon. Chartres, France, qualified as second in the group. Andernos took the maximum match points in the Group Doetinchem with A1 Biljarts, Sueca and Hilden. DBC Bochum triumphed gloriously in its own room with only one loss for Thomas Nockemann. The second team was Oissel, ahead of Horna and Vitkov Prague B. The French team Oissel advanced with Bochum for the final round.

Marek Faus was, like Eddy Leppens, impressive in the balk line (71/2) in the matches against KBK/BNV from Denmark, Coral Colon and Chartres. Zenkner couldn't flaunt with a best start in his two first matches, but finished very well against Jordi Gasso with a run of 86 (120-31 in 5 innings).

Eddy Leppens was by far the best balk line player this weekend

Eddy Leppens was in the most important match for his team against Chartres boss over Willy Gerimont in one inning 250-44. Marek Faus defeated Xavier Gretillat 200-23 in four and Wolfgang Zenkner lost vs Jacky Justice 120-71 in 11. In the last match of this round, Vitkov showed its high class: Leppens bested Ivan Jose Barrientos in one inning, Faus triumphed in one inning against Joan Espionosa en Zenkner defeated Jordi Gasso in five.

Andernos, A1/De Veemarkt and Sueca were the big favourites the Group Doetinchem. Andernos dominated from the start and defeated Hilden 4-2, A1 6-0 and Sueca 4-2. Nicolas Gerassimopoulos played two great matches: victories in the 47/2 in three innings against Michel van Silfhout (250-101) and Esteve Mata in four (250-196).

Peter De Backer in a starring role for Andernos.

Peter De Backer defeated the 71/2 European champion Raymund Swertz (200-27 in 6) and beat Spaniard Raul Cuenca 200-85 in 4 (run 192). Michel van Silfhout and Esteve Mata played an excellent match in 47/2: Van Silfhout won 250-188 in two innings (runs 188 Mata, 147 Van Silfhout).

DBC Bochum was superior at home against Vitkov Prague B, Oissel and Horna. The crucial match for the group win was against Oissel with Michael Devogelaere, Johann Petit and Arnim Kahofer. The Germans won 4-2. The young Dutchman Sam van Etten defeated Devogelaere in 47/2: 250-150 in 3. Ludger Havlik was the better against Arnim Kahofer in one cushion (120-72 9), only Johann Petit took the win for Oissel in the 71/2 against Thomas Nockemann 200-181 in five innings.

Sam van Etten and Ludger Havlik won all their matches in the Bochum colours. Oissel finished second in this group with victories against Vitkov Prague (6-0) and Horna (6-0).

The finalists for the final round at the European Cup in Rosmalen:

Vitkov Prague
DBC Bochum
Andernos
Oissel
Chartres.

The excellent Bochum team with young Dutchman Sam van Etten (m).