3-Cushion
PORTO - At the end of a long final day at the Porto World Cup, Roland Forthomme drew up the balance on Sunday night, on the VIP balcony of the impressive FC Porto football stadium. The people invited amused themselves inside with the performance of the musical virtuoso Ramon Rodriguez and at the end with the traditional songs of Alipio Jorge, the Portuguese World Cup organizer.
The 43 year old Belgian had lost the final match against Dick Jaspers one carom, some hours before after a breathtaking match in which the Dutchman showed himself the most coldblooded. Forthomme, hungering for new World Cup success, noted: ,,I have lost the match, which I really couldn't lose. But the end was a fight against myself. My arm was not doing what my mind and feelings told me, so I had to play balls in another way than I'm used to. That's why I lost.''
The Belgian never-say-die man was so close to a new moment of glory, many years after his victories in the World Cups in Hurghada and Volos, where he played the best tournament in his entire career. ,,I'm disappointed, of course, but on the other hand, I am happy that I have shown that I still can battle with the world top.'' The result of his second place in Porto is even that Forthomme has increased his position in the world ranking: he is 14th now, one place behind Frenchman Jérémy Bury and only two places away from the so much coveted top twelve.
His tournament in the Portuguese city was marked by highs and lows. Forthomme even started with a lost game against Ruben Legázpi in the qualifiers, but anyway he advanced for the main event and then started an impressive series of victories. Two times, Forthomme had to fight back from a hopeless disadvantage, both times the Belgian showed his enormous fighting spirit after the break.
He sent home Frédéric Caudron, the world champion and world's number one in the first match and beat Peter Ceulemans, another Belgian, who played a tremendous tournament and certainly was one of the revelations in this World Cup, in the semifinals.
And finally, Roland Forthomme was facing Dick Jaspers in the final, the Dutchman with an impressive record list, who had been waiting for three years for a great victory. ,,I've had plenty of chances'', said Forthomme afterwards. ,,We both put up a hard fight, which was decided on mentality.''
On the stage, during the ceremony, the Belgian had handled his disappointment. What remained was the conclusion that Forthomme still can be one of the top guns in the world tournaments. ,,That's my satisfaction after many years of minor performance. I have won two World Cup in my career so far. All those years in between, I believed in myself. Many players have dropped out, stopped playing World Cups, because they are no longer among the top twelve. I have continued to invest in, continued to believe that there would come another chance to shine in a great tournament.''
In the Belgian tournaments, Forthomme is often the number three after Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx. ,,I can win a tournament in my country, occasionally, but now I can say I'm back with an international success. It's good to get that confirmation. I'm 43 now, there is certainly still a future in billiards for me, I will continue to work hard.''