Carom
BRANDENBURG - His seventh European title in one cushion, Frédéric Caudron said after the final, but it was the 100th title in his career. He had won it on character. The Belgian defeated Bernard Villiers, the Frenchman who surprisingly had reached the final: 120-71 in eleven innings.
,,I do not know how I can explain, but I missed the good feeling in my matches’’, Caudron said. ,,And after four matches, I really feel tired. This is a title I won on character.''
He looked quite fit in his semifinal against Jean Paul de Bruijn, in the fight between two favorites. In his match against Villiers he could afford a minor performance.
The Frenchman could keep up until fifty points and even led 55-51 in five innings after a 35 run, but then he lost sight of his reputed opponent.
,,I am very happy with the silver medal,'' said Villiers, a 47-year-old player from Provins afterwards. Caudron was happy with the title, not with his average. ,,I've played around eleven, which is far below what I should be able to do.''
After the win against De Bruijn (120-40 in six innings), Caudron, in fact, could not lose the title anymore. Bernard Villiers surprised with a victory in the quarterfinals against Peter De Backer and in the semi final against Alain Remond 120-48 in 11.
Jean Paul de Bruijn, also chasing for his seventh European title, played the best match of the tournament against Torbjörn Blomdahl (120 in 2 innings). He also signed up for the highest run: 111.