French start with one winner in Europe Cup

PRAGUE - Four French teams opened the tournament for the Europe Cup for classic teams in Prague on Friday night. Soissons was the only winner (5-1 against Ecully). In that group the German Bochum is the third team. Chartres and Ronchin played a draw, 3-3, in the group in which Vitkov Prague is the defending champion.

Chartres and Ronchin remained in balance at three tables in balance. Xavier Gretillat from Chartres took the balk-line 71/2 against Jean Francois Florent (200-94 in five), Bernard Villiers (Ronchin) defeated Jacky Justice in one cushion (120-61 in 9) and the match in 47/2 between Willy Gérimont and Brahim Djoubri ended in a draw (250-250 in 3, runs 135 and 171).

Soissons put up his first good fight to make a step towards the semi-finals by a victory over Ecully 5-1. Only the match between Olivier Careaux and Cédric Zoppi levelled 250-250 in nine, including Zoppi's run of 126.

Esteve Mata won the 71/2 against Fabio Venditelli 200-115 in eight, Alain Remond was a little stronger than Xavier le Roy in one cushion, 120-113 in 9.

Today continues with the start of Vitkov Prague and Bochum.

The Soissons team with Alain Remond, Esteve Mata and Olivier Careaux, first winner in the group stage