3-Cushion
KAATSHEUVEL - He realized that the pressure is on, of course, after a year with two world class results. And even more Glenn Hoffman knows that he could not fulfil the high expectations until now. Two matches done at the Masters, a draw against Huub Wilkowski and a win against Frans van Schaik with a one point margin. The 'Hagenaar' doesn't feel happy with that start.
,,I really can't play a tournament like this,'' he sighed in a first reaction after the match against Frans van Schaik, in which he crawled through the eye of the needle. His opponent missed his last point from the break and later explained: ,,The finish was terrible, I could'nt move my arm, because he was totally blocked.''
But actually, both players suffered the bad feeling at the end and that's very strange for Glenn Hofman, who rarely's fails in matches that matter. ,,I'm strong in all the competitons, but a championship is still quite different.'' The 'Hagenaar' gets another chance for revenge: later today in his match against fellow townsman Jeffrey Jorissen, who has already qualified for the quarterfinals. The third man in this group who's on the lookout is Huub Wilkowski.
Glenn Hoffman later in the dressing room got back his confidence. ,,I'm not desperate at all though'', he said, ,,because I 'm realistic enough to know that the next matches may be completely different. That's how it happens. You can have a narrow escape and play a starring role in the finals.''
But the doubt is still there after the weak. The young player was far from his great form and couldn't shine as he did on the international scene last year. Hofman was third at the European championship in Brandenburg, where he beat among others Greek Filippos Kasidokostas and was third at the World Games in Colombia after a victory against Dick Jaspers.
That certainly puts a lot of pressure,'' the 'Hagenaar admits. ,,But still it is very strange , because in the leagues in the Netherlands and Belgium I've played thirty matches with over 1.600 average. My season is very good, only here I have to do much better.''
The table is not how he wants it and the feeling is not there. ,,I know there are more players who couldn't adapt to the tables, but you should do it yourself and not blame the table. And I'm not even talking about Dick Jaspers: nobody is comparable with him in the Netherlands.''