Carom
THE HAGUE - The sleeping room where Glenn Hofmann grew up, was not quite a billiard room, but much longer it didn't take before the current European junior champion set his first steps around the billiard table. The young Dutchman, known as a natural talent, discovered the billiard very early and is destined now to step into the footsteps of the greats in the three-cushion.
The current status, as a double European champion and one of the best young players in the world, is no guarantee of course. Glenn Hofmann (21) knows very well that there is still a long way to go, but he's is prepared to sacrifice everything for his sport.
The story of an ordinary guy, who grew up in De Schilderswijk in The Hague, a popular neighbourhood where the money doesn’t grow on the trees, child of a family with two brothers and a sister, worrying with a fragile health and filled up with only one ambition: to reach the world top in three-cushion.
A globetrotter thanks to his billiard talent
,,I had a quiet childhood, playing outside most of the time with friends. I did'nt like school to much, because I didn’t like to sit in my room and learn. We were guys who liked sport, mostly football at that time. In high school I was already often playing billiards. When I was about thirteen, I suddenly got a lot of problems with my knees: it turned out to be juvenile rheumatoid.''
,,I began to play billiard when I was ten years, in the same year I was regional champion in the youth from the sixth to the third class. My first national championship was in the third class youth in 2001 in Beverwijk. My first national title in three-cushion youth was in Weteringbrug in 2008.''
His greatest successes in recent years are the European titles in 2009 and 2011 in Krefeld and Athens, the victories in 2008 and 2009 in the international youth tournament in Sluiskil, two second places at the World Championships in 2008 and 2009 and the third place in the Masters in Nijverdal 2009.
Frits Bakker: What attracted you so in billiard at such an early age, while other children often opt for other sports?
Glenn Hofman: ,,Somehow, I felt good when I was playing billiards. Then time was flowing. I was still not able to play billiards when I wanted, but I could not wait until I could play. My parents have always helped me with everything and so I often got the opportunity to train! They were everywhere with me all these years to go where I had to play. They really are my biggest fans.''
FB: Who are important too in the evolution of your career?
GH: ,,First I went to a club called Samonda, the youth club of The Hague, then I went with my father to het Valkennest and later I played in the billiard room of Jorissen. Then I met Wim van Cromvoirt, the owner of the Crystal Kelly in Waalwijk. He invited me to come and train with him. I was with him many times in the weekends and holidays from school. I stayed there to sleep and to practice every day. That helped me a lot on my way to get better. They are the nicest people I've ever met.''
"My dad taught me the first things at the billiard table. Ben Thijssen gave me my first lessons for the federation. I was selected at a regional training in Sassenheim. Ben Thijssen later referred me to Frans van Hoeij for national training, at that moment for the free game. When I was taking lessons from Frans van Hoeij, he soon realized that my interests were in three-cushion. He proposed me to go to Christ van der Smissen, the only trainer who taught me the three-cushion. Christ has meant a lot to me, actually he really taught me to play billiards. He showed me many systems, the techniques and everything about development of three-cushion. I am glad that I had the opportunity of the federation to be taught by Christ, even in recent years we worked together for two and three times a week, seven hours long.''
FB: In which teams do you play in the Dutch and Belgian league now?
GH: ,,First I was two years playing for BV Jorissen in the first division. Then I went to Verbrugge Terminals in Sluiskil, where we started in the first division. That year we grabbed the title. The next year we played in the highest league and we could maintain. I think that was a very good achievement. I myself made the promotion to Delta, the first team, one year later, where I play next year for the second season.’’
,,I knew many people in Sluiskil due to the World cups. They were looking for young players and have approached me if I wanted to come and play there. There I met Dirk Vlerick too, a Belgian who also is sponsor at Quality Zele. He asked me to play in the Belgian league for that team. Next year I play in the first team of BC Quality with Eddy Merckx, Peter de Backer and Dirk Vlerick. Two years ago I also played in Germany. I would love to do that again, like also in the France league.''
FB: What do you think about billiards in general and on the development?
GH: ,,I would obviously like to see billiard is going to improve, I mean with more international tournaments, but mainly with more charisma. Such as publicity, entertainment and more prize money. TV will be the most important aspect in it. And also I hope that for me there is a future as a professional player.''
FB: What was the best match you've played so far?
GH: ,,If you speak about average, it’s a match for the regional competition with 40 points played in 13 innings, but in my personal feeling it is a match against Dick Jaspers, because it was the first time that I defeated a real world class player. I had not imagined that is was possible at that time.''
FB: What was the best match you've seen so far?
GH: ,,A match between Torbjörn Blomdahl Frederic Caudron in the Dutch league a few years ago. The final result: Blomdahl won 50-49 of 17 innings.’’
FB: Which player do you admire the most?
GH: ,,Dick Jaspers, the way that man can play billiards and concentrate himself every time again, deserves a great respect.''
FB: Have you ever been jealous of technique or the fighting spirit of another player?
GH: ,,I've never envied anyone, but Caudron has a brilliant technique and is also great to watch. Eddy Merckx, I also admire as a great player because of his incredible spirit.''
FB: You have travelled all around the world as a billiard player. Where do you prefer to be?
GH: ,,For me South America and Asia are the most beautiful parts of the world to play billiard. South Korea especially is great to play. We in Europe can still learn a lot of them. And yes, I’ve seen a lot as a billiard player so far. For example, I’m going to Mexico for the World cup in Mai, in Oktober I play in Guatemala for the World junior championship. A wonderful experience.''
FB: How far are you away from a breakthrough in the world?
GH: ,,I’m now sixtieth in the world. In order to get higher and more consistent, I will have to perform at international tournaments. I have full confidence, but it will not be easy.''
FB: When will this year be successful for you?
GH: ,,If I can win the World championship in October, that’s the most beautiful title there is. And if we can come to a good result with Delta in the playoffs for the championship, that would also be very nice. I’m hoping for a good result at the Masters tournament and some good performances in the World Cups.’’