3-Cushion
SCHILTIGHEIM - The race to victory in the Agipi Masters for Glenn Hofman was an affirmation of his great talent in three cushion. The 20-year-old Dutchman finished with three wins on a row, against Sameh Sidhom, Thierry Amar and Pierre Soumagne after three days comfortable on the highest platform. The general average of 1.428 also put him far above his four opponents. On the last day of this qualification round Hofman also shone with runs of nine and ten.
Sameh Sidhom, the winner on the other billiard against Thierry Amar (40-15 in 27 innings) sighed after the match: ,,If there is money involved, is is nog so easy for young players like we to stay cool.’’ Glenn Hofman underlined that in his run of nine. ,,I began to feel the pressure of the extra bonus and then I missed my tenth point’’, he said. But later in the match, freed from the tension, Hofman still got what he deserved. With a run of ten in the 23rd inning he crossed the border and put the bonus of 500 euros in his pocket.
Pierre Soumagne had not any chance against the Dutchman. ,,Glenn played better than I did, because he is a better three-cushion player'', he afterwards increased. The match was in his reach for a long time, but the high runs of Hofmann made the difference (40-23 in 27).
Sameh Sidhom returns to Egypt with significant experience in his luggage. ,,I've never played matches to 50 points, always in sets'’’, he said. ,,And the playing time of forty seconds was hard for me. I had to look constantly at the clock.''
The Egyptian, who is graduated as a dentist, in any case one time showed his high class, in the last match against Amar (1.481 average). The young Frenchman played his last performance far below his normal level with an average of 0.556.