3-Cushion
THE HAGUE - There were no illusions at all before the match, because obviously the boys of Biljartcafé Jorissen new that they had no chance to beat the champions of Dallinga/AEJ in the first match for the play-offs. And despite Herman van Daalen's fantastic start (victory against Jean Paul de Bruijn 50-30 in 39 innings) the reigning champion finally won this first match 6-2.
The ambiance at the end, however, was great as it always is in the Jorissen café. Glenn Hoffman's father and Herman van Daalen sang loudly into the microphone the Dutch everlasting single: ,,You don't need to tell me, that I love you so.'' Glenn himself added: ,,We had an audience of one hundred and sixty people in the café, that's really amazing for a billiards match, isn't it.''
The leader of the team said: ,,We knew of course that we had no chance, because they are not one class, but a few classes better.'' We nevertheless had a good feeling and confidence to travel to Sluiskil on Wednesday. And for sure we will do our best to perform well in the return.''
The first semi-final seems to turn out as everyone expected: with a win and a place in the finals for Dallinga/AEJ, the team that won the cup this week and want to claim the title as well.
Three of the four players brought in the 6-2 victory against Jorissen. Frédéric Caudron attaced on a 34-29 score against Glenn Hoffman with a run of twelve and won 50-36 in 28 innings. Dick Jaspers took his revenge for the loss in the cup final against Jean van Erp and bested his opponent 50-35 in 24. Eddy Merckx felt Jeffrey Jorissens' breath in his neck until 29-27 and then made the gap with a run of sixteen (50-46 in 30 innings).
The only one who showed some 'Hague brutality' was Herman van Daalen, the man who already was one of the revelations at the cup final and against Jean Paul de Bruijn also demonstrated that he can play billiards very well. The 'Leiden painter' scared the champion, won 50-30 in 39 innings and hit a gap of twenty caroms in that part of the match.
Team leader Jan Kikken said afterwards: ,, The first half of the match actually was very poor, but fortunately Eddy Merckx saved us with his high run. Then Caudron and Jaspers were very solid and we could still take the win. Jean Paul was not playing well, also due to a shoulder injury. He complained about that and is even thinking of an injection this week.''
Dallinga leads 6-2 after the first match, but thanks to the great margin of Herman van Daalen, there is only a difference of four caroms between the teams.
The return in Sluiskil starts at 19.00 on Wednesday.