3-Cushion
BURSA - The final match in the Bursa World Cup will be played by Dick Jaspers and Frédéric Caudron. The Dutchman and the Belgian survived after two breathtaking semi-finals. Dick Jaspers defeated the American Pedro Piedrabuena, who had to make nine caroms in the equalizer but could only run seven (!). That resulted in a final score of 40-38 in 20 innings.
Dick Jaspers took the initiative in the match after an early run of twelve and was 22-8 in the lead after thirteen innings. When Piedrabuena attacked with runs of 6 and 4, he caught up with his opponent around the fifteenth inning at 24-21.
The final sprint of Jaspers led him to 39-31, but the match was not played, because Piedrabuena started a stunning equalizing inning on a 40-31 score. At two caroms from the draw he missed because of a kiss.
The American, so close to a sensation against an undisputed top player, left the arena under a thunderous applause as one of the stars of this World Cup.
Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx played an incredibly exciting match, in which Caudron ran out to 31-3 at the break after runs of 12 and 15. Merckx fought back with a lion's heart, but eventually lost 40-36 in fifteen.
The final is at 16.00, Turkish time: Jaspers-Caudron, live on kozoom.com
Pedro Piedrabuena trying to equalize in his match with Dick Jaspers
Dick Jaspers raises his cue after Piedrabuena missed in the equalizer
Full stands for the semi-finals in Bursa