Artistic
MARSEILLE - The European Grand Prix artistic in Marseille has turned out into a final match between two French players. 50-year old Jean Reverchon defeated Michael Hammen 3-0 (72.77/56.19 %). The winner was rewarded by 2.500 euros, the losing finalist by 1200 euros. The road to the final led Jean Reverchon along European champion Eric Daelman, who was defeated 3-1. Other favorites for the victory, as Sander Jonen, Xavier Fonellosa and Erik Vijverberg were already eliminated in the eighth and quarter-finals.
Michael Hammen had two glorious moments in his tournament: with his 3-0 victory against Thomas Ahrens in the semifinals he took 84.29 percent, against Sander Jonen in the eighth finals, Hammen finished 83.61. These were the highest scores in the tournament. Yet, Hammen couldn't match with the veteran Reverchon in the final with 54.37.
Jean Reverchon, 50 years of age, born in Saint-Maur -des-Fosses, is triple world champion: in 1990 in Barcelona, in 1992 in Epernay and in 1996 in Pithiviers. He took the European title in 1991.
Sander Jonen, one of the contenders, complained about the system after his elimination. ,,We should wish that no players would be seeded for the main tournament. Now, we enter the event without having played at these billiards. The players from the preliminaries have an advantage.''
The final score (with percentage):
1 Jean Reverchon, France, 73.87
2 Michael Hammen, France, 71.88
3 Thomas Ahrens, Germany, 65.62
3 Eric Daelman, Belgium, 64.02
5 Erik Vijverberg, Netherlands, 67.78
6 Xavier Fonellosa, Spain, 61.56
7 Bernd Singer, Germany, 59.83
8 Kevin Tran, France, 48.46.