Jef Philipoom in a tough race with Tasdemir, Duong and Nilsson

SCHILTIGHEIM - The Belgian Jef Philipoom, the Turk Tayfun Tasdemir, the Vietnamese Anh Vu Duong and the Swede Michael Nilsson in their groupe struggle for a place in the next qualification round. The session, which starts on Thursday at 17.30, guarantees very exciting matches, because the players are almost from the same level. Philipoom and Tasdemir seem to have better chances as players in the top twelve on the ranking.

The 39-year-old Swede Michael Nilsson however impressed this weekend in the Dutch competition. He beat Eddy Leppens, the silver medal winner at the World championship in Sluiskil, in a strong match.

For Jef Philipoom begins an important period with the Agipi Masters. The 46-year-old Belgium has to boost his shape, because he will be vulnerable in the next mounth, when he looses the 54 points he earned on the World cup tournament in Sluiskil. The last World cup of the year, in Hurghada, will put a lot of pressure on Philipoom to prolongate his high position.

The Belgium starts in Agipi with a match against Anh Vu Duong, Tayfun Tasdemir meets Michael Nilsson.