3-Cushion
SLUISKIL - With a blistering opening ceremony, as the tradition was at five World Cups in Sluiskil, the Junior World championship for players under 22 has been launched in Hotel Dallinga last night. Sixteen players entered the arena and were brought into the spotlights in the crowded billiard room.
The ceremony was followed by an exhibiton by Frédéric Caudron and Dick Jaspers, who played a match together with the WC participants.
This morning (Friday) with the start at 10.00, the first matches are played. Belgian Andy Bond was the first day winner against Spaniard Carlos Anguita: 25-18 in 22 innings. ,,I haven't played extremely well, but I felt good with two or three little runs, good for the win'', said De Bondt, who had a good preparation and was the winner of the Belgian Superprestige for juniors two weeks ago.
The 21-year-old De Bondt plays his last World championship in Sluiskil and is one of the outsiders. ,,But the field of players is so strong that you have to be a little lucky.''
Portuguese Joao Ferreira and Frenchman Alexis Rouaud competed in the same group (Group A) to the bitter end for the win. Rouaud was the strongest with 25-22 in 23 innings.
For groups of four players battle for two places in the quarter finals.
The program in the first group matches from now:
11:30:
Jordy de Kruijf-Antonio Montes
Myung Woo Cho-Jefferson Pena
13:00:
Yusuke Mori-Manuel Royal Garden
Berkay Kara Kurt-Adrien TACHOIRE
14.30:
Jun Tae Kim-Michael Vink
Victor Montesdeoca-Wesley Apers.
All games will be broadcast live on Kozoom.