1-Cushion
MALLE - The weekend of truth is rapidly approaching. The Kozoom Challenge with the two best 1-cushion players in the world is casting a shadow already. Frédéric Caudron and Jean Paul de Bruijn will cross swords in Salpho (Malle) from 27 to 29 June, in a battle that will keep billiard lovers on the edge of their seats.
The challenge is unprecedented, the Dutchman, many time European champion and the Belgian world champion in 3-cushion, a brilliant 1-cushion player as well, will fight each other on both their strengths.
The match to 1500 points, a Kozoom initiative and the brainchild of Xavier Carrer, will be a first rate spectacle.
The email address for tickets and VIP arrangements is: challenge@kozoomcorp.com. The link for prognostics: http://competition.kozoom.com/en/challenge/ We asked a number of players, experts, organizers and fans about their expectations.
Gerard ten Lohuis (live event/ and website manager Kozoom):
,,This is a unique match, and we will secure it in the Kozoom video archive. One-cushion featuring Caudron and De Bruijn will bring high runs, creative shots, excitement. We are going to enjoy all ten sessions of this!'' ,,Highly recommended for billiard lovers, because 1-cushion is second only to three cushion in popularity. Online viewers will get a treat, in their front row seats at home. Furthermore, we will try to get the replay online soon after every session.''
,,Kozoom is proud to be the organizer of this challenge, and thanks all its Premium Pass members, without whom this initiative could not have happened.''
Valéry Callens (French club chairman):
,,I a taking a two week vacation, close to the French Riviera, but I will bring my laptop and watch the challenge, preferably close to the beach, with a glass of Rosé de Provence at hand. I think Frédéric Caudron will win with a 24 average (17 for Jean Paul de Bruijn). The Belgian will find the better positions, that will be the difference. De Bruijn could well make the highest run however, close to 200 I hope. So Belgium 1 - Netherlands 0. That won't be the score when they meet in Brasil''
Torbjörn Blomdahl (Swedish top player):
,,I have not seen that much 1-cushion, so I may be wrong here. But I think the higher runs will be for De Bruijn, which gives him an advantage. But Caudron has a reputation as a marathon man. That is where he has the edge. I will come to watch it on Sunday, I hope there will not be a decision by then.''
Dick Jaspers (player, Netherlands):
,,It depends on how the preparation of both players was. Thinking about Jean-Paul mainly: how fit will he be, tough enough for this 3-day battle... His great strength is the high runs, that should be the basis for the win. Frédéric's power is that he can endlessly continue to play with his great focus and technique. He has a little more experience in this kind of competition. Certainly, in any case both players can handle this match.''
Eddy Leppens (player, Belgium):
,,Very difficult to predict who will be the winner. It is in any case a very nice match with both fantastic one cushion players. I think Fred is going to win the match, though it will be a close, I guess. Jean Paul is very strong in the high runs, but Fred is slightly stronger at the billiards when the game is open. And of course he can make fantastic runs as well. The difference is so small between them. The reason why I think Fred is going to win, is because he has more experience with that kind of races. But it will be a very interesting challenge.''
Jens Eggers (Germany, player):
,,I am a big fan of new, creative events that enrich our sport. It is the perfect and groundbreaking addition to what we already have on the regular individual and team competitions. These types of events are very important for the future of our billiard sport. Many thanks to Kozoom for this initiative and the live broadcast. It is a great effort for both players, but I think that Caudron, the local hero, will be the winner.''
Alain Remond (French top player):
,,A match to 1500 points, that is great. Every billiard player who loves 1-cushion will watch this. What a good idea, to come up with this event. I don't have a preference for ayone to win, but I think the speed of the tables will be a major contributing factor. I hope we will see high runs, probably even a world record (200!) I will definitely come and watch, in Malle.''
Xavier Gretillat (Swiss top player):
I´d love to play this kind of match, because it´s a great chance to play very long runs. I hope we´ll see those nice runs. Caudron and De Bruijn have two different styles. If they play good, the difference between both will be very small. But if De Bruijn plays well his long runs, maybe we will see runs over 200. That can make the différence for De Bruijn.''
Arnim Kahofer (Austrian player):
,,I think this will gonna be a real big clash. Fantastic! The two best one cushion players will meet each other in a tough fight. Who ever wins is secondary for me, both deserve it. It is the best publicity for this wonderful and difficult game. I am sure they will enchant the spectators with their mastery. Good luck, Jean-Paul and Frédéric!''
Martin Spoormans (Belgian player):
,,Caudron should win it by 1500 - 1200. It will be like the old days, when we played a WC for eight hours and the best players won. The way it is now, one hour matches, anybody can win.''
Jef Philipoom (Belgian top player):
,,I predict a win by Caudron, by 100 point margin, in 80 innings. He has a more playful approach, and will be less affected by fatigue. Jean Paul is more laborius, more minute.''
Bert van Manen (Dutch writer):
,,Like everyone else, I have high expectations of this unique three days, but to be honest, I don't think the averages will be sky-high. One-cushion is a mentally exhausting discipline, and I can't see them be at the peak of their game for three days. I predict a close finish, Fred the winner.''
Jean-Jacques Gangloff (Agipi speaker, France):
,,Hard to say for me, I am not a specialist. I do think Fred is the best player there is, and he will show his incomparable qualities, for sure. But De Bruijn is a very gifted player too, especially in this disciplne. We will see an exciting duel, played by two extremely likeable people.''
Dave Christiani (Dutch top player):
,,This will be close. I have seen Caudron beat De Bruijn a few times lately, so maybe he has the edge. But it's hard to tell. It will be the best man on the day, and it will be a thriller.''
Jan Rosmulder (Dutch journalist):
,,In the Tombola-Prognostics for the Challenge, I have predicted a win for Caudron. My motivation to do so: he has the home advantage, and the other differences between him and De Bruijn are negligible.''
