3-Cushion
SCHILTIGHEIM - The tension was nearly unbearable at the end of the match between Eddy Leppens and Jung Han Heo. The Korean was so close to the qualification, the Belgian balanced on the border of elimination in their group. Eddy Merckx had already finished for a long time with the unvisible Frenchman Jean-Christophe Roux. But Leppens fought for his last chance.
The second Belgian is the group was far behind after nine innings, because Heo sparkled in the 8th and 9th inning with runs of ten and six, getting an adventage of 22-7. ,,Then, after the pause, I realised that I had to play all or nothing'', Leppens said afterwards. Runs of nine and five brought him back in the match on 29-26.
,,I got some air, but made one little mistake, with a shot that I played to slow. Heo made six and again I was behind on 40-32'', the Belgian declared. The mental strength in him, decided the match in the last innings. Heo led 40-34, Leppens made six, than Heo three, Leppens took the lead with 48-46 and than the Belgian finished, first with an unbelievable ball under this pressure and than with a rather easy ball.
,,I keep my chances alive'', Leppens said with a lucky smile. But he has to beat Jean-Cristophe Roux and than has to wait for the result of the match between Eddy Merckx and Jung Han Heo. The Korean also has to win and has a better average than Leppens.
Eddy Merckx won his evening match against Roux with a clear score: 50-13 in 21 innings. ,,I missed my tenth point for the bonus and also could not finishy in twenty innings for another bonus'', he said. But anyway: Merckx can be satisfied after two strong matches.