3-Cushion
ZUNDERT - Two Dutch and four Belgians didn't succeed to keep the only two foreign top players out of the final of the Three Cushion Christmas tournament in Zundert. The German Martin Horn shows up in the battle for gold, tomorrow (Saturday, 2 PM) for the second year in a row. Murat Naci Coklu is the other finalist. The tournament, in a very new format with exciting, short sets and 30 seconds of playing time, comes to a German winner for the first year, or a Turkish winner for the second time after Semih Sayginer in 1998.
The only Dutchman still in the tournament, Gerwin Valentijn, was eliminated in the semi-final on Friday afternoon. Murat Naci Coklu dominated the match after a 2-0 lead (9-4 in 5, 9-3 in 4) and answered every time his opponent seemed to close the margin. The Brabant home player won the third, fifth and seventh set 9-2 in 2, 9-7 in 3 and 9-6 in 7 innings. The Turkish world topper showed himself the better and finally finished 9-5 (Coklu average 2.000, Valentijn 1.517). Both players had a best run of 7. Gerwin Valentijn stated: ,,It was not so bad at all, I had some chances, but I was a little unhappy. And you know that it is immediately punished by this kind of world class players.'' Murat Naci Coklu: ,,I was a little more lucky, but I also forced it by scoring at decisive moments.''
There was even more tension in the second semi-final between Martin Horn and Peter Ceulemans. The Belgian led 2-1 at the first stop, then the match came to 3-3 at the second break and also 4-4 when Peter Ceulemans finished in the second last set with a 9 run. ,,I missed the break in the deciding set and ran into a strong Martin Horn'', Ceulemans said in his review. ,,The combination of nerves and an ultra short shot time is not ideal. We both felt it at the end and unfortunately I could not handle it.'' The averages of this semi-final: Horn 1.848, Ceulemans 2.030. Peter Ceulemans also made the highest run: 9.
Martin Horn showed himself very happy with his second final place in two years. ,,The match with Peter (Ceulemans) was exciting until the last innings'', Martin said. ,,We remained in balance in almost every set. Martin Horn and Murat Coklu haven't played against each other for a long time. Horn: ,,I have the feeling that I'm one match ahead, but we are certainly well matched. Murat has developed very strongly in recent years.''
The final mtch is tomorrow, Saturday, at 2 pm to 6 won sets. The battle is live (and free) to follow on Kozoom.
The organization hopes for a full match room. Louis Havermans, organizer and room owner: ,,We were speaking a little bit about the format of the tournament so far. It is extremely exciting, almost in every match. That was our intention. We wanted to completely innovate, show billiards in a different way. We all know that the level has raised in recent years. Three-cushion has developed enormously, but in the Netherlands and in other countries the interest from the audience is still too small. We want to give it a new boost and try to get the people back to the arena. They not only come to see wonderful players, but also tension and sensation. I already feel great satisfaction with one more day to go.''
Murat Naci Coklu, first time finalist after win against Gerwin Valentijn
We have to change the format in billiards and bring back the people to the arena