3-Cushion
CHATILLON - Martin Horn needed a wonderful run of twelve and a win against Peter de Backer with a difference of only one carom to tie the match for Laxou against Andernos and keep his team in the title race. Francis Connesson and Marc Boingneres gave Andernos an advantage of 4-0 and a perfect view on the victory before the break, but Torbjörn Blomdahl (win against Roland Forthomme) and Martin Horn (against De Backer) saved Laxou and brought the match in balance (4-4). The decision which of these two teams will go to the final, will fall tomorrow when Andernos and Laxou meet again in the return.
The first collision was a match full of excitement. Francis Connesson had one of his glorious days for Andernos, made a run of ten and defeated Piere Soumagne 50-28 in 29 innings. Marc Boigneres got a lot of chances from his opponent Eric Kremer (substitute for Thierry Amar) and grabbed the win with only one point difference in 64 innings.
The Andernos team had favorable prospects with the 4-0 lead, but Laxou dominated the second half. Torbjörn Blomdahl was much too strong for Roland Forthomme (50-32 in 40 innings, averages 1.250 and 0.800) and Martin Horn saved his team to a first defeat by beating Peter de Backer 50-49 in 35 innings.
In the other semifinal between Agipi and Clichy Montmartre the score after two matches is in balance too. Jérémy Bury grabbed the win against Richard Bitalis (50-32 in 29). Jean Reverchon dominated the whole match against Jean Christoph Roux, who had a poor first day. The former world champion artistic won 50-40 in 45 innings.
Dick Jaspers meets Frédéric Caudron in the last evening session, Eddy Merckx is playing against Marco Zanetti.