3-Cushion
SCHILTIGHEIM - He keeps a very special reminding to the Agipi arena. Two years ago Michael Nilsson beat Dick Jaspers for the European Cup 3-0 and he was close to a sensational final in the match against Marco Zanetti from the Agipi team. ,,I was leading 2-0, had to win 3-0, but Zanetti made 2-1, that's why we missed the European title'', he remembered today.
The 39-year-old Swede in his carreer until now always has been a player with ups and downs. He gathered seven world titles for the Swedish team with Torbjörn Blomdahl, but never managed to win major individall tournaments. In Sluiskil, at the World championship two weeks ago, Nilsson nearly played a leading role, but he missed the continuation of the tournament: he beat Filippos Kasidokostas (3-2), but lost to Dion Nelin in an unfortunate match.
The Swede today had a flying start at the Agipi Masters. He defeated Tayfun Tasdemir from Turykey, the number eight in the world, with a big difference (50-25 in 23 innings). ,,I have the feeling that I play better than ever'', Michael said after the match. ,,Sunday, in the Netherlands, I also won against Eddy Leppens (the numbe two of the World championship). I feel quite at home here in the beautiful ambiance. And recently I have practiced a lot. I lost my job, got my driverslicence, so I could drive for myself to the billiard room. But the times are changing again. Monday I start working again, in a store, I have to drive 135 kilometers every day. Today I got a phone call from another company, at 5 kilometers from my house. I must ask my wife, who is very smart, what I have to do now.''
Nilsson won his match against Tasdemir without high runs. ,,I did not have a problem with Tasdemir, because he did not play so well.''
The 30-year-old Vietnamese Duong Anh Vu began his match against Jef Philipoom with a high run. The start with ten in the first inning was rewarded with the first bonus (500 euros) of the day. The match went up in its favor. Jef Philipoom had to fight back hard, but could not threaten the Vietnamese.
Duong, one of the more than a hundred thousand three-cushion players in his homeland and owner of a billiard room with fifteen tables, finished 50-41 in the 33rd inning.