ESSEN/NEW YORK - He was one of the most prominent players in New York, where the Verhoeven Open was played, where Jérémy Bury was the more or less surprising winner and Martin Horn finished fifth after a stunning performance. The German player achieved a major result in a field with many high levelled, international players. Martin Horn, who no longer shows up in World Cups and therefore has dropped to a lower postion on the world ranking, played a particularly strong tournament in New York. He won fifteen matches out of seventeen and averaged 1.872, the second highest of all players.
Dick Jaspers stopped him on his way to an even better position on the final podium by defeating Horn in the quarters. But then, with victories over Roland Forthomme and Tayfun Tasdemir, the German took a respectable fifth place. The question again popped up in the Carom Café about a new comeback. Martin Horn just answered that he would like to play the World Cup in Hurghada later this year, the tournament he sees as a combination of billiards and holiday.
Markus Schönhoff, the Kozoom reporter, spoke with Martin Horn after his return from New York.
Kozoom/Markus Schönhoff: First of all, congratulations on your fifth place in New York and the very successful week at the Carom Cafe. How does it feel, this success?
Martin Horn: I trained a lot in the summer and I changed little things in my game. Therefore, I did not know what to expect. I felt a little uncertain in the qualification. But I also was convinced that my training would yield results, so I was not really surprised about my performance. I even would have wished to finish higher, but I also see the reality, that you can easily end up twelfth or fifteenth in a field with so many strong competitors, so this fifth place feels amazing.''
Kozoom/MS: A hard week of billiards with 17 matches, a truly mammoth program. On the last day four games to 40 points. Many spectators wonder how to deal with it, mentally and physically, and even play over two on average in the last game. What's your secret?
MH: My credo was: "A good preparation is half the work". During the training, I played up to ten matches in the Carom Cafe. With my MYWEBSPORT - SYSTEM I could improve my tactical know-how. I rented an apartment just two minutes from the Carom Cafe with my friend Dieter Ernst. So I was able to recover well after each match. My big goal was to play many matches in New York to prepare good for the upcoming season. After the unlucky defeat in the quarter finals against Dick, I really wanted to finish the tournament positively. The secret is simple: always give the best in each match, always be motivated, and always believe in yourself! I must thank all the billiard fans who often watched Kozoom till late in the night. They gave me an extra boost.
Kozoom/MS: What's your reaction to the final. Who can defeat Caudron and Jaspers, deserves the victory. How big is your appreciation for the performance of Jérémy Bury in this tournament. Was it a surprise to you?
MH: With Bury you should always keep in mind that with his playing style he can break any opponent in a match. He has probably, behind Jaspers and Sánchez, the best technique and is an excellent tactician. I'm happy for Jérémy because I know how good it feels to win his first international tournament! He is a great player and really deserves it.
Kozoom/MS: What is the great charm of the tournament in New York? Do you think it is possible to organize a tournament in this form in Europe?
MH: The tournament is always perfectly organized! I appreciate this and that's why it is always a pleasure to take part. You can play many matches every day, but you also must deal with the circumstances. That is always a big challenge. The tables are extremely long and close to each other. You always have to wait for the other tables and you never get into your rhythm. Furthermore, the air conditioning is blowing constantly on your shoulders, so you never get really warm. But all of that is the attraction. Therefore, I am even more proud of my performance, as I am a rhythm player, with a preference for short tables.
Kozoom/MS: In every tournament this year, the Europeans are on top at the end. What do you think of that, the continuing dominance of the Europeans, despite the large number of Asian players?
MH: That's a good question, and actually it is also a mystery to me. With Cho, Kang, Haeng Jik Kim and Tran there were so worldclass players in New York who could all have won the tournament. In my opinion they are missing the match rhythm that makes us, the Europeans, sometimes stronger. We play in national leagues almost every week against the best opponents. That, I consider as the greatest advantage over the Asians. Nevertheless, I expect a lot of tournament winners from Korea and Vietnam in the future, because they are so strong.
Kozoom/MS: You will play in Berlin in the second bundesliga in September. What are your plans and goals for the upcoming season?
MH: I'm looking forward to play for Berlin, it is a great challenge for me. We want to have fun with our team and develop further. We're not really looking forward to a possible promotion, but I expect that we will play a good role in the top. Personally, I want to play a better season than last year. I had my setback in the second half and lost my concentration. Generally I want to continue my way and choose where, when, with whom and for whom I play, so therefore I can easily enjoy my game. One of my wishes is to return to Lausanne, where I always feel comfortable. I hope I get invited again!
Kozoom/MS: The coming season is very important, internationally. The World championship in Viersen, the European championships in Brandenburg and the World Games in Poland. Are these the main goals for you?
MH: I'm not yet qualified and nominated for these tournaments. I focus primarily on the leagues and look forward from game to game. Of course it would also be nice to play international tournaments! Especially the World championship in Bordeaux would be a big challenge for me, but unfortunately I am not qualified for that!
I wish all sportsmen a succesful season.
The sixteen final players in New York with Martin Horn in the front