Free game
MAASMECHELEN - Twenty Belgian titles, six times European champion, three times winner of the classic masters and still there is a hunger for more titles. The 46-year-old Belgian Patrick Niessen starts his next championship race from Sunday: the Belgian championship, in which he has been seeded in five disciplines. ,,That's an annual highlight of the season'', he concludes.
Patrick Niessen, the title holder in the free game, is living for two days a week in the Belgian city Maasmechelen, the other days with his girlfriend in Geldermalsen in the Netherlands. The Dutch billiard federation has appointed the technically skilled billiard player not so long ago as coach for his young talents. Patrick Niessen will play a total of twenty matches in the Belgian championship next week. If he should win them all (which is a rough estimate of one to thousand), he would play 5200 caroms that week, but even with some losses, he will gather thousands of caroms.
Four days before the start of the championship multi-disciplines in the Casino of Blankenberge: five questions to the challenger of Frédéric Caudron and all the other top players in Belgium.
Frits Bakker: ,,So the Belgian championship is a yearly highlight for you, for what reason?
Patrick Niessen: ,,Especially because I enjoy to play all the disciplines, but it is also one of the best tournaments, because the room is full of spectators every day. And then you can grow as a player to the best level. The challenge for me is, playing against the best allrounder in the world, Frédéric Caudron. When I can pick up a title against him, it would be certainly a highlight of my season.''
FB: Many people wonder, why did you never switch to three cushion instead of playing the classic games?
PN: ,,I've tried to do it once, I wanted to make the switch, but ultimately I did not, because I love to play the classic disciplines. The caress of the balls, I will always love it. And you must do what you love, you know. Moreover, I have many lovely contacts in the Netherlands and in Germany with the teams for which I play.''
FB: All championships in one week, like in Belgium is a golden formula?
PN: ,,I think so, when you see the interest of people all days. Every year there are more spectators in Blankenberge. The billiard fans who want to see the matches, should come early for a nice place in the stands.''
FB: Who are your biggest competitors in all those disciplines?
PN: ,,We all know Frédéric Caudron is the best, he has won so many titles in recent years. But there are so many strong players in Belgium, such as Eddy Leppens and Peter de Backer in the balk line and one cushion and Philippe Deraes in free game. And there will be some outsiders again, like every year. I must take care for any opponent.''
FB: How do you practice for a championship like this? I mean, are you training with hundreds of caroms in free game? So, do you spend many hours at the table to prepare for the marathon of matches?
PN: ,,You must be sure you're ready, so I have practiced pretty much for this week. I'm participating in five disciplines, free game, 47/2, 47/1, 71/2 and one cushion. And there is plenty of competition in Belgium. I'm living from one to another match in this championship, I take my rest between the sessions and do'nt go to sleep too late, because if you come tired to the table, you will not be able to survive in this marathon.''