Carom
BLANKENBERGE - The question at the start was not whether Patrick Niessen will be on the highest podium after his week in Belgian championship all disciplines, but how many times he will crown his title race with the gold medal. The nearly 50-year old specialist in all balk line games took two titles in Blankenberge last year: free game and and 47/2. For this year, Niessen has opened the hunt for four gold medals.
Two other titles (47/1 and 71/2), he lost to Frédéric Caudron last year, especially in the 71/2 after a spectacular race. The climax was the match between the two top favorites, which ended in a draw (250-250 in two innings). Therefor Caudron was the champion and Niessen with the highest average (68.66) third after Caudron and Leppens.
Niessen's main rival (Caudron) doesn't show up anymore in the balk line disciplines this year, because he wants to focus on three cushion and one cushion. The absence of Caudron opens the way for Patrick Niessen to a glorious title fight. The start, on Monday, was certainly promising. Niessen closed the day with the maximum score: three wins out of three.
He won in the free game against his biggest rival Philippe Deraes in two innings: the score was 1-1 after the first inning, then Niessen played out with 399 and Deraes missed from the spots in the equalizer.
In 71/2 Niessen won his opening match against Peter Debaes (250 in 7, run of 111). He will further face Eddy Leppens, Martin Ravestyn and Philippe Deraes in this discipline. And in 47/1 Niessen started up with a simple victory against Eddy Berger 200 in 7 innings (200-39).
Jef Philipoom (5 match points) and Davy Havere (6 points) were the first group winners in three cushion and qualified for the quarterfinals. The two runners-up were Miatton Kenny and Frank de Groof. Van Havere won his last game on one carom against Martin Ravestyn.
The decision over the second-seeded players fell in the last sessions. Kenny Miatton achieved an excellent victory over Wesley de Jaeger (40-35 in 21 innings, 1.904/1.666) and Frank de Groof played a draw against Jef Philipoom 40-40 in 38. Therefore Pascal Claus and Wesley de Jaeger were sent home.
Josef Gijsels in action in three cushion, Jef Philipoom (background) was group winner.
Josef Gijsels, the oldest in the groups, closed his tournament with a victory over Pascal Claus, whom he defeated 40-35 in 52 innings.
Martin Spoormans entered the tournament in one cushion and beat Maarten Janssen in a very moderate match 150-126 in 27 innings.
Today (Tuesday) starts include two new groups in three cushion.
Group 2 with Eddy Leppens, Luc Salvo, Francis Forton and Marco Janssen.
Group 5 with Peter Ceulemans, Kurt Ceulemans, Rudy de Laet and Danny Wuyts.
Eddy Leppens will close a tiring day (three matches in three cushion) in 47/1 against Robby Sonck. Patrick Niessen opens the day in 47/2 against Jean Godeyne and finishes his second day in 71/2 against Philippe Deraes.
The first sessions start at 11.00 am, all matches can be followed live on Kozoom.