3-Cushion
The big fighter Martin Spoormans lost his control and the match this evening at the end of a thriller. Peter de Backer was just a little stronger than his former teammate from Delta in Sluiskil and reached the semi finals in the Superprestige with penalties (2-1). Frédéric Caudron will be seen also tomorrow on the final day. He gave Ronny Brandts no chance: 40-25 in 31 innings. Caudron had an average of 1.600, Brandts noticed 1.240.
Roland Forthomme later in the evening played a brilliant match against Eddy Merckx. The former world champion had no chance and lost 40-20 in 19 innings. Francis Forton had a good finish against Peter Ceulemans and took the win with 40-34 in 27 innings.
The great and most exciting match of the first evening session was the fight between good old Martin Spoormans and Peter de Backer. The match was equalized in the 26th inning, then Peter de Backer had a break away with a run of nine in the 27th, which brought him on the lead with 27-38.
But Spoormans is known as a player who never gives up. He returned in the match with small runs, made two great points in the 30th inning and made the equalizer with a lucky point (38-38). The tension was noticeable when both players had a few easy misses, but at least Spoormans reached the finish in 34 innings.
Peter de Backer had to make two points in the equalizing, he did it with a shot with a little kiss.
Martin Spoormans started the penalties, made the break shot, but missed the second. And De Backer took the victory with two points. Tomorrow he meets Francis Forton, who eliminated Peter Ceulemans by surprise.