Pierre Martory: gold medal in his last chance

BRANDENBURG - The 21-year-old Pierre Martory was the last winner in the classic games at the European championship. On the second last day of the tournament, the Frenchman won the free game discipline under 21 in the final against Dutchman Leon Dudink: 300-56 in 11 innings. The numbers three and four on the podium are Sébastien Verel (France) and Simon Blondeel (Germany). For Pierre Martory it was his last tournament under 21.

The Frenchman was two times in the last four before in three European championships. The player from Oissel won six French titles in free game and balk-line 47/2. ''I am very happy with this European title, because it is not only my first, but also the last among the juniors.'' In the final match, Martory seemed on his way to the finish in a run of 168 in the seventh inning. ''The table reacted strangely, I got a frozen ball in the run. Then, I played the break shot too short due to a bad shot." It then lasted until the 11th inning before the balls were into position again and Martory could finish with 86. Dudink missed the break for the equalizer.

Martory played his best matches in the preliminary stage: twice 250 in 2 innings, and in the semi-final against Verel 300 in 2 innings. Leon Dudink defeated Simon Blondeel in the semi-final 300-68 in 5.