3-Cushion
SEOUL - Four players of sixteen in the LG U + Cup has completed their first mission in Seoul. Three Europeans, Dick Jaspers, Marco Zanetti and Nikos Polychronopoulos and one Korean, Dong-Koong Kang, will return for the quarterfinals in the most lucrative tournament in the world of three cushion. Four other players will join the final field later today.
Dick Jaspers was the only player who remained unbeaten in the first two sessions of the final day of prelims. Marco Zanetti finished with the highest average so far: 2.622. Dong-Koong Kang topped his group after the win over Jae-Ho Cho and by Nikos Polychronopoulos' loss against Dani Sánchez. Dick Jaspers grapped the group win by defeating Marco Zanetti.
Group B:
Dick Jaspers-Marco Zanetti 40-38 in 17
Sung-Won Choi-Jae-Ho Cho 40-35 in 21
The two European protagonists were in balance for a long time, despite Jaspers' strong attack just before the break. The Dutchman came from a small backlog and passed Marco Zanetti with a run of thirteen, to 25-18 in 10. The second part was very entertaining, both by the high level and Marco Zanetti's wonderful reactions, enjoying the Korean audience with his typical mimes. Dick Jaspers finally grabbed the win after the 35-35 score in 15. The Dutch champion finished with an innocent little kiss. Zanetti went to the break for five, but missed out after three points.
The final ranking in Group B:
1 Dick Jaspers 5-2.143-13
2 Marco Zanetti 3-2.622-13
3 Sung-Won Choi 3-1.624-9
4 Jung-Han Heo 1-1.889-7
Dick Jaspers and Marco Zanetti in a joyful hug after the match
Before the start: Jaspers-Zanetti
Marco Zanetti, enjoying the audience with his temperament
Sung-Won Choi and Jung-Han Heo, both eliminated, shake hands before their match
Group C:
Dong-Koong Kang-Jae-Ho Cho 40-31 in 15
Dani Sánchez-Nikos Polychronopoulos 40-34 in 18
The crucial match between the two Koreans for a place in the finals was won by Dong-Koong Kang, the former winner of the tournament. The bump with Jae-Ho Cho was decided around midway, when Kang attacked with 14. He kept the lead until the end. Jae-Ho Cho, New York's recent winner, was unable to fight back. He finished as the last in the group with 2 points and 1.677. Dong-Koong Kang goes for another victory in the finals. Two years ago he was the sensational winner after having been in a hospital for one night with severe stomach pains during the matches.
Dani Sánchez said goodbye to the tournament with a victory. Two high runs, 10 and 11, put Nikos Polychronopoulos on a margin that he couldn't repair. The Greek already earned his qualification by wins over the Koreans Cho and Kang. Poly was passed by Kang in the ranking on average: 1.763 versus 1.701.
The final ranking in Group C:
1 Dong-Koong Kang 4-1.763-14
2 Nikos Polychronopoulos 4-1.701-10
3 Dani Sánchez 2-1.683-11
4 Jae-Ho Cho 2-1.677-9.
Nikos Polychronopoulos and Dani Sánchez after their match won by the Spaniard
Dong-Koong Kang, in the finals again after his win over Jae-Ho Cho