Carom Series
ATHENS - The European qualification matches for the Europe Cup in the classic disciplines were played at three locations this weekend, in Chartres, Athens and Vic, Spain. The five teams that qualified for the final weekend in Bochum are four French teams and Vic from Spain. The French teams are Oissel, Chartres, Ronchin and Douarnenez Sport with Raymund Swertz as the star player. DBC Bochum is automatically qualified for the final as title holder.
The final weekend is on 20, 21 and 22 April in Bochum. DBC Bochum faces in that final a group with Oissel and Chartres. The Spanish team Vic plays with Douarnenez and Ronchin. Because of the snow in the Lyon area, the Ecully team could not head for Greece.
The Dutchman Raymund Swertz was one of the big stars this in the team of Douarnenez Sport in the balk-line 47/2. He finished two 250 point matches in one inning in 37 and 38 minutes. That means, an average of more than 400 points in an hour. His two other matches, Swertz won in 3 and 4 innings, a total of 1000 points in 9 innings, good for 111.11 average.
Douarnenez won 6-0 against Eldense, 4-2 against Athens, 5-1 against Eldense in the second and 6-0 against Athens. Pierre Soumagne won his match in balk-line 71/2 in 11, 4, 6 and 8 innings, 27.58 of average. Grégory le Deventec won two matches in one cushion, lost and played a draw against Nicolas Gérassimopoulos and finished overall 8.01 average. Athens and Eldense were eliminated for the final.
In the group in Chartres with three French teams and an Austrian team, Oissel finished on top with Pierre Martory in 47/2, Benoit Deziles-Legros in 71/2 and Johann Petit in one cushion. The Oissel team beat the Austrians with Arnim Kahofer in one cushion with 4-2 (Kahofer won the match vs Petit 120-78 in 7). Oissel took victory against Chartres and Soissons 4-2. As a result, the team achieved the maximum of six points. Pierre Martory played 33.18 in 47/2, Benoit Deziles-Legros 35.28 in 71/2 and Johann Petit 9.93 in one cushion. The second place of Chartres (Gérimont, Gretillat and Justice) was also good for qualification. Willy Gérimont remained unbeaten in this group with 57.69 average in 47/2.
In the Spanish Vic, the home team dominated in the matches with Ronchin and Zurich. Esteve Mata, Joan Espinasa and Raul Cuenca won 11 of their 12 individual matches, a total of 8 match points and 22 individual points (98.9%). The number two, Roncin, gathered 4 match points and was also qualified for the final round. Mata won his matches in 47/2 in 1, 4, 7 and 13 innings, Cuenca in 71/2 7, 13, 5 and 6, Espinasa in one cushion in 9, 17, 12 and 18 innings.