3-Cushion
LEUVEN - Roland Forthomme, in this form (he won all his matches in Belgium so far) who beats Frédéric Caudron: is it special or just normal? Roland said: ,,It was certainly not an normal match, because of my opponent's jet lag.'' KBC Zanzibar, despite Forthomme's victory against Caudron (50-23 in 22) lost to De Goeie Queue 6-2. Roland Forthomme: ,,Because Caudron is such a great sportsman, he didn't make excuses. He had returned, a few days ago, from a tournament in Korea and of course, he is just a human being. I know what it's like to play with jet lag. I played against Peter Ceulemans in Lier one time and had fifteen points in 33 innings. It's such a strange feeling... it seems you have no focus at all.''
Roland Forthomme has one of his best league starts ever in Belgium. He took the maximum profit out of eight matches and is in one of the teams for the title race. The 45-year-old Liège player is shining internationally with a ninth position on the world ranking as a result. Is there an explanation for that excellent form? Roland Forthomme: ,,I feel really good, my focus is good, but how can I explain... I don't practice a lot,, I never have these past 30 years. These days, when I practice, it is all about quality. Thirty years ago, my folks had a room in Waremme. That was the only period in my life when I had a table at home. In the later years, it was difficult to get proper practice. That has changed though. I like to play by myself if I have to, but a practice match is always more fun. And I practice for a couple of hours, ahead of my matches in Zanzibar.'
You look confident and strong at the table. Does that mean you are all ready for Bordeaux?
Roland Forthomme: ,,I have found a nice balance between practice and rest. And I know that at my age (45) I need to practice more than before. The level keeps going up, and a mistake will be severely punished. Yes, I feel confident for this WC. I have been part of two world championship events, Sluiskil and Antwerp, and I did not make it through the group stages there. With my current level of experience and good preparation, this is a new chance. Moreover, Bordeaux is almost like a second home to me, I've played there for 12, 13 years now. This is a chance, also with the World Cup in Hurghada in mind, I have a wildcard there, to improve my world ranking.''
Forthomme's team (KBC Zanzibar from Leuven) needs to move to a different location next season. The blue-collar watering hole they currently play in, near the Leuven train station, is looking for a new owner. Het Laatste Nieuws reported that, after they visited Zanzibar's recent, important home match against De Goeie Queue.
Zanzibar, co-leader in the league, lost 6-2 that evening, despite Forthomme's excellent win over Caudron. Eddy Merckx, Jean Paul de Bruijn and Jerry Hermans secured the points for the reigning champion.
Maurice Vanderauwera was the proprieter of Café Sport near the Leuven train station, but he is looking for a successor. KBC Zanzibar has now found a new home at Sportclub De Vaart in the Kolonel Begaultlaan. Eddy Merckx was quoted in Het Laatste Nieuws, saying: ,,That busy bar atmosphere in Café Sport made it unique. Nowhere would you find the tables so close to the actual bar.''
The billiard club had played in a few different locations since its founding in 1934, but nowhere were players and supporters more at home than in de Sport. ,,We were happy here, because we had four tables. That is for us, a club with more than 50 members, an absolute must'', said chairman Paul Stroobants in Het Laatste Nieuws.
It was the last time Caudron and Merckx were guests in the old room, and they took away a victory that put De Goeie Queue firmly at the top of the table. Eddy Merckx gave a strong performance against Dave Christiani (50-31 in 24), Jean Paul de Bruijn won a close fight with Kenny Miatton (42-37 in 35) and Jerry Hermans grabbed important points for his team when he faced Jimmy Mues (42-40 in 31).
BC Deurne made an even better impression, they won 8-0 against Biljart Express scoring a team average of 1.735. Jef Philipoom (2.000 against Gerwin Valentijn, 50-27 in 25), Torbjörn Blomdahl (1.851 against Frans van Kuyk, 50-38 in 27) and Jean van Erp (1.826, 42-29 in 23 tegen Martin Spoormans) did ever so well for Deurne. Davy van Havere on board four solidly beat Guy van Litsenborg 42-35 in 31.
BC Herentals, with Martin Horn as best player of the eighth day of play, beat KBC Biljartvrienden 6-2. The German, who is ready to compete in the Lausanne Billard Masters later this week, was much too strong for Raimond Burgman (50-25 in 17, 2.941, high run 14).
Mister 100 Lier was invincible in their away game against De Ploeg 1, and it made steps towards the sub-top. Jaak Wijnen offered good resistance against Peter Ceulemans (50-47 in 27). Raymond Ceulemans was not going to be surprised by Therese Klompenhouwer (42-31 in 23) and he recorded an exemplary 1.826.
De Witte Molen climbed to fourth place thanks to a 6-2 win over DOS Roeselare. Glenn Hofman, having had a 44-29 lead, was the only one to lose, when Steven van Acker edged him 50-48 in 31. Francis Forton beat Cédric Melnytschenko and Dirk Weeremans recorded his sixth consecutive victory. ,,And Hans van der Wurf next week...''
Eddy Leppens beat Dustin Jäschke (50-43 in 28), making him the best winner for Op de Meir in their home game against De Ploeg 2 (8-0).