Roland Forthomme: two days too late, that's life

Carom Billiard - 3-Cushion - Belgian National Championship Round 14 - (BEL)

Roland Forthomme: two days too late, that's life

Posted by Frits BAKKER on February 1, 2012

© Kozoom photo
Roland Forthomme, a great match two days after the echec in the Agipi Masters.

ZELE - ,,Two days too late, but that's life'', Roland Forthomme reacted with a mixture of joy and regret on Tuesday evening after he had beaten Eddy Merckx in his own Zele 50-22 in 16 innings. So relaxed as the Belgian was now, so disappointed was he on Sunday evening in the Agipi Masters, where he was eliminated in his last match before the final stage in a defeat by one point against HaengJik Kim.

He figured out how much that point would have brought him and how important it was, but also what it will cost him now. And even worse: the final carom to tie the score against Kim was very difficult, but he play it really fantastic. However, the cue ball was narrowly behind the third ball. And therefor the Agipi Masters ended for Forthomme in the final qualifying round.

Tuesday night, at least, he took a big revenge against Eddy Merckx with a formidable match, which he closed with a run of ten. The average (3.125) was the best in the fourteenth round, in which Glenn Hoffman (playing for Quality) performed very well against Kenny Miatton (42-22 in 16) and Jean van Erp one day earlier needed only 17 innings for his 42 points.

Glenn Hoffman had an excellent week: on Sunday he played over two average in the Dutch league, last night the score board showed his 2.625. He had an explanation for his great form: ,,I've practiced about seventy hours in two weeks in the billiard place of Wim Cromvoirt in Waalwijk. That pays off now, although you must have the good feeling of course. And I have it now.''

BC Quality Zele and KBC Zanzibar shared the points, because Paul Jaubin, third player in the second team in Leuven and substitute for Maarten Janssen, who was waiting for a baby to come, booked a surprising victory against Mathieu Vlerick. Peter de Backer defeated Jimmy Mues 50-45 and received an extra bonus for the win.

Kurt Ceulemans excelled with Mr. 100 Lier against Dave Christiani 50-25 in 23 innings. Raymond defeated on table two Michel Camp. The teams, Mr. 100 and 't Lammeken, played a draw. Huub Wilkowski and Luc De Coster gathered the points for 't Lammeken.

Biljart Vrienden and BC Lugo also played 4-4. Anno de Kleine perfomed the best game: 50 in 30 innings against Steven Buelens.