3-Cushion
ANDERNOS - The group with Dick Jaspers has long been decided, the group with Michael Nilsson and Rui Costa goes to a furious final sprint in the Kozoom arena today (Thursday). The Swede and the Portuguese don't concede a set to each other on the special match billiards in Kozoom's arena: the score is 5-5 in Group B, the averages are not that far apart. The last six sets to ten points are decisive for the group win. Dion Nelin won only 2 sets and should perform a miracle to still come on top of the group.
Dick Jaspers demonstrates his shining form and is already two days unreachable for his two opponents Therese Klompenhouwer and Alessio D'Agata. The world champion started with a lost set against Therese (10-3 in 2) on Wednesday, but then recovered with a five-set win streak at very high level. After 12 sets, Jaspers has a total of 105 points in 40 innings, good for a 2,625 average.
What is also remarkable: the Therese's wonderful average. The ladies world champion looks exceptionally strong in the shadow of Dick Jaspers. On both days, Therese picked up one set, on Wednesday even in the first set of the day with 10 in 2 innings. The total performance is remarkable: Therese played all her sets over 1 average and is now 1,528 over 12 sets (55 points, 36 innings), with a high run of 8. ''I feel top fit and play very well'', she assures. ''On the second day, I even did 1,900. Surely, it's a pity that I am in a group with Dick, because he plays phenomenal, as always. Otherwise, I could have won some more sets.''
And is there a reason, Terrie, for this awkward form? ''I have no idea, I practiced a bit more for this tournament. My thoughts are more on billiards after the last lockdown. And I feel good here, nice, very good tables. The pink billiards make my head a bit busy, but I can handle it.''
For Alessio D'Agata, the young Italian, this Kozoom Challenge is mainly a good learning experience, where he can study the two world champions from close by.
Rui Manuel Costa of the Porto stronghold and Michael Nilsson, the recent European team champion with Torbjörn Blomdahl, are staging a neck-and-neck race within sight of the finish line in Group B. In Wednesday's final set, at 9-9, Rui Costa grabbed the set win and brought the score back to 5-5.
Michael Nilsson made up for a catch up part in the match on the second day with wins in the second, third and fourth sets: three times 10 in 6 innings. Rui Costa only won the first and the last set, Dion Nelin scored once in between, but didn't feel and find the rhythm he is so well known for. Rui Costa has a 1,700 average out of five sets won, Michael Nilsson 1,588.
The sessions in Group A will start an hour later today (13.00), so the whole schedule will shift as well. The last session is at 19.00.
The rankings after two days:
Group A:
1 Dick Jaspers 10-105-40-2.625-10
2 Therese Klompenhouwer 2-55-36-1.528-8
3 Alessio D'Agata 0-28-36-0.778-5.
Group B:
1 Rui Costa 5-85-50-1.700-5
2 Michael Nilsson 5-81-51-1,588-7
3 Dion Nelin 2-63-50-1.260-6.
Therese Klompenhouwer, in Jaspers' shadow to an excellent average
Rui Manuel Costa, FC Porto's stronghold, in a fight with Michael Nilsson for group win
Dick Jaspers, unreachable for his opponents in Kozoom's Challenge
Alessio D'Agata, picking up some learning experience at the table with two world champions