ISTANBUL/VLAARDINGEN - The Dutch team TOVV/Royal Pro, led by Danny Molier has made an agreement with the Turkish top player Semih Sayginer for next year. It is not yet known how many matches Sayginer will play for the team. He will combine at least two home matches with one of his famous shows. The return in the international tournaments has led to Sayginer's wildcard for the World championships in Bordeaux, played from 1 to 5 December.
The Dutch TOVV/Royal Pro is playing with Nikos Polychronopoulos, Peter De Backer, Martin Spoormans, Richard Bitalis, Frans van Schaik, Hans de Groot and Emilio Sciacca in the first division this year. The results of the Vlaardingen team are superior, TOVV tops the ranking with 1.262 average. Danny Molier: ,,That's even the highest average of all the teams in the honor league. Only Buffalo.nl has exactly the same average.''
Danny Molier wants a quick promotion for his team. ,,Then we will start with a strong team in the highest league. Semih Sayginer fits perfectly of course in the ambitions. We don't know for the moment how many matches he will play, but with more sponsors, we hope to expand it further.''
Sayginer is excited about his return to Holland. ,,The ambitions are the same: Mr. Molier is happy with me to come to TOVV/Royal Pro Club and I love to play in the Netherlands again in a new team in the league with chances to reach the playoffs.''
The star player has missed the Dutch competition he says. ,,The Netherlands was my first country where I became known outside Turkey. Just because of that, the Netherlands is always so special for me. I also have so many friends there and I want to meet them again after long time.''
The important aspect is that there is a principal agreement. Semih: ,,We will speak about the details, like how many games, the dates of exhibition etcetera during the World Championships in Bordeaux next month.''
,,My exhibitions in Holland will take place during the home games on two different dates. So it will be in 't Oogh van Vlaerdingh billiard club.''
His last team in the Netherlands was Rutchen Advies, ten years ago. In Turkey, Sayginer also has a few offers for a team. ,, But nothing is sure yet.''
About a return to the international top Sayginer is not worried. ,,I mentioned in May 2014, when I made my comeback, I knew how difficult it would be. I said during my new start: I need two years to be back again. And lately I have the feeling that I started to play better, even though I don't win many games, but still it feels better. This offer from Mr. Molier also gives me the feeling that I am supported by the billiard world. That really makes me happy and motivates me.''
,,So, I want to say thanks to everybody who is supporting me during the period that I struggle to compete again the way I did for many years.''