3-Cushion
VIERSEN - Who will succeed the Belgian super-combo of Eddy Merckx and Frédéric Caudron? Can these two stars prolong their reign of four years at the World championship for national teams in Viersen? How strong is the competition... and what impact will the Scotch Double format have, the new rule that was introduced last year and received with so much applause?
The beautiful billiard room in the Festhalle in Viersen, where this World championship is now being held for the 27th time already, will welcome 24 teams from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 March. The Japanese players Kobayashi and Komori won the first WC in 1981, and from then on the most successful couple was the Swedish team consisting of Blomdahl and Nilsson. The past four editions were all won by Belgians Merckx and Caudron.
On the UMB calendar, 'Viersen' is tucked between the Bursa and Luxor World Cups and it precedes the Supercup and Player of the Year Gala in Antwerp. The national team event, one of the best appreciated initiatives by Wolfgang Rittmann, the CEB president who passed away last week, will draw the usual media attention and of course a lot of spectators. Amongst the top players, this tournament is often referred to as one of the best events of the year. The best national teams in the world are in the field of 24: the Belgians, South Korea, the Netherlands (reigning European champion), Turkey, Germany and Sweden. Not only world champion Torbjörn Blomdahl is in the field, but also Dani Sánchez, Dick Jaspers, Eddy Merckx, Frédéric Caudron, Marco Zanetti, Semih Sayginer HaengJik Kim and Martin Horn.
In consultation with the UMB, the German organizer DBU has changed the format for the knock-out stage last year. The Scotch Double comes into play in case of a draw after two matches, and it turned out to be a hit with the spectators. The Belgian title holder viewed it as a format that could jeopardize their status as favorite, but they dealt with it and won again.
The audience in the Festhalle is looking forward to more excitement, when an extension to 15 points is played with all four players at the table. Eddy Merckx, lead player of the title holding team: ,,We had our doubts, but we managed to adapt to this new system. And yes, it turned out to enrich the tournament as a whole.''
The two Belgians demonstrated great form in the Last World Cup (Bursa), where they both made the semifinals, Eddy Merckx played a world class match in France this week and both are ready to start as Viersen favorites again. Merckx: ,,It is quite different to play for your country, as opposed to playing an individual event. As billiard players, we are doing our own thing all year long, and for this WC we must suddenly switch to team mode. We managed to do that successfully in the past years, in a field with so many top players and strong teams.''
The golden duo is again the top favorite, admits Eddy. ,,Playing with Frédéric Caudron on second position, that in itself is unique. And even though we can't win any ranking points, we have grown to love this event that had no prize money at all, in the past years.''
Last year, the Belgian duo beat South Korea in the Scotch Double, 15-11. The Netherlands and Germany were eliminated in the semifinals. Frédéric Caudron: ,,We have demonstrated a great team spirit, and we were totally in tune with each other.'' Eddy Merckx: ,,The tactic for this year will not be any different. We agreed last year to not bother each other with suggestions at the table, but to just let the other guy play his natural game. And as we both know, that involves clever attack and solid defense.''
The opening ceremony in the Festhalle is on Thursday at 11.00, the first matches start at 12.00. On Saturday, play starts at 11.00. The quarter finals are on Saturday, starting at 17.00. The semifinals are on Sunday, at 11.00. The final is scheduled for 14.00.
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