3-Cushion
PAIPORTA - In the Spanish championship in Paiporta the players were playing in t-shirts with short sleeves, the people were sitting on plastic chairs in the arena and the spectators could touch the balls on the billiard during the break if they had wanted. The atmosphere was relaxed, there was an enormous applause for every beautiful carom and everyone knows: Spain is the country that is praised as no other country for his education and development of young players.
The champion of today is a typical product. The 22-year-old Antonio (Toni) Ortiz Torrent won the final against Sergio Jimenez (50-24 in 28 innings) and may call himself the new title holder in Spain. He succeeds Javier Palazón and, surprisingly, wasn't even threatend by the champion of the world who was eliminated early.
The small, cosy room of Club Billar Paiporta this afternoon was full with people who wanted to see the local top player in the final. They made a lot of noise in the stands and after the match were singing the nickname of the champion.
Antonio Ortiz, there may be no doubt, was by far the strongest of the two finalists. He reigned from the beginning, had after ten innings an advantage of 16-6, three innings later even though a 27-10 lead and ultimately made a marvellous run of eleven in the 25th inning. Ortiz ran away to 45 caroms and took the match.
The new champion defeated in the tournament Antonio Rodriguez Mesa 40-39, then Ricardo Garcia 50-37, Rubèn Legazpi in the quarterfinals 50-43, in the semifinals today José Maria Màs en at least Sergio Jimenez in the final.
The end of the tournament was amusing, with lots of long speeches, including from Fernando Requena, president of the Spanish league, and José Maria Quetglas, the coach of the federation. And finally the new champion was honored by the Spanish national anthem.