Carom
BLANKENBERGE - For the first time with a new Belgium president, but in the usual billiards arena where Reginald Depoorter was hosting the Multi's for many years, the Belgian championships in all disciplines are launched next week. The Blankenberge Casino opens its doors for the entire week (from Sunday 8 to Sunday 15 January) for the top of Belgian billiards. The mega-event expects as always: crowded stands all days.
Frédéric Caudron defends his title in three cushion, of which the preliminaries will start on Monday, January 9th. Within the seniors program, also the juniors and ladies battle it out for the title. Also in one cushion, Caudron is the defending champion.
Three cushion is the main part of the program. The group format for the 32 finalists:
Group 1:
Frédéric Caudron
Francis Forton
Martin Spoormans
Martin Ravestyn
Group 2:
Eddy Merckx
Ronny Daniels
Rudy de Laet
Tom Persyn
Group 3:
Eddy Leppens
Jef Philipoom
Mathy Monnissen
Sven van Orshaegen
Group 4:
Roland Forthomme
Kenny Miatton
Henk Blauwblomme
Ivan Stitschinsky
Group 5:
Davy van Havere
Peter De Backer
Marc Roofthooft
Danny Geysen
Group 6:
Marco Janssen
Ronny Brants
Luc Salvo
Patrick Kesteloot
Group 7:
Kurt Ceulemans
Peter Ceulemans
Frank de Groof
Thomas Broux
Group 8:
Steven van Acker
Marc Celen
Frédéric Mottet
Andy De Bondt.
Eddy Leppens is playing his group on Monday, January 9th
Roland Forthomme on Wednesday, January 11th.
Eddy Merckx also on Wednesday, January 11th
Frédéric Caudron on Thursday, January 12th
The numbers one and two of each group meet as of Friday, January 13 in the quarter finals. On Saturday from 11:00 the quarterfinals continue.
On Sunday at 11.00 are the semifinals, at 16.00 the final.
For the classic disciplines, Patrick Niessen, Eddy Leppens, Frédéric Caudron, Philippe Deraes and Maarten Janssen are the main contenders. Martin Spoormans, who qualified for one cushion, has announced that this is his last individual tournament in the Belgian championship.
Spoormans is playing in the highest league for forty years and also stopped playing BTS tournaments. He is KBBB member for fifty years and took his first Belgian championship in free game in 1967 against Jean Claude Dupont to 90 caroms.
For the Belgian championship one cushion this year, Spoormans has qualified in a group with Frédéric Caudron, Eddy Leppens, Patrick Niessen and Maarten Janssen.
The other groups:
Free game:
Patrick Niessen
Maarten Janssen
Philippe Deraes
Johan Devos
Andy De Bondt
47/2
Patrick Niessen
Eddy Leppens
Johan Devos
Philippe Deraes
Maarten Janssen
47/1
Eddy Leppens
Patrick Niessen
Johan Devos
Maarten Janssen
Francis Forton
71/2
Patrick Niessen
Philippe Deraes
Maarten Janssen
Peter Debaes
Francis Forton
Juniors:
Stef van Hees
Gérome Dieu
Dylan Parent
Glen Neyens
Women:
Jaimie Buelens
Danielle le Bruyn
Sandra Letter
Karolien Matthys
5 pins:
Martin Spoormans
Peter Mostrey
Peter Debaes
Albert Beijers
Matthy Monnissen
Ismael Trentino.
The current Belgian champions:
Three cushion: Frédéric Caudron
One cushion: Frédéric Caudron
71/2: Frédéric Caudron
47/1: Eddy Leppens
Free game: Patrick Niessen
47/2: Patrick Niessen
Women: Jaimie Buelens
Juniors: Stef van Hees
5 pins: Peter Mostrey
Artistic: Walter Bax.
For the full schedule of the Belgian championships see the website: www.kbbb-frbb.eu