Triathlon
OLOMOUC - Dave Christiani has shown his power and has qualified with a 6-0 victory over the Swiss Xavier Gretillat for the semi finals of the Anag Billiard Cup in the Czech Republic. There he meets the Spaniard Raúl Cuenca, who defeated the Czech favorite Martin Bohac 4-2.
The Belgians Eddy Leppens and Patrick Niessen had already claimed a place in the top four of the tournament that is played in three disciplines.
Dave Christiani had an extreme strong start in his match against Xavier Gretillat, who is one of the most experienced players for years in the balk line disciplines and one cushion. But the Dutchman overclassed him in the mutual fight: he defeated his opponent in the opening match (balk line 71/2) with the maximum run of 100 in the second inning.
Thereafter he also won the one cushion 50-34 in six innings and finally three cushion 15-6 in twelve innings.
Raúl Cuenca needed only two disciplines to be sure of his qualification. The Spaniard bested Martin Bohac in balk line 100-56 in 5 and in one cushion 50-29 in 13 innings. The Czech closed his tournament with a victory in three cushion (15-7 in 15).
Dave Christiani complained about his form and feeling after the first day, recovered miraculously. ,,I could not find the real concentration in my first matches,'' he said. ,,And I missed my focus in three cushion against Eddy Leppens, because I was already in the semis after my 4-2 win against Zenkner.''
Eddy Leppens thinks his Dutch opponent in the group will be one of his main competitors. ,,Patrick Niessen is also strong, of course, in the balk line and in one cushion. I have to beat him in one of those two disciplines and then take the three cushion for the overall win'', Leppens said.
Dave Christiani meets Raúl Cuenca tomorrow at 11.00, simultaneously the two Belgians face at the other table for the semis.