3-Cushion
MAGDEBURG - From today (Thursday, August 22) until Sunday the Bernd Friedel Memorial will be played in Magdeburg. It is exactly one year ago today that the famous president of the German billiards club in Magdeburg died suddenly. The Dutchman Dick Jaspers and the Dane Dion Nelin are the most prominent players in the Memorial.
The club decided not so long after the president’s dead to organize a tournament as a reminder of the esteemed president. The small event that was planned, turned out into a mega event. Monday, at the closing, 48 participants had signed up. Today the start is from 15.00.
Sports leader Frank Eder: ,,We had obviously hoped for a nice tournament, but that the field would be so large, nobody had expected. That proves how popular Bernd was in the billiard world.''
The undisputed star in the field is Dick Jaspers, a good friend of the club and for three years player in the league with Magdeburg. Dion Nelin is also among the participants. Bernd Friedel was always fascinated by the Dane with his casual and relaxed playing style.
Twelve Czech players also are performing in the Memorial. The club maintains for almost 35 years a friendship with the Czech federation, which is celebrated every year with a country meeting in different locations. Last year was the last trip of Bernd Friedel to Kladno, surrounded by his teammates. The Czechs start in the Memorial with well known players like Radek Novak and Stepan Kohout.
The 48 players start today and continue tomorrow in groups, in which is played to 30 caroms with a maximum of 30 innings..
After the group matches, a ranking will be made on average. The top sixteen meet is the main event, the final will be played on Saturday. In the quarter and semi-finals will be played to 40 points in the final 50.
The price money:
1st place: 1000, 2nd 500 euro, 3rd and 4th: 200.
All 48 participants will receive a commemorative of the tournament.