Triathlon
OLOMOUC - The Belgian all-rounder Eddy Leppens has made an excellent start in the tournament for the Anag Billiard Cup, a triathlon in Czech town Olomouc. In his group, in which three players compete for two places for the quarter-finals, he won both matches.
Leppens prevailed in all disciplines in what was seen as the group of death. He defeated the German former world champion Wolfgang Zenkner 6-0 after victories in balk line 71/2 (100-96 in 7), one cushion (50-34 in 7) and three cushion (15-3 in 7). And in the last evening session Leppens walked over the Dutchman Dave Christiani 5-1. The balk line discipline ended in a draw, Leppens won the one cushion 50-25 (9) and three cushion, 15-5 (8).
The Belgian therefore ended up as first in Group A, Christiani finished second by a 4-2 victory over Zenkner.
Xavier Gretillat and Arnim Kahofer are the top two finishers in Group B. Both players beat the Frenchman Pierre Soumagne, who against Gretillat only won three cushion (15-9 in 21) and against Kahofer one cushion (50-13 in 4).
Patrick Niessen had a lightning start in Group C against Markus Meleski. The Belgian won 6-0 and especially impressed in the 71/2, which discipline he won in one inning. For his match one cushion Niessen needed 11 innings, for three-cushion 23 innings.
Markus Meleski also lost his second match 4-2 against Martin Bohac.
Raül Cuenca and Esteve Mata lead Group C and will be the top two finishers. They both defeated Marek Faus 4-2. Esteve Mata only lost his match three cushion, Cuenca was beaten by his opponent in one cushion.