3-Cushion
The first match of the European Cup for teams ended with a big surprise. The junior world champion defeated the senior world champion this afternoon. Haeng Jik Kim, captain in the German team of Horster Eck had a sensational start with a win in two sets (2-0) against Daniel Sánchez. Frank Eversmann lost his match against Rui Costa and thanks to victories of Semi Sayginer and Paolo Andrade FC Porto finished the match with a 6-4 win. The Portuguese team will play against Agipi tonight.
The young Korean Haeng Jik Kim was the sensation of the afternoon. He showed no hesitation in his duel with Dani Sánchez and took the initiative from the very beginning. The first set ended with 15-6 in seven innings in favor of Kim, in the second both players went together to the finish, but at the end Sánchez could not stop his very talented opponent: 15-12.
Semi Sayginger won in the first set against Thorsten Frings the final sprint in the first set (15-14) and won the match in the second set 15-8. ,,I have'nt played badly and forced him to fight'', said the German, who played 1.000 average against 1.304 for Sayginer.
The first part of the meeting between FC Porto and Horster Eck ended in a tie. Markus Dömer only managed to win the second set, but ended with a 2-1 loss against Paulo Andrado and only 0.592 average.
Frank Eversmann lost the first set 15-6 against Rui Costa, won the second 15-8, but then was defeated in the decisive set: 15-11.