3-Cushion
The silly start of the match between Javier Palazón and Eddy Merckx was followed by a strong finish of both players. The Spaniard won the match and made fourteen points in his last four innings, the Belgian even produced fourteen points in his last two innings, but he finished at three caroms of Palazón, who won 50-47 in 21 innings.
The Spaniard plays against Dick Jaspers for the fifth place tomorrow. ,,I was at my highest level now'', he said after the match. Palazón averaged 2.381, Merckx 2.238.
Palazón made the difference in the middle of the match, when he made thirty points between the tenth and the fifteenth inning with runs of ten and seven in the fourteenth and fifteenth inning.
Therefor Merckx wasted his lead, so he had to chase his opponent at the end. He did it at the moment when it was too late. With five, nine and five he still came close to the Spaniard, but Palazón had the better final sprint. He could make his last point when Merckx made nine in his 20th inning, but missed the last after a run of three (42-49).
The Belgian again made five and came to 47. Palazón: ,,That was the moment I had to make my last carom, giving Merckx no more chance.''