Merckx and Forthomme first star players

HALLE - The Belgians Eddy Merckx and Roland Forthomme were the stars of the first qualification round for the European teams. World champion Merckx started the prelims, playing for the Portuguese team Leca Futbol Club, with a 40 points match in ten innings. Forthomme (Andernos) came in the group in Amsterdam in twelve innings to the finish.

The home team De Ploeg was the surprising winner in Halle against the Portuguese of Leca (6-2), thanks to Wesley de Jaeger, who won his match against Jef Philipoom (40-29 in 28), Thorsten Frings and Dirk Weeremans.
Eddy Merckx defeated Jean van Erp in the best match so far 40-23 in 10 innings.

BC Andernos made a promising start in the group played in Amsterdam/Osdorp The French team, with Filippos Kasidokostas and Roland Forthomme, gathered the maximum profit in two matches.

Forthomme showed his class in the first round, playing against the Austrian Karl Makik from Wiener Billard Association. The Belgian won 40-8 in twelve innings. Kasidokostas had a walkover against Arnim Kahofer: 40-10 in 23 innings.

The strong team average (1.975) was definitely to the credit of Jérôme Barbeillon too. He beat Herbert Thür 40-16 in 17 innings.

In the second match Andernos only wasted two match points at the table where Francis Connesson lost against the Italian Salvatore Vispo from ASD La Biglia Modica. Kasidokostas (19 innings), Forthomme (27) and Barbeillon (25) signed for the full win of Andernos 6-2.

The Amsterdam team of Van de Broek/Biljarts booked a 6-2 win against WBA Wien with Rob Lamboo and Sander Jonen as best players.

The French team of Laxou won already a crucial match in Group C against the Turks Etasis Billardo Sport Kulubu. Martin Horn and Torbjörn Blomdahl defeated the main players of the Turkish team. Horn bested Savas Bulut 40-25 in 20 innings, Blomdahl won against Ahmet Alp 40-28 in 26 innings.

Billiards Club Zurich, the third team, suffered already two defeats. BSK Union defeated the Swiss 8-0 including a very strong Andreas Kronlachner, who was a way too strong against Torsten Danielseon (40-15 in 16).