3-Cushion
GERAARDSBERGEN - Eddy Merckx has won a national, Belgian tournament in Geraardsbergen this Saturday night in the final against Peter Ceulemans. The full stands witnessed a typical Merckxian victory: after a spectacular come-back against Eddy Leppens in the semi-final and one carom ahead in the final against Peter Ceulemans. Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Leppens played the losers final: Caudron won with a final run of 15! The tournament was organized by KBC Ons Huis and attracted a crowded room with around 100 spectators on the final day.
The pre-selections were played at the end of last year in different groups with a big line-up of Belgian players from the highest ranks. The four players remaining as the winners of the last selection played the final rounds on Saturday evening.
Eddy Merckx and Peter Ceulemans showed up in an exciting match, in which Merckx had a small lead all the way: 7-0 after 1 inning, 20-15 after 10, 40-30 after 20 innings. Peter Ceulemans made a brave attempt in the last innings to threaten Merckx, but failed on 1 carom. ''I had to score four times from the equalizer, the fourth was a good attempt, but unfortunately I missed by a kiss'', Ceulemans said in his comment. Merckx finished with 2, 0, 0, 3 for 50, Ceulemans with 4, 5, 3 for 49.
Frédéric Caudron, who lost to Peter Ceulemans in the semi-final, delivered a special performance in the battle for third place against Eddy Leppens. Caudron won the match 50-31, he started with 10 from the break and finished with a 15-run. In the semi-final, Merckx defeated Leppens after 45-20 behind and a great come-back. Ceulemans bested Caudron 50-47 in 27. Ceulemans attacked in the final part with 7 from 37-36 to 44-36 and finished the match with 3. Caudron missed from the spots.
The final result:
1 Eddy Merckx
2 Peter Ceulemans
3 Frédéric Caudron
4 Eddy Leppens.
Peter Ceulemans, winner against Caudron in semi-finals, loss to Merckx on one point in final match