3-Cushion
LOMMEL - The first trophy of the new Belgian billiard season goes to Eddy Merckx. In his trademark style, technically skilled, tactically sound, sometimes using jaw-dropping solutions, the always calm Merckx reigned supreme this Saturday afternoon in Lommel's Kimchi Superprestige.
He beat Roland Forthomme in the final (40-33 in 19), and was the deserving winner all the way. Merckx had been unimpressive and uninspired in New York, where he acted well under his usual average. But in Lommel, he rose to his won level. Strong in the group stage, unbeatable in the knock-out, even though he had to dig deep to fend off Steven van Acker. In the semi-final, he dealt with Peter Ceulemans (40-29), and in the final he outsprinted Roland Forthomme.
Roland Forthomme had prevented Caudron from winning his tenth Superprestige, in a very defensive match with 13 misses in 23 innings for both. Caudron had a nightmarish start (1 point in 9 innings), and Forthomme made the decisive runs: two times a nine, ending the match at 40-33. In the final, it was Merckx who stayed sharpest. Forthomme ran a 10 to take a 25-18 lead, but then had a drought. Merckx, scoring heavily after the break, marched on to the title.
,,I had a good feel, especially in the final'', said the winner later. Being asked if he had struggled with his form in New York: ,,I did not experience it like that, but every day is a different day. In New York, I lost to Sánchez, there's no shame in that, right?" '
Absolutely not, Mr. Merckx. More so, when you are able to follow it up with such a strong tournament early in the season, with all the strong Belgian players present. Merckx scored victories only (12 points from 6 matches), a general average of 1.804 and a high run of 11. The loyal Adelberg spectators enjoyed the genuine Eddy Merckx. Roland Forthomme was a well deserved second, with 1.629, Frédéric Caudron had excelled with 2,500 in his three group matches, then beat Andy de Bondt but crashed in the semifinal against Forthomme, where his 1-17 backlog proved to be beyond repair.
At the end of the week, much praise was lavished upon Eddy Leppens and his team of volunteers, for their flawless organization. ,,I was almost embarrassed by all the compliments'', said Leppens later.
Final ranking:
1 Eddy Merckx 12-1.804-11
2 Roland Forthomme 10-1.629-1
3 Frédéric Caudron 8-2.065-8
4 Peter Ceulemans 6-1.491-11
5 Jef Philipoom 6-1.673-11
6 Eddy Leppens 4-1.540-11
7 Steven van Acker 4-1.505-7
8 Andy de Bondt 4-1.202-9.
Forthomme had the better start, Merckx the better finish
There's always wine to be won in Lommel