3-Cushion
SVEDALA - What a great start of a new phase in his life, a period of new happiness, a hard battle against alcohol, and a new girlfriend. And what everyone in billiards wishes him warmly: new successes in the career of the 41-year-old Swede, who was seven times world champion for country teams with Torbjörn Blomdahl.
Michael Nilsson is back on his highest level again: he defeated the world star Blomdahl on Sunday in the final of the Swedish championship. It was his fourth title, after three previous finals in 2006, 2008 and 2010 against Blomdahl. Nilsson won in Helsingborg 3-1: 2.217 average for Nilsson, 2.136 for Blomdahl.
,,It feels fantastic, this title'', Nilsson said a day after the victory in Helsingborg, where the final ended in a gruelling and exciting battle, with Nilsson hitting the bull's eye.
,,I started the first set with eight and finished with four. The second was the other way around. I had a great start again in the third with seven from the break and in the fourth we kept up until 11-11. I made three and missed, Torbjörn also three and missed by a millimeter, then I finished with a tough shot.''
Michael Nilsson is back from being away, two months after his dismissal in the team of the Dutch champion A1 Biljarts. ,,I took a two months break and started practicing again before Christmas. And really, I felt a kind of happiness at the billiards I had never felt before. The reason is that I feel very well at this moment in my private life.''
Then he makes a sincere confession, out of the blue: ,,Do you know that I am an alcoholic? I drank five times last year and that is very dangerous for me. Now, I'm going to the AA every week. I promise myself every day when I wake up not to drink.''
His private life is back to normal: ,,After my divorce in August last year, it feels like I'm starting a new life. I am closer to my children, to my daughters Jennifer (19) and Rebecka (17). And my son Oliver, who's two and a half, I see once in two weekends. These are great moments. He steals my iPhone to listen to music on youtube. His favorite song? Radio Gaga Queen. He plays it so hard that I get pain in my ears, hihi.''
The future at the billiards looks better as well, if it is up to Michael Nilsson. He will perform as new the Swedish champion at the World Cup in Antalya, plays together with Torbjörn Blomdahl the World champions for teams in Viersen. Then he will do the European championship in Brandenburg on the match and the small table. ,,I want to play billiards and have fun.''
,, I know,'' he says confidently, ,,it's so hard to qualify for the main event in a World Cup tournament. Last year I averaged 1.600 in Turkey and 1.700 in Korea, but twice I was outplayed in the preliminary rounds.''
He would like to start playing in other leagues, because it would be better for his rhythm. ,,I only play in a Swedish team for the moment and there we do the championship in one weekend.''
,,I would be so happy with a new invitation for the Agipi Masters and I'm waiting for teams abroad which are interested in me. I'm ready for any offer. I have found the harmony in my life, I want to play billiards and have fun in my sport.''