Free game
BLANKENBERGE - Two very experienced players in the Belgian championships in free game, Patrick Niessen and Philippe Deraes, were still involved in the battle for the title. Today, the fifth day of the Multi's starts with two matches in this discipline: Patrick Niessen-Peter Vandeloo, Philippe Deraes-Maarten Janssen.
Three matches have been finished in one inning so far: Maarten Janssen played flawlessly against Jean Godeyne, Peter Vandeloo against Philippe Deraes and Peter Vandeloo against Philippe Deraes.
Peter Vandeloo has certainly a great chance in the title race with five match points in three matches. Maarten Janssen has three match points after three, Patrick Niessen was only one time on the table. Philippe Deraes missed his start with a loss against Peter Vandeloo and Jean Godeyne has scored only three caroms in his only game against Martin Janssen.
Philippe Deraes took his first title in 1985 in Louveigné before Ignace Duym and Peter Willems. The now 54-year old Deraes won the title six times. Patrick Niessen, the reigning champion, took his first title in 1996 in Erembodegem before Eddy Leppens and Fanky Sitaels. He was four times champion in this game discipline.
Frédéric Caudron has the tournament record in the free game, in 2007 in Blankenberge he won all his matches in one inning, making a 400.00 average. Philippe Deraes played 368.00 two years ago, Jos Vervest, the famous, former player in free game and balk-line, had 350.00 in 1965. Nice to know: Raymond Ceulemans was the last world champion free game in 1970 with 227.27 average.