3-Cushion
MECHELEN - The development of Peter Ceulemans in three cushion is still going on. The Malinois, still known as the grandson of the eternal legend Raymond Ceulemans, has improved again his level in all areas this year and last year. He was in the final of the Superprestige in Lommel, was the winner of a tournament with all the big Belgian names, has been promoted in the Belgian league to the highest level with Frédéric Caudron, Eddy Leppens and Roger Roefs. And unexpected, there is a small chance that he can qualify in the Dutch league for the playoffs with his team.
Peter Ceuelemans plays for Snellen Recycling in the Netherlands with Roland Forthomme, Barry van Beers and Harrie van de Ven. He's looking forward in this interview to next Sunday, when the 22nd and last day of the league will be played.
Frits Bakker: The league will have its showdown in the final round in the qualification battle for the playoffs. What are the imaginable scenarios? And what must happen for you and your team to qualify by the back door and enter the playoffs?
Peter Ceulemans: ,,It may still turn out into a crazy last day, but in any case we must win our last match against Berendhaus. Even then we can finish on third place with a loss (or tie) of A1 Biljarts and a loss of DBL. If A1 and DBL Holland win their matches, it's over for us. And DBL even can afford a draw against Dekker Keukens. We can't catch up them when they tie, because they have more matchpoints. The order for Snellen is clear: TO WIN! And then we'll see what happens in the other matches.''
FB: When there will be a spectacular final for Snellen, so that you make it for the playoffs. How big will be the relief in Zundert?
PC: ,,Actually, we had'nt any hope before last week, more or less we were out of the game. The defeats of A1 and DBL have changed the situation, although we may not make to many illusions. If we would advance, it would be a nice bonus, let's say.''
FB: We may say, the expectations were very high, this year, which makes sense with such a strong team. What would be worse, miss the playoffs or to not play the cup final?
PC: ,,Winning the national title for teams is the best thing there is, so in that case, missing the playoffs would be worse. But of course, not to be seeded for the cup final, especially because it is played in our own billiard place, gives us a bad feeling. But probably we lost against the future cup winner (TOVV), so that's not such a disgrace.''
FB: What if something goes wrong in the last weekend: where did you leave the top four ranking?
PC: If, after the first round we were still perfectly on track, but by the advance of DBL we arrived in trouble. I think we particularly have to lie in the mutual confrontations with A1 Billiards (2x loss) and draws against Martens Cleaning (2x) and against Hatrans / Twente (2x).''
FB: Look at the competition in the Netherlands: the top team of Van Donge is gone this year, Crystal Kelly is stopped. Is the Dutch league even stronger than in Belgium and still the strongest in the world?
PC: 'If you look at the teammoyennes in the Netherlands and Belgium, then the difference over the years become much smaller. So you could say that quality has won Belgium and the Netherlands to quality has diminished over the years.''
FB: What about sponsors and money to earn the trees no longer grow up in the air: for top players is becoming increasingly difficult to find a sponsor. See Jaspers, Blomdahl, Van Erp, but Merckx and Van Kuyk who have doubted whether they would continue to TOVV.
PC: 'As far as I know, Jaspers and Blomdahl still no team for next season. That used to be where the competition for the players turned and lifted up the level. Merckx and Van Kuyk have decided to stay with TOVV but still need financial return. This is obviously not a good thing for billiards, but of course it is that or nothing, so I understand their choice is. The crisis is everywhere and that is reflected in our sport.''
FB: You already took one prize this year, the title and promotion to the highest league with the team of De Goeie Queueat. That was pretty logical, of course, in the second class with Frédéric Caudron, Eddy Leppens and you.
PC: ,,And do'nt forget Roger Roefs, our fourth player! But indeed, we were the big title favorite to win this title and we're looking forward to next year to compete at the highest level.''
FB: Are you the big contender for the title with competitors like De Ploeg and BC Deurne?
PC: ,,Yes, obviously we are one of the contenders: De Ploeg will defend the title, Biljart Express is always an opponent to be feared, TBA is there too and I'm sure that BC Deurne will battle for the title with Jaspers, Merckx, De Bruijn, Van Havere and Van Acker.''
FB: And in the Netherlands? Will there be many mutations after this season?
PC: ,,I don't know exactly, but we will play again in the same line-up with Roland Forthomme, Peter Ceulemans, Barry Van Beers and Harry van de Ven.''
FB: What is your opinion actually: better a regular league with the number one finisher as the champion (like in Belgium) or playoffs with the four best teams playing for the title at the end, so the tension remains until the last day?
PC: ,,I would prefer a regular league as in Belgium. The play-offs only have a surplus value with commercial activities for all matches. I mean that there is publicity and players can be paid for playing, with broadcasting on internet and television and expert commentary, so that the federation can promote three cushion. But my opinion is, for instance, why don't they opt for some innovation in the Belgian and Dutch league, like playing in groups of 4 teams, what they do in Spain. I think a new formula is worth to be tried.''
FB: Are you satisfied with your season so far? How did you play in the Netherlands, Belgium and France?
PC: ,,I am extremely happy with my evolution in the individual tournaments: I played the final in the Superprestige in Lommel and won my first tournament in the BTS Masters in Saint-Trond.''
,,In the Belgian league (second class) I performed not that good with my average: 1.225, by 41 points out of 22 match. In the French league I was the frontplayer in the team of Albert and I played very good: 1.639 average, 4 points in 6 matches (wins against Merckx and Forthomme, losses against Jaspers, Blomdahl, Caudron and Spoormans. And in the Dutch league, I played 1.455 average, 22 points out of 21 games.''
FB: Finaly, this is going to be an exciting year for you and your girlfriend Bettina? I mean outside the billiard table.
PC: ,,At the end of september, we expect our first baby, so that's pretty exciting yes... It will be a big change in our lives, but we're looking forward with wonderful feelings!''