Pierre Soumagne, a proud new champion

SCHILTIGHEIM - The French national anthem finally sounded through the arena now, the gold medal of Pierre Soumagne glittered under his orange bow tie. The new French champion in the free game had just given a perfect demonstration of the serie Americaine: he defeated Steve Dorard 400-11 in the final in two innings.

Pierre Soumagne has an impressive track of titles and records at his name as a young player. The ten-time European champion was honored in France eighteen times, including four titles in the free game as an Espoir and two as a cadet.'

He has successfully completed the youth ranks, as a senior (Master) he was champion in 2009 in the balkline 71/2. The title in the free game was his first as a senior. Pierre Soumagne of course is trying to increase his three cushion, but doesn't want to neglect the serie game.

On the final day of free play in the French multi-championship, Steve Dorard made the biggest impression in the semifinals. He finished the match against Olivier Careaux in one inning. His opponent appeared to the table for the equalizing inning, but missed after 270 points.

Pierre Soumagne made his 400 caroms in three innings, his opponent Patrick Dupont was at 105 points. Soumagne finished with 306 as the highest run.

In the final the young Frenchman got the balls under control in the second inning. He played the first points at ten centimeters from the long cushion and then drove the balls into the ideal position. On a score of 262 caroms Soumagne came a little in trouble, but fifteen points later he got the balls again in position.

Soumagne came to the finish with a final run of 392. Dorard had ten points at that moment and took a break before playing the equalizer. He made the breakshot, but missed the second carom.

Soumagne could celebrate his first title and will be later this week one of the favorites in the balkline games 47/2, 71/2 and 47/1 too.

The champion had a general average of 160.00. Only three French players did better in the past: Marc Massé, Francis Connesson and Jean Marty.