3-Cushion
BRANDENBURG - The Spaniards play the starring role already for years at the European Championships for juniors, with Javier Palazón (one time European champion, three times World Champion) and in recent years Antonio Ortiz, David Zapata and David Martinez as their big talents. The winning streak was only broken by the Dutchman Glenn Hofman, who won the European title in 2009 and 2011.
The Turk Ömer Karakurt missed the gold medal in his last performances and seems to be the main challenger for the two Spaniards in Brandenburg. Last year, Karakurt played at the World championship the final against the untouchable Haeng Jik Kim. And at the European championship he was second behind David Zapata, who played a fantastic tournament in Alcamo and averaged 1.660 overall.
Karakurt, from Samsun, was in recent years one of the most regular players. In Athens 2011 and Antalya 2010 he was already among the semi-finalists. Only the title is missing on his honor roll.
The juniors start the EC on Friday at 9.30 with sixteen players into four groups. The final is on Saturday at 19.30. Both Spain, the Netherlands, France and Portugal come to the start with two players.
Raymon Groot is the Dutch champion. The young Frenchman Adrien Tachoire has developed rapidly and can be a tough competitor. Kevin Perrotin, also from France, gained experience on the highest level with the team of Albert. Dustin Jäschke is the junior champion in Germany and one of the outsiders in Brandenburg.
But beyond all doubt, Juan David Zapata Garcia, who performs for the last time at the European championship, will show up as the absolute favorite for the title.
The group line-ups:
Group A: Ömer Karakurt (Tur), Raymon Large (Neth), Wesley Apers (Bel), Saud Muhovic (Lux).
Group B: David Zapata (Esp), Andrea Nardi (Ita), Patrick Butora (Aus), Stepan Joch (Cz).
Group C: David Martinez (Esp), Kevin Perrotin (Fra), José Soares (Por), Samuli Hynninen (Fin).
Group D: Dustin Jäschke (Ger), Adrien Tachoire (Fra), Jim Anneveldt (Neth), Ricardo Pinto (Por).