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The magic is gone for record holder Sweden

02/27/2015

Published by frits bakker

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Torbjörn Blomdahl is still in the winning mood, his team is out in Viersen

VIERSEN - Torbjörn Blomdahl's conclusion was clear after the match. ,,The magic is gone in the Swedish team'', he said when he had finished his own match with a win against Austria, but the Swedish record holder with nine victories was out at the World championship in Viersen. For the second time in a row in the preliminary rounds: last year beaten by the Belgians Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx, now in the group stage outplayed by Korea B and Austria.

,,We may not let it happen in a group with these opponents'', Blomdahl concluded. ,,But the magic is gone after the glorious days, even though I keep on winning myself.'' Even on a high level: in his first match against Korea in 14 innings, later against Austria in 27. Eighty caroms in 41 innings.

Michael Nilsson, however, is no longer the strong fighter he was in the seven years that he won with Torbjörn. The Swedish colossus already started with a loss against Korea (40-35 in 26) and could not recover against Austria. Nilsson launched himself dramatically with 22 in 9 innings), came back with a run of fourteen, but eventually finished with a draw against Szivack in 38 innings.

And even a win hadn't been enough for Sweden's qualification. Blomdahl: ,,We knew we had to win 4-0 within sixty innings to finish ahead of the Koreans on average. So, when we were over 60, the game was over.''

The nine-fold winner was sent home, in the round that its neighbour Denmark qualified with a victory versus Japan (4-0). Tonny Carlsen defeated Tatsuo Arai (40-26 in 24), Brian Zola Hansen took a big win against Tanabe (40-15 in 22).

The Belgians and the Germans launched the World's with smooth victories against Switzerland and Luxembourg. Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx defeated Pierre Rech and Cetin Behzat 40-12 and 40-31 in 19 in 25. Martin Horn started with a simple win for his homeland against Ramon Hamm (40-9 in 27). Christian Rudolph was far away from his great form, despite his easy win against Paul Mootz (40-26 in 48).

The Germans meet Italy in the last rounds tomorrow. Belgian plays its last match against Portugal.

Tonny Carlsen is looking at the scoreboard and sees that his team is in the next round

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