Carom
BLANKENBERGE - The Blankenberge casino and the billiard room inside will open their doors around ten o'clock tomorrow to welcome the early spectators. The day starts with a topbilling at 11.00: two matches in three cushion at high level. Frédéric Caudron will meet Jef Philipoom and Eddy Leppens plays against Peter Ceulemans.
The two other quarter-final matches are programmed later on the day: Eddy Merckx against Francis Forton at 14.00, Roland Forthomme against Steven van Acker at 20.30.
Was it a day without surprises on Thursday? Yes, actually, or it must be Steven van Acker's victory over Davy van Havere, the reigning Belgian cup holder, who's desperately looking for his rhythm after the highlight in his career.
Tonight, against his teammate in the Dutch and Belgian league, he was in trouble again from the start, only picking up some points in the middle of the game, backing away for the runs of his opponent. Steven van Acker made the gap already at the halfway point, when he had a 22-11 lead and then remained stoical until the end: 40-13 in 21 innings (1.904).
The 27-year-old man from Eeklo was even one of the best players in the eighth finals. Frédéric Caudron was the only one who did better against Kurt Ceulemans with 40 in 18 innings.
Eddy Merckx played definitely well and showed his suppleness against Martin Spoormans (40-23 in 23), who may concentrate now on his role as a referee.
Frédéric Caudron won his third match in one cushion without being in danger against Patrick Niessen (150-50 in 7). Caudron leads with six match points out of three. Peter De Backer is the only who can threat him with four points out of two. The two title contenders will meet Sunday at 12.00.
The schedule for tomorrow (Friday):
11.00
Three cushion:
Peter Ceulemans-Eddy Leppens
Jef Philipoom-Frédéric Caudron
14.00:
Balk-line 47/1: Leppens-Deraes
Caudron-Niessen
One cushion: Merckx-Forton
17.30:
Balk-line 47/2: Leppens-Devos
Balk-line 47/1: Niessen-Deraes
One cushion: De Backer-Forton
20.30:
Balk-line 47/2: Niessen-Devos
Free game: Janssen-Deraes
One cushion: Forthomme Van Acker.