3-Cushion
SEOUL - The earphone on Eddy Leppens' head, high in the stands of the 3CC World Masters, were to follow the match at the World championship football between Belgium and England for the third place. Meanwhile, he watched the two final semi-finals, most of all the match between Eddy Merckx and Marco Zanetti, the top billing in this last round on Saturday. Two Belgians in the last four in Seoul, that was the goal. Eddy Leppens was already in the last four by a victory over Vietnamese Nguyen (40-28). Tayfun Tasdemir made an end to the dream of youngster Yusuke Mori (39-22). The outcome after a long day? Eddy Merckx was the second 'Red Devil' for the final day and Quyet Chien Tran the finalist number four.
The top match of the day between Eddy Merckx and Marco Zanetti had all facets of top sport: attacks, counters, magic shots, misses, passion, excitement and two special characters in the arena. ,,The great thing about this new form is that it is so fair for players and crowd. The best example: we get the same, difficult position in the final part. I make twelve, Zanetti misses and loses the match.'' It was in the part of the game, in which the two key players entered the final offensive with equal chances: 37-37. Prior to that, Merckx had his best part with three runs six in a row, resulting in 35-21 after 11 innings. But Zanetti fought like a lion again with his never-give-up mentality.
,,I was not impressed in my mind, that he had closed that gap'', Merckx said in his match analysis afterwards. ,,My strength was that I could strike again immediately with that twelve run (49-37). You can not fight an opponent with defense in this system, but put him under pressure by scoring on the right moments. I managed to do that towards the end.'' Merckx made two more runs of 2, Zanetti 2, 2 and 1, for a final score of 53-41.
The other match in that round also showed excitement and tension, but less quality on the table. Quyet Chien Tran and David Martinez ran into the final at 18-18 (15th inning), Martinez came to a 25-23 in the last inning, but Tran sprinted to victory with a three to the end. ,,I missed my chances at the start of the game'', commented Martinez, who could be proud for his tournament.
Tayfun Tasdemir tumbled little Japanese Yusuke Mori, who still could beat Sidhom after his sensation against Caudron, but missed the spirit against the Turk and lost 39-22. Tasdemir is looking forward to the final day: ,,I like to play Korea, because for me it is the center of billiards. Here, I want to show that I am back completely on my way to the world top.''
Eddy Leppens had his first good start in the tournament and kept Nguyen on a distance of ten points almost the whole match. That resulted in a 40-28 win, as a run-up for even more Belgian success.
The semi-finals on Sunday:
15.00: Tasdemir-Leppens
17.00: Merckx-Tran
Final at 20.00 Korean time.
Eddy Leppens shakes hands with Nguyen Quoc Nguyen
Tayfun Tasdemir made an end to Yusuke Mori's dreams
Quyet Chien Tran, just the better of David Martinez in the final sprint
Marco Zanetti, the end of a great tournament after being knocked down by Eddy Merckx