3-Cushion
ZUNDERT - Peter de Backer and Glenn Hofmann have given the team of Delta an excellent postion to beat Crystal Kelly and reach the semi-finals of the national cupfinal in Zundert. The European junior champion Hofman defeated the legend Raymond Ceulemans in the first session of the semi-finals this afternoon (3-0). Peter de Backer surprised Raimond Burgman by winning 3-1 with a great average of 1.966.
The reigning cup holder, Van Donge en De Roo, is almost sure in his race to the final lap. Martin Horn fought for a tough win over Barry van Beers. Jean van Erp defeated Harrie van de Ven by a big score (3-0).
The first results promises a final this evening (18.00 hours) between Van Donge en De Roo and Delta, although the outcome is not entirely certain. Delta, for example, needs two winning sets in the two remaining matches against Crystal Kelly. That's a possibility of course, but Frédéric Caudron against Eddy Leppens and Frans van Kuik against Jean Paul de Bruijn are matches witch are nog predictable at alle. And Crystal Kelly will fight until the end for his chances.
Dick Jaspers (against Roland Forthomme) and Torbjörn Blomdahl (against Peter Ceulemans) must give Van Donge the finishing touch to do what the team is obliged to his reputation. Martin Horn and Jean van Erp in any case laid an excellent basis. Jean van Erp won his match against Harrie van de Ven in a superior style, with an average of 1.607 against 0.814 for his opponent. Barry van Beers had some good chanches to threaten Martin Horn, he took the lead in sets 2-1, but then the German had the best final sprint. He won the two decisive sets.
Peter de Backer was the best player of the afternoon session. The billiard trader from Aalst beat Burgman 3-1 and seemed to make a run of fifteen in the fourth set. The final point was missed, because the cue ball touched ball three after one cushion.
Glenn Hofmann controled the match with Raymond Ceulemans at the end of every set: 15-11, 15-11 and 15-12.