We are the champions, we are the champions

HALLE-ZOERSEL - ,,For the Jef an ice cold, big Duvel'', ordered Danielle Le Bruyn the man behind the bar, after Jef Philipoom had made the last and decisive carom for the championship around midnight. Martin Horn finished ten minutes later in his match against Frans van Kuyk and then the champions party could start in the billiard arena and outside in the cafe.

The team of De Ploeg, with Martin Horn, Jef Philipoom, Jean van Erp and Wesley de Jaeger, grabbed the Belgian title on the last day with a 7-1 victory against Biljart Express. The showdown took place in a very crowded billiardroom, where the home crowd fought out a wonderful verbal battle with the supporters of Billiards Express.

,,We are the champions, we are the champions'', sounded very loud from the boxes after the match. And all the fans of the champion were singing loudly. ,,What a showdown of the league, what a great night'', shouted Jean van Erp. ,,Who could have dreamed this, such a wonderful finish'', showed Wesley de Jaeger his joy.

,,I am sure now'', said Martin Horn with a smile, ,,that there is a god of billiards. We have earned the championship after all what happened (!) and finally we got it on the last day.''

Jef Philipoom first took a few gulps of his Duvel, then dropped the pillow by his first wife Bianca and some other beautiful women in the arena and told everyone how beautiful this title or not, and how enthusiastic he was going to celebrate.

,, It's been a competition to remember,'' said Jef. ,, We left like a rocket, everyone said we were going to be champion a while, but then came the slump in the second half. Subsequently, we made a few missteps.''

Billiards Express grabbed the lead and had a few matches in the end even three points ahead. Jef Philipoom: 'I believed myself no longer in the title, but there was an unexpected turnaround. Billiards Express made two costly mistakes and we have benefited most from. I am so terribly happy with this title.''

Preview of Billiards Express last night had only one point ahead, so the winner of the contest is crucial to champion could be crowned.

Wesley Jaeger was the first session of the evening too strong for Guy of Litsenborg (42-23 in 38). Jean van Erp had much longer fight for good-old Martin Spoormans to beat, but could ultimately end in an exciting battle, where the tension rose to great heights.

The team is currently led by 4-0 and had only one point (a draw) is needed in the next two remaining games between Jef Philipoom and Gerwin Valentine and Martin Horn on the other table and Frans van Kuyk.

Jef Philipoom and Gerwin Valentijn, who play together in the team of Dekker Keukens in the Netherlands, were chaffing about in the week before the clash. ,,I will smash you up, Jef, I will destroy you'', Gerwin said with his well known sense of humor.

The verdict was completely different. Martin Horn had some trouble beating Frans van Kuyk (,,we were both under stress,'' said Horn later) and on the other table, the match was going up and down with opportunities for Philipoom and Valentijn.

The final sprint of Jef Philipoom was decisive for the win and the title. The home player made a small gap at the end and finished as first. Gerwin Valentijn made a draw from the breakoff, but it couldn't change the score. And some minutes later Martin Horn defeated Frans van Kuyk as well (for 7-1).

The celebration of the championship could start. De Ploeg took his first title in Belgium and will start in next season in the same line-up. ,,Maybe we're going to play in the European Cup'', said Jef Philipoom in the late hours, ,,because this is a real dream team for Belgium.''