Pool
In a fiercely competitive match, Artem Koshovyi (UKR) defeated Kevin Becker (GER) with 9:6.
Today, the 9-ball individuals have started at the Dynamic Billard European Championships in St. Johann i.Pg., Austria. 117 men, 48 women and 18 wheelchair athletes go for the coveted title in their respective division. In the men’s division, a first highlight could be witnessed between Artem Koshovyi and Kevin Becker. Koshovyi had the better start in the match and took a quick 4:1 lead. Then Becker got going a bit better and even managed to take a 6:5 lead himself. From then on, the match again changed and turned back to the likings of Koshovyi. In rack 12, Becker scratched after a long exchange of safety shots and allowed Koshovyi again to level the match at 6:6. Koshovyi’s break was up next. He had balls down and ran a tough rack with some excellent shots to get in the lead again with 7:6. Rack 14 saw Becker’s breakshot coming up. He played an illegal break and there was no shot on the 1-ball. Koshovyi passed the table back to Becker who had to come up with a good safety option. Becker played a push-out instead and Koshovyi again put him back in on the situation. He then came up with a safety which was ok but makable for Koshovyi. However, the Ukrainian went for the 1-ball but missed it. Fortunately for him, he had lady luck on his side since he snookered Becker on the 1-ball again. Becker hit the 1-ball rail first but then left the 1-ball hanging over the pocket for Koshovyi who ran the rack from there in order to get on the hill with 8:6. It was Koshovyi’s breakshot in rack 15. He performed an excellent break with two balls down and everything laid out nicely for him. He used his chance and took the rack and the match with 9:6 over Becker. Koshovyi will be up next in the winner’s round 1 against Mieszko Fortunski (POL) while Becker will face Alex Montpellier (FRA) in the loser’s round.
Other remarkable match results from round 1 today include Mihai-Robert Braga (ROM) winning 9:8 over Henrique Correia (POR). Juan-Carlos Exposito (ESP) took down Mats Schjetne (NOR) 9:6. Andreas Madsen (DEN) defeated Tomasz Kaplan (POL) in a heartbreaker with 9:8. In the women’s division, Vivien Schade (GER) surprisingly clear smashed Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL) 7:2. Schade’s teammate Ina Kaplan (GER) won 7:5 over strong playing Amalia Matas (ESP).
Today, the tournament continues with the 9-ball individuals. At 18:00 CET, the finals of the 8-ball individuals will be played.
The Championships are played on 24 tables which will all be streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be purchased at www.kozoom.com. Once a premium membership is held, all events for the respective period of time can be viewed LIVE. Additionally, a huge video gallery is contained in the website.
The event will be hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.epconline.eu, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.