The 8-ball individuals at the Dynamic Billard European Youth Championships 2019 have been decided today. The Gold Medals were snatched by Aleksandra Guleikova (RUS), Dominik Jastrzab (POL) and Christian Froehlich (GER).
The final match in the U19 was played between Christian Froehlich and Dmitrii Shkudov (RUS). The German was favoured since he had already taken the Gold Medal in the straight pool competition earlier this week. He performed with a string dominance and determined the match from start to beginning. He had a good break shot and broke and ran his racks when it was his turn to break. Shkudov struggled with his break shot. When being 3:1 up, Froehlich left the table for Shkudov since he scratched. With ball in hand, Shkudov ran out of position after the first shot. He gave the rack back to Froehlich who accepted the gift back. Then, when being 2:6 down, Shkudov again missed an easy shot which sealed his fate in the final match. Froehlich showed no mercy with his Russian opponent and won the match deservedly with 7:2.
Top eight finishers Under 19 10-ball
1. Christian Froehlich GER
2. Dmitrii Shkudov RUS
3. Sanjin Pehlivanovic BIH
Jonas Souto ESP
5. Quiten Pongers NED
Jacques Wollschlaeger GER
Mustafa Altar TNC
Niclas Dohr GER
In the final of the U17, Dominik Jastrzab was on mission against Andrei Adziarykha (BLR). He lost the 10-ball semifinal to his teammate Szymon Kural and was very ambitious to not lose this final. That attitude probably gave him the ind underneath his wings which he needed. He took down his opponent from Belarus with 6:3 and went for his first title on a European level.
Top eight finishers Under 17 10-ball
1. Dominik Jastrzab POL
2. Andrei Adziarykha BLR
3. Mikita Paluyan BLR
Szymon Kural POL
5. Emil-Andra Gangflot NOR
Arsenii Kovalerchik RUS
Arseni Sevastyanov FIN
Yannick Pongers NED
The final in the girls division took place between Aleksandra Guleikova and Bojana Sarac (SRB). That match turned into a thriller with both players performing on an equal level. Consequently, the match went to 4:4 in a race to 5. Guleikova broke rack 9. She had no ball pocketed so Sarac had the chance to go for the title first. But the Serbian missed the last ball of her group which was not even a tough shot. Probably her nerves played a trick on her. Guleikova got to the table and ran all balls of her group to pocket the 8-ball for her 5:4 victory.
Top eight finishers Girls 10-ball
1. Aleksandra Guleikova RUS
2. Bojana Sarac SRB
3. Tara Verharen NED
Milena Murha BLR
5. Valeriia Trushevskaia RUS
Polina Vinokurova UKR
Maryna Kaliaieva UKR
My Nguyen SWE
This keeps Germany on top of the medal table with Russia being second and Poland on third place.
Earlier today, several rounds of the 9-ball individuals have been played. While the favourites took their first matches quite easily, some close matches were also played. Sanjin Pehlivanovic (BIH) took down Aatu Suoraniemi (FIN) 8:3. Christian Froehlich won 8:3 over Daniel Todorov (BUL). Ivan Gallig (CRO) had a close battle with William Viitanen (SWE) and won it with the closest of all possible results, 8:7.
The Dynamic Billard European Youth Championships 2019 will commence tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches in the 9-ball individuals competition of the girls, U17 and U19.
The Championships are played on 24 tables which are all streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be obtained 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 is 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 or visit us on Facebook for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.