Ulrika Andersson and Sanne Azar (both SWE) take the Gold Medals at the 8-ball individuals of the Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies in Tirana, Albania.
Sanne Azar defeated Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER) in the final of the seniors with 7:5. The match was filled with ups and downs on both sides. In the beginning, the show was 100% on Azar’s side. He was on fire and left no chance to Wirsbitzki who had problems in getting started at all. After four racks, the score was 4:0 in favor of Azar. Then, Wirsbitzki got some momentum and managed to put Azar under pressure. The German won three consecutive racks and Azar could feel the tension rising. Then, it was Azar’s match again. He won two racks and got to the hill with 6:3. But Wirsbitzki is a fighter. He hung in there and won another two points to once again come close to Azar. Being 5:6 down, Wirsbitzki scratched on his own break. That was enough of a chance for Azar to finish the match and take the crown over his German opponent with 7:5.
Semi-final results:
Sanne Azar (SWE) v Sami Karttunen (FIN) 7:6
Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER) v Alex Habo (HUN) 7:2
Top Eight 8-ball Seniors:
1. Sanne Azar (SWE)
2. Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER)
3. Alex Habo (HUN)
Sami Karttunen (FIN)
5. Gianluca Boni (ITA)
Frank Forster (GER)
Jan Keller (DEN)
Janick Navne (DEN)
The final match in the ladies division was determined by a hue comeback from Ulrika Andersson. Germany’s Susanne Wessel was already leading 3:1 which is a comfortable advantage in a race to 5. In rack five, Andersson broke and scratched on the break shot which gave Wessel ball in hand with an open table. It was expected that she went on the hill but she missed the second-last ball of her group. Trailing 1:3, Andersson pocketed some balls and played a clever safety shot which forced Wessel to commit a foul. Andersson ran the remaining balls and the comeback started. She pulled rack after rack from Wessel who lost her game completely. She missed shots and fell out of position big time. On the other hand, Andersson got better and better and in the end took a deserved 5:3 victory to gain the first title in her career in the ladies division.
Semi-final results:
Ulrika Andersson (SWE) v Cristina Moscetti (ITA) 5:3
Susanne Wessel (GER) v Patrizia Ignesti (ITA) 5:2
Top Six 8-ball Ladies:
1. Ulrika Andersson (SWE)
2. Susanne Wessel (GER)
3. Patrizia Ignesti (ITA)
Cristina Moscetti (ITA)
5. Monika Jarecki (GER)
Karin Michl (GER)
Medal table after 3 of 5 events:
|
Rank |
Nation |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
Total |
|
1. |
Sweden |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
2. |
Germany |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
3. |
Hungary |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
4. |
Norway |
1 |
|
1 |
2 |
|
5. |
Italy |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
6. |
Finland |
|
|
2 |
2 |
|
7. |
Cyprus |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Netherlands |
|
|
1 |
1 |
The Dynamic Billard European Championships for Seniors and Ladies will continue tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with matches of the 9-ball individuals.
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 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 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, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.