3-Cushion
ZEVENBERGEN - The European junior championship three cushion in Zevenbergen is close to the quarter-finals: two players have already qualified unbeaten in Group and show up in the final rounds. Belgian Andy Bond and Frenchman Alexis Rouaud won two games and played draw against each other.
20-year old Andy de Bond from Rumst plays his last European championship. He is one of the players in this company with already a lot of experience: amongst others, three second places at an European championship.
The Belgian, who will finish his studies soon and will start his own administrative company, keeps on focusing on all game disciplines. ,,I like to play all the disciplines and not only give my all to three cushion.''
His development in three cushion is hopeful: he received the Belgian junior title this year Blankenberge, in the Belgian league and he will probably play for Zanzibar 1 in next season and in the Dutch league in a team with Raymond Ceulemans.
At the European championship in Zevenbergen, Andy (and Wesley van Apers) is coached by Eddy Leppens, who took over the role of federation coach from Pol Stroobants for the time being.
De Bondt is not really lucky with the draw for the European championship: as group winner he meets Group D's number two in the quarters. That will probably be Berkay Karakurt.
,,We would all prefer when they make a ranking after the group stages. Now, beforehand, they have determined the opponents. I play number two of Group D, so Karakurt is my opponent. A real tough draw.''
Three other groups at the European championship have another session to go on the second day. Wesley van Apers already advanced in Group B with two wins against Austrian Patrick Burtora and Frenchman Adrien Tachoire, who has the best chance for the number two position.
Sergio Aparicio and Joao Ferreira are on top in Group C, in wich they still play against each other. As a result, Dutchman Jordy de Kruijf has a good chance to qualify after two draws (against Aparicio and Ferreira). He needs a win against German Tobias Schramm.
Berkay Karakurt and Antonio Montes are as good as qualified in Group D after their strong start with 25-points matches in 11 innings. The mutual duel was won by Spaniard Montes by one point: 25-24 in 22 innings.