HERSTAL - The shadow of a turbulent competition in Belgian three cushion is still hanging in grim gloom over the billiard room where this weekend the Belgium Cup will be played. Both at the match table, with the Belgian top players, and at the small table. 32 players compete in a knock-out competition over three days. For the second time in a row, La Fabrik in Herstal, near Liège, is the location where the 31st cup final will be played after nearly 30 years in Hooglede. The big absentee is Eddy Merckx, who is eliminated in the pre-rounds. The favorites are Frédéric Caudron, Roland Forthomme and Eddy Leppens.
The Belgian federation, which has lost the controversial lawsuit that Kurt Ceulemans and Mr. 100 had started to use Royal Pro cloths in league matches, should focus on the Belgian cup from today, but will have to regulate around 100 matches in different leagues, because the so-called 'forfeit matches' are now official again after Mr. 100's win in court. That also means that other team champions must be honored at the end of the Belgian Cup.
Belgian chairman Benny van Goethem prepared this morning for a trip to Herstal to perform the opening of the tournament together with sports director Henri Pelgrims and to start the competitions. "We are happy with the new location and expect a great event," the chairman said before leaving from Sint Niklaas.
Today, Friday, and Saturday is the run-up to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. The first matches are this Friday afternoon at 1:00pm. Kozoom will broadcast the matches live.
Participants and schedule:
Friday 17 Mai, 1:00pm
Ronald Daniels-Rudi Hendrickx
Roger van Hoylandt-Geert Meylemans
Roger Roefs-Marc Roofthooft
Jef Philipoom-Roland Forthomme
Friday 3:00pm
Eddy Leppens-Frank de Groof
Bart Ceulemans-Dany Boutet
Patrick Kesteloot-Kurt Ceulemans
Koen Vandercapellen
Kurt Bruggheman
Saturday 18 Mai, 1:00pm
Frédéric Caudron-Dirk Weeremans
Andy de Bondt-Francis Forton
Kenny Miatton-Steven van Acker
Davy van Havere-Philippe Vandendriessche
Saturday 3:00pm
Rudy de Laet-Johan Grimon
Ronny Brants-Bart Leys
Frédéric Mottet-Peter Ceulemans
Marc Celen-Marc Donvil.
Saturday 5:00pm
Knock-out rounds, quarter finals,
Sunday 11.00am semi finals
Sunday 2:30pm finale.
Also starting Friday at 1:00pm, Belgian Cup at small table.
The players are:
Gregory Smal, Jan Ceulemans, Paul Pauwels, Stefan Neyens, Johan Cloots, Marc Heuchenne, André Vergote, Christian Closset, Paul Wilms, Thierry Brenders, Danny Beckers, Francis Wauters, André Wouters, Yves Welvaert, Ronny Loos, Didier Goethals, Gnazzio Caltabelotta, Constant Verhaegen, Koen Boone, Michel Dewier, Jos Lambrechts, Rik Helsmoortel, Ronny Haezaert, Kris Stock, Lazaros Metalidis, Frederik de Moor, Jean-Paul Wilmet, Johan Vermeulen, Samuel Vanderveken, Christoph van Vosselen, Victor Welvis, Bart Devriendt.