BLANKENBERGE – Four real cupfighters remain for the Belgian three-cushion title today, Sunday. Frédéric Caudron and Peter Ceulemans are the undisputed favourites. Ronny Brants and Peter De Backer have a reputation in the Belgian Cup and are capable of pulling off an upset at the championship. Ceulemans plays Debacker this Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., and Caudron also plays Brants at the same time. The final is Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the Casino in Blankenberge.

Saturday evening was dominated by the three-cushion quarterfinals until late in the evening. Peter Ceulemans, feared for his strong final sprint, escaped for the second time in two days with a Houdini-act. The slightly younger Andy de Bondt dominated the entire match, took a 34-21 lead, had chances to finish it off, but succumbed to the tension. Peter Ceulemans capitalized on three excellent runs and ultimately secured victory 40-39 in 29 innings. Thanks to such a superior finishing rush, Ceulemans had also defeated Francis Forton 40-39 the day before.

Frédéric Caudron has been playing his way through the tournament almost effortlessly so far, as the top favorite felt no threat from Steven van Acker on Saturday evening, defeating him 40-20 in 19 innings (2.105). Peter De Backer, after his gold medal in one cushion, is a dangerous player in three-cushion as well after his 40-33 victory over Danny Wuyts in a tactical match. Ronny Brants shattered Kurt Ceulemans' illusions 40-29 in 32 innings.

The women's title went to Jaimie Buelens, who only secured victory in the final stages against Marie-Rose Rouffa. The champion completed this decisive match in 50 innings, winning 24-22. The match between Karolien Matthys and Tiani Platteau for third place also failed to reach the final points. Matthys won 22-15 in 50 innings.

The final score in the women’s three cushion:

Jaimie Buelens 8-0.481-6
Marie-Rose Rouffa 4-0.447-5
Karolien Matthys 4-0.321-3
Tiani Platteau 0-0.284-3.

Erik Vervliet, the expected favorite, won the final against Steve Wilms with an artistic score of 153 to 129, 63.485 to 52.526. Erik van den Zegel triumphed in the battle for third place against Tim Janssens.

The final standings:

Erik Vervliet 314
Steve Wilms 295
Erik van den Zegel 280
Tim Janssens 190
Bart Rossel 177
Johan Grimon 146
Erwin Seymus 128.

Peter Debaes took home the gold medal in the 9 pins with 5 match points and 1.1908, ahead of Ismaele Trentino with 3 points and 1.0650, and Patrick Engelbos with 3 points and 0.9891.

The titles in the other disciplines (two titles for Maarten Janssen, two for Patrick Niessen, one for Peter De Backer):

One cushion: Peter De Backer with 7 match points and 13.71, ahead of Patrick Niessen with 5 points and 8.68.

In the 71/2- format, Patrick Niessen won with 6 points and 28.95, followed by Johan Devos with 6 points and 14.06. The last game ended in a win for Johan Devos against Niessen: 200-8 in 4-rounds.

In the 47/1- format: Maarten Janssen with 6 points and 16.08, followed by Patrick Niessen with 4 points and 11.14.

Free game: Patrick Niessen with 8 points and an average of 320, followed by Maarten Janssen with 4 points and an average of 153.28.

In the 47/2- format: Maarten Janssen with 6 points and 16.08, followed by Patrick Niessen with 4 points and 11.14.

Pictures up to down:

Jaimie Buelens, women's three-cushion champion

Patrick Niessen and Maarten Janssen both shone with two titles

Erik Vervliet won the artistic title ahead of Steve Wilms

Peter Debaes (winner, right) and Patrick Engelbos, two finalists in 5-pin billiards