Belgian title race to unexpected climax

The Belgian title was up for grabs, but the tension apparently caused an off-day. Marc Verhaegen, the team owner of Op de Meir, reacted disconsolately in the late evening to his team's loss against Kortrijk. Op de Meir's home team already thought it was close to the championship in the highest Belgian three-cushion league. The reality was disconcerting: Biljart Express, rival with as many match points, did win 0-8 in Bruges, but Op de Meir lost a precious match point: 4-4. ‘’We are disconsolate,‘’ Marc Verhaegen lamented. ’’Only if a miracle happens, we can become champion now.‘’

Before the match, the team captain still estimated the chances so favorably. ’’We are equal in points, but we have won two more matches,‘’ he calculated. The schedules of the two title contenders were not insurmountable. Op de Meir still played at home against Kortrijk, Biljart Express away to Kortrijk 2 and on the last matchday, Monday 15 April, Op de Meir travels to Bruges and Biljart Express to De Witte Molen.

The battle is obviously not yet decided after that 0-8 by Biljart Express and Op de Meir's 4-4, but it looks like an unexpected climax. Biljart Express couldn’t believe their eyes when it ended the evening in Bruges with maximum figures. The mission is simple now for Eddy Merckx and companions: winning against De Witte Molen in a fortnight' time is enough for the championship. And the prolongation of the title.

‘’We followed the Op de Meir match when we were playing ourselves,‘’ Merckx told us this morning. The unexpected opportunity now offers prospects. ’’It will still be tough, winning from De Witte Molen‘’, expects Eddy Merckx, who became champion in five countries last year and now definitely has a chance of three: in Varde, Denmark, the title has been won, in Belgium and France the chances are favorable.

Eddy Merckx himself was a glorious winner against Fréderic Roelants in the match against Bruges. ‘’I started with ten, got ahead 30-5 and then was able to finish it off.‘’ The score: 40-19 in 17. The level of the other players was not too high. Martin Spoormans won in 43, Guy van Litsenborg in 44 and Frans van Kuyk in 36 innings. However, the most important thing was the 0-8 win and the great news from Op de Meir. 

So what went wrong with the rival? Quite a lot actually, as the pressure was apparently so high that none of the four players could show off their class. The best man of the evening was Philippe Vandendriessche from opponent Kortrijk. The leading player instead of Ronny Brants (holidays) defeated Jef Philipoom 40-26 in 23 innings and 1.739 average. Frédéric Beghin was the other winner against Roland Uijtdewillegen with 40-28 in 38 innings, a total off-day for the Dutchman. The victories of Barry van Beers and Eddy Leppens were not convincing either: in 37 and in 39 innings against Martin Ravestyn and Jeroom Garlerne.

Philippe Vandendriesche in his comment: ’’I finally played a good game again, that was a while ago. We have been safe with our team since last matchday, so that plays a little easier. Too bad for Op de Meir, good for Biljart Express what we did, but we always try to make everything fair.‘’

Has Op de Meir lost all hope now? Marc Verhaegen assures: ’’What happened last night comes pretty hard.’’ Most of all the fact that old soldiers like Jef Philipoom and Eddy Leppens were stiff with nerves, according to the team boss. ’’This was actually unbelievable. We had a total off-day and for the opponent everything worked out well.‘’ For Op de Meir, second place in the rankings still entitles the team to participate in the European Cup.

On Monday evening, Mister 100 won 6-2 against De Witte Molen with Jerry Hermans the best man: a win over Francis Forton 40-31 in 17 (2.352) and Benny Ceulemans the only winner for De Witte Molen against Bart Ceulemans: 40-34 in 34.

De Leug and Brugse played a draw with a strong Henk Blauwblomme winning against Davy van Havere: 40-22 in 28. There was also a 4-4 on the scoreboard at De Ploeg against T's Place. Ronny Lindemann beat Peter De Backer 40-29 in 29.

The standings with 1 match left to play (only Herstalien and TBA have yet to catch up):

1. Biljart Express 34 points, 1.362
2. Op de Meir 33-1,289
3. Mister 100 30-1,208
4. Herstalien 29-1,322
5. T's Place 26-1,125
6. De Witte Molen 19-1,068
7. De Leug 19-1,088
8. Kortrijk 16-1,008
9. Brugge 15-1,041
10. De Ploeg 14-0.997
11. Kortrijk 2 9-0.920
12. TBA Biljartpalace 6-1.008

Kortrijk 2 and TBA are relegated.

Eddy Merckx is still on the way to Belgian title with Biljart Express?