TURNHOUT – The championship flag is waving again in the Biljart Express arena in Turnhout after a magnificent conclusion to the season. This week, the Belgian title in the top division went for the third time in a row to the successful team led by captain Eddy Merckx, fellow Belgians Martin Spoormans and Guy van Litsenborg, and Dutch players Frans van Kuyk and Gerwin Valentijn. It was a head-to-head race on the final matchday. T’s Place entered that final day as the leader, had things in their own hands, but lost convincingly 8-0 to Op de Meir. Therefore, Biljart Express could celebrate the title in their own clubhouse. "We are champions for the third time in a row and for the sixth time in total," calculated Guy van Litsenborg. "That is a streak to be proud of with this close-knit team, with which we will enter the Belgian competition again next season."
The final standings showed just how exciting the last few weeks have been. Biljart Express finished with 34 points, ahead of BC Op de Meir, Mister 100, and T’s Place, all three of whom finished with 33 points. Three of the four contenders on the final day won their matches 8-0. Op de Meir did so against T’s Place, Biljart Express against Mr 100 2, and Mister 100 1 against De Witte Molen.
The decision was therefore essentially made at Op de Meir, where T’s Place squandered its chances and propelled Biljart Express to the title with ease.
Biljart Express won its matches against Mister 100 2 with playful ease. Eddy Merckx was ultimately the top contender who finished the competition with a total average of 1.735, Frans van Kuyk with 1.413, Gerwin Valentijn with 1.375, Guy van Litsenborg with 1.132, and Martin Spoormans with 0.894.
The reports from the camp where Op de Meir and T’s Place were playing that evening were unequivocally favorable to Biljart Express. Eddy Leppens defeated Peter De Backer 40-35 (24), Jef Philipoom defeated Steven van Acker 40-34 (36), Barry van Beers defeated Joey de Kok 40-27 (28), and Roland Uijtdewillegen was the better of Berry Dallinga 40-25 (31). The outcome led to great joy at Biljart Express's home base.
Biljart Express's position had become slightly more precarious due to two draws in the final weeks against Mr. 100 1 and Zevenbergen, and two weeks earlier also against De Leug. As a result, the pursuers were able to close the gap. T’s Place even benefited the most right up to the final week. Mister 100 missed opportunities due to draws in the final weeks against Biljart Express, De Leug, and Op de Meir.
The results in the final week:
Op de Meir-T’s Place 8-0
Biljart Express-Mister 100 2 8-0
Mr. 100-De Witte Molen 8-0
Kon. Brugse-Kon. Kortrijkse 4-4
BC De Leug-Zevenbergen 8-0.
The highest average players across the entire competition were Eddy Merckx with 1.735, Roland Forthomme with 1.721, Peter Ceulemans with 1.615, Glenn Hofman with 1.500, and Frans van Kuyk with 1.413. Eddy Leppens was recorded at 1.793, but from 7 matches.
The final standings:
1 Biljart Express 34-1.322-14
2 BC Op de Meir 33-1.299-16
3 Mister 100 33-1.210-13 4 T’s Place 33-1.216-13
5 DBC De Leug 26-1.114-15
6 BC Herstalien 23-1.231-14
7 De Witte Molen 19-1.076-13
8 Kon. Kortrijkse 18-1.030-11
9 Kon. Brugse 13-1.003-12
10 BC Zevenbergen 12-1.056-12
11 BC De Ploeg 8-1.015-13
12 Mister 100 2 6-0.902-8
The champions with Frans van Kuyk, Martin Spoormans, Guy van Litsenborg, Eddy Merckx and Gerwin Valentijn