The 8-ball individuals have started today at the Dynamic Billard European Championships Youth in all three categories, Under 19, Under 17 and Girls.
The girls division is quite dominated by two players: Diana Khodjaeva (BEL) and Kristina Tkach (RUS). While Kristina Tkach took the titles in 9-ball and 10-ball last year, Khodjaeva snatched it in 8-ball. However, the two teammates from team Europe in the Atlantic Challenge Cup will probably also battle it out here in Tirana this year. These two have lost a total of one (1!) rack so far in 8-ball. Khodjaeva smashed My Nguyen (SWE) 5:1 and then Lynn Pijpers (NED) also 5:0. Tkach won 5:0 over both, Megan Rademakers (NED) and Roxanne Overeem (LUX). Outside chances in the girls 8-ball might be given to the Germans Jana Peters and Pia Blaeser and Palina Chernik (BLR).
In the Under 17’s, defending Champion Sanjin Pehlivanovic (BIH) definitely belongs to the group of the favorite players here. He won his opener over Szymon Kural (POL) 6:2. A surprisingly strong performance can also be witnessed here from Mustafa Alnar (TNC). He will play the semi-final in 10-ball later on today and also won his first 8-ball match 6:4 over Quiten Pongers (NED). 6:4 was also the final result for Leon Kohl (GER) in his match with Christoffer Lentz (DEN). Lentz had taken down Desart Demollari (ALB) 6:0 in round one but Kohl managed to send him to the loser’s side. Wiktor Zielinski (POL), newly crowned straight pool Champion is also on his way in 8-ball. He defeated Giulio D’Egido (ITA) 6:2. Fedor Gorst (RUS) already has two victories under his belt in 8-ball. He won 6:0 over Karo Langstroem (FIN) to then get the better of Jan van Lierop (NED) 6:4.
In the Under 19’s, the defending Champion Pascal Bruckmann (GER) is not attending this year. Runner-up Maksim Dudanets (RUS) was once again seeded number one and bronze medallist from 2015 Kristin Cwikla (POL) was seeded number two. They both lived up to their expectations. Dudanets drubbed Kamil Szaszor (POL) 7:2 while Cwikla trounced Bilge Alacam (TNC) 7:1 even. A thrilling match took place between last year’s Bronze medallist in 9-ball Michael Schneider (SUI) and Mark Magi (EST). Schneider was expected to be the highly favorite player but Magi gave him a good and fiercely fought over match. After three racks Schneider was expectedly leading 3:0. Then, Magi got into the match and after eight racks, the match was leveled at 4:4. Schneider took the next rack to get a 5:4 lead over Magi. To his horror, that was the last thing he could do against strong playing Magi. The Estonian won the next three consecutive racks and took the match 7:5 away from Schneider. Magi has never yet won a title or a medal at European Championships but he is showing some promising performances here.
The Dynamic Billard European Championships Youth will continue today with 8-ball matches until 16:30 local time. Then, the semi-finals of the 10-ball individuals will be played with the final matches scheduled for 18:30 CET.
The Championships are played on 24 tables which are all streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be purchased at www.kozoom.com. Once a premium membership is held, all events for the respective period of time can be viewed LIVE. Additionally, a huge video gallery is contained in the website.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.epconline.eu, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.