MORANGIS - The titleholder CetSi Morangis and Albert opposite each other in the final match at the French team championship in Morangis, today, Sunday, 13.30. The battle for third place, at 9.00, is between Andernos and Laxou. CetSi Morangis defeated in the semifinals on Saturday the weakened Laxou team (8-0). The rookie in the French playoffs, Albert, won the thrilling battle against Anderos: after a tie in matches, (4-4) Albert was the winner on caroms.
Dion Nelin and Peter Ceulemans levelled the score after the break, when their team was 4-0 down. And particularly the big victory of Dion Nelin over Filippos Kasidokostas (50-34 in 28) was decisive for the overall win, to the delight of Albert's supporters in the CetSi billiardroom.
Peter Ceulemans called it a hard-fought victory. ,,Kurt (Ceulemans) lost on one point against Jérôme Barbeillon after he missed two very difficult match balls. Cédric (Melnytschenko) was well ahead against Francis Connesson 43-35, but still lost. Dion won in a great style against Filippos Kasidokostas and I was leading 38-22 against Roland, then he came back to a 45-43 lead, but luckily I could finish with 7.
CetSi Morangis had a walk-over against Laxou that played without Torbjörn Blomdahl (in Portugal this weekend) and Martin Horn. Eddy Leppens was the best man for the Paris team with a victory over Matthieu Franck (50-12 in 19, run of eleven). Pierre Soumagne could threaten Eddy Merckx to the line, but finally lost 50-48 in 33.
The battle for third place, today, Sunday (9.00 pm): Andernos-Laxou
Final 13.30: CetSi Morangis-Albert.
