ANTWERPEN - The Supercup gala in Antwerp, in the Hilton hotel at the Groenplaats on Saturday 5 March, will have a little extra in store for the spectators. At the end of the evening, living legend Raymond Ceulemans and the man who was his main rival for many years, Ludo Dielis, will play a friendly match against the two stars of the evening, Torbjörn Blomdahl and Dani Sánchez. In the press map of the gala, both champions were side by side in a double portrait of two heroic billiard players, with palmares and a Q & A.
The facts: Raymond Ceulemans, born 12 July 1937, 35 times world champion (23 times in 3C, once in the free game, once in 47/1, six times in 1-cushion, four times in the pentathlon) 48 times European champion, 61 times Belgian champion.
Ludo Dielis, born 23 February 1945, 9 times world champion (twice in 3C, three times in 1-cushion, once in 47/1, twice in the pentathlon, once in the triathlon for national teams), 22 times European champion, 39 times Belgian champion.
Matches between Ceulemans and Dielis: 194 in total, 122 times won by Ceulemans, 55 times won by Dielis, 17 times a draw. 54 times in 1-cushion: 37 times Ceulemans, 16 times Dielis, one draw, 67 times in 3C: 48 times Ceulemans, 17 times Dielis, twice a draw.
Raymond and Ludo, how would you describe each other as opponents? Ceulemans: Ludo is technically skilled, mentally strong, he has a winner mentality. Dielis: Raymond wants to win always, where-ever, whenever, whatever. He keeps on proving that he and only he is the number 1.
What was your greatest match ever? Ceulemans: All of our matches were charged with electricity, with tension. It was what the audience loved to see. Dielis: Every match against Raymond was special, because he always wanted to be the best. But for me, the WC pentathlon in Berlin tops the list. I was down 0-2 but won it 3-2.
What are your best, most memorable titles? Ceulemans: My 1969 world title in the free game in Linz (Austria), and my last world title in 3-cushion, in Luxemburg (2001). After that, I stopped playing individual tournaments. Dielis: The WC title 3-cushion in Yokohama over five stages. What was your biggest disappointment ever? Ceulemans: Losing the world title in 1974 in the Stadsfeestzaal in Antwerp, I lost by a single carom. Dielis: Losing finals is of course hard, but I have never looked at it that way because I have played so many and won 70 of them.
Why are your names still more familiar to the man in the street than those of current top players like Caudron? Ceulemans: There used to be more media attention in our day, especially on TV. There was more room for it, or maybe we earned it. Dielis: It's because we played in an era with more media attention. But maybe also because our matches were always so tense.
How do you see the billiard sport evolve? Ceulemans: billiards is popular internationally: in South Korea, in Japan, South America, the USA and all over Europe. The big events draw the attention, but there are many ways to keep growing. There is work to be done, when it comes to media-attention and sponsorship. Dielis: Billiards must grow by means of important and large, exclusive tournaments. That is the challenge.
Who will win the Supercup? Ceulemans: Torbjörn and Dani zijn are two former colleagues and superstars. I think Dani has the slightly better chance. Dielis: Both are my billiard friends. I think Blomdahl has a slight advantage, sorry Dani.
You will play a match against Blomdahl and Sanchez that evening. That will be very entertaining, but you are both born winners. Will that be in the cards this time? Ceulemans: Yes, it will bring the house down for sure. But our problem is focus. As we get older, it tends to fade a bit, which is inevitable and human. But we will give it our best shot, that is all we can do. Dielis: They are going to have to take it from us, we are not going to give it away.