Ceulemans bros start the grand ball

HOOGLEDE - The battle for the Belgian Cup has his kick-off tomorrow, without Frédéric Caudron, who won amongst others the two last editions in finals against Eddy Merckx and Peter De Backer. The place to be is the tournament hall of De Gulden Zonne in Hooglede. The number one contender is Eddy Merckx, his rivals Eddy Leppens, Peter De Backer, Jef Philipoom and Peter Ceulemans.

The most remarkable match in the opening session is the duel between the brothers Peter and Bart Ceulemans. The grandsons of legend Raymond are two of the 32 participants, who play knockout from the sixteenth-finals.

Another special match is the duel between Ferdinand van Baerel, born in Burght in 1924, 87 yuears old and the oldest player ever in the Belgium Cup. He will meet the early twentier Kenny Miatton from Maasmechelen.

The Belgian Cup is traditionally divided in two: during this weekend there is also the tournament at the small table with 32 players.

The preliminary rounds are staring according to the system of the open draw. Frédéric Caudron was outplayed by Eddy Merckx, Roland Forthomme misses the main tournament due to a loss against Jef Philipoom.

Eddy Leppens, Peter Ceulemans, Davy van Havere, Ronny Brants and Francis Forton are classified in the schedule's top half. In the bottom half play Jef Philipoom, Wesley de Jaeger, Peter De Backer, Eddy Merckx, who had a tough draw in the first round against Frédéric Mottet and Martin Spoormans.
The draw is:

Eddy Leppens-Luc Salvo, Ivan Stitschinsky-Davy De Saeger, Peter Ceulemans-Bart Ceulemans, Marc Dellaert-Thierry Cobbaert, Davy van Haevere-Pascal Claus, Frédéric Beghin Ronny Brants, Danny Boutet-Frank de Groot, Francis Forton-Dirk Weeremans.

Jef Philipoom-Wesley de Jaeger, Marc Donvil-Bart Rossel, Peter De Backer-Marc Roofthooft, Kenny Miatton- Ferdinand van Baerel, Eddy Merckx-Frédéric Mottet, Bart Leys-Jimmy Mues, Martin Spoormans-Rudy de Laet, Julien Beghin-Patrick Kesteloot.

Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday the sessions are at 13.00, 15.00, 17.00 and 19.30. The semi finals are on Sunday at 11.00, the final is at 15.00.

The Gulden Zonne is on the Market in Hooglede.

The matches are broadcasted on Kozoom.com and can be followed only for Premium holders.