1-Cushion
CERVERA - Two players in the semifinals of the European championships belong to the very top of one cushion for many years. The Spaniard Joan Espinasa is the revelation of the tournament and Bernard Baudoin is surprisingly the last of the French delegation in Cervera.
Nevertheless, Jean Paul de Bruijn and Frédéric Caudron are the big contenders for the title, when the championship is growing to the climax in the semifinals. The two multiple champions won their matches in the quarterfinals tonight without problems.
The Dutchman ran in thirteen innings to the finish against Bernard Villiers (150-52), Caudron in fourteen innings against Alain Remond (150-92).
De Bruijn controled his match from the start, took an early lead and left opponent far behind. Caudron had an easy opponent in Remond, how only found his rhythm in the equalizing inning.
Joan Espinasa killed another Frenchman in the quarterfinals. The Spaniard, a 46-year-old commercial doctor from Parets del Vallès, attacked after 89-70 after eleven innings to 150-74 in fifteen.
The French bumb between Bernard Baudoin, the French champion one cushion in 2002 and 2003, and Xavier Le Roy got an exciting end, because Baudoin spoiled a big lead 96-38 in ten innings and saw his opponent come back to 139-128. Baudoin missed on 146 and 147 three more times, but then sprinted with three caroms to a 150-129 victory in 25 innings.
The semi-finals tomorrow: De Bruijn-Baudoin, Caudron-Espinasa.