RANDERS - The wonderful arena of the 2019 World Championship three cushion in Randers, Denmark, is the setting for the European Championship 5 pins in a week's time (4-7 August). The Danish federation is hosting the European championship. Torsten Danielsson, the president of the Danish billiards federation, assures: ''We are looking forward to welcoming the best players in one of the most fantastic billiard disciplines: 5-pins.''
The Danish Billiard Federation (DDBU), the city of Randers and Sport Event Denmark in cooperation with the European billiard federation CEB are gearing up for an excellent event at the highest international level with 48 European players - including nine top Danish players - playing for the title of European champion.
The DDBU is delighted to be able to showcase world-class billiards after 2019, when Torbjörn Blomdahl captured the world three cushion title in Randers. ''The exclusive theatre and cultural centre 'Værket' in the city of Randers has again - after the huge success of organizing the World Three-cushion Championship - been chosen as the venue,'' says Torsten Danielsson. The venue - and especially the arena Ridehuset - is considered an exceptionally wonderful setting. It is a historic building from 1887, originally used as a dragon barracks by King Christian X.''
This is the first time that the Danish federation is hosting a European championship in 5-pins individual. ''We are proud, because it is a special honor: Denmark has some of Europe's top players in this strategic and fantastic discipline, which is played in most of Europe and South and Central America. Especially in Italy there are hundreds of thousands of players.''
The current title holder Andrea Quarta (Italy) and his Italian colleagues Michelangelo Aniello (who are both multiple European and world champions), Paolo Marcolin and Achille Mignolo are favorites for victory. The Danes Kasper Kristoffersen, Erling Sjørup (former biathlon world champion) and René Hendriksen are strong and experienced players who can beat the Italians on a good day. The other top Danish players are: Jonas Raagner, Henrik Ryholt, Henrik Søndergaard, Johnni Petersen, Thomas Jæger and Thomas Andersen.
Germany and France also have players who can win a medal! The Danes are chasing at least one medal at the European Championships. The interesting thing about 5 pins in Denmark is that it is considered the international version of the billiard discipline played in Denmark, Skomar, because of the many similarities between the two disciplines. Skomar is played regularly in Denmark by an estimated 100,000+ people. It is usually played at smaller pocket tables, similar to the earlier version of 5-pins - casino!
The Danish Federation is using this unique opportunity to promote Skomar by holding the first official Danish national championship in Skomar together with the European 5-pins championship.
All days there is free admission at the Ridehuset in Randers! Torsten Danielsson: ,,Come and enjoy world class billiards.'' Kozoom will broadcast both the European 5-pin championship and the Danish championship Skomar all days. The streaming is free to watch as a special promotion for 5-pins.
The CEO of Sport Event Denmark, Lars Lundov, is delighted that Denmark is hosting the European Championship. ,,At Sport Event Denmark we work hard to attract major international sporting events to give Danish athletes and fans a home base. We are therefore pleased and proud that the European 5 pins Championships will be held in Randers.''
Sport Event Denmark and Randers City are partners of the European 5-pins Championships alongside other main sponsors such as Søren Søgaard A/S, Simonis and Aramith.