BLANKENBERGE - Will they be there again today, the fans of Philippe Deraes, who watched his amazing game against Johan Claessen in the late hours with a lot of encouragement on the chat Kozoom. Who saw his great run of 231 made in the balk-line 47/2, which was not enough to finish the match. And eventually Johan Claessen, such a wonderful player as well, even exceeded his opponent with a run of 253. The match was for the spectators and viewers on the internet a caress for the eye.
The game ended in a draw (300-300 in four innings) and closed off the day on which Frédéric Caudron had to fight against an unleashed and so great Peter Ceulemans to save his tournament in three cushion. And on which Eddy Merckx discovered an angel on his cue in his battle with Martin Spoormans, who missed six match balls, whereby he kept the defending champion in the tournament.
Roland Forthomme found yesterday, at the end of the evening, the glamour in his game, which he missed the night before, when he could follow his race with some luck. Against Wesley de Jaeger, he never was in danger: 3-0, average 1.800, 1.000 for his opponent.
Today the fifth day of the Multi's starts at 11.00 the three-cushion match between Kurt Ceulemans and Steven van Acker, one of the last three duels in the eighth finals. This afternoon at 14.00 is the match Frédéric Mottet-Henk Blauwblomme and at 17.30 Jef-Philipoom Ronny Brants.
In the first round of the day (11.00) two free game matches are played, between Patrick Niessen and Peter Vandeloo and Philippe Deraes and Maarten Janssen.
Many spectators will look forward to the match between Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Leppens in one cushion, this afternoon at 14.00, in which almost certainly the title in this discipline will be disputed, although Patrick Niessen can be considered as a strong competitor in this early stage of the tournament.
The rest of the program today:
14.00: Three cushion: Frédéric Mottet-Henk Blauwblomme. Balkline 71/2: Patrick Niessen-Philippe Deraes. One cushion: Frédéric Caudron-Eddy Leppens.
17.30: Three cushion: Jef-Philipoom Ronny Brants. One cushion: Patrick Niessen-Maarten Janssen. Balkline 47/2: Johan Devos-Eddy Leppens.Eddy.
20.30: Balkline 71/2: Frédéric Caudron-Johan Devos. Balkline 47/1: Peter De Backer Philippe Deraes. One cushion: Eddy Leppens Martin Janssen.