LAUSANNE - The Swiss lady Diane Wild is one of the most important organizers on the current international billiard stage. The highlight of her billiard life was being elected as the president of the European billiard association, the CEB, two years ago. Diane Wild lives in Lausanne, the Olympic city with the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee and has announced ambitious goals in all categories and disciplines in billiards. A few months after her election, she launced the plan to organise competitions for youth, the Euro Youth. That was achieved last year, 2018, with the European Youth championships.
The European championships in all carom disciplines are one of the most important events of the CEB and were held for the fourth time in Brandenburg, Germany, this year. The event was a huge success again. At the end, there was another big announcement from Diane Wild: the CEB plans to organize the European championships every year from now. In the Kozoom interview with Markus Schönhoff, she now says to be proud that this initiative has become reality. That news is a major success, because there were too few championships at European level. For many billiard players, who don't perform at the World Cup circuit, the two-year European championship is the only highlight. That is changing now, because in most disciplines, there will be European championships at different locations in the coming season. And there is a new edition of Euro Youth as well, with which the CEB continues its plan to offer young people more opportunities.
KOZOOM met the CEB president for an interview and discussed with her about the recent European championship, the upcoming championships and the CEB plans to further promote billiards.
KOZOOM/Markus Schönhoff - First of all, on behalf of all billiard players we can congratulate the CEB on the great European championship in Brandenburg this spring. Were you personally satisfied with this wonderful event?
CEB President Diane Wild: I am very happy with this European championship. We have awarded 18 European titles, welcomed over 500 players from 21 countries and 60 referees were in action on the 11 competition days. We have succesfully launched some innovations. The return of the women's competitions with 24 participants and the free games again are good examples. We saw a new competition as well for the juniors, biathlon for U21 teams. With the Europe pins and wheelchair three cushion, we had two demonstration matches and not least the optimization of the tournament plan. There was confirmation from everywhere that we have enormous potential in billiards in Europe.
KOZOOM/MS: Was there a special moment to look back on for you, a surprising winner or winner?
CEB/DW: It is very difficult to emphasize a special moment, because there were so many. To see players from 21 countries competing against each other, it is very special and important to us that we have received that confirmation.
KOZOOM/MS - Can you say something about the European championship to take place in 2021?
CEB/DW: At this moment, I can only say that we decided at the general meeting in Brandenburg that we will discuss the next edition with the city of Brandenburg. We want to return to Brandenburg in 2021 at least and we are currently negotiating.
KOZOOM/MS - In an interview immediately after the European championship, you announced that the CEB wants to put the European championships on the calendar every year. Was that a wish or a realistic plan?
CEB/DW: It was a wish first, but now it comes true! We have worked very hard and I am very happy to announce that our sports calendar is now fully planned. Next season we will play European championships in almost all disciplines. Three cushion individual in France, three cushion national teams in Turkey, three cushion ladies also in Turkey. The one cushion and artistic in Spain, the free game for ladies in Austria. The location for the Euro Youth will be announced shortly. In the 6 pins billiards, we have the European Cup for national teams. Unfortunately, we could not not found an organizer for the European championships in the balk-line games so far. I try to keep looking for it until August 31.
KOZOOM/MS - Are there details about the European championships in the three cushion individually and for teams? How many players are planned to participate and what is the tournament format. Like in Brandenburg?
CEB/DW: The number of players remains the same as in Brandenburg. With 64 players individually and 24 teams. In the individual tournament we play the same format and with the teams we follow the rules of the UMB regarding Scotch double.
KOZOOM/MS: What are the plans of the CEB for the next two years?
CEB/DW: We have two major challenges: youth and women. The spearhead is to attract and inspire new, young players and to retain them for our sport. That is not an easy plan. We have done some new things, but it is not enough. We want to work closely with the federations and try to help directly. Not all federations have the same goals. We are currently looking for a junior ranking and a CEB prize to reward the federation for their ideas to promote young people. We must be more attractive and show a modern and trendy sport. And we must encourage federations to promote billiards for women in all disciplines. If a federation wants to implement a good project for women, we will offer our help. The federations must realize that this is necessary for our development. We also make a CEB Award for ladies. In all multinational events, such as the World Games, more women must be present, that is the goal. In Birmingham, at the next World Games, the number of participants will be the same, but let's see what we can do from 2024 in every discipline. There is still much work to be done in all areas. In addition, we always pursue our main goal, to support national federations for promotion and development.
KOZOOM/MS: Of course we are happy with the commitment and the ambitious plans. You will also agree that we need top sport. What can the CEB do to develop young players?
CEB/DW: First and foremost, federations and clubs are responsible for national developments. That cannot be the task of the CEB, but we can support specific projects. We have launched the new biathlon competition for young people. That could be an idea for the federations to promote this discipline for the youth (boys and girls). We will continue to organize the Euro Youth and help the federations to participate. It is important that young players have more opportunities to participate in tournaments. More and new competitions must be organized so that we can start a ranking for the youth. Team competitions are another option.
KOZOOM/MS - Another topic: the UMB has suspended the players who participated in the Korean PBA tournaments. The CEB follows the UMB. What can you say to the federations? Are they free in their decisions or do they have to follow the CEB?
CEB/DW: We already announced that the CEB has compiled its disciplinary committee. It is not useful at this time to discuss this subject until a final decision has been made. We want the committee to work independently.
KOZOOM/MS - The European Cup in Porto was a wonderful event again. It is an exceptional location. Will the Europe Cup return to Porto next year and is the date already known?
CEB/DW: In first place, it was a good idea to combine the qualification and the final round. That allows us to present a bigger and more attractive tournament, all matches are broadcast live and all are played under the same conditions. So we have organized it for two years now and will continue. Next year, the Coupe d'Europe will take place from 9 to 14 June, the location will be Porto again.
KOZOOM/MS: Thank you very much for the interview. I think the news from the annual European championships will motivate many players. Kozoom wishes you many good ideas and the support of the federations. The very best in your work for billiards!
CEB/DW: Thank you for the good wishes. I am convinced that together we can do a lot for our sport. Successes achieved in the past are proof that we are on the right track. I count on the continued support of Kozoom, one of the most important partners, and the international federations. I wish all billiard players lots of fun and success in our sport for the coming season.