ISTANBUL - Did he remember that memorable day at the World championship in Antwerp, the Turkish favorite Lütfi Cenet? Yes of course he did before he showed up today for his match against Korean Dong Koong Kang at the World Cup in Istanbul. There, in Antwerp, Dong Koong played a ruthless killer (a world class match, 40-14 in 7) and today, in front of Lütfi's home crowd, he did it again. The two players were facing each other again and Dong Koong pulled the trigger: 40-17 in 19.
The Turk certainly was looking for revenge, but again the Korean powered to a great win and got his sprint train on track from the very first innings.
The match in short: a super start of Kang, with a run of eleven in the first part, a lead of 28-14, 33-14 and a quick verdict for the Turk, who must go home away with a big loss 40-17 in 19.
That was the best match so far, the same as the win of the other Korean Jae Guen Kim. Better even than Marco Zanetti, who strongly took off against Murat Naci Coklu, hit the gap with twelve (26-15 in 14) and severly punished his opponent to the finish line 40-34 in 22.
Two Belgian big guns fought at the other tables to survive. Eddy Merckx managed it well against Spaniard Ruben Legazpi, finalist at the Peloponnesos World Cup, but now with his back to the wall against the former world champion (40-33 in 29).
Roland Forthomme was dashed in sight of the finish by Savas Bulut's strong final shot (40-39 in 32). The raven black, curly haired Turk was the only one of four countryman in this first rounds who may show up again for the eighth finals.
He delivered a great fight at the end against Roland Forthomme, both of them very fast players, with a strong stroke. The Belgian took a big margin (19-7) in the early part, but was caught up by Bulut (run 9). Forthomme could hold the initiative, but eventually failed to finish.
On a 39-36 score, the Belgian missed a bankshot (two instead of three-cushions). The imperturbable Bulut, bright encouraged by the home fans, took his chance and finished with three