DOUARNENEZ - The Douarnenez Valdys classical team reached another milestone this weekend with its 5th consecutive European title in the classical games. That result matched the record of the legendary Cubri Etikon team. The Dutch team won 4 consecutive titles from 2008 to 2014, but Douarnenez Valdys added an extra dimension to that invincibility from 2018 to 2024, that is, exactly 10 years later.
Marek Faus, Raymund Swertz, Louis Edelin and Grégory Le Deventec have impressive statistics which are no match for the Cubri Etikon trio of Henri Tilleman, Patrick Niessen and Jean Paul de Bruijn. Marek Faus (balkline 47/2) averaged 76 over five matches, Raymund Swertz (balkline 71/2) 85.71 over three matches, Louis Edelin (71/2) 23.53 over two matches and Grégory Le Deventec (one cushion) 7.05.
Two players from the Douarnenez team, Raymund Swertz and Grégory Le Deventec, were among those who brought the five titles to the record. Dutch star player Raymund Swertz had an important part in that success. Swertz missed the event with his team SIS Schoonmaak in the Dutch Cup finals. He decided to join his French team after SIS Schoonmaak's elimination in Rosmalen on Thursday. With no specific preparation other than in three-cushion, Swertz replaced Frenchman Edelin and scored 402 consecutive points in three matches without missing.
The mission, launched in 2018 by Douarnenez president Jacky Le Deventec, has been a great success with five national and international titles in a row. Chartres' team (Willy Gérimont, Raul Cuenca, Xavier Grétillat) looked ready to take on the Breton giant in a much-anticipated final between the two French clubs, but they failed to break the hegemony.
The Chartres team finished second for the third time in history.
The final standings by teams (match points, individual match points):
- Douarnenez (Fra) 10-30
- Chartres (Fra) 8-22
- Österreich (Aus) 4-12
- Club D'Atac (Esp) 4-8
- De Hazelaar (Ned) 2-8
- Anagennis (Gri) 2-6
- Sterkrade (Ger) 0-4
- Noorderkempen (Bel) 0-0