Eddy Merckx defends his title in Belgian Cup

HOOGLEDE - At De Gulden Zonne in Hooglede, a billiard stronghold for years, the Belgian Cup will be played this weekend. For the tournament, 32 players have qualified, who will meet in a knock-out system from the start. The titleholder is Eddy Merckx, who won the cup for the fourth time last year in a final against Davy van Havere. The runners-up were Peter Ceulemans and Ivan Stitschinsky.

The cup tournament starts this Friday 17 May with the first rounds, in which 16 players come into action. That Friday also results in the eighth finals and quarter-finals with the outcome leaving four players for the semi-finals and final on Sunday. Saturday the tournament continues with the second part of the 1/16th finals and again four players remain for the final day.

From the quarter-finals onwards, matches are played to best of 5. The semi-finals are Sunday at 11.00, the finals for the places 3 to 8 from 14.30, The final is at 15.00.

Eddy Merckx faces Kurt Ceulemans on Saturday, Davy van Havere, last year's other finalist, meets Roland Forthomme on Friday. Other matches with favorites:

Ronny Brants-Stef van Hees, Francis Forton-Steven van Acker, Jef Philipoom-Francky van Coillie, Peter Ceulemans-Geert Meylemans.

Participating players Friday and Saturday in the preliminary rounds:

Regis Barillaro, Henk Blauwblomme, Francis Bosseloirs, Fabrice Bouchat, Ronny Brants, Kurt Bruggheman, Stany Buyle, Kurt Ceulemans, Peter Ceulemans, Wesley de Jaeger, Steven D'Hondt, Roland Forthomme, Francis Forton, Danny Geysen, Jozef Gijsels, Rik Helsmoortel, Leslie Menheer, Eddy Merckx, Geert Meylemans, Fréderic Mottet, Geert Peeters, Tom Persyn, Jef Philipoom, Martin Ravestyn, David Scheurweghs, Steven van Acker, Francky van Coillie, Davy van Havere, Stef van Hees, Paul Wallerand, Dirk Weeremans, Chrostophe Wyn.

All matches broadcast by Kozoom.