BLANKENBERGE - Eddy Merckx the reiging Belgium champion has treated the fans in the well filled stands at the Blankenberge Casino to a demonstration of top three cusion. His first appearance on the fourth day of the Multi championships, Merckx was the big star of the day with wins in matches of 40 caroms in 7 (5.714 average), 12 and 17 innings. He is by far the best winner so far after six qualifying rounds. Merckx played 3.333 average over three matches.
The match against Luc Salvo was the highlight on Wednesday: Merckx led 21-7 after three innings and finished 40-12 after 7 innings. In his three matches, the highest runs were 10, 12 and 10. The number two in this flight for a place in the last sixteen was Eddy Willems, who defeated Jef Philipoom 40-39 in 26 innings.
Peter Ceulemans, Kurt Ceulemans, Martin Spoormans and Martin Ravestyn qualified for the next round on the Tuesday rounds. Ronny Brants, having the reputation of a real cup fighter in Belgium, was eliminated in a group with not the best averages. Kurt Ceulemans was the winner with 4 points and 0.966 ahead of Martin Ravestyn with 0.881. Peter Ceulemans did better in his group, in which he remained unbeaten with 6 points and 1.304 of average. Martin Spoormans finished second with 4 match points and 1.037. Andy de Bondt and Bart Leys were eliminated in this group.
Patrick Niessen is the best player so far in the balk-line games, with among others victories in 47/1 against Eddy Leppens (200-184 in 10), in 71/2 against Leppens (250-43 in 2, run 209) and against Deraes (250-50 in 6). In the 47/1 Niessen was beaten by Philippe Deraes 200-153 in 10 innings.