OOSTERHOUT - The Brabant billiard fans of Team Eekhoorn and the HCR Prinsen fans who come to watch the match are preparing for a high tension-match. In the billiard arena of Camping De Eekhoorn in Oosterhout, the play-off gala is starting tonight (Monday, May 14) to eventually appoint the champion of the Buffalo league, the premier division in Dutch three-cushion. Team Eekhoorn and HCR Prinsen play the first match in Oostrhout, on Tuesday 19 June is the return in Haarlo. The winner over two matches will face the SIS Schoonmaak team from The Hague on 23 and 24 June in Doetinchem to battle it out for the Dutch team title.
Jerry Hermans, camping owner and player himself in Team Eekhoorn, expects a wonderful ambiance and exciting matches tonight. The Haarlo team is slightly favored with Dick Jaspers, Eddy Leppens, Anno de Kleine and Jelle Pijl against the Brabant team with Frans van Kuyk, Kurt Ceulemans, Kenny Miatton and Jerry Hermans. But the competition speaks in favor of De Eekhoorn, that won both at home and in Haarlo 6-2. ,,We can win against strong teams and lose against lower teams, so it really doesn't matter which team we have to play'', Jerry Hermans looks ahead. ,,We are ready and hope for the support of our loyal fans.''
Frans van Kuyk, the team leader and usually not a great orator, even devoted a striking preview. ,,Why did we reach the playoffs? Because we are a team, because we get our vitamins before the match. Because we have a good referee corps. Because we have great fans. Because we are treated well by the Hermans family. Thank you Arie, Bianca, Jerry, Jony, Marsha, thank you guys.''
The first session starts at 19.00 tonight with the matches Miatton-De Kleine and Hermans-Pijl. Then follow around 9 pm by Jaspers-Van Kuyk and Leppens-Ceulemans.
Kozoom comes along for some interviews and will pass on the scores on facebook.