3-Cushion
VIERSEN - The enthusiastic German audience and the Belgian fans in de Festhalle in Viersen in their traditional colours are treated to a dream final: Germany and Belgium play for gold and silver at the World championship for national teams after a tournament that was a war of attrition for many countries. The two strongest teams survived.
The Germans defeated Denmark around noon 2-0, the Belgians beat Spain in a thrilling match thanks to the peculiar system: Frederic Caudron had won his match against Javier Palazón 3-1, on the other table Dani Sánchez led 2-1. But because the Belgians couldn't be catched up by their opponent in caroms, the match was stopped.
Martin Horn again showed his great form against Tonny Carlsen, whom he defeated 3-0 (1.730). Stefan Galla started in his first set with a run of thirteen and defeated Thomas Andersen 3-1 (1.727 Andersen, 1.680 Galla).
Frédéric Caudron had a great start as well with 15-1 against Palazón. The Belgian only wasted his third 15-8, he finished 1.766.
Eddy Merckx and Dani Sánchez kept in balance (1.433 and 1.444) and actually the match got no winner, although Sanchez was leading 2-1 at the end.
This afternoon in the finals (14.00) Eddy Merckx meets Martin Horn, two of the stars of the tournament. Frédéric Caudron playes against Stefan Galla.