HOOGLEDE - The two first players for the final four in the Belgian cup are known. Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Leppens return to The Gulden Zonne in Hooglede on Sunday for the final battle against the two winners of the qualifications today, Saturday. Caudron won his three matches in the preselection in his impressive style, Leppens the big favourite as the winner of the other route.
Frédéric Caudron eliminated sequentially Paul Dumont (15-1, 15-11, 2.142/0.923), Marc Celen (15-9, 15-13, 1.500/1.157) and Davy Havere (15-6, 15-1, 15- 5, 2.368/0.666) to reach to the top four. Leppens started with a lost set against Ronny Brants, but then was a way too strong for the 'Vlaming', who couldn't stunt in one of his favourite tournaments this time (13-15, 15-7, 15-6, 09.34/0.595). Leppens then passed Bart Leys (15-6, 15-2, 1.764, 0.500) and Wesley Jaeger (15-9, 15-12, 15-14, 1.363/1.093).
Peter De Backer went out in the first round of the tournament against Davy van Havere (15-10, 15-9, 1.870/1.266), the former cup winner in Hooglede, who beat Patrick Kesteloot in a weak match (0.857 ) and was out of contention against Caudron with 0.666. Frédéric Mottet defeated Geert Peeters in his first match, partly thanks to a run of nine, but was eliminated by Wesley de Jaeger 9-15, 15-13 and 12-15 (1.194/1.028).
Today, Saturday, among others Eddy Merckx, Steven van Acker, Marco Janssen, Martin Spoormans Kenny Miatton and Thomas Broux come to the tables.
On the small table, played by handicap, former UMB President Jean Claude Dupont was one of the finalists. The man from Ghent survived the first two rounds with averages of 0.550 and 0.518.
Eddy Leppens, the titleholder, returns on Sunday for the final rounds
Wesley de Jaeger in a nice conversation with the referee
Reginald Depoorter, speaking to the players for the last time in the Belgian Cup?
Former UMB-president Jean-Claude Dupont among the finalists at the small table