HURGHADA - Will this be the World Cup where Dick Jaspers wins it all? Or is it already Martin Horn's event, the German who has survived six days of play and makes an unforgettable comeback at the Red Sea? Dick Jaspers, as of today, has already won the overall World Cup trophy for the season. He is aiming for even more, after his victory over the fresh world champion Dani Sánchez. But there is serious competition, and it comes from Horn, the Vietnamese Quyet Chien Tran and the Korean Jung-Han Heo.
Two Europeans and two Asians, a perfect picture of the current status of 3-cushion. The eliminations in the two days leading up to the final were judge and jury for the likes of Frédéric Caudron, Torbjörn Blomdahl, Dani Sánchez, Eddy Merckx, Haeng-Jik Kim and Marco Zanetti. The Egyptian spectators also waved goodbye to their favorite son, Sameh Sidhom, who lost in the quarterfinals. A round earlier, they had cheered when he beat Dong Koong Kang in a shootout, 4-3.
It was a day with two faces for Haeng Jik Kim: first he claimed centre stage all for himself as he defeated Torbjörn Blomdahl in a one-sided match, 40-12 in 14. Not often in his long career was the Swede overpowered this emphatically and painfully. Then the young Korean himself was the victim, when Martin Horn rose to the occasion in great style. With runs of eight and twelve in the early innings of the match, the German took a 22-2 lead and cruised to a 40-19 (18) win, taking revenge for his earlier defeat against Kim in the group stage.
Dick Jaspers and Martin Horn will now meet in the semifinals. Two battle-hardened warriors are back at the frontline. Dick Jaspers never left, even though he said before he departed for Egypt: I have not played that well for two months now, my expectations are not high.'' In sharp contrast to it, is his performance so far. He first defeated Ahmet Alp (40-17 in 19), then took an early lead against Dani Sánchez (14-1). The Spaniard got back into it (21-18) but Jaspers had the last word when he closed with a seven (40-27 in 14).It gave the Dutchman the assurance that the overall World Cup was his, and he can still add success on two more fronts. He can still win this World Cup in Egypt, and he has a chance to be the new number one on the world ranking. But then of course, he is in tough company and has two matches to go.
Martin Horn will be the first obstacle on his way, on Saturday. The German only makes scarce appearances on the world stage, and has been completely absent from World Cups for a while now. But there is nothing bashful about his play, not in the qualifications, not against Polychronopoulos, not against Bury, and certainly not in the quarterfinal against Haeng-Jik Kim.
Martin's comment after six days: ,,I came here for vacation, but my great goal was to reach the main tournament.... all players are so good, its so difficult. Now i am still here, among the best 4, i did not expect this at all... But I am very happy. My form was very good in the last weeks in all leauges, i practiced very hard in the summer break and now, this success is the gift for it. Its a great feeling to know that I still can play on world's top level. I also prooved myself in New York this year. I enjoy playing... and playing my 12th game here.... I will give it all against Dick Jaspers, and believe me, if Dick will give me chance, I will grab it.''
There are two remaining Asians, lurking. The diminutive Vietnamese Quyet Chien Tran, having a great season with his place in the final of the Guri World Cup, a strong run in the LGU Cup, and now on his way to - almost certainly - a position in the world's top-12. His victory today took away Sameh Sidhom's chance at a podium finish: 40-30 in 20.
Jung-Han Heo's story starts in the first round of the main draw. The Korean is flatfooted against Roland Forthomme, unable to get productive, but suddenly awakens at the end of the match. He runs a seven to equalize from 40-33, then wins the shootout 1-0. Jung-Han Heo was in gear, beat Eddy Merckx with a much better last lap, then smoothly outplayed this tournament's revelation player, Kwang-Yeol Park, by 40-20 in 19. Which results in the other battle on the final day: Quyet Chien Tran against Jung-Han Heo.
Egyptian starting times:
11.00: Jung-Han Heo-Quyet Chien Tran
13.00: Dick Jaspers-Martin Horn.
Dick Jaspers took the overall World Cup 2016 and is in the semi-finals
Martin Horn after his victory over Haeng-Jik Kim
Dutch support in the stands for Dick Jaspers
Vietnamese Quyet Chien Tran, happy to reach the semi-finals
The Korean bump between Park and Heo in the quarters
Haeng-Jik Kim, game is over after one-man-show against Blomdahl