Jean Paul de Bruijn shows his high class at the Europeans

ANTALYA - The last of six European titles dates back to 2007, the year in which Jean Paul de Bruijn also became world champion in ties. The now 58-year-old Dutchman is forever a specialist in this discipline, a player who flawlessly masters the small game at the head of the table with subtle, usually high series. De Bruijn demonstrated that class again this Saturday on the opening day of the European All-Discipline Championships in Antalya. The pool phase in bandstoten with 24 players was completed. Sixteen players were eliminated. The eight pool winners qualify this Saturday for the quarter-finals (Sunday 9am), which should eventually lead to the final at 18.30 Turkish time.

The absolute favourite's opponents will have to rise above themselves on Sunday to be able to threaten Jean Paul de Bruijn. This is evident from the big differences in moyennes. The Dutchman won his two games over 100 points in 6 and 10 innings with an average of 12.50. That puts the main competitors in the shade for now: the average of Raul Cuenca, Spain, with four match points was 6.45, of Pascal Dessaint, France, 6.06, Raymund Swertz, Netherlands, 5.26, Bernard Villiers, France, 5.12, Johann Petit, France, 5.12, Willy Gerimont, France, 4.65 and Joan Espinasa, Spain, 4.57.

Seven of the eight players won their two matches: Jean Paul de Bruijn and Raymund Swertz of the Netherlands, Raul Cuenca of Spain and four French players: Pascal Dessaint, Bernard Villiers, Johann Petit and Willy Gerimont. Joah Espinasa was pool winner with one win. Jean Paul de Bruijn will face that Spaniard Espinasa tomorrow in his quarterfinal at 9.00 am (Turkish time). The other quarter-finals are:

Raymund Swertz-Bernard Villiers

Pascal Dessaint-Johann Petit

Raul Cuenca-Willy Gerimont

Jean Paul de Bruijn returns to this European Championship as a six-time champion. He won his titles in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The finalists against whom he won the titles are missing at this European Championship: Fabian Blondeel (2x), Xavier Gretillat (2x), Martien van der Spoel and Dick Jaspers.  After that, De Bruijn appeared twice more in action at an EC: he lost the finals in 2006 and 2011 against Frédéric Caudron.

At this European Championship, De Bruijn faces a new generation, consisting mainly of French players. He assures in the run-up to the final day, that he will certainly not underestimate anyone. ,,I don't feel like I have played well yet,'' he modestly declared as always. ,,The material is very fast and so quite difficult to get control of the balls. That is also reflected in the moyennes. I mainly tried to play solidly.''

He notes that the level is likely to grow tomorrow on finals day. ''We have now played to 100 points, tomorrow to 120.'' Compared to his previous European titles, De Bruijn says, the system has also changed. ''Back then we first played in pools, now it is basically knockout from the start, because losing means almost certainly you are eliminated.'' Moreover, De Bruijn assures, all eight players in the quarter-finals are now opponents who can shine. ''I am not underestimating anyone, they are all very good at bandits. And I just say: there is no other game that is as complex as ties.'' 

European champion Bernard Baudoin missed the final stage by losing in his first game to Bernard Villiers 100-72 in 16 innings. The elimination of Patrick Niessen was surprising: the Belgian lost his second game chance-free to Raul Cuenca 100-33 in 13 innings. Raymund Swertz made it to the top eight through victories against Gregory Le Deventec and Arnim Kahofer.

Jean Paul de Bruijn

Raul Cuenca

Raymund Swertz

The group standings after the preliminary rounds (winners qualified):

Group A:

1 Bernard Villiers 4-5.12-20

2 Bernard Baudoin 2-5.37-25

3 Sven Daske 0-4.10-27

Group B:

1 Raymund Swertz 4-5.26-30

2 Gregory Le Deventec 2-4.68-44

3 Arnim Kahofer 0-3.07-21

Group C:

1 Johann Petit 4-5.12-26

2 Esteve Mata 2-4.57-29

3 Nikolaos Gerassimopoulos 0-4.28-27

Group D:

1 Joan Espinasa 2-4.57-19

2 Markus Dömer 2-3.88-30

3 Micha van Bochem 2-2.93-44

Group E:

1 Raul Cuenca 4-6.45-29

2 Patrick Niessen 2-4.92-31

3 Michael Hikl 0-3.62-15

Group F:

1 Pascal Dessaint 4-6.06-33

2 Xavier Leroy 2-5.10-34

3 Markus Melerski 0-3.07-25

Group G:

1 Jean Paul de Bruijn 4-12.50-55

2 Jacky Justice 2-6.20-25

3 Jean Francois Florent 0-4.56-37

Group H:

1 Willy Gerimont 4-4.65-19

2 Michel van Silfhout 2-4.10-22

3 Carlos Marques 0-1.75-12