VIERSEN - The greatest billiard nation in the world saw two of its best players climb the highest step of the podium, at the WC for national teams. Koreans Sung-Won Choi (40) and Dong-Koong Kang (37) retained the world title in Viersen, Germany. Some 200 spectators in the Festhalle, hundreds of thousands of watchers on Kozoom and more than a million on South Korean TV saw how their players came out on top, over all the European countries. The Asian duo beat the Austrians in the final: 40-30 in 23 innings.
The extended reign comes as no surprise to the country with its tens of thousands of billiard rooms, a booming billiard economy and a wealth of young talent. Sung-Won Choi won the title with Jae-Guen Kim, this year his partner was Dong-Koong Kang. There's a new generation waiting in the wings already, with Haeng-Jik Kim and Myung-Woo Cho as the most prominent exponents. The Austrians had the initiative in the final: Kahofer and Efler ran 9 in the tenth inning, to a lead of 23-12 at halftime. It was their high point, because Korea found another gear in the second half. From 25-25 (16 innings) to 31-27, 38-27 and finally 40-30 in 23 after Choi had made the winning point.
It was Choi's third world title: one individual, two in the national teams. It was Kang's first, after a tough period in his private life and a considerable drop on the Korean ranking. ,,I am so happy with this title'', he said after the ceremony. ,,I thank my parents, my new girlfriend and all the billiard fans in Korea.'' Sung-Won Choi: ,,This is my third title, so maybe I am not so overwhelmed. But I am truly happy with it.'' The Koreans earned a first prize of 8.000 Euro.
Sung-Won Choi and Dong-Koong Kang come from cities that are 400 km apart. They have not practiced together once, in the period before this WC, and there was no special tactic. Still, it was visible during the final that they did consult each other when the positions were tough. With two points to go, Kang flawlessly prepared the last point for his partner. Their outburst was almost un-Korean, both players were jubilant and emotional Dong-Koong Kang was tearful for minutes. During the closing ceremony, there was a lot of appreciation for the Austrians, who won their second silver at this event. The podium was completed by the losing semifinalists: Turkey and Denmark.
The global event in the German city that has taken place there for 29 years now, saw a final Sunday without top countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany. The Scotch Double format, introduced last year, once again proved to be a fickle factor. The Belgians and Dutch were eliminated on Saturday, by the Austrians and the Danes, together the revelations of this tournament. Semih Sayginer and Tayfun Tasdemir were beaten by Austria in the semifinal.
This new format, with two players from one country at the table, taking turns, has its fans and its critics. There's no question it has shaken things up in a billiard world that is hurrying to professionalize and innovate. The new generation likes this WC, the spectators and the older players in the circuit are doubtful. This week has shown that the European top players are far from invincible, that other countries can make their mark. But it also became clear that the Koreans are the new sheriff in town, they won the Scotch Double for the second year in a row. The winners also played the highest general average of the field, by far: 1.920.
This WC for national teams will stay in Viersen for another five years. The next event on the UMB calendar is the World Cup in Antalya, Turkey.
The final ranking of the 32nd WC for national teams:
1 South Korea 6-10-1.920-10
2 Austria 6-8-1.273-14
3 Turkey 5-8-1.394-11
4 Denmark 5-6-1.472-10
5 Belgium4-6-1.514-10
6 Netherlands 4-4-1.722-9
7 Germany 4-4-1.281-12
8 France 4-4-1.123-8
9 Egypt 3-2-1.185-6
10 Vietnam 3-2-1.157-7
11 Japan 3-2-0.956-5
12 Peru 3-2-0.805-4
13 Ecuador 3-2-1.134-8
14 Greece 3-0-0.944-6
15 Lebanon 3-0-0.824-5
16 Colombia 3-0-0.816-4.
Semifinals:
South Korea - Denmark 40-40 (23), extention 15-2
The Koreans were a big favorite in their semifinal match against Denmark, and they took an early 15-2 lead. But the match then turned, and chances reversed. Tonny Carlsen and Thomas clawed their way back into the match and even took a small lead (28-25 after 16 innings). A run of 7 brought them to 35-28. From 36-34 to the Danes, it was the Koreans who crossed the line first: 40-37. The equalizer was a heart stopper: Carlsen 39th point was thin as a whisker and Andersen coolly made the 40th. The extention, to 15 points, was one-way traffic: 15-2. Tonny Carlsen: ,,We had our chances, but in the first part of the match and in the extra time, we were just not strong enough.'' The Koreans were in the final for the third time in four years.
Andreas Efler jumping for joy, and the cheers of Arnim Kahofer gave the tournament that little extra it deserved, on the final day. The Austrians were the underdogs, but they defeated two Turkish world class stars. The second semifinal was as much a thriller as the first one. The Turks had the better start, with Semih Sayginer and Tayfun Tasdemir taking a small lead (10-8, 18-14), but they could not really shake their opponents. At the 33-32 the Turks had the lead for the last time, from then on (27th inning) it got to 37-34 and Kahofer prepared the win with two brilliant points. The allround player made a subtle bank shot and presented Efler with the match point. The older and taller player produced a round the table shot with reverse english, and it very slowly, teasingly reached the target. ,,We fought for all we were worth, even if it was not such a top quality match'', said both Austrians, still all smiles.
Kang and Choi dominated the extention against Denmark
Denmark: so close to a place in the final
Third world title for Choi, a first for Kang
The revelation of the tournament: Austria
Sayginer partnered Tasdemir, like he did in 2004
Efler and Kahofer, who saw that coming?
Tasdemir had to settle for bronze