Kostas (51) is the new hope of the Greek fans

12/18/2015

Published by frits bakker

Kostas Papakonstantinou, the new hope of the Greek billiard fans

HURGHADA - Two players from the top five of the world ranking are surprisingly eliminated in the eighth finals of the World Cup in Hurghada. Dick Jaspers therefore lost his chances to take the overall in the cycle of the World Cup. Eddy Merckx lost in his match without any chance to the revelation of the tournament: Kostas Papakonstantinou (51) from Greece, whose next opponent is Frédéric Caudron. The Belgian did a good job for his position in the top twelve, beating Jung Han Heo in the eighth finals (40-29 in 18).

The second session of the eighth finals made an end to Dick Jaspers' chances. The Dutchman was leading until midway in the match against Lütfi Cenet and still 28-17 after a run of 12, but was overrun in the closing innings stages by the Turk, who is in an amazing form (40-34 in 21).
Choong-Bok Lee is his opponent in the next round. The Korean bested his countryman and former world champion Sung-Won Choi. Lee took an early lead with an eleven-run (20-8 in three) and then took the match 40-33 (23).

Frédéric Caudron was relieved after his victory over Heo, to whom he lost this year in Porto and who he defeated in a brilliant match in Ho Chi Minh. ,,We always play strong matches against each other, not because the game is open We're both not crazy: defence is very important in the current three-cushion.''
Caudron admits: ,,My games are already very stable for a long time in the competitions, but I have too much fluctuation in the World Cups. Why? I really don't know... My feelings, may be, or my concentration.''

The Belgian says about his vulnerable position on the ranking: ,,We are all so close together, that a bad moment in a match can be punished immediately. And a good draw is also very important. I was not so lucky with that, a few times and if you play against an opponent who is on his top, you can easily lose a few World Cup matches on a row. But if you look to the previous years, that's pretty normal: how long have Blomdahl, Jaspers and Sánchez could not win before they were in better days again.''

Kostas Papakonstantinou, a former Greek billiard club holder, makes a new start in this World Cup in Hurghada. He brushed away a minor start against Eddy Merckx (10-3 behind) with a sensational final part, in which he took the lead 22-14 and then bested the Belgian fighter 40-16 in 10 innings.

In his career, the Greek billiards player, who lost fifteen kilos of weight in the past two years, performed mostly in the shadow of the young stars Filippos Kasidokostas and Nikos Polychronopoulos. ,,I never had a real chance to prove myself towards these those two players, who were on a higher level'', he said after his victory over Eddy Merckx.

Almost ten years without billiards, made Kostas to another player. ,,My sponsor (Royal Pro) gives me the opportunity to practice more than I did I'm also looking again for a new club.'' Strong players like Frédéric Caudron, his next opponent, can inspire 'Papa' to a better performance. ,,I'm looking forward to this match.''

The Greek three-cushion can use such a boost. Filippos Kasidokostas already is missing for a long time in the World Cups and Nikos Polychronopoulos, the champion of his country, has been outplayed two times by Murat Naci Coklu in Hurghada. Kostas Papakonstantinou is the new hope for the Greek billiard lovers.