THESSALONIKI - The 38-year-old Greek player Kostas Kokkoris, a pupil of star player Filippos Kasidokostas, has beaten his master and won the final of the first Grand Prix for the Masters ranking in his country this year. Therefor he is the first leader in the Greek rankings. The quick start in the final led Kokkoris to the surprising victory against Kasidokostas: 40-30 in 26 innings. The tournament, organized by the Hellenic Billiard Union, was played in the Billiard Center Club in Thessaloniki and was the first of four tournaments counting for the Greek title. The other three tournaments are in Athens in the Trisponto Club, the Barrage Club and the Koralli Club. The last Grand Prix is in June.
Nikos Polychronopoulos missed out the first Grand Prix, because he had to play in the German league. Three of the four tournaments are counting for the championship.
Kostas Kokkoris is certainly not an unknown player in Greece. The new number one in his country will play in Viersen for his country this year, with Nikos Polychronopoulos at the World championship for national teams.
Was this the biggest success in your career so far?
Kokkoris: ,,Yes, at least one of my best wins, because it was a final of a Grand Prix and it was against Filippos Kasidokostas, that makes it even more special. He is one of the best players in the world and I am very happy that he is my teacher for three years now.''
Are you one of the professional players in Greece?
Kokkoris: ,, I started playing billiards when I was sixteen, but from the last ten years, I try to play as a professional, however I have another job. I practice every day in the Barrage Club for many hours to improve my game.''
The first number one in Greece this year, that must give you a special feeling. How was the tournament?
Kokkoris: ,,In every match I had a great start, then, in the middle, there was a setback, because I lost my focus, as it was in the final match against Filippos. I was leading 29-9 after 12 innings, then still 34-15, but I couldn't continue at the end. That's why Filippos could come closer.''
Kokkoris defeated on his way to the final amongst others Dimitrios Gkevezios (40 in 20), Spyros Lianos and in the semi-finals George Papageorgiou 40-28 in 31 innings. Filippos Kasidokostas reached the final by victories over Dionyssi Tsokontas (40-20 in 27) and in the semi-final against Apostolos Balogiannis 40-22 in 21 innings.
The top ten of the first Greek Grand Prix (averages and highest run):
1 Kostas Kokkoris 1.282-11
2 Filippos Kasidokostas 1597-8
3 Apostolos Balogiannis 1.203-8
3 George Papageorgiou 1.175-9
5 Kostas Papakonstantinou 1.354-7
6 Nick Tremoulis 1.165-8
7 Spyros Lianos 1.000-7
8 Nasos Gavrilidis 0.982-6
9 Manol Minaoglou 1.193-9
10 Nikos Chatzipavlis 1.123-6.
Kostas Kokkoris in the final against Filippos Kasidokostas
Kostas Kokkoris and Filippos Kasidokostas before the start of the final match.