Limburg team can't hold on in Kozoom league

SITTARD - The Limburg billiards stronghold in the Dutch league for teams has to take a step back after this year. De Biljartacademie makes its debut in the Kozoom league, but is down on the bottom after 15 rounds of play and has not won one match yet. Mark Janssen, with Yvette the owners of the beautiful billiard cafe, is at peace with it. ‘’We did lose some matches with bad luck,‘’ he concludes. ’’We must say that the chance to stay here is almost gone. We will do our very best, fight for every chance, but the truth is that we can’t win matches to survive.  It seems that we are not strong enough in this premier league, where the level is extremely high.‘’ This Sunday, tomorrow, the team travels to Zundert, to Roland Forthomme's future team. The chances to win for De Biljartacademie are slim, it would be a little miracle if it happens.

The Sittard billiard palace with its 10 match tables and six small billiards had its baptism of fire. Roland Forthomme was the frontman there this year, Roy Zielemans, Mathy Monnissen and Paul Wallerand the players with whom the team had had a three-year run at the first division title. ‘’They are real billiard friends, who will definitely stay together even after this year,‘’ Mark Janssen assured. Only Roland Forthomme will leave for Zundert, because in terms of sponsorship it was no longer feasible to keep the strong Belgian leader.

Mark Janssen remembers all too well the debut this year in the premier league against reigning champion SIS. Mark Janssen: ’’We were leading 4-0 at the break, the second half also started encouragingly for us. But in the end the score was 4-4, because Jean van Erp played a great game.‘’ The debut ended in a draw, then De Biljartacademie lost 14 matches in a row, so it is now hopelessly at the bottom.

On top of the Kozoom league, Team Babbelz plays an away match against SIS/Vervoort this Sunday. Team Eekhoorn meets RCN Nieuwegein at home, Cues&Darts plays J&F Auto's and Zundert meets De Biljartacademie team at home.

The programme:

SIS/Vervoort-Team Babbelz

Jean van Erp-Frédéric Caudron

Raymund Swertz-Berkay Karakurt

Martien van der Spoel-Davy van Havere

Harrie van de Ven-Jack Wijnen

Team Eekhoorn-RCN Nieuwegein

Nick Polychronopoulos-Dave Christiani

Peter Ceulemans-Barry van Beers

Frans van Kuyk-Gerwin Valentijn

Kurt Ceulemans-Henk Blauwblomme

STZ Zundert-De Biljartacademie

Sergei Jimenez-Roland Forthomme

Sam van Etten-Roy Zielemans

Martin Spoormans-Paul Wallerand

Francis Forton-Mathy Monnissen

Bousema/JBS-Paperclip

Jeffrey Jorissen-Dick Jaspers

Gökhan Salman-Anno de Kleine

Johan Loncelle-Dan Breur

Stefan Galla-Peter van Lieshout

Cues&Darts-J&F Auto's

Glenn Hofman-Kay de Zwart

Jef Philipoom-Paul Bruijstens

Therese Klompenhouwer-Herman van Daalen

Joey de Kok-Jordy de Kruijf

Dallinga.com-Aartsbouw/Domicili

Jean Paul de Bruijn-Eddy Merckx

Steven van Acker-Turgay Orak

Peter De Backer-Ronny Brants

Berry Dallinga-Tom Persyn