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