SCHILTIGHEIM – He could not do it against Dion Nelin yesterday, but he did it today, when the tension grew highest. Martin Horn finished his match against Lütfi Cenet with a run of 10, his opponent equalized with 2: 50-50 in 25.
Martin Horn later admitted: ,,I was watching the scoreboard, and I could only hope that my opponent would miss one more time.’’ When Cenet, close to the winning line, did indeed miss after 4 points, Horn seized his last chance. Under tremendous pressure he played a perfect run: almost every point intentionally played for position, every carom a full hit.
He underlined the reputation German sportsmen have: they are never beaten before the last whistle, or in this case, the last point. Lütfi Cenet produced the important two points he needed for a draw.
It was the second draw of the day, because Dick Jaspers and Eddy Leppens in the other flight had shared the points in the earlier round.
The decision in the Horn/Cenet group may fall this evening. Eddy Merckx booked his first victory by beating Dion Nelin (50-40 in 25 innings, run of 12 for the winner). That gives both Merckx and Nelin two losses.
Jérémy Bury is the only serious contender left. The Frenchman, who is on one win, one loss, will play Martin Horn this evening at 20.30, Lütfi Cenet will play Dion Nelin on the adjacent table.
Merckx had had a poor tournament start but demonstrated class against Nelin. The world champion was slow out of the blocks (9 innings 7), but scored runs of 12 and 7 in his next 5 innings. He finished it off in style: runs of 7,5 and 4, his opponent having thrown the towel already.
The Belgian World champion reflected on his almost impossible mission. Like Torbjörn Blomdahl last weekend, he had no better comment than: I came here, full of confidence. I have no real explanation.’’
Martin Horn and Lütfi Cenet used their exciting match to make a few thousand euro’s: Cenet made a run of 11 in the 17th inning, Horn waited until the final inning to round off the match with 10.