Michael Nilsson cancels, Melnytschenko substitute

BORDEAUX - The Swedish player Michael Nilsson, who played ten times at the world championship three cushion, has canceled his participation this morning. The tournament starts of with the preliminaries next Tuesday at the Palais des Congrès with 48 players.

Michael Nilsson has canceled for private reasons and was replaced by Frenchman Cédric Melnytschenko. The 45-year-old Swede: ,,My girlfriend is pregnant and should give birth around 1 February next year. But in the night between Sunday and Monday her water has broken. We went to the hospital directly. The doctor assured us that both mother and baby are okay. My girlfriend has to stay in hospital until she gives birth. We don't know when it can happen. And of course I can't go to Bordeaux knowing that the baby can come any time.''

Michael Nilsson played ten World championships individual and was two times fifth in the final ranking. He was seven-time world champion teams with Sweden. Cédric Melnytschenko makes his debut at the world chmpionship in Bordeaux. Nilsson was divided in the group with Jérémy Bury and Eddy Leppens.