ANDERNOS - The last day of the first session in the Kozoom Challenge Cup goes into the final with two contenders for the group win and qualification for the final round. The Spanish favorite Rubén Legazpi surprisingly lost the lead after two days and 16 sets to French outsider Mikael Devogelaere: 8-7, leaving youthful Nathan Duriez with one set won. The last session of the day, played over eight sets, Thursday starting at 17.00, must bring the decision.
Mikaël Devogelaere, who played in La Baule's top team some years ago at the European Cup where he took the team gold, will battle Rubén Legazpi in the ultimate session. The tilting in the match came after a strong second day from the Frenchman, who managed to turn a 7-5 deficit to Legazpi into an 8-7 lead in the last three sets before the end. Twice with a 10-7 set win, in the last at 9-9 (8 points for Duriez) with the set winner for 10-9.
The European national champion Legazpi needs a strong final sprint to get past his French opponent. Devogelaere, in his young years a player in all disciplines, has shown his progression in these two days in three cushion: with his average 1,325 he is close to Legazpi who is one set behind with 1,485.
Mikaël Devogelaere lives in Le Mans, is a soldier, married and has two children. He is 37 of age and started his career with two European junior titles in Krefeld (2002) and Calais (2004), both in the 47/2 discipline. He also took three French Masters titles in 47/2, 47/1 and free game in 2007, 2010 and 2010 and last year, Devogelaere won a French national tournament in three cushion with 1,532 on average, followed at stage by Gwendal Maréchal and Adrie Tachoire.
These days prove his development in the game in which he is now competing until the last day for the group win.
The ranking after two days is:
1 Mikaël Devogelaere 8-110-83-1,325-6
2 Rubén Legazpi 7-121-83-1,485-10
3 Nathan Duriez 1-70-8-0,875-4.
Michael Devogelaere on his way to the leading position on the second day