BLANKENBERGE – The Kozoom cameras are focusing on the Dutch Women's championship three cushion in Oosterhout this weekend, and later this month, on the marathon of matches at the Multis in Blankenberge. Billiards fans can witness many high class and exciting matches in these first weeks of the year. The Multi championships at the Casino in the Belgian seaside city, from Sunday, January 11th to Sunday, January 18th, feature Belgian Multi champion Frédéric Caudron in three-cushion billiards for the first time in years. The world champion is making his comeback and will compete against Eddy Merckx, Peter Ceulemans, and Roland Forthomme, among others. Patrick Niessen, as every year, is the main favorite for the classical disciplines.

The field of participants for the entire week in the Multis includes 69 players, 32 of whom start in three-cushion for men. The balk-line disciplines, one cushion, the women's tournament, and the juniors' feature four players per discipline competing for the title of Belgian champion. Five pins and artistic billiards have six and seven participants, respectively.

The competitions start on Sunday, January 11th, with three-cushion for juniors, women, and 5-pins. Danielle le Bruyn, a multiple women's champion, has not registered for ladies three cushion.

The final weekend starts on Saturday, January 18th, with the three-cushion quarterfinals. The semifinals will be held on Sunday, January 19th, the final at 2:30 PM.

The Multis are led by Benny van Goethem. Henri Pelgrims is the tournament director.

The schedule:

Sunday, January 11th, from 11:00 AM, last sessions at 8:30 PM:

Juniors' three-cushion, women's three-cushion, pincushion billiards

Monday, January 12th. 10:00 AM, 8:30 PM final round:

Men's 3-cushion billiards, balkline 71/2, balkline 47/2, free play

Tuesday, January 13, 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM:

3-cushion billiards, balkline 71/2, 47/2, 47/1

Wednesday, January 14 (10:00 AM - 8:30 PM)

3-cushion billiards, 47/2, 47/1, free play

Thursday, January 15 (10:00 AM - 8:30 PM)

3-cushion billiards, 1-cushion billiards, 47/2, 47/1, 5 pins, artistic billiards

Friday, January 15

Three cushion (1/8 finals), 47/2, 47/1, one cushion

Saturday January 17 (10:00 AM - 9:00 PM)

Men's 3-cushion billiards, quarterfinals (9:00 PM), women's 3-cushion billiards, free play, 5 pins, 7 1/2, artistic billiards, finals 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM

Sunday, January 18

10:30 AM: Men's 3-cushion billiards semifinals, juniors

2:00 PM: Juniors, 3-cushion billiards, 3rd and 4th places

2:30 PM: Men's 3-cushion billiards final

Participants by discipline:

Three-cushion billiards, participants:

Eddy Merckx, Peter Ceulemans, Roland Forthomme, Bart Ceulemans, Ronny Brants, Francis Forton, Peter De Backer, Davy van Havere, Frédéric Caudron, Jef Philipoom, Steven van Acker, Thomas Broux, Kurt Ceulemans, Dany Boutet, Henk Blauwblomme, Tom Persyn, Dirk Weeremans Koen Saver, Marco Janssen, Andy de Bondt, Marc Roofthooft, Danny Wuyts, Christophe Wyn, Stef van Hees, Martin Spoormans, Paul Wallerand, Tom de Ruyter, Frédéric Mottet, Marc Celen, Philippe Vandendriessche, Marc Donvil, Bart Leys.

Juniors under 25:

Toon Bollansee, Nick Rosier, Noah Rosier, Samuel Vanderveken

Women:

Jaimie Buelens, Marie-Rose Rouffa, Karolien Matthys, Tiani Platteau

Free game:

Patrick Niessen, Maarten Janssen, Andy de Bondt, Ronny Mathysen

Balk-line 47/2:

Maarten Janssen, Patrick Niessen, Johan Devos, Ronny Mathysen

Balk-line 47/1:

Patrick Niessen, Maarten Janssen, Johan Devos, Martin Ravestyn

Balk-line 71/2:

Patrick Niessen, Johan Devos, Ronny Mathysen, Martin Ravestyn

One cushion:

Peter De Backer, Patrick Niessen, Maarten Janssen, Robby Sonck

5-pins:

Peter Debaes, Ismaele Trentino, Patrick Engelbos Gianluca Memmi, Miguel-Angel Bustos, Ronny Grysolle

Artistic:

Erik Vervliet, Steve Wilms, Erik van den Zegel, Tim Janssens, Bart Rossel, Johan Grimon, Erwin Seymus