DOETINCHEM - The global artistic billiards has a new champion to admire. 38-year-old Turk Baris Cin won the European Grand Prix in Doetinchem today in the final against the laureled Frenchman Jean Reverchon (3-0). The Turkish player therefore took his first major success on the international podium.
He was not threatened in the finals by Jean Reverchon, who started very poorly in three sets and was defeated 27-5, 43-40 and 38-31. ,,I'm happy with my second place, but I couldn't crown my good tournament with the victory,'' said the Frenchman, who won the first Grand Prix in Marseille this year.
Baris Cin is a relatively unknown player in the circuit. He played at the 2012 World championship in his own country (Samsun), where he beat German Bernd Singer 3-2, but he was eliminated by Walter Bax (3-0) and Sander Jonen (3-1) in the preliminary rounds
At the European championship, Cin won in the group stage against Laszlo Toth, but lost against Spaniard Hector Cuadrado and Dutchman Erik Vijverberg.
That the Turkish coming man reached the final, was a little luck. René Dericks, also without international successes so far, almost outplayed the Turk in the semi-finals. On a 2-1 score in sets, the Dutchman missed a match ball.
René Dericks was also one of the sensations. The 44-year-old Limburg painter defeated in his third European tournament amongst others his friend and coach Erik Vijverberg 3-1 in the quarterfinals.
,,I was very disappointed after the loss in the semi-finals'', Dericks said later. ,,I was so close, but maybe it was because of the stress that I missed the decisive ball. After all, it was only my first semi-final at the European level.''
Jean Reverchon qualified for the finals thanks to a 3-2 victory over his country man Michael Hammen (sets 49-66, 60-56, 53-40, 41-48, 57-41).
The tournament was played in De Veemarkt in Doetinchem, where 32 signed in for the Euro Grand Prix. On the podium Baris Cin, Jean Reverchon, Michael Hammen and René Dericks.