SCHILTIGHEIM - Since his first national title in the French Open in 1995, Olivier Careaux stayed away from the national stage for many years. Yesterday he made a wonderful comeback on top in the balkline 47/2 in a tough final against the European champion Brahim Djoubri.
Olivier Careaux has nerves of steel ... His first Masters title at the Open he won in the third extension, which is even feared by the best players in the world. This time, in the final agains Djoubri, the player of Castre showed himself the strongest in the second overtime.
The path of the champion was not easy. He had to eliminate Steve Dorard, then he won in the semifinals against the absolute specialist Pierre Soumagne and in the final Brahim Djoubri Brahim, who defeated defending champion Mikael Devogelaere in the semi finals.
Careaux and Djoubri finished in the final both at 300 caroms after eleven innings. Djoubri equalized from the breakshot. Then the finalists played 30-30 in one inning in the first extension, Careaux won the second 22-4 in one inning.
With victories against two European champions in his luggage, the new national hero will surely be celebrated as a great champion in his club Castres.
Djoubri made the highest run of the tournament with 298. Mikaël Devogelaere the shortest match: 300 in two innings.