Patrick Niessen (58) third Belgian of all time in billiards

BLANKENBERGE - The first titles for Patrick Niessen are coming in at the Multi billiards championships in Blankenberge. The 58-year-old Belgian cafe owner became champion of his country in free game today, Friday, and can’t miss the title in balkline 47/1 anymor. On his record list, it are the 47th and 48th titles for the specialist in the classic games. ''I am proud to be the number 3 in the country of Raymond Ceulemans and Frédéric Caudron,'' Niessen said in a short interview just before the first ceremony at the Multi's.

Three disciplines remain to be won for the superb technician in the balkline games and free game. Tomorrow, he will almost certainly become champion in 47/1, followed by the finals in 71/2 and one cushion. The title in 47/2 is unattainable, because Philippe Deraes, one of his competitors and also a routine player in the classic games, can already call himself the new champion.

Patrick Niessen is a phenomenon in Belgium and in Europe, a virtuoso on the lines. Last year, he was even unbeatable at the Multi's: he won the five titles that were up for grabs.

The reality is that the best Belgian of all time in all disciplines, Frédéric Caudron, did not play at the Multi's after his move to the PBA and even after he quit there. Caudron was the absolute champion with 91 titles. Raymond Ceulemans follows with 69 titles in second place still ahead of Patrick Niessen, who can reach 50 in this tournament.

Patrick Niessen wants to confesses: ’’The loss of Caudron and slightly less of Eddy Leppens is a pity for the Multi's. The audience was good for full stands every day in earlier years to see us play. That has now diminished somewhat. Still, it is already more busy than last year, because, most of all it remains a wonderful tournament to watch.''

Patrick Niessen has lived up to it with great dedication before this year’s Multi’s. ''I stopped playing in recent years for five years, partly due to busyness in the business, but I gradually felt like playing again.'' The high class and fantastic technique do not betray. Niessen is almost invulnerable in the current field of players, in which Maarten Janssen and Philippe Deraas are his main competitors.

,,The form is there, I can occasionally play to perfection, but physically things are a bit less going,'' Niessen confesses. ’’I practiced quite a bit in the preparation, but that is only possible in the morning, because I am in the cafe until night. I also suffered two injuries during my physical trainings, tennis and paddle: my hip and my leg. That plays up from time to time, especially after a long day with a few long games. This is the reason why I stop the matches a bit more often than usual from time to time: asking the referee to clean the balls. The main reason is that after about 50 points, I want some rest to stretch for a while. I told my opponents before the Multi’s, so they know about it.''

It doesn't stop Patrick Niessen from living up to his ambitions. ''I still like to play the game, I like to have the recognition and I even started to focus more on three-cushion. So who knows, I might go on for another ten years and eventually can threaten Raymond Ceulemans with the number of titles.''  

The Belgians play at the Multi's in the classic games in groups of four: each player meets one of the three opponents in the regular system. Then the number one plays against the number two, but scores from previous matches count.

Meanwhile, in free game, Niessen won the final against Maarten Janssen in 1 inning and is just over 300 average with three matches of 400 in 1 inning. In balkline 47/1, the title is almost certain, as he is well above Maarten Janssen with 6 match points and 64.28 on average. Janssen has 4 match points and 25.92, virtually impossible to threaten Niessen anymore.

The balkline 47/2 is for Philippe Deraes with 6 match points, 50.00 average and a best run of 205. In the 71/2, Patrick Niessen and Maarten Janssen lead with 4 match points. These players will show up for the title tomorrow, Saturday. Also in one cushion, Janssen (4 match points 8.27) and Niessen (4 match points, 7.74) are leaders, but those players will meet twice more.

At the Multi's today, Friday, the final group in three-cushion is be played. Tomorrow it goes to the knockouts with the best 16 players.

Pictures Dirk Acx at the Multi’s

Patrick Niessen, first title, more are coming up

Patrick Niessen, on his way to finish in free game

Patrick Niessen, third Belgian following Caudron and Ceulemans