THE PREDATOR EURO TOUR series returns to its most picturesque hunting ground as the PREDATOR Austrian Open in both Open and Women’s divisions gets underway this Thursday, 12th June in St Johann im Pongau. The defending Open champion is Syrian star Mohammad Soufi who claimed his second Euro Tour crown, defeating Tobias Bongers in the final match. Veronika Halliday took down the Women’s division last year, beating Pia Filler in an all-German final. Both champions will be here this week to try and repeat their feats of 2024.
It is the Euro Tour’s 15th visit to the Austrian town nestled in the mountains and offering sweeping Alpine panoramas. The home contingent numbers 24 players including strong contenders Mario He and Max Lechner and also looking to make a return to the Euro Tour winner’s circle is two-time WPA World 9-ball Champion, Albin Ouschan.
Ouschan first won on the Euro Tour way back in 2012 in Sarajevo and then again in Leende in 2015. Despite less appearances in more recent times, he’s back this season looking to improve on a 17th place finish in Treviso and a 5th in Tallinn.
He said, “It doesn’t feel so different playing in my home country but it does feel different playing in my home town (Klagenfurt). I’ve won here in St Johann already. I won the European Championships here but that was a long time ago and it’s always something different but on the other hand it makes me proud to play at home. It’s a beautiful country and I love that people come and see our country. It’s a great feeling to have a tournament here.
“I’m actually feeling quite confident, feeling quite good. I took some time off to prepare and I did some changes in my technique which obviously needed a lot of work and I’m really looking forward to this event. It’s a long time since I’ve played 9-ball breaking from the side. It’s a great venue in a great little city and it’s going to be an awesome tournament.
With the Predator Euro Tour mixing up the disciplines this year between 8, 9 and 10-ball, Ouschan considered which he preferred, “Obviously if I go for achievements, it has to be 9-ball because 98% of my tournament wins are in 9-ball events. 10-ball is more fear, even if we practice. It’s probably 10-ball because 9-ball goes so quick. It shows all the beauties of the game especially the defensive game and kicking is way more involved in 10-ball than 9-ball and the luck involved in 9-ball is just cruel sometimes. It’s not always fun to play but I’d say my favourite game is 10-ball.
Finally, he touched on his hopes for this week, “It would be awesome to win here again. It’s almost a decade since I won the European Championships here. Of course, I’m probably one of the favourites but we’re talking 20-30 people with a chance. Pool is growing so big right now and the level of the players has increased by incredible speed in the past two years.
“My first goal would be maybe quarter-finals or last 16 and to be on the last day. To win the tournament, I’m not even thinking about it but it would mean a lot and I’ll be trying everything to achieve that,” he concluded.
The open division is full with 216 entrants and starts at 9.00 on Thursday, with the championship match scheduled for 20.00 on Saturday. The races are to 9 in the double elimination stage, increasing to 11 for the last 32 onwards.
The women’s open is also full with 64 players and breaks off at 9.00 on Saturday 14th with the final slated for 17.00 on Sunday. The early races are to 7, moving up to 9 for the single elimination. Both events operate a two-racks alternate break system and are 9-ball.
This year sees a new streaming platform for all Euro Tour and European Championships events.
Table 1 and 2 will be streamed throughout on YouTube, via the Pro Billiard TV channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ProBilliardTV
For all results, live scoring and draw, visit https://www.epbf.com/tournaments/eurotour/information/
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