THE QUARTER-FINALS are in place for the two 10-ball competitions at the PREDATOR EPBF European Pool Championships and they play out to a conclusion on Thursday evening. There was a full day of action at the Miracle Resort Hotel with plenty of drama as the quest for medals continues.
Poland’s Daniel Maciol, one of the strong contenders here, survived a thrilling final rack decider as he squeezed past Ajdin Piknjac of Bosnia to win through. They both had a chance in the last but Piknjac missed on the 6-ball to leave the field open for the Pole, who can now look forward to surprise package, Georgia’s David Avakian in the last eight.
Commented Mciol, “That was definitely the toughest match of the day. We just came back from Las Vegas and definitely two days is not enough to be out of jetlag and I could feel that and I was making a lot of mistakes actually. Luckily, I didn’t miss in the hill-hill and I could finish the rack so I’m happy that I went through.
“I was pretty sure it was over when I missed the 6-ball but he still had two shots to make - the 6-ball and good position from 7 to 8 but he was shooting very well in this match and I was pretty sure that he will finish. Luckily from my side he missed and I could finish but five balls wasn’t easy for me,” he added.
Back on the tournament trail after a two-year hiatus is Switzerland’s Ronald Regli, who was a winner of this title the last time he entered back in 2023. The old magic was still there as he beat dangerous veteran Ferdi Ozdemir by 8-5 to set up a last eight meeting with Aleksa Pecelj (SRB).
He said, “As long as I’m in, I’m always thinking I’ve got the chance to win it again. It’s three years since the last time but we will see what happens tomorrow. I’m absolutely enjoying it, enjoying being here to see all the people again and to play pool again for two weeks in a row.
“Together with my wife, we opened a company doing table fitting so I’m still around tables but more fitting them than playing on them. Pool is something I love to do, competing, so it’s amazing to be here.”
The women’s tournament is also at the quarter-final stage and always one of the favourites in European events is Germany’s Ina Kaplan who marches on in the 10-ball as she defeated Nina Torvund 6-3. Kaplan had earlier grabbed a silver in the opening straight pool event and is on course to add to her collection in 10-ball.
After the match, she said, “I played OK. I’m a little bit exhausted and made a few mistakes but I was 3-0 up, played really solid but after that she came to 3-3 and then I struggled a bit but she made mistakes too so I could get the 6-3 win.
“I’m feeling pretty good but a little sad that I lost the (straight pool) final, of course. Too exhausted in the end and couldn’t get a run but Linnea played well and deserved the win. Three disciplines are coming and I’m looking forward to the quarter-finals of the 10-ball and we will see.
“I’m one of the players that always gets some medals and it’s just the question of which colour, I think. But of course, I’m happy when I get any medal but I’m really looking to getting the gold,” she concluded.
Another seasoned European mainstay is Sandra Baumgartner of Austria who defeated Mayte Ropero (ESP) to take her place in the last eight where she will face countrywoman, Lena Primus. Baumgartner, who resumed playing full-time in more recent times, has had some European Championship successes in the past, and is looking ahead to further success in Antalya.
She said, “Today I felt very confident and I had very good games. Some errors too but more good shots and good positions and I’m very confident for tomorrow. At the beginning I struggled a bit so the longer the event goes, the better I play, I think, and I hope there’s more to come. I think I’m always the same, nervous, but I’m sure I can do it; I just have to do it.”
The 10-ball quarter-finals get underway at 15.00 on Wednesday with the semi-finals following at 17.00 and the gold medal matches at 20.30. The 8-ball competitions start tomorrow with the men on at 9.00 and 10.45 and the women at 10.45 and 12.30. The Under 23s is scheduled for Thursday morning at 9.00.
Tables 1, 2 and 3 at the Predator European Championships will be streamed throughout on YouTube, via the Pro Billiard TV channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ProBilliardTV
In addition, competing players are permitted to stream their own matches on outside tables to their public social media accounts.
For all results, live scoring and draw, visit www.epbf.com/tournaments/european-championships/
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