LIER - The end of a historical team in the Belgian league is near. Raymond Ceulemans (82) has decided to stop his career as a team player in the line-up for Mr. 100 Lier. The motivation and the drive are no longer there, that's how the billiard legend commented himself. The Mr. 100 team with four 'Ceulemansen' (Peter, Kurt, Raymond and Bart) played together since 2007. The new player to replace Raymond Ceulemans is Dutchman Jerry Hermans.
The all time most successful billiard player ensures that it is not his final farewell. "I will still be available as a stand-in player," the figurehead said. ''That means that I can still play for the first, second and third Mr. 100 team in competition. So, if they need me, I can still play and I will be happy to join them. In the Netherlands, I will continue playing for two teams: five matches for Sluiskil and all matches for 't Caves.''
Raymond Ceulemans thinks the time is there to take a step back for his home team. ''I will turn 83 years old, it is a good decision. Jerry Hermans, the new Mr. 100 player, gave me the push. I want to give the youth a chance. The Corona crisis has not determined my future. I already had the idea to quit the team last season. Jerry Hermans joins a team that he knows very well, because Peter and Kurt play in his team in the Netherlands.''
The most recent flashback dates from February 24 this year. Mister 100 Lier ran over the Kortrijk team, which was the revelation of the competition, 8-0, with 1,628 on team average. The star of the evening was Raymond Ceulemans. It turned out to be his last match.
Grandsons Peter (39) and Bart (36) respect the grandmaster's decision. ''It is unfortunate, of course, but we knew it could not last forever. Moreover, we expect him to play with us a number of times in the new season. When not playing, he will be our coach. For now we say: Bompa, thanks for everything!''
Raymond Ceulemans is the 21 times world champion three cushion in his career. With that record, he leads the rankings for Torbjörn Blomdahl (6), Dani Sánchez and Dick Jaspers (4) and Frédéric Caudron (3).
The Mr. 100 team will appear in the highest league in Belgium in the following line-up: Peter Ceulemans, Kurt Ceulemans, Jerry Hermans, Bart Ceulemans. Reserve players Raymond and Koen.
The Ceulemans team with it's five players in the line-up: Bart, Kurt, Peter, Raymond and Koen.