ANTALYA – The top classic player stood on the highest podium after the final. Raymund Swertz won the European championship balkline 47/2 this Thursday afternoon in the final against Frenchman Jean Francois Florent, 250-129 in two innings. The Dutch gold was more than deserved, as he masters balkline play on the lines better than any of his opponents. That was seen again in the long runs and ultra short matches from the Dutch phenomenon. Raymund Swertz (37) is a highly regarded balkline player with numerous national and international titles to his name. The Dutchman, from the southern province of Limburg, always top form and top scores on the balkline lines. In recent years, Swertz has also gravitated more towards three-cushion, but his old love remains close to his heart.
The three-events European appearance in Antalya got off to a rather difficult start. Swertz missed the title in one cushion after losing in the final to Frenchman Xavier Le Roy. In the 71/2 balkline, he sought for revenge but ran into his compatriot Gert-Jan Veldhuizen. The two players fought a fierce battle that ended in a 200-200 draw in eight innings. Swertz lost the shootout to Veldhuizen 20-1 and finished seventh.
The last chance finally brought success. The 47/2 balkline, the format in which Raymund Swertz is a virtuoso, resulted into short performances. The Dutchman started with 200 in 2 against Cebula, followed by 200 in 1 against Hikl, and finally 200 in 3 against Gerassimopoulos.
The always dangerous knockouts, because all players are capable of high runs, now favored Swertz. Frenchman Johann Petit was defeated 250-92 in 2 in the quarterfinals. Swertz faced the best French balkline player in the semifinals. Still, Swertz was superior against Willy Gérimont, who only managed to counter in the equalizer: 250-59 in two innings. The French opposition continued to pursue Swertz, when he also faced an opponent from the land of classical disciplines in the final. The Dutchman won for the third time. Jean Francois Florent was defeated 250-129 in two innings.
Jean Francois Florent had reached the final with victories over Marek Faus (250-20 in two innings) and Michael Hikl in a thrilling battle (250-236 in six innings).
Raymund Swertz had by far the best average and deservedly stood victorious on the highest podium. The final scores showed that top players from the past, such as Patrick Niessen, Xavier Gretillat, and Nikolas Gerassimopoulos, were unable to display their peak form at this European tournament.
The final ranking with the best eight EK 47/2:
1 Raymund Swertz 12-112.50-247
2 Jean Francois Florent 8-53.50-162
3 Michael Hikl 6-37.79-157
4 Willy Gérimont 6-45.31-170
5 Johann Petit 3-34.88-110
6 Gert-Jan Veldhuizen 6-55.73-155
7 Esteve Mata 4-37.84-178
8 Marek Faus 4-43.08-198
