RONCHIN - The Euro Grand Prix balk-line 47/2, this weekend played in the French Ronchin, culminated in an exciting final match. The Dutchman Raymund Swertz and the Czech Marek Faus played a draw in regular time. The first extension also finished without a winner, at the end of the second shoot-out Raymund Swertz could take the title with one carom against 0. The Dutch player, like Marek Faus one of the best balk-line specialists in the world, recorded the first victory in a Euro Grand Prix during his first performance in a balk-line Grand Prix. ,,What an amazing final, I'm so happy'', said the Dutchman afterwards. ,,The tension was so high, when I only scored once in the second shootout. Then I had to wait on my chair what my opponent could do.''
Raymund Swertz, who won five times in his previous six matches against the Czech and played one draw, rarely played under so much pressure in his career. Because first there was the pleasant feeling that he had almost won the final after he had finished in the fifth on 250-94. But in a sizzling tension, Swertz then watched how Faus gathered the balls flawlessly and started a huge run. The undisturbed Czech continued to score, came in trouble in the closing part, but yet could equalize.
Under deathly silence, Swertz first made the 25 points for the first extension. Faus also controlled his nerves and scored 25 to draw. The decision came in the second shootout. Raymund Swertz made the first point from the break, but missed a three cushion shot in a dangerous position. Marek Faus needed only two points, but missed the break by a kiss.
Raymund Swertz, who is still seen as one of the biggest talents of the world in the classic disciplines, is known for many years already as a balk-line player. The multiple Dutch champion was three times European champion (2 times 47/2, once 71/2) in 2013, 2013 and 2015 in Brandenburg. He was the junior European champion three times. The Dutchman also plays three cushion as of last year, playing with Dick Jaspers for HCR Prinsen in Haarlo. And also in this discipline, the progression is remarkable.
,,I feel totally empty now, but also very happy with this victory'', Swertz sighed after the final victory in Ronchin, where he remained unbeaten in the preliminaries, including a 200 caroms match in one inning. The Frenchman Olivier Careaux even sparkled with matches in one and two innings in the heats. Raymund Swertz made the maximum 250 in the semi-final against Patrick Dupont in the second inning: 250-24 in 2. Marek Faus defeated Olivier Careaux 250-61 with 185 in the fourth inning.
The stage of the Euro Grand Prix 47/2:
1 Raymund Swertz (Netherlands)
2 Marek Faus (Czech Republic)
3 Olivier Careaux (France)
3 Patrick Dupont (France)
7/8
Jean Francois Florent (France)
Willy Gérimont (France)
Nicolas Gerassimopoulos (Greece)
Patrick Niessen (Belgium).
Raymund Swertz, the winner second left, Marek Faus, second right and the referees for the final match