HAARLO - The Dutch title in the balk-line 71/2 is won by Sam van Etten, who also earned a ticket for participation in the European championships in Brandenburg. The North Holland player excelled in two matches over 175 caroms, which he finished in one inning. The championship ended in a climax: Sam van Etten, the already five-time Dutch champion in the classics, had to put up a hard fight for the title in the last match of the championship in Haarlo.
He faced his club mate Ferry Jong, had to win or play a draw to stay ahead of his last rival Gert Jan Veldhuizen in match points. Van Etten succeeded with an ultimate run of 35: 175-140 in seven innings. The last run was decisive for the title.
The 22-year old Sam van Etten, two years ago all-round champion in the Netherlands with a victory in the Grand Dutch, showed his high class. In the final group with four players he remained unbeaten by wins over Gert Jan Veldhuizen in one inning (175-8), Raymund Swertz (175-119 in 4) and finally against Ferry Jong 175-140 in 7. Gert Jan Veldhuizen was an excellent number two with the best average in the final group. He won his last match against Raymund Swertz in two innings: 175-16.
The highlights of the tournament, played in the billiard stronghold of HCR Prinsen in Haarlo, were the matches in which the later champion finished the 175 points in one inning . Sam van Etten won his match against Veldhuizen in the first part 175-8 in 1 and also played a flawless match against Jos Bongers.
The champion took his fifth national title, his first in the 71/2. "I felt a little suspense, because the title meant for me participation at the European championship, this year in Brandenburg. I certainly wanted to go there, for my first year as a senior. Now I can play the 71/2 and 47/2 at the EC. In addition, the Dutch championship one cushion is played next month. There I can also qualify for the European championship.''
The Europeans are the big challenge this year. Van Etten: "Last year I played a World Cup three cushion in Vietnam, but that was only one time. I don't want to be eliminated in the first rounds when I go there. I first have to practice three cushion to take part in those big tournaments.''
The ranking of the final group:
1 Sam van Etten 6-45.75-175
2 Gert Jan Veldhuizen 4-51.14-105
3 Ferry Jong 2-23.57-103
4 Raymund Swertz 0-22,88-108.
5 to 8: Micha van Bochem, Michel van Silfhout, Rene Tull and Jos Bongers.