Small miracle at the billiard: Jetten graps top prize

HERSTAL - The queen has lost her form, the modest princess climbs onto the highest podium for once. Women's billiards underwent a rare metamorphosis when Karina Jetten won the Grand Prix and the top prize in Herstal, Belgium, at the expense of Therese Klompenhouwer (30-24 in 47 innings, 0.638/0.511). That may be called a minor miracle, as Therese rarely loses in Europe, especially not with such a poor average, but she’s struggling with form for some weeks now. This slump comes at a very bad time, because in about 10 days, the World championships will be contested in Blois, France. Karina Jetten is an outsider there, but a suddenly emerging European contender for the podium.

The Limburg lady, who is always in Therese's shadow, could show up as a champion killer this time in the final. The power grab, after miraculously beating Denmark's Sörensen 30-29 in the semifinals, was handed to her and she forced it herself in the crucial part just before the last scores. And of course Therese later confessed: ’’I played bad and was unfortunately, I could not break through to gain my confidence.‘’ Just like she could not shine in the Survival in Korea, where she finished fourth behind three Asians in the final last week.

And so Klompenhouwer lost only her second European tournament in 20 years in Herstal this Sunday. ’’It's a knock though, so just before the World championship, but I'll have to get back on the horse soon... And I can do that.‘’

The Grand Prix was one in which four routine players remained for the final gala with Therese Klompenhouwer and Gülsen Degener (30-15 in the semi-final in 29 innings), Karina Jetten and Charlotte Sörensen (after 25-18 ahead the Danish was still beaten 30-29 in 47). Overall, the level was very moderate. Therese was the only one to play above 1 on average four times (1.470, 1.190 and twice 1.034). 

Klompenhouwer beat Magali Declunder in the quarter-finals (30-18 in 29), Jetten won against Güzin Mujde Karakasli (30-19 in 39), Sörensen against Steffi Träm (30-26 in 36) and Klompenhouwer against  Degener with 30-15 in 29.

Karina Jetten, the later triumphant, started in the preliminary against Hofman 25-14 in 40, won against Lenz 25-7 in 35 and against Buelens 25-23 in 49.

The final score:

1. Karina Jetten
2. Therese Klompenhouwer
3. Charlotte Sörensen
4. Gülsen Degener
5. Nanna Petersen
6. Steffi Träm
7. Güzin Mujde Karakasli
8. Magali Declunder

The eight final players with Güzin Mujde Karakasli, the winner Karina Jetten, Steffi Träm, Charlotte Sörensen, Magali Declunder, Gülsen Degener, Nanna Petersen and Therese Klompenhouwer

Karina Jetten, the winner beating Therese Klompenhouwer in the final match