LA BAULE – The start of the second day in the French Masters brings the title favorite into the arena early this morning (10.00). For the final weekend of the team championship in France, the ten teams are playing three rounds in La Baule over these three days. Soissons, with Bury, Merckx, Soumagne, and De Bruijn, is the main favourite for the title. With two rounds remaining, the team has a two-point lead over Albert and Blois and a three-point lead over Andernos. This Saturday morning at 10.00 Soissons plays against Saint Quentin. All matches can be watched live on Kozoom. The French champion will be known on Sunday.
Last Friday, the first of three final days, Albert, which was tied for the lead with 10 points, made a misstep in the match against Andernos. Peter Ceulemans and Marco Zanetti drew on Center Court in 30 innings, but Roland Forthomme, Gwendal Maréchal, and Jérôme Barbeillon respectively won their matches against Jef Philipoom (40-19 in 21), Cédric Melnytschenko (40-31 in 31), and Thierry Roxo (40-22 in 26, run of 15 by Barbeillon).
For Soissons against Blois 2, Merckx won his match with Justice (40-15 in 20), Soumagne against Barras (40-27 in 38), and Vasseur lost only to Miossec (40-26 in 34). Vasseur will be replaced by Jean Paul de Bruijn on Saturday.
Blois 1 also remains in the title race with a 6-2 victory over Douarnenez. In that match, Glenn Hofman bested Steven van Acker 40-29 in 23, Devogelaere defeated Le Deventec 40-28 in 29, and Panaia bested Lelievre 40-30 in 29. The only loser in Blois’ team was Sameh Sidhom, who fell one carom short against Francis Forton (40-39 in 27).
Intermarche and Saint Quentin drew, including wins for Berkay Karakurt against Dimitrios Seleventas (40-20 in 18) and Mottet against Loncelle (40-23 in 29). Colmar won the match with Courbevoie 6-2. On Center Court, Omer Karakurt defeated Jean Reverchon 40-31 in 31 innings.
The standings with match points after this 7th of 9 rounds:
1 Soissons 12
2 Andernos 11
3 Blois 10
3 Albert 10
5 St Quentin 8
5 Colmar 8
7 Intermarche 6
8 Douarnenez 3
9 Courbevoie 1
10 Blois 2 1.
Jérémy Bury, best match on first day, still on the lead with Soissons
Today's games, Saturday
10.00: Soissons-St. Quentin
12.00: Colmar-Andernos
14.00: Intermarche-Albert
16.00: Blois-Courbevoie
18.00: Blois 2-Douarnenez.