ZUNDERT/VLAARDINGEN - Once, but not again. The reigning champion Buffalo.nl was trounced 8-0 this Sunday afternoon, in the same room where earlier this year, they started their championship celebrations. The guys from Brabant are nobody's fool, is what the home players in Den Hoek must have thought. Roland Forthomme may have lost to Glenn Hofman twice, but there wil be no third time. The drubbing must have felt uncomfortable for The Hague. Eureka Billard, after an 8-0 victory over Bousema, remains on top ahead of Zundert and A1 Biljarts, that also won maximum points against red lantern TOVV 2. Dallinga.com lost a point after a disappointing 4-4 in Sluiskil, against 't Hartje.
Semih Sayginer was back in the Netherlands for once, and it did not go unnoticed. On Saturday evening, some 140 spectators saw his famous exhibition, but on Sunday afternoon, no more than fifteen people attended the actual league match between TOVV/Royal Pro and Burgmans (4-4). Danny Molier: ,,It was a great evening on Saturday, the Sunday afternoon coincided with Feyenoord-Ajax, people will not skip that to watch billiards.''
Semih put on a big show for the capacity crowd, as he always does. He plays the most insane shots, and interjects lots of humor and entertainment. ,,I can still speak some Dutch'', he said. "Beetje veel effect dus, een klein boogje naar de rooie bal..." ,,When Danny drove me from the airport to the hotel, we spoke English all the way. Upon arrival in the hotel, the receptionist asked: Dutch or English, sir? I said: take your pick. "Come on, said Danny, are you kidding me?''
Semih's first league match for TOVV was also the best match of the round: 40-23 in 17 innings against Marco Janssen. Eddy Merckx also won in 17 innings for A1 Biljarts. Semih: ,,I had a big lead early on, but I am experienced enough to know that a match can turn around. So I stayed focused all the way.'' Rik van Beers keeps doing amazing things for Burgmans, this time beating Martin Spoormans 40-30 in 28 innings. TOVV and Burgmans shared, 4-4.
Eureka Billard was never in danger in Lochem, where Dave Christiani beat Stefan Galla (40-34 in 26) and Raimond Burgman beat Therese Klompenhouwer (40-33 in 30). The chief competitor, Zundert, scored maximum points against Buffalo.nl. Raymon Groot was the best winner in 23 innings, Peter Ceulemans won 40-20 (24) against Jean van Erp, Roland Forthomme scored 40-31 (26) against Glenn Hofman.
Frédéric Caudron and Jean Paul de Bruijn played for Dallinga against 't Hartje, and met with strong opposition. The Belgian played a draw against his countryman Davy van Havere, who managed to equalize with a run of 11 (in 23). Jean Paul de Bruijn also drew, with Frank Martens in 29 innings.
A1 Biljarts had no trouble seeing off TOVV 2 and they remain in pursuit. HCR Prinsen, without Dick Jaspers (Bundesliga) and Raymund Swertz (Euro Grand Prix), fell a bit behind after their 3-5 defeat against Eekhoorn. Jerry Hermans was the best winner in 25 innings. Frans van Kuyk beat Peter De Backer 40-36 in 26, Kurt Ceulemans and Jelle Pijl drew in 34 innings.
Eureka Billard still leads the table with 13 points after 7 matches, Dallinga and Zundert trail by two points, HCR Prinsen and A1 Biljarts by three. TOVV 2 is in twelfth and last place with two points, Bousema Lochem, and 't Hartje/Van Wanrooy are on four points, Burgmans is on five.