BLANKENBERGE - On the late stage at the Multi Championships on Friday evening, two near-sixties were crowned with Belgian gold. Two scratchy old men, Peter De Backer (58) in one cushion and Patrick Niessen (59) in balk-line closed the evening in the Multi arena with hard-earned titles, the one even happier than the other. Patrick Niessen pulled out a text on his shirt with big letters 50 for his 50th Belgian title in the classical games. That makes Niessen one of the most successful players in Belgian billiards. Peter De Backer was just before that session the winner in one cushion, coincidentally also in a wildly exciting final battle against Niessen.
The Friday evening, larded with the last-eight finals in three-cushion, brought two players onto the podium who keep on taking titles in their late golden years. Peter De Backer, even more of an all-rounder than Niessen, is the Eddy Merckx type (‘I wouldn't know how many titles it is now’'). Patrick Niessen celebrated that fiftieth with some 20 unexpected fans in the stands, fell into the arms of some friends and a little later could not hold back his tears.
He is the Belgian billiard player who joins an illustrious trio of Raymond Ceulemans and Frédéric Caudron in the most classic games, who now have more than 50 Belgian titles on their record. ’’I am proud to be in that top three, they are after all the best players all times in Belgium.‘’ It doesn't always go so easy for him anymore, Niessen admits. ’’Especially the long matches, it's not so easy to stay focused. My hip hurts a bit, I have to get brushes the balls a bit more to get my concentration back. But anyway, I still enjoy doing it, I still enjoy playing and I can fortunately still win titles.‘’
He took his 50th title, Friday night, in the 47/1 balkline against Philippe Deraes in a game he didn't need to win, but still won 150-123 in eight innings. ’’It should have happened one round before in one cushion,‘’ Niessen realized. ’’There I let victory slip away.‘’ That happened against Peter De Backer, when both players went to the line with chances to win. Niessen had the balls polished again within sight of the finish three caroms from the end. The balls were in position, but Niessen played a bad collection shot and then missed a shot over one rail. De Backer got an unexpected chance and grabbed the win and the title.
The two routines men are also in the running on the final days. Peter De Backer won his match in three-cushion vs Dany Boutet late on Friday night and is in the last eight. Patrick Niessen is still in action in one of the balk-line games, 71/2 (twice against Maarten Janssen) and is leading in free game. ‘’I will play four games continuously this Saturday as of 10.00 in the morning,‘’ Niessen realized, just awake after a couple of victory beers late Friday night. That will be a tough mission for the near-sixty player to win the 51st and 52nd titles as well.
Saturday's sessions include free game, 5 pins, 71/2 and ladies. Danielle le Bruyn and Jaimie Buelens play a double match for the ladies' title. Peter Debaes takes a shot at the title in 5 pins. Patrick Niessen and Maarten Janssen, who is already champion 47/2, share the last two classical titles. In the final weekend, the artistic will be played. And there are already great games in three cushion such as Merckx-Philipoom and Forthomme-Peter Ceulemans.
The eighth finals with 16 in three-cushion included wins for Peter Ceulemans against brother Bart with 40-22 in 36, Kurt Ceulemans beat Andy de Bondt 40-32 in 28, Peter De Backer won the last game of the evening against Dany Boutet 40-28 in 33 and Wesley de Jaeger beat Johan Loncelle 40-36 in 20. Jef Philipoom was again one of the strong winners at this stage against Marc Celen with 40-18 in 18. Eddy Merckx beat Davy van Havere in 31 innings 40-34. Finally, Roland Forthomme won against Dirk Weeremans 40-18 in 28 and Ronny Brants vs Henk Blauwblomme 40-27 in 39 innings.
The games for the quarter-finals are Saturday evening at 9pm:
Eddy Merckx-Jef Philipoom
Peter Ceulemans-Roland Forthomme
Peter De Backer-Ronny Brants
Kurt Ceulemans-Wesley de Jaeger.
Pattick Niessen after winning his 50th title
Peter De Backer, title in one cushion