BLANKENBERGE - The same two players are tomorrow in the final of the Belgian championship. The audience would be very pleased with the same scenario as last year, who ever the winner may be: Frédéric Caudron or Eddy Merckx. Then, one year ago, Merckx won 15-14 in a heart-stopping final set. What ever, the outcome is unpredictable for tomorrow.
The semi-finals this afternoon couldn't incidate immediately about the current form: Frédéric Caudron defeated Francis Forton 3-0 (15-9, 15-6, 15-6, averages 1.500/0.750). Eddy Merckx got a lot more opposition and beat Frédéric Mottet in the deciding set: 15-9, 15-13, 14-15, 8-15 and 15-12 (1.522/1.488).
The level of the two finalists was not so far apart, the only thing was that Caudron could play more relaxed, because his opponent couldn't threaten him at all. Merckx had to fight hard until the last caroms for the win. Frédéric Mottet showed a tremendous fighting spirit and great qualities trailing 2-0 in sets.
The three cushion wil finish with a dream final on Sunday, the same as last year. The two players are the best in their country, moreover they are the players who have a historic year behind them: Merckx with his fantastic world record match moyenne, the fifty points in six innings in the German league. Caudron with his amazing world record tournament average in the World Cup in Vienna.
For years they are the best Belgians in the world and in their country. Both, Caudron and Merckx, won the national final six times, Merckx even three times in the last four years.
Anyway, it will be definitely a final to look forward for the hundreds of spectators in the casino room in Blankenberge.