BLANKENBERGE - With eight players left to the final stage in the championship three-cushion. And with three days to go, the battle for the titles is coming up in all disciplines. The Multi's are close to the end and the pressure is on. Who will make it to the semifinals in three cushion today? Who will present themselves as the main candidates for the medals in the other disciplines?
Frédéric Caudron and Jef Philipoom, one with a great track of titles and records, the other with a world title from the past, are meeting at 11.00 this morning in the quarterfinal of the three-cushion. The two Walloons, Frédéric Mottet and Roland Forthomme play at the same time. The favorite in that match? Forthomme with his great experience in these tournaments, but Mottet has shown with his marvellous run of fifteen how he developed his skills.
Eddy Leppens is with his average still the best man in three-cushion so far. He will play against Francis Forton in the second session (14.00) and in the final round tonight Eddy Merckx will try to come to the best four in his duel with Steven van Acker.
Frédéric Caudron settled last night on top of the ranking in the 71/2 with a victory against Johan Devos (250-55). Today there are no matches in this discipline.
Eddy Leppens won his match in one cushion against Maarten Janssen, who thus is no longer undefeated in this game type. Caudron is the leader with four points from two matches.
Peter de Backer defeated the exhausted Philippe Deraes in the 47/1, in which Leppens has four matchpoints now after three matches, but Caudron has still three matches to go.
The program for today (all matches can be followed live on Kozoom for Premium pass holders):
11.00: Three cushion: Frédéric Caudron-Jef Philipoom, Roland Forthomme-Frédéric Mottet. Free game: Patrick Niessen-Jean Godeyne.
14.00: Three cushion: Francis Forton-Eddy Leppens. One cushion: Frédéric Caudron-Patrick Niessen. Free game: Jean Godeyne-Philippe Deraes. 17.30: Balk-line 47/2: Patrick Niessen-Philippe Deraes. One cushion: Eddy Leppens-Johan Devos. Balk-line 47/1: Frédéric Caudron-Peter De Backer.
20.30: Three cushion: Eddy Merckx-Steven van Acker. Balk-line 47/2: Eddy Leppens-Philippe Deraes. Balk-line 47/1: Frédéric Caudron-Patrick Niessen.