BRANDENBURG - The defending champion Serdar Gümüs at the European championship artistic billiards must return to Turkey after two matches. Two losses against David Keller and Sander Jonen have already eliminated the double champion (2015, 2017) after two appearances. The 63-year-old Turkish master from Izmir had an explanation, "I was almost unable to play for two years due to a serious injury to my upper arm." Moreover, like almost all players, Gümüs complained about the new system that is used in the artistic discipline. Three other favorites are out before the final day: Michael Hammen, Sander Jonen and Walter Bax.
Previously, matches were played in sets, in this tournament matches go to 150 points. The big change is, the player who scores may continue until he misses a shot. Basicly, that could mean that a player can finish a match in one inning without the opponent having been at the table.
Jean Reverchon, the Frenchman, commented: "The unfair and bad thing of the new system is that my opponent does not play the same figures I am offered." The Dutchman Sander Jonen, former European and world champion, said: "They have changed the system to get faster matches. But look my first match lasted three and a half hours." Reverchon: "The system has been changed by Manfred Hekerle, who is the secretary of the artistic club. He has not consulted the players and now everyone says it is a system that is very bad.''
Serdar Gümüs, the outgoing champion: "I can't concentrate during the games as the system is now.'' The Dutchman René Dericks, one of the main contenders: "I know that some players on purpose miss figures to make it more difficult for the opponent." Sander Jonen: "One good thing is: if you are in your rhythm, you can make high runs." The Belgian Erik Vervliet did that in the qualifications with a run 82, continuously without missing a figure.
Not only Serdar Gümüs disappeared from the stage after the preliminary rounds, young Dutchman Jop de Jong, who was on the podium two years ago, has been eliminated after two losses against Michael Hammen and Bernd Singer. Due to the loss of the champion, new top favorites suddenly appear.
The Frenchman Michael Hammen, champion of his country and winner of four of the five tournaments in France, came out as number one from the preliminary rounds and was considered the main contender in the knock-outs. Walter Bax, Sander Jonen, Jean Reverchon and René Dericks also made a strong impression on the way to the quarters. Walter Bax, Michael Hammen and Sander Jonen couldn't live up to the high expectations in the quarter final matchs.
Three of the main contendeers disappeared from the field in the quarterfinals. Michael Hammen lost to Spaniard Sergio Sanchez 150-127, Sander Jonen had to leave the stage after a big loss (150-73) to Hector Quadrado and Walter Bax, last year's finalist, lost to German Manfred Heinrich 157-146. Erik Vijverberg played the best match in the first session, scoring runs of 60 and 58.
The second session:
René Dericks-Lászio Tóth 155-115
Jean Reverchon-Thomas Ahrens 145-155
Kévin Tran-Benoit Clement 155-115
Erik Vervliet-David Keller 151-103
Dutch player Erik Vijverberg, the star player in the evening session
French player Jean Reverchon: complains about the new playing system