Tough battle for place in the final

KAPELLE - Yes, of course everyone should put his money on Dick Jaspers, in a match of the world and European champion against Jean van Erp for the semifinals of the Masters. And of course Raimond Burgman was the favorite to win the match against Glenn Hoffman, so that it was almost certainly that the final match for the championship would be played between Jaspers and Burgman.

But three cushion, even at the highest level, like in the Masters, have to be played before the premature expectations will come true. It was proven once again in De Vroone in Kapelle this evening, although the two best players of the tournament finally took the win.

Dick Jaspers however needed a hard fight against his former team mate Jean van Erp, to stop him when his opponent first was 1-0 on the lead (15-8) and later 2-1 (15-10). Jean van Erp even had five caroms to play in the fourth set to beat the champion, so he was very close to a sensational victory. But then, in the last part, Jaspers showed his extremely high class: he won 15-10 and 15-11 and scored the important caroms at the moments it was really necessary.

Raimond Burgman had a very difficult match as well at the other table, where he played against the fiercely resisting Glenn Hoffman. The young guy trailed 2-0 but then showed his fighting spirit, brought the match to a tie (2-2) and took control over his chances. Burgman's last sprint was too strong: the man who lost the last Masters final against Jaspers, escaped by a 15-7 win in the fifth set against Hofman.

The public therefore was treated with two semifinals, in which the battle only was decided at the end. The master himself, Raymond Ceulemans, and the master in all disciplines of billiards, Martin Spoormans observed these last skirmishes of the day with many billiard players from all over the country and the region.

It was really fascinating to see how the number one in the world had to use all his power in the battle with Jean van Erp. And how Raimond Burgman, who was such a strong winner of the Christmas tournament in Zundert, was forced to bring up all his qualities in the end rush against Glenn Hofman.

But as said: the two very best men of the tournament play the final, tomorrow (Sunday) at 13.00.