MARXUQUERA - Two players with a big name and reputation meet in Spain from 27 to 30 June in the Juanjo Trilles Challenge. Frédéric Caudron, the world's number one and Dick Jaspers, the reigning world champion, play a marathon match over six hundred caroms, spread over four days with sets of sixty points. The winner of the Juanjo Trilles Challenge earns thousands euros, the number two five thousand euros.
Kozoom will broadcast the event with all its knowledge and equipment to garantee an optimal visibility. Premium pass holders can enjoy four days of live images, reports, repeats and interviews.
Frédéric Caudron and Dick Jaspers look forward to the unique event in a double portrait.
Frits Bakker: How special is this challenge to you? Have you played a match like this before?
Dick Jaspers: ,,I have a little experience, because in 2001, Torbjörn Blomdahl and I played a match for 100.000 Dutch guildens (about 45.000 euros) to fourteen winning sets of ten points. Torbjörn was superior and won 14-6. But still it will be very special for me, this challenge. I have gone through a lot in my career, but this is unique and very special.''
Frédéric Caudron: ,,Yes, of course it's very special, I've never seen it before. The initiative comes from Xavier Carrer and is meant to promote our sport. He has found in Juanjo Trilles the person who is willing to do something special, that's how the idea for the challenge was born.''
FB: What do you think about the formula, the system to 600 points?
FC: ,,We're going back in time, when very long matches were played, mainly in the free game and balk line. Moreover, we can earn something with this challenge, which is very important for us as professional players.''
DJ: ,,The initiative came as a surprise: I had heard some rumors, but I was very happy with the invitation. I am glad that I can be one of the two players in the challenge. Torbjörn Blomdahl thought it would have been better that the world champion and World Cup winner would have been invited. But anyway, I'm lucky that I can play.''
FB: Will it come true what the creator of the match has announced: that the very best player will stand up in such a long match?
DJ: ,,Yes, I think you can say that the best player gets up in such a contest. It's gonna be a fair fight. Ok, when the match finishes 600-595 or something like that, you must have some luck at the end.''
FC: ,,We cannot say who's the very best after this match. The best over these four days will win, that doesn't mean that he is the best over a whole season.''
FB: How do you prepare for this marathon? Many rest or many practicing hours?
FC: ,,I would not really say that it's a marathon match. We play about 180 points per day. I've played five matches of 60 points in New York, that's a real marathon. I wil do what I ever do in the preparation: a lot of rest and a lot of training...''
DJ: ,,The most of all, I have to prepare for the 40 second rule. That is a problem with tricky balls, because you have the feeling that you play with a collar around your neck. But I get more and more used to it. I think it's a good rule, but they have to do it everywhere. And about the marathon, I'm a real diesel, so I don't think it will be a problem, playing to such a distance.''
FB: How important is physical strength and fitness in such a match to be good until the end?
FC: ,,I don't think it will be a grueling race, but you must take care that you're prepared for the match and to be very fit. I do not think I will not change my habits before the match.''
DJ: ,,My condition is always very well, so I don't expect it will be a battle of wear and tear. You may say, ok, we play in a hot country, but it's a beautiful room, we play with airco. So there are no problems to feel on our best.''
FB: What do you think, that one day can be very different compared to another? I mean, one day very well and the following much less, is that possible in top billiards?
DJ: ,,I don't think that will happen. We play two sets of sixty on the first day, so we can search for the rhythm and get used to the table. There will not be big differences in our performances, I think we both will play at a very high level.''
FC: ,,Yes, it's even possible in two sessions on one day, that you play one good match and one much less. We all know it can happen on one day. Billiards is a very strange sport where the feelings play a very important role, so there will be ups and downs in the match, for sure.''
How difficult will it be to keep the concentration and the scoring instinct every day and every hour?
FC: ,,We are used to focus and there are some euros difference between the first and second prize, so the concentration will be optimal. And automaticly the scoring drive, too.''
DJ: ,,There will be some small slumps, for sure, but there is a lot of prestige. I think we will be very concentrated in all sets. We both will play with a big dedication. Moreover, we both will try to play offensive, we want to come quickly to the finish and give our very best.''
FB: Who will be the winner of this Challenge, the player with the best form for the moment, or the player who can keep his highest level until the end?
FC: 'Without any doubt, the player with the best form of the moment, because that's always the most important in a match on such high level.''
DJ: ,,I've been working for four, five months to get the perfect feeling again. And I think, like Frédéric does, that the form will be decisive. The endurance is not that important, we are fit enough to do this job. We don't have to travel, we sleep close to the billiard room, the conditions are ideal. I think we can play in a kind of flush from the start, we will be super motivated and super concentrated. And luck will not play a main role in a match to so many points. The best and the player in the best form will win.'