PORTO - The new Turkish top team, headed by Frédéric Caudron, is the undisputed favorite to win the European Cup and Dani Sánchez with FC Porto aims for their first golden crown in the prestigious tournament. The positions on the ranking of the two world class players are fairly close. Yet, Frédéric Caudron has won the European team trophy ten times with three different teams (2 times Crystal Kelly, 7 times Agipi and 1 time Dallinga). Dani Sánchez has never won the European Cup so far. The Spaniard is facing the challenge of breaking the spell, most of all because the eight team- tournament will be played in front of his home crowd in the FC Porto sports mecca.
Frédéric Caudron, the leader of the Gaziantepspor team, is the main contender to take the victory. Dani Sánchez, the captain of FC Porto, wants to play a major role with his team, in which the world champion, Torbjörn Blomdahl, is the leading player.
The defending champion, Dallinga from Sluiskil is one of the outsiders, now that Dick Jaspers and Eddy Merckx have left the team last year and Caudron plays for this Europe Cup elsewhere.
The eight teams are divided into two groups of four, competing for four places in the semifinals. FC Futebol Clube do Porto, Gaziantepspor, CetSi Morangis and BK Grøndal meet in the strongest flight. Dallinga leads the group with Andernos, Madrid Escuela Nacional and Leca Futebol Clube.
Kozoom spoke with two prominent players in the days before the start: Frédéric Caudron and Dani Sánchez, widely considered as two of the best in the world, about the chances, the strength of the teams, the reputation and the importance of the European Cup final.
Frédéric Caudron had his most successful period with the legendary Agipi team, in which Marco Zanetti, Jérémy Bury and Jean-Christoph Roux were his teammates. The Belgian had won twice before, with Crystal Kelly, then seven times with Claude Fath's Agipi team and with Dallinga/AEJ last year.
He was asked for the leading role in the new, strong Turkish team Gaziantepspor last season. The team took the Turkish title and thereby qualified for the European Cup. ,,We have a very strong team with Tayfun Tasdemir, Murat Naci Coklu and Can Capak, our fourth player, who made huge progress in a short time. Therefore, we are hopeful for all positions.''
Still, Caudron assures: ,,We will not underestimate the opponents. The group stage will be very tough with FC Porto, Morangis and Grøndal.'' The expectations are very high for this Turkish team. Caudron is aiming for the top position. FC Porto and Andernos are the main competitors, in his opinion. He likes to perform in a team. ,,You have to be hundred percent motivated for your mates. That's why I like the team competitions.''
Dani Sánchez is a member of FC Porto since 1991. He really feels at home in this team. ,,When I was asked by FC Porto, I was not a top player in the world, but particularly Alipio Jorge had confidence in me.'' He thinks this is the sixteenth time that his team plays in the European final. ,,The best result for FC Porto was a second place... we were third a few times.''
The ambiance at FC Porto is different from other places where you can play billiards, says Sánchez. ,,FC Porto has one of the best football teams in the world, so it's not only about billiards. When you are part of the FC Porto family, it means you not only like billiards. I became a great supporter of FC Porto in all disciplines and I also enjoy when the club is successful in in football or basketball. This is my home, of course, it's not LIKE my home, it IS my home. I have played for FC Porto for 25 years now and I don't think I will ever do that for another team.''
Dani thinks that his team has chances to win the European Cup this time. ,,We play with Torbjörn on number one and myself on number two. Other teams have strong numbers one and two, but not better than us. The number three in our team, Joao Ferreira, has increased his level a lot this last year. This is the moment to show how good he can play as the Portuguese number one. The number four is Rui Costa: everybody knows how good he can play. It's difficult to beat him.''
FC Porto had to make a choice for two foreign top players in this European Cup. Dick Jaspers is also part of the FC Porto stable. ,,The club has decided to play this tournament in the same line-up, with Torbjörn and me. We will also play together in Portugal's final, next weekend.''
The tournament for the European Cup is held in the FC Porto billiard room, the Academia de Bilhar FC Porto, Estádio do Dragão. The opening is on Friday, June 3rd at 9.30.
The Gaziantepspor team with Frédéric Caudron, Murat Naci Coklu, Can Capak, Tayfun Tasdemir and Gökhan Salman
FC Porto with Joao Ferreira, Rui Costa, Dani Sánchez and Torbjörn Blomdahl
The composition of the teams:
Dallinga: Jean Paul de Bruijn, Steven van Acker, Bart Ceulemans, Patrick Vasseur.
Madrid Escuela Nacional: Ruben Legazpi, Javier Palazón, David Martinez, Valentin Andaluz.
Andernos: Roland Forthomme, Filippos Kasidokostas, Jérôme Barbeillon, Francis Connesson.
Leca Futebol Clube: José Escudeiro, Vitor Fernandes, Pedro Pais, Mario Aranha.
Futebol Clube do Porto: Torbjörn Blomdahl, Dani Sánchez, Joao Ferreira, Rui Costa, Alipio Jorge.
Gaziantepspor: Frédéric Caudron, Tayfun Tasdemir, Murat Naci Coklu, Can Capak.
CetSi Morangis: Eddy Merckx, Eddy Leppens, Richard Bitalis, Jean Reverchon.
BK Grøndal: Dion Nelin, Tonny Carlsen, Brian Knudsen, Lars Dunch.
The first group matches:
Gaziantespor-CetSi Morangis
Madrid Escuela-Andernos
FC Porto-BK Grøndal
Dallinga-Leca
The match length is 40 points.
The semi-finals are Sunday at 10.00 and 12.00, the final is at 16.00.
All matches are broadcast live on kozoom.com
Andernos with Jérôme Barbeillon, Roland Forthomme, Francis Connesson and Filippos Kasidokostas
The French champion team with Jean Reverchon, Richard Bitalis, Eddy Leppens and Eddy Merckx