LINT/ANTWERP – The World Cup lights have dimmed, and after one day of relative calm, Kurt Ceulemans and his team are transitioning seamlessly to the World Championships. The Monday after the World Cup in Lint/Antwerp and Martin Horn's victory was a day of little adjustments, improvisation, recharging, training sessions for (new) players, shuttles, and most of all evaluation. Kurt Ceulemans has a great feeling about the World Cup. "We are proud that everything went so well. The World Cup was already a huge success; now we're hoping for a fantastic World Championship."
The Belgian organizer is fond of using the word "masterpiece" when talking about his team, the volunteers, the referees, the SOOP organization, and everyone involved. "We finished Sunday with an amazing feeling because everything went as smoothly as possible, we saw fantastic matches, and a wonderful final. It was good, it was a tough week, we're in tune with each other. What I see from the team now is that everyone is just pushing forward on adrenaline. We continued working last night and made some minor adjustments, like installing aerial platforms in the hall and the stands. What we're reminded of when we talk about the level of billiards itself is that Vietnamese player Bao set a fantastic world record. Dick Jaspers had already achieved that, 40 points in four innings, but because it was in the German league, it's not recognized by the UMB, the world federation. Bao's record, thanks in part to a fantastic run of 25, will be officially recorded. That's a great prospect for us as an organization."
The 77th World three-cushion championship is the new challenge. The expectations are, hoping for a slightly larger crowd. The Belgians are making a new attempt at success. "We expected four in the main tournament at the World Cup," admits Kurt Ceulemans. ’’But unfortunately, there were only two, which meant there was a slightly smaller crowd in the venue, which can hold about a thousand people." The organizer also reflects on a week in which minor matters required extra attention. "We spent two days arranging visas for the Vietnamese players. That threatened to go wrong. We even consulted a lawyer and went through an external process, and thankfully, at last everything worked out fine. The power outage was also a source of concern. The players responded professionally, and with La Strada, we resolved that as well. We had the perfect people for everything. Like Lynn, my daughter, who arranges all things for the VIPs and is an indispensable link. I especially have to highlight Gerard ten Lohuis. What he does on the technical side is really incredible. He's often the central figure around which everything revolves."
The World Cup and World Championship venue couldn't be better. "The stands are built so that everyone is within easy reach of the matches. And all spectators can see the matches just as well. The AED studios are a venue rarely seen at this level. The players are spoiled. We have 16 dressing rooms, two lounge areas, and even a face-painting room. We've thought of everything.’ The 48-player World Cup field can prepare for a tournament of truth. Myung Woo Cho will defend his title, Dick Jaspers his high ranking, the Belgians aim to improve on their World Cup performance, and Torbjörn Blomdahl is back at the highest level.
Sixteen groups of three players will compete starting Tuesday for places in the next round of 32. The group captains include Myung Woo Cho, Dick Jaspers, Eddy Merckx, Quyet Chien Tran, Marco Zanetti, Thanh Luc Tran, Tayfun Tasdemir, Sameh Sidhom, Jérémy Bury, Jung Han Heo, and Martin Horn.
The group matches are on Tuesday and Wednesday, starting at 11.00 on Tuesday and 10.00 on Wednesday. The final group matches are on Wednesday starting at 20.00
The eight best-16 matches will be played on Thursday starting at 12.00. The sessions are at 12.00, 14.30, 17.00, and 19.30. Friday's series of matches continues at 11.00, 13.30, 16.00 PM, and 18.30.
The semifinals are on Saturday at 12.00 and 14.30, and the final is at 18.00.
Tickets are available via the website or at the venue.
