ANTALYA – Belgian three-cushion billiards is experiencing an era of unprecedented success. The European three-cushion final will be between Eddy Merckx and Peter Ceulemans on Saturday morning in Antalya (10:00 AM in Western Europe), after the contenders from other major billiards nations have been eliminated. The European gold follows the world gold: Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx played the world gold final in their home country of Belgium last year. Frédéric Caudron became world champion. Now, in Antalya, Turkey, the European title will therefore go to either Eddy Merckx or Peter Ceulemans. The Belgians are the rulers of current three-cushion billiards.
Peter Ceulemans is the sensation of this European Championship. He was the only one of four finalists who does not yet have a major tournament to his name, and today, Friday, in the round of 16, he first eliminated world champion Caudron 50-40 in 30 innings and later, in the semi-final, European champion Martin Horn 50-38 in 26. In between was the quarter-final against Sergio Jimenez, won by Ceulemans 50-27 in 22.Eddy Merckx started the day against Mikaël Devogelaere and won that match 50-41 in 29; next, he faced Berkay Karakurt, who was defeated by Merckx 50-44 in 32, and finally, Tayfun Tasdemir was Merckx's opponent, who finished in Belgium's favor with 50-22 in 22/21 innings.
That build-up ultimately led to a Belgian clash for gold and silver and to absolute proof of Belgian hegemony. The best billiards nation at the moment already had four players in the round of the best eight. Frédéric Caudron was eliminated by Peter Ceulemans with a top run of 14. Roland Forthomme had to bow to the Spaniard Ruben Legazpi with a score of 50-33 in 31/30.
Martin Horn and Peter Ceulemans before the semi final
Eddy Merckx and Tayfun Tasdemir before the semi final