MARSEILLE - The European billiards federation CEB is the organizer of a Grand Prix artistic billiard in Marseille this week. The best ranked players meet each other in the tournament that counts for the European ranking. Serdar Gümüs leads the ranking ahead of Walter Bax from Belgium and Jean Reverchon from France. They are three of the main contenders for the victory. The tournament is played in the billiard room SABM, Rue Pavillon in Marseille.
The Dutchman Sander Jonen, former European champion, misses an international Grand Prix for the first time in 25 years after a tough jaw-surgery, which still requires a long period of recovery. ,,I'm very sorry to not be there for this Grand Prix, but for the moment it is impossible for me.''
Serdar Gümüs, who defends his European title in Brandenburg next year, has a 21 points advantage over Walter Bax on the ranking and 30 points over Jean Reverchon.
The Spaniard Xavier Fonellosa was the winner at last year's Grand Prix in Marseille followed by Serdar Gümüs. Jean Reverchon won the tournament two years ago.
The qualifications start on Thursday, November 24th and will be closed on Friday. Then the sixteen players who have qualified meet each other as of 16.00. On Saturday, November 26 is the second part of the round, the quarters start at 16.00. The semi-finals are on Sunday at 10.00 pm, the finals at 14.30.
The group format in which is played to 60 figures:
Group A: Eric Daelman, Manfred Hekerle, Patrice Creuzot
Group B: Kevin Tran, Hector Cuadrado, Richard Isaac
Group C: Rene Dericks, Emrah Tac, Jean-Paul Sinanian
Group D: Jacques Jaumotte, David Keller
Group E: Laszio Toth, Olivier Panis, Claude Pacetti, Lemesle
Group F: Jean-Luc Miller, Stephane Meschi, Sergio Sanchez, Wilms.