ANTALYA - The magic shot of Semih Sayginer, the wonderful equalizer of Marco Zanetti with a run of 18 and high-level games from Lars Dunch, Dave Christiani, Semih Sayginer, Zanetti and Roland Forthomme gave shine to the first day at the European championship for national teams. The first group winner is known: the Danes defeated Sweden in a double clash with five caroms in advance. Jacob Sörensen was the match winner, despite Torbjörn Blomdahl's double win over Dion Nelin.
Marco Zanetti played a majestic equalizer, when he went to the breakshot with Semih Sayginer leading 30-12 in the 14th inning. The after run was no longer for qualifying, because his young teammate Alessio d'Agata had lost two games, but at least for prestige. The Italian's farewell crowned a great match of two stars. The eighteen points were good for 30-30. The miraculous 'picqué' Sayginer showed, went around the world on social media.
The only team that has already secured a place in the quarterfinals are the Danes with their first team: Dion Nelin and Jacob Sörensen. The Scandinavian clash with Sweden was a double encounter, with two teams in this group. Torbjörn Blomdahl won both matches against Dion Nelin (30-27 in 23 and 30-21 in 14), Jacob Sörensen decided the game in Danish favor with two victories over Michael Nilsson: 30-19 in 19 and 30-24 in 26. In match points ended the two teams right up, the Danes had a 5 caroms advantage.
The final matches in each group have to make the decision tomorrow, (Saturday) for the seven other group winners in the rounds at 11.00 and 13.00. When two teams finish equal, the average decides.
The second Turkish team has finished its playing in Group A, but Netherlands 2 and Belgium 1, who are the last to play against each other, have the best chances with two draws. The Netherlands and Turkey played a fascinating match: Dave Christiani beat Can Capak 30-17 in 11 innings (final run 13). Tayfun Tasdemir won against Jean van Erp on one point. In Belgium 1against Turkey 2, Roland Forthomme won the match with Tasdemir (30-17 in 13), Eddy Merckx lost to Can Capak 30-21 in 19.
Also in Group B, a Netherlands-Belgium clash can be seen tomorrow. The Dutch lead with their first team after the maximum win in Croatia (Jeffrey Jorissen in 21, Raimond Burgman in 15 innings). The Belgians beat with their second team Croatia (Ceulemans in 20, Mottet in 24 innings).
The Italians are out after a loss against Turkey 1 (3-1 due to the draw of Zanetti against Sayginer) and the 1-1 against Spain 2. On Saturday, Turkey-Spain is the last match with Sayginer-Montes and and Coklu-Crespo. The first Spanish team with Sánchez and Legazpi still have opposition in Group D from France 2, which also beat Switzerland with Barbeillon and Devogelaere.
The Czechs have finished after draws against Denmark 2 and Germany 1, the two teams still playing against each other with the best chances to survive. Lars Dunch started his tournament for the Danes with the best match of the day: 30 in 10. The first French team (Jérémy Bury and Gwendal Maréchal) have the best chance for the win in Group F and still face Portugal on Saturday. For France, Bury beat Kokkoris (30-25 in 17), Maréchal played a draw against fairly unknown Retzios.
In Group H, Greece 1 plays the decider against Austria. The Greeks won to Sweden 2 (Polychronopoulos against Pennör in 14 innings, Antonatos from Gustavsson in 25). Austria played a draw with the Swedes (Efler's win, Kahofer lost).
Marco Zanetti, fabulous run to the end in match with Sayginer
Roland Forthomme, one of the excellent winners for the Belgians
Jacob Sörensen, match winner for the Danes
Torbjörn Blomdahl, double winner over Dion Nelin
Double focus with Turkish referees in Antalya