BLANKENBERGE – The mission was mainly about winning in the two groups played on Tuesday at the Multi's in three-cushion. The averages were less important at this stage as it was showed in the group rankings. Peter De Backer won his preliminary round with six match points and 1.000 on average, Steven van Acker with four match points and 1.231.
Bart Ceulemans, with four points and 1.234, the best in average on Tuesday, and Martin Spoormans (four points, 1.142) are the runners up going into the finals with 16. Stef van Hees and Mathy Monnissen were the dropouts in Group C, Dany Boutet and Luc Salvo were eliminated in Group D.
Today, Wednesday, is reserved for Group A with Johan Loncelle, Francis Forton, Henk Blauwblomme and Eddy Willems and Group G with Jef Philipoom, Andy de Bondt, Marco Janssen and Danny Wuyts.
Henk Blauwblomme started with a win over Francis Forton (40-26 in 32), Eddy Willems with a win over Johan Loncelle (40-29 in 39).
In the classical disciplines, Patrick Niessen (a win in 1 inning against Maarten Janssen) and Peter Vandeloo led in the free game. Patrick Niessen and Philippe Deraes had the best start in 47/2.
Patrick Niessen beat Philippe Deraes early Wednesday morning in 47/1 by 150-28 in 3 innings (run 140), Maarten Janssen was the better of Johan Devos by 150-62 in 5. In that discipline, it is between Niessen and Janssen. In balkline 71/2, Maarten Janssen and Johan Devos lead, in one cushion after the first round Patrick Niessen and Maarten Janssen.
All matches will be broadcast live daily on Kozoom.
The two groups in three cushion on Tuesday:
Group C:
- Peter De Backer 6-1.000-9
- Bart Ceulemans 4-1.234-9
- Stef van Hees 2-0.980-6
- Mathy Monnissen 0-0.803-4
Group D:
- Steven van Acker 4-1.231-8
- Martin Spoormans 4-0.909-5
- Dany Boutet 2-0.803-6
- Luc Salvo 2-1.081-7
Bart Ceulemans as a runner-up to the eighth finals.