ANTALYA – The European billiards championships in Antalya conclude on on Sunday afternoon with the team finals. It was a long week for the organizers, referees, and players. Diane Wild, the president of the European Billiards Federation (CEB), led an organization in the Turkish city that excelled in every aspect through quality, dedication and extensive international experience. At the end of this massive event, Diane Wild summarizes: "It was a fantastic week with many sporting highlights."
Kozoom covered all tournaments and disciplines and asked the president for a retrospective and analysis.
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: How do you look back on that week from an organizational perspective?
Diane Wild: For us as an organization, it was clearly a great success! We received very positive feedback from players, spectators and national sports leaders. We are proud of the team's hard work and happy that everyone enjoyed this week.
Kozoom/FB: Which matches/finals did you enjoy the most, what were the highlights?
Diane Wild: It is of course impossible to pick just one match or final, because every match had its own tension and a high level of skill. The All-in-One week is the perfect place to enjoy all disciplines of our sport (three-cushion, 5-pins, artistic, and classical).
Kozoom/FB: Was it tense for you regarding the organization of the CEB prior to the tournament, due to the threat of cancellations because of the war situation?
Diane Wild: There was no official statement from European governments to avoid Turkey, except the far eastern border (1,300 kilometers from Antalya). Some fake news on social media, as well as all the discussions and speculation circulating online, were more problematic.
Kozoom/FB: Did you understand the decision of the Italians and a few individual players to stay away?
Diane Wild: The Italian federation's decision to withdraw, solely for the carom players (pool players were participating in the European pool championship in Antalya at the same time), was published only 40 hours before the start of the All-in-One tournament without warning CEB. That was a very bad and unpleasant surprise for us. Especially for the Italian referees who had been invited and reimbursed by CEB for travel and accommodation. Apart from Italy, only about 1% of the players decided not to come due to the situation in Iran, and they were all replaced. It is important to mention that all other federations were present.
Kozoom/FB: Was it easy to handle this with reserve players?
Diane Wild: Thanks to the good reactivity from CEB and the help of all other national federations, the matches with reserve players could be fulfilled within a few hours. As for the referees, the schedule was adapted consequently, with extra work for all other referees, and they handled this admirably.
Kozoom/FB: Did the 5-pins tournament suffer from the absence of the Italians, who are masters of the game and create a great atmosphere?
Diane Wild: Regarding the individual 5-pins tournament and the national teams, 12 countries competed for the medals in high-level matches. In the women's 5-pins tournament, the title was already, and stay this year in Denmark. No surprise.
Kozoom/FB: How was it in the first days of the organization ? Did the Turkish people in the organization need a run-up? Did they adapt quickly to the mega-tournament that spanned several days?
Diane Wild: Our cooperation with the Turkish federation is very good since a long time, and having already organized the All-in-One in Antalya in 2023, the team was well prepared for this event. The team handled everything efficiently and ensured that the tournament ran smoothly and was enjoyable throughout all nine days.
Kozoom/FB: The CEB has a close-knit and experienced team for organizing these kinds of long tournaments. How satisfied are you with your team?
Diane Wild: We are all volunteers on the CEB board, and I am proud to be part of it. Our team is very experienced, motivated, and worked hard to organize such a mega-event.
Kozoom/FB: Can you indicate how many referees were active in all the disciplines? How many people were in the Turkish organization?
Diane Wild: Initially, we had planned for 65 referees, but 9 did not show up. In the end, we managed the entire eent with 56 referees covering all disciplines. On site, the Turkish organization was represented by 6 people.
Kozoom/FB: What is it like to be the chairperson of such a big organization? The preparation, the start, the schedule? You are currently politically active yourself; is that easy to combine?
Diane Wild: As a president of the CEB, I am very happy and proud to lead such a dedicated and involved board, which has worked hard to organize this championship and is deeply committed to the developing and promoting billiards. Regarding my political activities, I have been an elected member of the Lausanne city council since 2011, so the current election period has not changed anything. My work for the CEB continues smoothly alongside my long-standing political responsibilities.
Kozoom/FB: How much longer will you remain president of the CEB?
Diane Wild: The CEB board was elected last year until 2029.
Kozoom/FB Are there developments within the CEB, changes on the way?
Diane Wild: As already announced, youth and ladies are our priority, but naturally we are working on the promotion and development of all disciplines. For example, the creation of CEB Tours in 3-cushion and 5-pins will be announced soon.
Kozoom/FB: Which countries surprised you, or are the traditional nations the main winners?
Diane Wild: It is great to see the first international medal for San Marino!
Kozoom/FB: Did you see small things that could be improved? For example, we saw people in the chat complaining about an 88-inning match, a real marathon.
Diane Wild: Yes, the rules will be adjusted with a limit on the number of innings. Decisions will also be made regarding players who play too slowly.
Kozoom/FB: Were you happy with the venue, in a wonderful hotel, by the looks of it? Was there a lot of interest, people in the stands watching the matches?
Diane Wild: Yes, it was a wonderful hotel, with a huge playing hall, adapted for the 24 tables. Three tables were also installed by Zeki in the hall for players to continue practicing.
Thanks fort he interview Diane, enjoy the great success
Kozoom.
Diane Wild and the Turkish federation chairman Ersan Ersac during the ceremony for men's three cushion