DOETINCHEM - Was it a World Cup in a faraway billiard country or just a Grand Prix played on this Friday evening in Doetinchem in the Netherlands? Because, what an improbably high level was achieved there on the day before the Grand Prix three-cushion, the last of this year, actually has its kick-off for the final day. Four of the Dutch billiard players were put in one group, with the best two advancing to the finals with 16 players on Saturday. What a start, what a high runs and what a level!!!
Jeffrey Jorissen started in his first match against Harrie van de Ven with a formidable 40-13 in 10 (4,000 on average, run 12). Volkan Cetin launched his tournament against Roland Uijtdewillegen in that first session with a run of 17! Harrie van de Ven shone in the next session against the same Uijtdewillegen with a run of 15! And Jeffrey Jorissen won this group with 2.500 on average, Harrie van de Ven was the runner-up with 1.631 and Volkan Cetin was eliminated with 1.430. So, we are talking about a regular Dutch Grand Prix, on Friday night, even before the 16 players start the final day. Jeffrey Jorissen was the leader after this Thursday and Friday of the main tournament with 6 points, 2,500, 12, ahead of Glenn Hofman with 6-2,068-10, Dick Jaspers with 6-1,714-8, Jean van Erp with 6-1,690-9, Barry van Beers with 6-1,666-13, Dave Christiani with 6-1,643-8, Jean Paul de Bruijn 6-1,643-10 and Raimond Burgman with 5-1,276-9.
The runners-up are Huub Wilkowski, Jack van Peer, Jerry Hermans, Joey de Kok, Kay de Zwart, Rene Dericks, Harrie van de Ven and Paul Bruijstens. Best-known players eliminated: Volkan Cetin, Sam van Etten, Raymund Swertz and Frans van Schaik.
Dick Jaspers won his group ahead of Jerry Hermans, whom he beat in a direct match 40-30 in 32. Jack Wijnen and Frits Broeders were dropped out in this A-group. Jean Paul de Bruijn remained unbeaten in Group B against Kay de Zwart, Adrie Demming and Jan Viskil. Jeffrey Jorissen won the superb Group C with Harrie van de Ven, Volkan Cetin and Roland Uijtdewillegen. In Group D, Dave Christiani prevailed with a fine 1.643 ahead of Paul Bruijstens, Raymund Swertz (2-1.000-5) and Fred Driessen.
Barry van Beers was the boss in Group E over Jack van Peer, Sam van Etten (2-1,376-6) and Menno de Vries. Jean van Erp made it in Group F ahead of Joey de Kok, Bert van Manen and Michael Vink. In Group G, Raimond Burgman beat Rene Derickx, John van der Stappen and played a draw against Frans van Schaik. Glenn Hofman was superior in Group H with the maximum 6 match points ahead of Huub Wilkowski, Erwin Kivits and Gert-Jan van der Veen.
Saturday, so today 16 December, kicks off at 11.00 at De Veemarkt in Doetinchem with the eighth finals and all matches up to the final (19.00) will be broadcast live by Kozoom.
The first knockout round:
11.00:
Jeffrey Jorissen-Paul Bruijstens
Raimond Burgman-Huub Wilkowski
Jean van Erp-Kay de Zwart
Barry van Beers-Joey de Kok
13.00:
Dick Jaspers-Rene Dericks
Dave Christiani-Jerry Hermans
Jean Paul de Bruijn-Jack van Peer
Glenn Hofman-Harrie van de Ven.
Volkan Cetin, after a starting run of 17, was eliminated for the final rounds