DOUARNENEZ - The eight teams in the Coupe d'Europe for classical teams got underway at the billiard arena of Douarnenez, the reigning champion. The teams of four players are divided into two groups of four teams, with the best two qualifying for the semi-finals on Sunday, March 26. All qualifications in the first three days and the final rounds will be broadcast live on kozoom.tv.
The titleholder's Raymund Swertz, Marek Faus and Gregory Le Deventec are among the top classical players in this company, which also includes Bernard Villiers, Bernard Baudoin, Gert-Jan Veldhuizen and Nicolas Gérassimopoulos among the best-known balk-line and one cushion players. Belgian Patrick Niessen, who would play for Sterkrade, cancelled due to other commitments.
In its opening match for Group A, Douarnenez was the only team with three wins in the three different disciplines. In the match against Sterkrade, Raymund Swertz beat his opponent Michael Woidowski in 47/2 by 250-32 in 3 innings (83.83, run 235), Gregory Le Deventec won the one cushion against Uwe Matuszak by 120-29 in 9 and Marek Faus was the better of Dutchman Micha van Bochem in 71/2 by 200-82 in 7 (28.57).
In this Group A, De Hazelaar from the Netherlands started with a 2-1 win over BC Noorderkempen from Belgium, including a win in 71/2 by Gert-Jan Veldhuizen against Ronny Mathysen: 200-119 in 11. Nico van Hanegem beat Eric Dericks in one cushion 120-93 in 37.
In Group B, Billard Club Ronchin made the best impression with a win against French opponent BC Andernos. Francois Florent won against Nicolas Gérassimopoulos in 71/2 200-64 in 6, Bernard Baudoin, the European champion, beat Bernard Villiers in one cushion 120-88 in 23 and Benoit Legros beat Brahim Djoubri 250-110 in 11 in 47/2.
Spanish team Bilar Floment Molins won against ABC Merklinde by wins for Antoine Gutierez against Roland Gries and Carlos Tusel against Christian Pöther. Only Martijn Egbers won in 71/2 for Merklinde against Alvaro Gomez 200-69 in 11.
Today, Friday (10.00) will start with the match between Douarnenez and De Hazelaar, including Veldhuizen-Faus and Kanters-Swertz. The rounds of play are at 11am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm.
