Four leaders with the maximum score

ZUNDERT – The Christmas tournament will start its third round in all four flights this evening (friday) with four players still undefeated. We can look forward to very exciting matches to decide which eight will book a place in the quarter finals.

Frans van Kuyk (flight B) sof ar has the best record, with 4 points and an average of 1.818. Eddy Merckx (flight C) has 4 points and 1.666, Peter Ceulemans (flight D) 4 points and 1.587, Tayfun Tasdemir (flight A) 4 points and 1.562.

The likeable Turk looked back on the first day of play with an anecdote: Tayfun: ,,During my first match, the zipper on my pants opened by itself, and it was broke, I could not close it. I played on, but with a feeling of embarrasment.''

The best match of the afternoon session was between Eddy Merckx and Eddy Leppens. The reigning world champion was quick off the mark and lead 28 – 8 in 8, but he saw Leppens claw his way back into it: 41 -40. A run of 5 finally decided it in Merckx’s favor.

Frédéric Caudron had lost his first round encounter with Glenn Hofman, but showed he is by no means out of the tournament yet. The Belgian world nr. 1 found his trademark rhythm around the table as he played Jean van Erp, winning that match 50 – 39 in 22.

Eddy Merckx has the high run so far: 13 against Leppens.

Richard Bitalis will face Tasdemir in the first session of the third round, to qualify. Roland Forthomme has to beat Barry van Beers and hope that Bitalis loses, or he must dramatically improve his average. If not, both home players will be eliminated in the prelims.

Frans van Kuyk can even make a misstep against Martin Spoormans, in the last round of the evening. he is safe, his two competitors, Raimond Burgman and Dave Christiani cannot both win as they play each other to decide second place.

Eddy Merckx and Eddy Leppens in flight C are virtually a lock. Jef Philipoom needs a victory against Merckx, and a small miracle (beat Leppens in average, now 1.454 to 1.040) to advance.

Peter Ceulemans will play Frédéric Caudron tomorrow, Glenn Hofman is up against Jean van Erp in flight D.
Because of the high averages of all four players, the permutations in this flight are many. Even Jean van Erp is not out of it if he ends on 2 points.

For those who like the wizardry of the green cloth: Frédéric Caudron will present a show of billiards artistry on Saturday (21.00) in Den Hoek.

Current positions in the flights after two rounds: (points, average)

Flight A
1 Tasdemir 4-1.562
2 Bitalis 2-1.596
3 Forthomme 2-1.241
4 Van Beers 2-1.156

Flight B
1 Van Kuyk 4-1.818
2 Burgman 2-1.278
3 Christiani 2-1.169
4 Spoormans 0-1.028

Flight C
1 Merckx 4-1.666
2 Leppens 2-1.454
3 Philipoom 2-1.040
4 Van de Ven 0-1.279

Flight D
1 Ceulemans 4-1.587
2 Caudron 2-1.780
3 Hofman 2-1.440
4 Van Erp 0-1.555.