ZUNDERT - Dick Jaspers is facing three strong Belgians in the final rounds at the Christmas tournament in Zundert. The Dutch world champion, who returned to the end-year tournament for the first time in many years, again has a shot to victory after two match wins. He won both against Peter Ceulemans (4-0 in sets) and Eddy Merckx (4-3) and today, Saturday, plays his last group match against Gerwin Valentijn at 12.00. Roland Forthomme, Frédéric Caudron and Peter Ceulemans are the other three semi-finalists.
Peter Ceulemans joined the final rounds in the Jaspers group thanks to a victory in his last match against Eddy Merckx (4-2). Valentijn and Merckx are eliminated. In the other group, Roland Forthomme remained unbeaten with victories over Caudron (4-3) and Barry van Beers (4-1). Forthomme plays against Leppens in his last match this afternoon at 14.00. In this group, Van Beers missed qualification by a loss against Caudron in his last group matc, despite a 3-1 lead in sets. Caudron escaped by taking the deciding three sets 9-0, 9-4 and 9-0. Eddy Leppens has been eliminated after two losses.
The tournament is played in short sets of nine point games in the preliminaries to the 'best of 7'. Biljartcentrum D'n Hoek in Zundert, where the Christmas tournament traditionally is played, is the place to be with this format. The billiard hall was almost sold out in the first two days.
Today, Saturday, the tournament continues with Jaspers-Valentijn at 12.00 and Forthomme-Leppens at 14.00. The two last group matches are no longer important for the qualifications. At 17.00 and 20.00 the semi-finals go to best of 9. Tomorrow, Sunday, the final is played to best of 11 at 14.00. The matches will be streamed LIVE on kozoom.com.
The rankings in the two groups:
Group A:
1 Jaspers 2-4
2 Ceulemans 3-4
3 Merckx 3-2
4 Valentijn 2-0
Group B:
1 Forthomme 2-4
2 Caudron 3-4
3 Van Beers 3-2
4 Leppens 2-0.