TILBURG - The Grand Prix winner in Tilburg, Holland, Jeffrey Jorissen, said a few weeks ago with a spark of bravado: it's nice to finish high in a Grand Prix, but the only thing that counts is to win. That's a really tough statement in a country where Dick Jaspers is the undisputed top player, the number one in the world and usually among the participants in the GP tournaments. But Jeffrey (35) from The Hague has fully realized these words on Saturday night in the fourth and last Grand Prix in 2019 in Tilburg. He played the final match and faced Dick Jaspers. And Jorissen did what he said: he won in an excellent final match: 40-33 in 20 innings.
The Hague player climbed with his victory in the first Grand Prix final that he played to second place in the national ranking, following the leader Dick Jaspers. That status gives the two leaders the right to play together for the Netherlands at the World championship for national teams in Viersen. It is also announced that Jorissen and Raimond Burgman will play the European championship for national teams in Turkey upcoming February. Dick Jaspers has told his federation that he will not participate, because he plays the World Cup in Antalya shortly thereafter.
It's all new for Jorissen: the high ranking, his first World championship participation, his first European championship and after about forty participations in a Grand Prix tournament for the very first time in the final. Jorissen: ''I always remember the great Ceulemans' words: to win is not just wonderful, it is the only thing that counts for a sportsman. And I realized: if you play a final for the first time, you'd better win right away.''
He said it with his typical smile, but surely realized what he announced in an interview with Kozoom during the World Cup in Veghel, where Jorissen already played some high class matches. The final win against Dick Jaspers, in Tilburg was not only extremely good, also very well deserved. ''I played well, super relaxed and focused'', was his first comment. My start was good with a 24-13 lead. I know, of course, that Dick can hit back any time, as he did with a run of eight, but I could finish it off afterwards. I knew that I only could win when I played my very best three cushion. And I did it. I had to solve a lot of tough positions, but still I played two on average. The win is nice, very nice, but the participation in the World championship together with Jaspers is even better.''
It immediately raises the question whether Jeffrey Jorissen, after the steps he made in the last two years, can resist the temptation to now also play the international events, such as the World Cups. The Hague player doubts, but still has it in his mind. ''I have my job in my fathers billiard cafe, I have my little son, so it actually gives quite a few practical problems. But to be honest, it is tempting, I will think about it in the coming months.''
Twice so far, Jorissen played a semi-final in the Masters, the Dutch championship: in 2012 in Kaatsheuvel and last year in Berlicum against Jean van Erp. "I didn't grow to the national top that fast," Jorissen admits. ''But one I reached one on average, I grew with small steps. And with the progression in the last two years, I am now moving towards 1,500. I would say, grow a little further and I am ready for the World Cups."
Jorissen won the Grand Prix in Tilburg with 1,637 ahead of Jaspers with 2,275, Martien van der Spoel with 1,353 and Dave Christiani with 1,282. The Hague player won in the eighth finals against Wilco van Wijk 40-14 in 21, in the quarterfinals against Jean van Erp 40-35 in 29 and in the semi-final against Martien van der Spoel 40-34 in 29. Dick Jaspers defeated Dave Christiani in the semi-finals 40-34 in 23 and played the best match of the entire Grand Prix in the quarters against Barry van Beers, 40-11 in 10 innings and a best run of 14.
The sixteen participants for the Masters (January 16-19) are known after this fourth and final Grand Prix. Tomorrow, Sunday, the draw will be made by Paul Brekelmans and Hans de Bruin on the opening day at the World Cup in Egypt.
The 16 players for the Masters after 4 GP events:
1 Dick Jaspers 376 (average 2,017)
2 Jeffrey Jorissen 340 (1,432)
3 Raimond Burgman 320 (1,483)
4 Dave Christiani 260
5 Jean van Erp 212
6 Roland Uijtdewillegen 212
7 Barry van Beers 208
8 Martien van der Spoel 160
9 Raymund Swertz 160
10 John Tijssens 152
11 Harrie van de Ven 148
12 Frans van Schaik 136
13 Huub Wilkowski 128
14 Therese Klompenhouwer 126
15 Jack Wijnen 124
16 Volkan Cetin 116.
The top 12 in the Tilburg Grand Prix (average, high run):
1 Jeffrey Jorissen 1,637-11
2 Dick Jaspers 2,275-14
3 Martien van der Spoel 1,353-15
4 Dave Christiani 1,282-13
5 Jean van Erp 1,476-9
6 Roland Uijtdewillegen 1,273-9
7 Barry van Beers 1,125-9
8 Joey de Kok 1,089-6
9 Raimond Burgman 1,360-13
10 Harrie van de Ven 1,348-9
11 Therese Klompenhouwer 1,241-7
12 Raymund Swertz 1,215-10.
Jeffrey Jorissen (l) and Dick Jaspers, the final players