BRANDENBURG - Twenty-year-old Jop de Jong, one of the biggest talents ever in artistic billiards, has already took the spotlights at the European championships in Brandenburg. The Dutchman, who debuts on the international stage, not only survived the group stage undefeated, he also won his first match in the knockout stage against Belgian routine Erik Vervliet (3-2). As a result, he has qualified among the best eight of the tournament.
Jop de Jong, by far the youngest player in this circuit, had to fight back from 2-1 down in sets, but hd an excellent finish. With stunning points, he overpowered his opponent on the crucial moments.
The first part seemed to turn into Belgium's favour, winning the first set 43-34, then De Jong scored 32-26 (1-1). In the third set Vervliet took a narrow win with a decisive shot, just missed by his opponent: 35-34.
When the tension was growing, the young player from Bathmen in Overijssel was on his verybest. He first won the fourth set 32-17 and always was in balance with the Belgian in the fifth set. With one more ten-point figure to play and 35-32 lead, De Jong masterfully scored his last. At his third attempt (a piqué, two-time the long rail, the corner and the carom) he finished it off. ,,What an exciting finish'', the young guy commented with a smile. His opponent, slightly disappointed: ,,I was waiting for my last shot, but I got no more chance.'' De Jong: ,,I was better prepared, because I played already three matches and he came cold in the tournament.''
The next opponent for De Jong in the last eight is Michaël Hammen from France. The match starts at 15.00.
All the results:
Jean Reverchon-Eric Daelman 3-0
Kevin Tran-Xavier Fonellosa 3-2
Serdar Gümüs-Benoit Clement 3-1
Sergio Sanchez-Thomas Ahrens 3-0
Walter Bax-Jordi Oliver 3-0
Baris Cin-Sander Jonen 3-0
Jop de Jong-Erik Vervliet 3-2
Michaël Hammen-Emrah Tac 3-0