SLUISKIL – The man who cheered the loudest and held the Cup high above his head, was the coach who has professed for years that he chased achievements. Jan Kikken cried with joy after his team had beaten TOVV/MCR in the final of the play-offs for the Dutch title.
Frédéric Caudron, the team’s nr. 1 player, celebrated with more restraint. For him, it was one of the highlights of the year. ,,Nevertheless, I consider this great teamwork and I am very happy with it, “he said after friday’s convincing victory over Eddy Merckx and the draw in the rematch.
Jean Paul de Bruijn, the other shining player in the double weekend, fought back his tears during the award ceremony. His emotions were ambiguous: the title was won just days after his father had passed away after a long illness.
,,He made it clear beyond a doubt that he wanted me to play.’’ Just like friday night in Vlaardingen, JP was one of the key players. Being the only one from Zeeland, he delighted the home crowd. His deciding run of 16, from 34-33 behind against Dave Christiani was a thing of beauty.
Glenn Hofman smiled from ear to ear on the rostrum, proud of his performance, twice besting Richard Bitalis with runs in decisive moments and superb averages.
,,It is a somewhat bizarre year for me’’, said the young player who beat reigning European champion Filippos Kasidokostas at the EC to end third there. ,,I do not average as well as I should this year, but I come up with the goods when it is most needed. In this double play-off, I did perform well if I may say so myself.’’
Eddy Leppens had a strong season but did not do very well in the play-offs. Frans van Kuyk beat him twice, the match on friday was really abysmal for Leppens. ,,My worst of the season’’, he acknowledged it himself. On sunday he had a promising start, but once again the man from Brabant had the superior home stretch.
The two best teams in the league met in a final that started in Vlaardingen on friday, where Dallinga took a 6-2 lead. On sunday, the victory and the title were secured before halftime by the matches that Jean Paul de Bruijn and Glenn Hofman brought home for their side, beating Dave Christiani and Richard Bitalis respectively.
Frédéric Caudron stamped his authority on the match against Eddy Merckx with a run of fourteen, but the two Belgian and international superstars who had already met in a scintillating final in St. Truiden on saturday (40-40, Merckx wins after 4 penalty series!), were once again neck and neck in Sluiskil.
Eddy Merckx first clawed his way back into the match, and then finished with a run of eight. Caudron equalized from the spots with a six: 50-50.
Counting van Kuyk’s victory over Eddy Leppens, the return ended 5-3 to Dallinga.
Meerten Dallinga, masterminding the team, called it a reward for splendid teamwork. Jan Kikken also credited his players with that quality. ,,We have five players, counting Peter De Backer, who can deliver on every level. That is what makes Dallinga/Frans Bevers a world class team.’’
Will the new Dutch champion, as they do in football, embark on a European adventure?
Unfortunately, that is not the way it works in billiards. Frédéric Caudron for instance, is committed to play for the strongest foursome in the world: Agipi.
But if you looked Meerten Dallinga and Jan Kikken deep into their eyes and hearts, you’d see a secret wish to perform on an international stage, with this new national champion.
The results:
Caudron-Merckx
50-19 in 18
50-50 in 20
Leppens-Van Kuyk
34-50 in 36
44-50 in 24
De Bruijn-Christiani
50-47 in 25
50-35 in 23
Hofman-Bitalis
50-34 in 37
50-25 in 26.
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The averages of the eight final players throughout the season:
Dallinga team:
Frédéric Caudron 2.045 (13 wins, 3 lost)
Eddy Leppens 1.613 (11, 3)
Jean Paul de Bruijn 1.469 (11, 10)
Glenn Hofman 1.288 (18, 3, 1 draw).
TOVV team:
Eddy Merckx 1.677 (15, 5, 1)
Frans van Kuyk 1.439 (13, 3)
Dave Christiani 1.437 (15, 3, 1)
Richard Bitalis 1.414 (18, 3).