STOCKHOLM - In the billiard arena of Biljardpalatset in Stockholm, the individual Swedish three-cushion championship is played this weekend in a field of sixteen players. The two main favorites are Torbjörn Blomdahl, the multiple champion, and Michael Nilsson, the defending champion. The two Swedish star players, who captured the European nation title together a few weeks ago, will be up against players who are less known internationally.
Torbjörn Blomdahl is the current number 13 at the world rankings, Michael Nilsson is 28th, the next Swedish players are David Pennör on 89th and Nalle Olsson on 170th. For Blomdahl, who finished third in the previous Swedish Championship, it is obviously of great importance that he takes a shot at the 30 points that the champion receives for the UMB ranking. That will keep him in the top 14.
Michael Nilsson has shown his form in recent months and will certainly defend his title with all his high quality.
The tournament management is in the hands of Tobias Ring and Bo Peterson. The group stage is on Friday and Saturday, on Sunday are the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
The sixteen players, divided into four groups:
Group A:
Nalle Olsson
Ratcha Alievski
Björn Lohmander
Richard Helander
Group B:
Torbjörn Blomdahl
Bosse Gustafsson
Bernard Aupeix
Göran Espe
Group C:
David Pennör
Lenart Trpevski
Mattias Enerdal
Yüksel Polat
Group D:
Michael Nilsson
Henryk Kalita
Niclas Bergendorff
Manuel Orellana.