ANTALYA - The multi-winner embraced the debutante in the arena. Therese Klompenhouwer's title, this Sunday afternoon, was the 11th in Europe, Monique van Exter's the very first in three-cushion. The two Dutch ladies beat the Turkish team in the final for national women's teams on the final day at the European Championships in Antalya. That victory only became a reality after a 1-1 tie in the regular games (Therese won against Gülsen Degener, Monique lost to Güzin Mujde Karakasli). The Dutch grabbed the gold in the Scotch Double (12-8) and became the first-ever European champion in women's team three-cushion. Therese, ten times European champion in the ladies, was happy to share in the great joy of Monique, first time on the European stage. ’’This is a wonderful finish after ten days at this European Championship in Antalya, we’re going home again on Monday.''
The Dutch company that was still watching on the final day celebrated the victory. For the orange team, the ladies were the golden winners with two victories at this European Championship: Therese in the individual three-cushion, Therese Klompenhouwer and Monique van Exter, two opposites in success and experience, were the best in the country team championship. The Dutch, used to many successes, did not get beyond places of honor this time with the men in three-cushion and classical players.
The Turks were more successful in the tournament in front of their own audience, closing the women's tournament with silver for Gülsen Degener, Turkey's leading lady for many years, and Güzin Mujde Karakasli. The two Turkish women took a shot at gold, kept the score balanced, but were overpowered by Therese and Monique's final run of six in the Scotch Double.
The Dutch won in the semi-final against Belgium 2-0: Therese Klompenhouwer beat Jaimie Buelens (30-16 in 32), Monique van Exter won against Daniëlle le Bruyn (30-16 in 42). The Turks beat Denmark: Gülsen Degener was the strongest against Charlotte Sörensen (30-28 in 33, Mujde Karakasli beat Nanna Petersen 30-21 in 50.
Therese Klompenhouwer and Monique van Exter joined together for a brief press moment.
Therese: ’’I am happy with this title as well, which we achieved together. We did not play at the very highest level, but before the final we played good games. That is the result of a few training sessions we did together. There was some tension in the final, besides, the billiards are quite difficult and we played very defensively.''
Monique: ’’For me it was my first European championship in three-cushion, on which I have focused more and more in the last two years. Before, I also played a lot of classic disciplines. I am very happy with this title, which I get to share with Therese. We have been quite helpful to each other. Me especially to Therese. Before the European Championships, we trained a few times for Scotch Double, how to coach each other. I benefited from that in the final. The decisive run for the title started with a point, which I owe to Therese. We looked at the position and she said, 'Pop it into that corner with maximum effect.' I did it and we were the champions. It was a wonderful experience to play the final, especially because we got a lot of support from our Dutch fans in this Turkish arena.''
The ladies podium at the Europeans for nation teams
The top four in the European ladies championship:
1 Nederland 8-0.896-7
2 Turkije 1 6-0.672-6
3 Denemarken 1 3-0.595-9
4 België 1 2-0.495-5.
5, 6, 7, 8 en 9 met 1 matchpunt: Duitsland 1, Spanje 1, Frankrijk 1, Oostenrijk 1 en Denemarken 2.