BERLICUM - The good news came from Dick Jaspers in the middle of the night. The Dutch star player, number one on the world ranking list, is declared Corona-free in his second test. He can start in the Jumbo Masters tomorrow (Sunday) where the Dutch three cushion championship in the highest class is played for the 93rd time. The image of doom, that the champion, Dick Jaspers, would be missing on the starting podium, was taken away by Jaspers himself, just after 12 o'clock, Friday midnight.
''Fortunately, I tested negative after all'', the Brabant billiard player reported relieved. His participation was highly doubtful from Friday afternoon, because the first official GGD test in Den Bosch had given a positive result.
Harry Mathijssen, the organizer of BEN, quickly arranged a second attempt in Rotterdam. Dick Jaspers took the opportunity with both hands, although he realized: ''The chance is very small that I won't have a Corona now'', he said before his departure. But a small miracle happened: the result around midnight was negative. Dick Jaspers has no Corona and can play at the Masters. For the reigning champion it is the 32nd time in 32 Masters tournaments.
For six days, more than thirty people will stay in the bubble. The players, the referees, the organizers, the Kozoom team and Ziggo Sport with reporters, photographer and interviewer. The organization strictly enforces the rules.
X Everyone will hand in a negative PCR test before the start
X Everybody from the bubble will undergo a quick test upon arrival
X Nobody is allowed to leave the playing room of Benelux Theatre in Berlicum during the five days of the tournament, only for the 'controlled' up and down trip to the hotel in Den Bosch.
X No spectators allowed, anyone who wants to follow the Masters can watch the matches on Ziggo Sport, Kozoom and youtube of the KNBB.
X Food and drinks in a closed area for all the people in the bubble
The groups and the schedule:
Group A: Dick Jaspers, Raimond Burgman, Frans van Schaik, Harrie van de Ven
Group B: Jeffrey Jorissen, Joey de Kok, Martien van der Spoel, Jack van Peer
Group C: Roland Uijtdewillegen, Raymund Swertz, Jean van Erp, Huub Wilkowski
Group D: Dave Christiani, Barry van Beers, Kay de Zwart, Ludo Kools.
The play days in the preliminaries start at 10.00, the next sessions every day at 11.35, 13.30 and 14.45.
On Wednesday the quarter finals are played according to the same time table.
On Thursday at 10.30 and 12.15, the semi-finals, the final at 14.00.
The first matches on Sunday 25 April (all matches to three sets of 10 caroms won, 30 seconds shot clock, no time-outs in the sets):
10.00: Jaspers-Burgman, Van de Ven-Van Schaik
11.35: Jorissen-De Kok, Van der Spoel-Van Peer
13.10: Uijtdewillegen-Swertz, Van Erp-Wilkowski
14.45: Christiani-Van Beers, De Zwart-Kools.