VIERSEN – The Spanish team, featuring Ruben Legazpi and Sergio Jimenez, has made an excellent start to the World Three-Cushion Championship. The two Spanish top players first defeated Egypt 4-0 in the preliminary rounds and later in the day also defeated South Korea, who are considered among the top favorites, 4-0. Only two rounds were played in the Spanish group on the opening day; the other three groups resume today, Friday. Ruben Legazpi was one of the big names on the first day. The Spanish champion defeated Myung Woo Cho, the former world champion, 40-18 in 15 innings (two runs of 8, one of 12). The Netherlands, Germany, and Colombia are the leaders in the other groups. Eight countries from the four groups of four countries will advance to the quarterfinals. The Germans, playing with veteran Martin Horn and the tournament's youngest player, Amir Ibraimoc, currently have the best average with 1.666. The other winners on Thursday were Vietnam, Turkey, and Sweden, while the USA drew both Korea and Egypt in the group where the Spanish are leading.In the group with the Netherlands, Belgium (who play each other Friday evening at 8:00 PM), Sweden, and Greece, a fantastic battle is developing for the top two spots. The Netherlands won their match against Greece with a win by Glenn Hofman against Dimitrios Seleventas (40-22 in 27) and a draw by Dick Jaspers against Nick Polychronopoulos, who lost three match points and finally managed to draw in the 25th inning. The Belgians suffered a loss against Sweden in their first match. Eddy Merckx and Torbjörn Blomdahl drew in 21 innings, including a career-high run of 11 for Merckx. Ronny Brants, the Belgians' second-place finisher, lost to David Pennör 40-35 in 35.
The German home team, loudly cheered on by many fans in the Festhalle stands, had a flawless start against France: 4-0. Martin Horn narrowly defeated Jérémy Bury (40-38 in 24), and Amir Ibraimov finished in the same number of innings as his leader Horn. The young Amir defeated Mikaël Devogelaere 40-31. Both Germans scored 1.666. Vietnam and Mexico drew in this group, with a win for Quyet Chien Tran and a draw for Luis Sobreya against TTT Nguyen. The Spaniards have already secured a spot in the quarterfinals and will play the USA today, Friday. The Koreans are chasing after their loss to Spain. Wan Young Choi lost to both Sergio Jimenez and Pedro Piedrabuena and appears to be the weak link. Myung Woo Cho defeated Raymon Groot 40-25 in 25 matches, but lost to Legazpi. The Americans then drew against Egypt: Sidhom defeated Groot 40-27 in 14 matches, the best match of the first day. Piedrabuena defeated Ayman 40-24 in 28 matches.
Today's matches, Friday:
11:00 AM:
Netherlands-Sweden with Jaspers-Blomdahl, Hofman-Pennör
Belgium-Greece with Merckx-Polychronopoulos and Brants-Seleventa
2:00 PM:
Vietnam-Germany and France-Mexico
4:00 PM:
Turkey-Colombia and Jordan-Japan
6:00 PM:
Spain-USA and Korea-Egypt
8:00 PM:
Netherlands-Belgium and Greece-Sweden
The final qualifying rounds are Saturday at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM.
Standings after the first day:
Groupl A:
1 Colombia 1-4-1.600-9
2 Turkey 1-3-1.355-5
3 Jordan 1-1-1.016-6
4 Japan 1-0-1.260-7
Groupl B:
1 Germany 1-4-1.666-11
2 Vietnam 1-3-1.454-8
3 Mexico 1-1-1.054-11
4 France 1-0-1.437-7
Group C:
1 Netherlands 1-3-1.538-9
2 Sweden 1-3-1.428-8
3 Belgium 1-1-1.339-11
4 Greece 1-1-1.192-6
Groupl D:
1 Spain 2-8-1.584-12
2 USA 2-4-1,375-7
3 Korea 2-2-1,489-8
4 Egypt 2-2-1,123-11
