PORTO - On the first day of the World Cup in Porto, the Dutchman Dick Jaspers lost his top position on the world ranking. Dani Sánchez, the world champion, is now the world's number one as well, no matter where he finishes in this World Cup. The Spaniard had to wait eleven years (2004-2006) to top the ranking again. Three players from Europe Cup winner FC Porto survived the first day in their own arena. Dani Sánchez, with 40 in 11 and Eddy Merckx, with 40 in 15, were the best winners on the opening day. Dick Jaspers, Marco Zanetti, Martin Horn and Nikos Polychronopoulos were the main losers.
The match day in the FC Porto arena was closed with a sensational round. Dani Sánchez first dealt with the Vietnamese Dinh Nai Ngo, who started with nine. The Spaniard launched his unstoppable attack with 13 in the eighth inning and made 8 in the final inning (40-18 in eleven). Eddy Merckx scared the wits out of Martin Horn with his start (21-0 in 6). The Belgian was never in danger in the second part and won 40-14 in 15.
Nikos Polychronopoulos's role was finished soon. Dong-Koong Kang opened with a lightning start (31-9 in 10). The Greek yet fought back with a fifteen in the 15th inning (37-30), but was beaten definitely in the next: 40-32 in 16.
The rather unknown Wan Young Choi decided over Jaspers' fate. The 33-year-old Korean from CheonAn city is coming from the qualifications, played three days ahead and then faced in his first major tournament one of the best players in the world. The Asian came out in triumphal march pace. He dominated the match from the start and recorded the most amazing victory in his career: 40-32 (after 17-4 and 26-16) in 21 innings.
Marco Zanetti and Jérémy Bury were cut short by Lütfi Cenet and Ahn Vu Duong in the shoot-out after 40-40 in the regular match. The Italian threw away a lofty lead (22-3), the Frenchman returned strongly in the match, but stumbled in the penalty series (3-2).
Frédéric Caudron got rid of the young Korean Myung-Woo Cho in a fascinating final fight (40-38 in 25). The other Belgian in this round, Eddy Leppens, continued his winning streak beating Korean Ji Hun Ahn (40-16 in 25). Torbjörn Blomdahl was way too strong for Hyung Kon Kim (40-20 in 21), but from the Koreans, Haeng-Jik Kim (40-19 in 19 against Crespo), Jae-Ho Cho (40- 32 in 20 against Palazón, who scored 14) and Sung-Won Choi (40-28 in 25 against Yüksel) will show up again on the next day.
Marco Zanetti and Lütfi Cenet recorded the best match the first sessions (40-40 in 16) and Nguyen Quoc Nguyen outplayed El Messery 40-18 in 18.
Joao Ferreira treated his home crowd to a thriller against Murat Naci Coklu. The applause at the finish was for the young Portuguese after 40-37 in 26 innings. And the last bump of the day, between two Koreans, was won by Jung-Han Heo, who beat Jae-Guen Kim 40-26 in 27.
Lütfi Cenet shows his joy after he beat Marco Zanetti in the shoot-out
The young Korean star Myung-Woo Cho, beaten at the match end by Frédéric Caudron
Portuguese player Joao Ferreira survived the first day by a win over Murat Naci Coklu
Eddy Merckx, solid win over Martin Horn after a blistering start: 21-0
The matches for tomorrow, Saturday:
11.00 (Portuguese time):
Wan Young Choi-Sung-Won Choi
Sameh Sidhom-Haeng-Jik Kim
Eddy Leppens-Torbjörn Blomdahl
Jae-Ho Cho-Lütfi Cenet
13.00:
Frédéric Caudron-Nguyen Quoc Nguyen
Ahn Vu Duong-Joao Ferreira
Dong-Koong Kang-Jung-Han Heo
Dani Sánchez-Eddy Merckx.