THERE WERE MORE rounds of matches in both the 8-ball division as well as teams events as the PREDATOR EPBF European Pool Championships enjoyed another action-packed day in Antalya. The men’s 8-ball resumes tomorrow with the remaining last 64 games and then goes full-steam ahead to an evening finish. The women’s sees the bottom half of the last 32 play out before last 16 action starts at 13.00.
In the women’s teams, France and Germany have found their way to the semi-finals and await the winners from the losers qualification round - either Poland or Portugal and Austria or Ukraine - taking place on Tuesday. For the men, they’re down to the quarter-finals which resume on Tuesday.
One of the sport’s biggest names has started her 2026 European Championship appearance in the 8-ball division as Jasmin Ouschan defeated Sara Rocha 6-3 yesterday and then 14.1 gold-medallist Linnea Hjalmarstrom 6-2 today.
Commented Jasmin, “She won the straight pool so congrats on that. It was amazing, I watched it and it was pretty impressive. So, when you draw her in the last 32, that’s not the easiest draw that you can get. Yesterday was my first day at the EC so I’m still trying to find my rhythm and game here. I haven’t quite arrived yet – that’s what it feels like to me but I’m pleased with that match, I think it was solid but there’s still room to improve.
“We’re all facing a good problem to have this year. It’s a full schedule for all the pros so we’re travelling quite a lot. I think you have to choose wisely at some point and see that it does make sense for your performance and if it’s worth it when it comes to energy and all that.
“You really have to find your schedule so I felt after Vegas, I just needed one or two days to breathe, to regulate myself and calm down and then be ready for the EC’s. I think it was a smart decision and we’ll see how it goes. It’s a good problem to have but it’s definitely a tight schedule,” she concluded.
In the men’s 8-ball, Portugal’s Joao Grilo is making a run, looking to add to his two bronze medals, won in 10-ball in 2019 and straight pool (2023). A run of three wins, including beating Georgia’s David Avakian in the last 64, sets up a round of 32 game against Dimitri Jungo (SUI) tomorrow.
He said, “I’m playing good and my break was good too today. I play solid pool in 8-ball and now I will be trying my best for the next match. I have two bronze medals previously in 10-ball and straight pool now I will try my best in 8-ball because in Portugal we play many 8-ball tournaments on 8-foot tables and my feeling is good in 8 ball. I’ll give it my best as for Portuguese players, 8-ball is the game!”
Grilo’s next round opponent is Swiss veteran Dimitri Jungo, who has been playing in top level competition for over 20 years and was a 14.1 gold medal winner in this event back in 2009. Back enjoying the game, after a break, Jungo spoke after his impressive last 64 victory over Stefan Kasper.
“It was a good win especially as Kasper won the European Championship straight pool so he’s a tough player to play so I’m very happy. Even though my game was not perfect, I’m still happy. We always try to play our best but you have to accept that it’s not possible.
“I have two children and I’m working in insurance but billiards is a big part of my life and I will always be a part of it but I always have to look at how much is possible but I can see for the next year that it will be more pool again. The older I get the more I know that billiards is a big part of my life.”
Part of a super-strong Polish squad here in Türkiye, Mateusz Sniegocki got past Jonas Hansen of Norway to maintain his position in the draw and he was pretty happy with things; “Overall not my best performance; I hope I’m going to play better. My game switches from very good A game, A-plus even and from time to time I make some unforced errors which cost me two losses already. I hope I’m going to perform better and that’s for sure and it is needed if I want to think about being the champion.
“We’ve always come back from the European Championships with good results so for sure, we’re always looking for the medals and good that Daniel won yesterday so congratulations to him as that was a big win. Each of us is thinking about their own result the most and of course we are supporting each other and keeping fingers crossed for all our team mates but for sure I have it in the back of my head that I want to get a medal as well.”
The 8-ball tournament plays to a finish tomorrow (Saturday) with the remainder of the men’s last 64 starting at 9.00. Then rounds continue at 11.00, 13.00, 15.00 and 17.00 with the final scheduled for 20.30. The women start at last 32 and follow the same timetable, missing out the 11.00 round.
Tables 1, 2 and 3 at the Predator European Championships will be streamed throughout on YouTube, via the Pro Billiard TV channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ProBilliardTV
In addition, competing players are permitted to stream their own matches on outside tables to their public social media accounts.
For all results, live scoring and draw, visit www.epbf.com/tournaments/european-championships/
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