11th April 2025
THERE WAS A long second day’s play at the ARC ESTONIAN OPEN in Tallinn as the open event reduced down to the last 16 players, while the women’s tournament is now at just eight players. There were plenty of close matches in both tournaments as the event was reaching its business end. Among the contenders, Jose Alberto Delgado of Spain is looking for his best ever Euro Tour finish, after a semi-final spot here in Tallinn last year. He edged out former WPA World Junior Champion, Yannick Pongers in a 10-8 thriller. Delgado now plays veteran George Kampourlidis of Greece.
Josh Filler, looking for yet another Euro Tour title, kept his chances going, in beating countryman Luca Menn. Filler had led 6-1 before Menn came right back into it and at 8-8 it could have gone either way, It went Filler’s though, and he can now look ahead to a very tricky last 16 match against Wojciech Szewczyk.
After a very successful Predator European Championship, Germany’s Stefan Kasper is in position to better his runners-up finish last time out in Italy. Kasper hauled off two gold medals at the ECs – an individual in 8-ball as well as the team title, and he led throughout in beating compatriot Tobias Bongers tonight.
Casper has not held back in his humorous dislike of 8-ball, despite winning European Championship gold and still being in with a shout in this event.
“It’s still 8-ball, I still hate it!” he laughed.
“The last match against Tobias, I played very good, I didn’t miss a ball and yes, maybe here, who knows? It worked at the 8-ball at the European Championships so why not the Euro Tour? Everything is possible. I’m done completely but it’s now the final day so I’ll try to give everything.”
In the ladies, the quarter-final matches are set. Pia Filler marches on, coming through a tight game against Portugal’s Vania Franco, which went to a final rack decider. Jasmin Ouschan is looking for two out of two this year after she made light work of Swedish teenager Linnea Hjalmarstrom, 8-1 on the main arena table.
In her way is Poland’s Oliwia Zalewska, a five-time Euro Tour champion. She is on course for another championship victory as she played her way into the last eight with a comfortable 8-3 win over Chantal Stadler (Germany). She can now look forward to Jasmin Ouschan in the morning’s matches.
Commented Olivia, “I didn’t make many mistakes and finished all my chances which was quite nice and I enjoyed it. Actually 8-ball isn’t my favourite but I made the most of it. Of course, experience in winning is very important; we gain it through the years and of course it influences our game and this is who we are as players. That gives me confidence and has shaped me a pool player. I’m aiming for first place; this is why I came here and I’ll try and take my chances.”
The final day of the ARC Predator Open gets underway at 10.00 on Saturday morning. The open event resumes at the last 16 stage, while the women play the quarter-finals.
This year sees a new streaming platform for all Euro Tour and European Championships events.
Table 1 will be streamed throughout on YouTube, via the Pro Billiard TV channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ProBilliardTV
For all results, live scoring and draw, visit https://www.epbf.com/tournaments/eurotour/information/
EPBF Sponsors
▸ Predator Group
▸ Iwan Simonis Billiard Cloth
▸ Aramith Billiard Balls
▸ Longoni Cues
▸ Kamui Brand
From official press release