In the winner's qualification round of the Dynamic Billiards European Open, "El Nino" Nick van den Berg (NED) left no chance for his opponent Alexander Kazakis (GRE) and destroyed him with 9:4.
Kazakis is currently in a good form. He just became third in the Kremlin Cup in Moscow and he had two strong victories under his belt in this event already when he entered into the match with van den Berg. He even got a quick 3:0 lead and things seemed to roll his way, not van den Berg's way. But then the tide turned and van den Berg grew stronger. He overtook Kazakis and at the score of 4:3 for van den Berg, Kazakis scratched on his break which gave van den Berg the chance to get away with 5:3. "I think that was the turning point in the match", said van den Berg afterwards. "I was a bit unlucky in the beginning but I handled it differently than him". After that, Kazakis never got back into his rhythm and van den Berg took the match with 9:4. "The difference was probably the experience. I know that he is a great player who currently is on a good roll. I expected it was going to be a tight match." "When I got unlucky in the beginning of the match, I stayed calm and changed things. When he got unlucky, he became frustrated. That's probably the reason why I won the match so clearly" analysed van den Berg. "The key shot in the match was when I led 5:3 and fell out of position and had to get the cue ball right on the spot which I did and ran the rack. That probably was too much for him". Nick van den Berg has reached the single elimination stage of the event which starts tomorrow morning, 10:00 CET. Alexander Kazakis will have the chance at 21:00 CET tonight to join him by winning his next match in the loser's qualification round.
Other notable results from that round include David Alcaide (ESP) thrashing Denis Grabe (EST) with 9:2. Nick Ekonomopoulos (GRE) defeated "Fabulous" Fabio Petroni (ITA) by an eyelash with 9:8. Mario He (AUT) remained victorious over Ralf Souquet (GER) with 9:8.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.europeanopenonline.eu , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.