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EPBF Dynamic European Championships 2012
8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball and 14.1 for Men, Women and Wheelchair
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Route d�Echternach
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21-31 March 2012

Souquet, Feijen and See out

Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS). Foto: EPBF/DK
Quarterfinals for Chinakhov

Monday, 26 March 2012: In a thrilling encounter, Andreas Gerwen (SWE) wrestled Zoran Svilar (SRB) down with 8:4.

Monday, 26 March 2012: In a classic match, Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) ousted Bruno Muratore (ITA) with 8:5.
Chinakhov opened the duel with a run out after he won the lag. Muratore gives him the right answer and ran the next rack, making the score 1:1. That was repeated though both of the contestants made a mistake each, but the score after 4 racks was 2:2. All even! It could already be noted then that Chinakhov�s break seemed to be a bit better and stronger than Muratore�s. Again, Chinakhov played without any error and seized his game. Then Muratore played a mistake in the next rack and allowed Chinakhov to take a 2-point advantage over him. All of a sudden, there seemed to be a change in Chinakhov�s body language. He looked like he was disgusted with his own game and started missing positions and finally left a shot for Muratore which allowed the Italian to close the gap and tie the match again at 4:4.

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At that point in time, Muratore looked like the one with the stronger mental stamina. But Chinakhov only seemed to lose is focus. He continued to pocket the balls when needed and took a 5:4 lead over Muratore. When Bruno Muratore broke the balls in the 10th rack, a small catastrophe happened to him. He opened all balls on the table but none went in. Chinakhov, aware of his chance there, got to the table and did his job, ran the rack and again took a two-point lead in the match, 6:4.

Then Muratore took his time-out. When he came back, Chinakhov hammered the cue ball into the rack and had balls pocketed. He knew that this rack could put him on the hill. But instead of getting there, he completely ran out of position for the last ball of his group and had to jump into the rail in order to even have a small chance to at least hit the ball. He didn�t succeed and the cue ball jumped off the table which gave ball in hand to Muratore. Instead of trying to run a complicated layout, Muratore who is known t be as cunning as a fox played a good safe and even made it easier for him to get that rack.

Chinakhov fouled again and Muratore ran out. At that time, the score was 6:5 for Chinakhov still. And again, Muratore was unlucky with his break shot. He executed a hard and solid break but the cue ball got kicked and scratched into the corner pocket. That was Muratore�s last appearance at the table for that match. Chinakhov ran the rack and broke and ran the next one and took the victory with 8:5. That match was decided by Chinakhov having advantages on the break shot.

Other notable results include Mario He (AUT) defeating Nick van den Berg (NED) with 8:7 in the round of the last 32 players. Right after that, he terminated �The Terminator� Niels Feijen (NED) with 8:3. BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet (GER) defeated Serge Das (BEL) with 8:6 and then fell for Spain�s David Alcaide with 7:8. At hill-hill, Souquet pocketed 5 balls and scratched!
In the women�s division, Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) ousted Anna Majirina (RUS) with 6:4.

In the wheelchair division, Roy Kimberley (GBR) and Fred Dinsmore (IRE) won their matches and made it to the semi-finals.

L to R: Jasmin Ouschan, Daniel Luton and Dominic Jentsch. Foto: EPBF/DK
After all matches were finished, the award ceremony for the 10-ball competition has taken place. There, the three 10-ball European Champions Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) in the women�s, Daniel Luton (GBR) in the wheelchair and Dominic Jentsch (GER) in the men�s division were honoured.

The 8-ball competition will continue Tuesday morning 09:00 CET.

Most favourites on their way to glory

Andreas Gerwen (SWE). Foto: EPBF/DK
Gerwen too strong for Svilar

Monday, 26 March 2012: In a thrilling encounter, Andreas Gerwen (SWE) wrestled Zoran Svilar (SRB) down with 8:4.

Already in the very first rack, Svilar committed a grave mistake. He was on the table and the balls had a nice layout for him to draw first blood. But he missed an easy shot and gave the first rack away to Gerwen. That is something that you should not do with players of this level. The next rack, Gerwen broke and came up dry. Svilar started potting and again missed an easy shot. What a catastrophe for Svilar. Was it lack of concentration? Gerwen benefitted again from that mistake and took the rack. These two mistakes in the early stage of the match were quite critical for Svilar. He always carried them with him like a ball and a chain through the match.

Gerwen was always on top of things and even when Svilar played without mistakes, Gerwen did as well. Until the 10th rack. Then Gerwen scratched on his break and left an open and easy table to run for Svilar to try and tie the score at 5:5. But Svilar lost position for the 8-ball and hooked himself. He tried to make it but did not succeed. Gerwen took that rack and instead of a tie situation, the score was now 6:4 in favour of Gerwen. That probably broke Svilar�s neck. He broke the balls in the 11th rack and nothing went in with the cue ball in a nice position for Gerwen. The Swede thanked in his own way by pocketing all balls and going on the hill, taking a 7:4 lead over Svilar with his own break to come up. He broke the balls, had a tough shot to begin with but played very strong and won the rack and the match with 8:4. Gerwen has played stronger than Svilar and is rightfully through to the last 32 player�s in the men�s division.

Other notable results in the men�s division include Ralf Souquet (GER) winning over Miquel Silva (POR) with 8:3. David Alcaide (ESP) made it with 8:1 over Johan D�Hondt (BEL).

In the women�s division, Katerina Polovinchuk (UKR) ended the roll of Kristina Zlateva (BUL) with 6:4. The Bulgarian was eliminated from the 8-ball competition. The same fate was shared by Louise Furberg (SWE) who got beaten by Darya Sirotina (RUS) with 2:6. Amalia Matas (ESP), winner against Jasmin Ouschan last night, got ousted by unheralded Claudia Kunz (SUI) with 5:6). Tamara Rademakers (NED) ended Line Kjoersvik�s (NOR) hopes for a medal in 8-ball this year with 6:4.

Single elimination in 8-ball about to start at Dynamic European Championships

Kristina Zlateva (BUL). Foto: EPBF/DK
Zlateva maker her way

Monday, 26 March 2012: Kristina Zlateva (BUL) terminated Laetitia Dos Santos (FRANCE) in the 8-ball competition with 6:1.

What seemed to become a tight match evolved into a one-sided disaster for the French player. Only in the beginning, the match looked even between the two contestants. They both seemed to be a bit nervous and played very slow. After half an hour into the match, the score was only 1:1. In the 3rd rack, Dos Santos had an easy line-up for the 8-ball but missed it. She went to her chair and seemed to be very angry. Zlateva benefitted from Dos Santos� mistake and ran the rack plus another rack in order to take a 3:1 lead. After that, Zlateva took her time-out. The match was still going very slow-paced. No wonder that the tournament directors decided to have a shot clock introduced into the match at a score of 4:1 for Zlateva. At that time, Das Santos took her time-out. When she came back, she broke dry and Zlateva, who became 9th in last year�s World Championships for juniors, missed a ball since she seemed to be uncomfortable with the shot-clock on the match. In that situation, Dos Santos tried to take control over the match again and left a tough shot for Zlateva. The Bulgarian fired that ball in with a jump shot and had perfect position for the 8-ball. She pocketed the 8-ball and went on the hill, leading 5:1. Zlateva, who is only 18 years of age, broke the balls and left an open table for Dos Santos. Last chance for the French lady. She ended up in an awkward situation where she was only able to play the second last ball of her group towards a rail and left a tough shot for Zlateva. Kristina Zlateva ran the rack again and deservedly won the match with 6:1. She will now be entering the single elimination stage of the 8-ball while Dos Santos will have to wait for the 9-ball competition in order to be able to play again.

Other notable results this morning include Nick van den Berg (NED) ousting Marcus Chamat (SWE) after a tough fight with 8:7.

Top favourite player in the women�s division, Jasmin Ouschan (AUT), who unexpectedly found herself on the loser�s side after the lost to Amalia Matas (ESP) last night, just made it to the single elimination stage by winning with 6:5 over brave Silvia Gaudino (ITA). Ouschan will have to deal with Sarah Roche (POR) in the round of the best 32 women.

In the wheelchair division, Roy Kimberley (GBR) handed a bitter defeat to Kurt Deklerck (BEL), defeating him with 5:1.

Souquet through to last 64

Ralf Souquet (GER). Foto: EPBF/DK
Cohen and Helvik eliminated

Sunday, 25 March 2012: �The Kaiser� Ralf Souquet (GER) is back on track. He terminated Blerim Skara (ALB) with an impressive performance 8:3.

It was Skara who had the better start. He seemed to be in the zone and used the fact that Souquet couldn�t make a ball on his first break. He ran this rack and his own, taking a quick 2:0 lead over the German.

One could have been surprised how self-confident Skara performed. But Souquet is not a newbie to the game. He stayed extremely calm and tied the match at 2:2. Souquet even took a 3:2 lead over Skara. Then, in the 6th rack, Souquet ran out of position for his second last ball. He tried to masse the ball in but he did not succeed. Skara came to the table and though it looked a bit lost at times, Skara managed to tie the game again. 3:3. That was obviously not to the likings of Souquet.

He remained as focussed as one could be and took rack after rack, only admitting one mistake in between which Skara was not able to benefit from. While Souquet got more and more focussed, Skara lost his concentration and seemed to play worse than in the beginning. With all the experience of �The Kaiser�, it was no big deal for Souquet anymore to take the remaining racks and win the match with 8:3.

Other notable results in the men�s division include Stephan Cohen (FRANCE) losing his second match today. This time he had to give in to Milan Klobucnik (SVK) with 7:8 and left the 8-ball competition. He is joined by Huseyin Borankan (TNC) who was gunned down by Luxemburg�s Steve Leisen with 8:1.

In the women�s division, Chantal Manske (GER) ended the 8-ball medal hopes for Ine Helvik (NOR) with 6:1.

In the wheelchair competition, Tankred Volkmer (GER) whitewashed Fred Dinsmore (IRE) with 5:0 and made it to the semi-final.

The 8-ball competition will continue Monday morning at 09:00 CET.

Dinsmore wins over Luton by an eyelash

Fred Dinsmore (IRE). Foto: EPBF/DK
More upsets at the Dynamic European Championships 2012

Sunday, 25 March 2012: In an interesting match, Fred Dinsmore (IRE) defeated Daniel Luton (GBR) with 5:4.

In the wheelchair division, Fred Dinsmore competed against Daniel Luton. Both players have lots of experience and are well known faces at the European Championships. Dinsmore had the better start and gave the audience the impression that he�ll seize that match, whatever it may take. He had a furious opening rack but left the 8-ball for Luton who thanked him and took a 1:0 lead. The next rack was Dinsmore�s after a long exchange of safety shots. In the third rack, Dinsmore again missed the 8-ball and left the balls there for Luton to take the lead again. Luton ran the remaining balls and went ahead 2:1.

The next 3 racks, Dinsmore really enhanced his performance and made almost no mistakes, getting the momentum that he needed. He seemed to feel very comfortable at the table. He was able to take a 4:2 lead over Luton. But his opponent was not yet finished. Luton struck back and with very well executed positional play and pocketing skills, Daniel Luton managed to tie the match at 4:4. Hill-Hill! Fred Dinsmore to break. He opened the rack, pocketed a ball but got no good position for the cue ball. He pocketed some really difficult shots and left no chance for Luton to get back to the table. 5:4 was the end result in favour of Dinsmore. Luton will need to go to the loser�s side.

In the men�s division, Onur Yildirim (TUR) probably upset all bookmakers by defeating BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet (GER) with 8:2. Radoslaw Babica (POL) also demonstrated a strong performance and showed David Alcaide (ESP) the way to the left side of the draw with 8:6. Mario He (AUT) defeated �Napoleon� Marcus Chamat (SWE) with 8:5. All losers of this round will get another chance in the loser�s bracket.

In the women�s division, top favourite player Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) clearly lost to unheralded Amalia Matas (ESP) with 2:6. So did her opponent from yesterday�s 10-ball final, Natalya Seroshtan (RUS). She got beat by German underdog Nicole Mehren with 3:6.

Polach creamed Makkonen

Jaroslav Polach (SVK). Foto: EPBF/DK
Dynamic European Championships continue with 8-ball competition

Sunday, 25 March 2012: Jaroslav Polach (SVK) was able to win against Petri Makkonen (FIN) with 8:4 in the early rounds of today�s 8-ball competition.

With straight pool and 10-ball already finished, today the 8-ball competition started at the Dynamic European Championships. One of the feature matches was the clash between Slovakia�s Jaroslav Polach and Finland�s Petri Makkonen. Polach quickly found his rhythm, unlike his opponent. Makkonen was always trailing throughout the whole match and committed some remarkable errors.

The match however was on a high level since one mistake mostly meant the end of that rack to the player who did not manage to run out. Polach showed some strong potting skills and position play. Makkonen, who seemed to be off the roll a bit, struggled with his own game and found no possibility to stop Polach from taking the victory in this match.

Other notable results include Marcus Chamat (SWE) destroying his opponent, Ozgur Akkurt (TUR) with 8:0. Manuel Gama (POR) won unexpectedly clear over Mats Schjetne (NOR) with 8:3. First upset of the day was probably the fact that 10-ball World Champion Huidji See (NED) fell with 7:8 to his opponent, Dmitry Chuprov (BLR). Also a big surprise was the fact that Sina Yuksel (TUR) demolished yesterday�s finalist Stephan Cohen (nothing) with 8:7.

In the women�s division, Tamara Rademakers (NED) stood tall over Kristina Zlateva (BUL) with 6:4. In an all-Russian clash, Anna Majirina succumbed to Natalya Seroshtan with 2:6. Straight Pool bronze medallist Christine Wiechert (GER) lost her opening match to Katerina Polovinchuk (UKR) with 3:6.

In the wheelchair division, two favourites met in the first round. Jouni Tahti (FIN) was able to remain the upper hand over Henrik Larsson (SWE) and win with 5:3.

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.epconline.eu , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.

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