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European Championships - Poland and Spain take the final medals

A Pro9 - Europe's No.1 Pool Player Resource Article

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Date: Thursday, March 29 2012 @ 13:17:55 UTC
Topic: European Pool Championships



EPBF Dynamic European Championships 2012
8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball and 14.1 for Men, Women and Wheelchair
Alvisse Parc Hotel
Route d’Echternach
L-1453
Luxembourg
www.parc-hotel.lu
www.epbf.com
www.epconline.eu
www.kozoom.com - PPV LiveStream (24 tables/24 streams)

21-31 March 2012

Event was closed by president Leenders after the awards ceremony


The winning teams. Foto: EPBF/DK

Poland and Spain take the final medals of Dynamic European Championships

aturday, 31 March 2012: The last two medals of this year’s Dynamic European Pool Championships were taken by the Polish women’s team and the Spanish men’s team.

In the women’s final, Oliwia Czuprynska drew first blood for the Polish team by winning her 8-ball match over Ine Helvik with 6:2. Line Kjoersvik tied the match result to 1:1 by winning the 9-ball match with 7:2 over Katarzyna Wesolowska. The shootout had to decide. There, the Polish team showed the better nerves and won the match with 5:4.

In the men’s team lineup between Germany and Spain, Ralf Souquet got the first point for the Germans by winning his 9-ball over newly crowned Francisco Diaz with 9:2. At that time things looked promising for team Germany. Jentsch and Ederer were both leading in their matches. But then David Alcaide overtook Dominik Jentsch and won the 8-ball match with 8:4. That must have been an incentive for Francisco Sanchez Ruiz. He came from trailing 1:3 to Manuel Ederer and shifted in to overdrive. He allowed one more rack for Ederer to win and finally won the 10-ball match with 8:4 and brought the Gold Medal to Spain.



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Final Medals table:
1. Finland 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
2. Austria 2 Gold, 7 Bronze
3. Spain 2 Gold, 1 Bronze
4. Russia 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze
5. Germany 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
6. Great Britain 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
7. Norway 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
8. Netherlands 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
9. Poland 1 Gold
10. Ireland 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
Sweden 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
12. France 1 Silver
Ukraine 1 Silver
13. Albania 1 Bronze
Estonia 1 Bronze

This concludes the coverage of the event.



9-ball individuals decided


Francisco Diaz and Marika Poikkijoki in their moment of glory. Foto: EPBF/DK

Poikkijoki, Tahti and Diaz wear European 9-ball crown

Saturday, 31 March 2012: The new European Champions in 9-ball are Marika Poikkijoki (FIN), Jouni Tahti (FIN) and Francisco Diaz (ESP).

Francisco Diaz had to deal with Marcus Chamat (SWE) in the final of the men’s division. Chamat had played strong throughout the whole tournament and just finished a brilliant semi-final match, not leaving a chance for his opponent. But that had changed in the final. Whereas Diaz was as calm as ice, Chamat could not perform up to what he did in the earlier rounds. He missed balls and positions and consequently Diaz took a lead. Due to the strong play of Diaz, he never gave the advantage away anymore. Chamat was trailing from the very beginning and while Diaz grew stronger and better, Chamat finally had to accept his defeat. The match ended 9:4 in Diaz’ favour.

In the women’s division, Marika Poikkijoki (FIN) won against Jasmin Michel (GER). It is Poikkijoki’s first title. She had won a silver medal in last year’s and this year’s 8-ball competition, but never been a European gold medallist before. Today, she stood the heat and performed great against Jasmin Michel (GER) who happened to take out top favourite Jasmin Ouschan in the semi-final. Michel did not get into her game so the stage was Pokkijoki’s alone. She clearly won the women’s final with 7:3.

In the wheelchair division, Jouni Tahti (FIN) added another title to his collection by defeating Daniel Luton (GBR) with 7:2.



Jasmin Michel victorious over Jasmin Ouschan


"Napoleon" Marcus Chamat (SWE). Foto: EPBF/DK

“Napoleon” Marcus Chamat wants the gold

Saturday, 31 March 2012: In a high level semi-final, Marcus Chamat (SWE) defeated Aki Heiskanen (FIN) with 9:4.

In the early stage of the match, both players were playing at equal strength and none of the two was able to gain an advantage over the other. That changed after the 9th rack. Heiskanen seemed to have lost his focus a bit and Chamat took his chances, running away with 7:4. In the 12th rack, Heiskanen had the chance to close the gap a bit but he made too many mistakes which were not tolerated at all by Chamat. “Napoleon” went to the table and conquered the match with 9:4. In the other men’s 9-ball semi-final, Francisco Diaz (ESP) remained the upper hand over Nick Malai (ALB) with 9:6.

In the women’s division, favourite Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) got smashed by dark horse Jasmin Michel (GER) with 7:3! Ouschan was not able to perform up to her abilities while Michel was focussed and in the zone at all times. The other semi-final was won by Marika Poikkijoki (FIN) with 7:3 over Line Kjoersvik (NOR).

In The wheelchair division, favoured player Jouni Tahti (FIN) eliminated Fred Dinsmore (IRE) with 7:4. He will play the final against Daniel Luton (GBR) who won against Roy Kimberley (GBR). This final is an exact replay of this year’s 8-ball final.



Saturday will be the final day of this year’s Dynamic European Championships


David Alcaide winning for team Spain. Foto: EPBF/DK

Team Final to be played between Germany and Spain

Friday, 30 March 2012: In the men’s team final tomorrow, defending Champion team Germany will face team Spain.

Both teams had to survive a tough fight in the semi-final matches. Team Germany just overcame a strong Austrian team with 2:1 while the Spanish team won with the same result over team Finland. The deciding matches were won by Ralf Souquet (9:7 over Werner Scheu) and David Alcaide (9:8 over Aki Heiskanen.

In the women’s team event, team Norway will have to deal with the Polish team. While team Poland achieved a clear victory over team Russia (2:0), team Norway had to play the shootout against team Austria and won it with 4:2.

In the 9-ball individuals, the semi-finals will be played as follows:

Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) v Jasmin Michel (GER)
Marika Poikkijoki (FIN) v Line Kjoersvik (NOR)
Nick Malai (ALB) v Francisco Diaz (ESP)
Aki Heiskanen (FIN) v Marcus Chamat (SWE)
Daniel Luton (GBR) v Roy Kimberley (GBR)
Jouni Tahti (FIN) v Fred Dinsmore (IRE)



9-ball individuals and team competition single elimination stage today


Huidji See (NED). Foto: EPBF/DK

See finished Alcaide

Friday, 30 March 2012: Huidji See (NED) ousted David Alcaide (ESP) out of the 9-ball competition with 9:6.

Alcaide probably lost the match in the first few racks. He made some grave mistakes that put him in arrears and he never seemed to recover from those mistakes. Huidji See was even taking a nice 5:1 advantage over Alcaide. Though the Spaniard tried a comeback, he was not able to tie the match again at any time. The closest he could get was a 4:5 deficit to See. Then the Dutch World 10-ball Champion won another 3 racks in a row which put him on the hill with 8:4. Alcaide fought and tried to avoid the defeat but all he could do was win another rack and lose the match finally with 9:6.

Other notable results from this morning include The Dutch women’s team, consisting of Kynthia Orfanidis and Tamara Rademakers, winning over Team Sweden with Louise Furberg and Caroline Roos with 2:0. Team Norway (Ine Helvik and Line Kjoersvik) sent team Spain (Silvia Lopez and Amalia Matas) home with 2:0.

In the men’s team competition, team Spain eliminated team Sweden with 3:0. A small upset was team Poland winning over favoured tem Russia with 2:1.



Schjetne wins the decider over Putnik


Team Norway left to right: Schjetne, Rasmussen and Mindreboe. Foto: EPBF/DK

Team Norway eliminates Team Croatia

Thursday, 29 March 2012: In the men’s team competition, team Norway exited team Croatia out of the Dynamic European Championships.

The lineup was: Roger Rasmussen v Karlo Dalmatin in 10-ball; Kristoffer Mindreboe v Bozo Primic in 8-ball and Mats Schjetne v Ivica Putnik in 9-ball.

Dalmatin was not on his best game. He was said to have suffered from some illness lately. That is probably why he could not find into his game at all. He got smashed by Roger Rasmussen with 8:4. Bozo Primic evened out the team score by winning over Mindreboe with the same score. So the deciding match happened between Schjetne and Putnik. And that was a dramatic encounter. Both players did not perform very well and seemed to be very nervous.

In the 15th rack, the score was 7:7. Both of the contestants have had their chance to get on top of the other one but failed in doing so. Putnik broke the balls and had a tough rack. He played a safety but left an open shot for Schjetne. The Norwegian made the 1-ball but snookered himself on the 2-ball. He played a safety and Putnik committed a foul. Schjetne came to the 9-ball… and missed an easy shot. What a drama for team Norway! Putnik was on the hill, 8:7. Then Schjetne won the next rack due to several mistakes from Putnik.

In the final rack, Putnik broke, and had some balls pocketed. He tried to play a safety but committed a foul. Schjetne opened up the problem that was on the table but happened to hook himself behind a ball. He hit the ball and gave Putnik an open table. The Croatian went there and ran out of position after the first shot. He committed a foul and Schjetne won the match 9:8. The match was not of the highest standard and team Norway needed the point to stay alive in the team competition whereas team Croatia can leave the European Championships.



Matrizi smashes van den Berg


Jasmin Ouschan (AUT). Foto: EPBF/DK

Ouschan secures spot in the last 16 single elimination

Thursday, 29 March 2012: In a one-sided match, defending Champion Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) ousted Victoria Nagorna (UKR) from the 9-ball individuals.

In the beginning, Ouschan seemed to be of it. She missed some easy shots during her warm up what obviously annoyed her. And it looked like it would be an exciting match. After 4 racks, the score was 2:2. But then Ouschan stopped making mistakes and Nagorna committed more and more of them. Maybe she could not control her nerves but Ouschan grew stronger with each mistake her opponent made. No wonder, she claimed rack after rack and took the match with 7:2.

Other notable results in the women’s division include Caroline Roos (SWE) terminating Natalya Seroshtan’s (RUS) hopes for another medal in the individual competition of this year’s Dynamic European Championships.

In the men’s division, Arjan Matrizi (ALB) surprisingly defeated Nick van den Berg (NED) quite clearly with 9:3. Bahram Lotfy (DEN) took the match over Erki Erm (EST) by a whisker with 9:8. Serge Das (BEL) erased Poland’s top player Radoslaw Babica with 9:6 off the flowcharts.

There will be one more round of 9-ball individuals today. The last round will be played in the team competition.



Dutch team still controls team Russia


Ruslan Chinakhov in his team match against Nick van den Berg. Foto: EPBF/DK

Chinakhov overmasters van den Berg

Thursday, 29 March 2012: In an exciting match of two world class players, Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) conquered Nick van den Berg (NED) with 9:7.

The match was part of the team clash between Russia and The Netherlands. The setup between two of the strongest European teams was as follows: World 10-ball Champion Huidji See played 10-ball against Vitaly Pavlukhin. Niels Feijen stepped up against Konstantin Stepanov in 8-ball. Nick van den Berg competed against Ruslan Chinakhov in 9-ball. The teams could be considered equally strong. The special strength of the Dutch team probably grounded in their huge experience while the Russians were very young and hungry players. So no wonder the match was really exciting. The 10-ball match was over quite quickly. Huidji See was simply too strong for Pavlukhin today and took the first point back to The Netherlands, clearly winning the 10-ball with 8:3. At that time, the match between Chinakhov and van den Berg was about to be decided. After a lot of ups and downs for both players, especially the break shot decided about the winner in 9-ball. In the beginning, Chinakhov did not break as well as van den Berg. He scratched twice and “El Nino” profited from that. However, as the match went along Chinakhov managed to get back in gear and then van den Berg scratched on his break. This back and forth lead to a 5:5 situation. In the 11th rack, van den Berg broke the balls and had a tough position on the 1-ball. He tried to kick it in but left it hanging over the pocket for Chinakhov. The Russian missed the 5-ball over one rail and seemed to lose it. However, he did not leave a shot for his opponent. Van den Berg tried to play a safety shot but left a shot for Chinakhov.

Ruslan Chinakhov took the chance and won that rack and his next one, making the score 7:5 in his favour. The pressure was on for van den Berg. He played a good break shot and was on his way to get the point when he found himself an a bad position for the 5-ball. Instead of playing a good safety shot, he tried to pocket the 5-ball over one rail but missed it.

Now Chinakhov had the chance to get on the hill, but he ran out of position and could not claim the point. Van den Berg ran out and made the score 7:6. Then Chinakhov played a break and run and the scoreboard was turned to 8:6. With the next break, van den Berg legally pocketed the 9-ball and put all the pressure back on Chinakhov at 7:8. But Chinakhov converted his matchpoint and broke and ran the last rack, winning the match with 9:7.

At that time, the team score between Russia and The Netherlands was 1:1. The 8-ball match between Stepanov and Feijen was 7:6 for Stepanov. Feijen made another rack and put the tension to the maximum. 7:7, race to 8 racks with Feijen’s break coming up. The drama unfolded and Feijen scratched.

Stepanov had ball in hand….. and missed his first shot!! What a shock for the Russians! Feijen came to the table and took the rack, winning his match with 8:7 and making the Dutch team beat team Russia with 2:1.

Other notable results in this morning’s team competition was the 2:1 victory of team Croatia versus team Portugal. In the winner’s qualification, team Germany defeated team Spain with 2:1. In the women’s team event, team Germany lost to team Austria with 0:2 while Team Portugal remained the upper hand over team The Netherlands, winning in a shoot-out with 3:1.

Today will be continued with the 9-ball individuals competition.

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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