World Championship in Sluiskil; an overview of a great tournament

After 5 days of tournament play, the billiard scene can conclude that we have witnessed a great event. 48 players participated in the impressive venue in Sluiskil.

The Podium; Choi, Palazon, Sanchez and Leppens


Sung Won Choi posing with Rudy Loontjens


Impressive match, displayed on the great scoresystem

After 5 days of tournament play, the billiard scene can conclude that we have witnessed a great event. 48 players participated in the impressive venue in Sluiskil.

When the tournament started the odds were easy, Dick Jaspers was the big favorite for the title together with Frédéric Caudron, who played on his own Gabriels Caudron table. Others to watch were as always torbjorn Blomdahl, Daniel Sanchez and Eddy Merckx. Off course Fillipos Kasodikostas was put in the spotlight as everybody was anxious to see if the Greek title defender was able to put up a successful campaign for his 2nd world title.

Loontjens Biljarts supplied 5 magnificient Gabriels 3-cushion carom tables, as we choose to pick the brand new Gabriels Caudron table. These tables were installed 1 week prior to the start of the event and were finished in the attractive dark grey - burgundy colour sheme, the tables were covered with Simonis Rapid 300 in Delsa Blue.

The group phase was dominated by impressive displays and upsetting exits of star players. First of all the crows was amazed by the performance of Dick Jaspers who managed to score an impressive game average of 4.363 against the young Sameh Sidhom who also managed to score an average of 2.600. Zanetti scored an average of over 4 and Blomdahl makes a run of 3.571.
Eddy Merckx made a great run of 15 in his first attemp in the very first set in his first group... that is what we call a good start.

The amazed crowd witnessed some early and unexpected exits of some high ranked players. Both Nikos Polychronopoulos and last years winner Fillipos Kasiskostas could pack their bags to return to Athens. But all spectators were shocked by the elimination of Frédéric Caudron, Caudron lost both his group matches to Martin Bohac and Adnan Yuksel, as a result that Yuskel went to the last 16.
As the tournament continued, Jaspers showed his form by beating Martin Horn 3-0 with a nice average of 3.461, he underlined his great form. However Jaspers was stopped directly in the quarters, he did not stand a chance against Dani Sanchez.

When all matches were finished on saturday afternoon, we concluded that the final four really did include some unexpected names. Eddy Leppens prepared himself for his 3rd appearance in the semis at a World Championships. Leppens was cheered by a big number of fans, as the sympatic player normally plays for the dutch league team from Sluiskil. New kids on the block were Javier Palazon and Sung-WonChoi made their debut in this phase of such an event. Most experienced and favourite Dani Sanchez was on the trail of his 3rd world title.
Finally it were Leppens and Sanchez who secured their spot in the finals. Coverd by by the Nos (dutch national television) and live on the local channel Omroep Zeeland and Eurosport everybody was ready for this final.
Eddy Leppens made a great start by winning the first two sets, would the crowd favorite do the impossible, by beating Dani Sanchez ? The answer was no.... after the break and his cigarette Dani Sanchez played like a machine winning the following 2 sets. At least the crowd got value for money as the final turned out into a 5-sets game.

It was Sanchez who won the 3rd set to, so he turned a 0-2 into a 3-2 victory for the world championship title. Normally a trademark for Leppens, who showed much heart during the event.
With this win Dani Sanchez won his 3rd World Title, and has re-established himself at the toppositions of the UMB World Ranking.
Final score: Daniel Sanchez v.s. Eddy Leppens 3-2 (10-15 5-15 15-10 15-1 15-12)
As a partner of the organization, Loontjens Biljarts is very proud of this great event as it might be a once in a lifetime experience; a World Championship 3-cushion only 30 minutes from our headquarters.

We can conclude that the organization in Sluiskil has set a standard for these kind of events in the upcoming future. Will Sluiskil host more events in the future? Only time will tell.....