NEWS  March 26, 2007   European Championships – pure deception



Arena
 

The story of this year’s European Championships in Liberec (Czech Republic) is told in no time. For me, it was a pure deception which on top, lasted too long. I never had felt this way, but this time, many elements disturbed me.

As last year’s runner-up in 14-1, I first had a walk-through before playing Roman Hybler (CZE), who played a 97 series after my good opening shot. After two deliberate fouls and a missed safety, I lost the match -2 to 125. In the loser’s bracket, I was now opposed to Savas Babacan from Turkey, and I won in 4 turns 125-42. My next match was against Dutchman Alex de Fries. I played well and was leading 83-3 with an open table. To achieve a good position, all I had to do was to roll in a ball which was only 10 cm in front of the pocket. A ball which I can simply not miss under normal circumstances, but the table was not game. The cue ball broke out of his way by the size of an entire ball and I had missed the shot. I only came back to the table at 83-113, since de Vries played his highest series so far, 110 balls. I came to the table and had a break ball of medium difficulty to play. Still irritated, I missed this shot and was eliminated.

The title went to Niels Feijen (NED), runner-up was Konstantin Stepanov (RUS), Martin Kempter (AUT) and Radoslaw Babica (POL) won the bronze medal.

In 8-Ball I had a walk-through and then the possibility to take my revenge form y semi-final defeat against Artem Koshovyy from Ukraine two months earlier in Oslo. I achieved my goal winning 8-0. In round 3, I played Frnchman Stephane Cohen and I scored a clear 8-2. No, a spot in the KO round was at stake and I played Karol Skowerski from Poland. Once more, I played well and qualified for the final round of 32 players in KO format.

The draw made me play against the strong Slovenian player Matjaz Erculj. The man from Slovenia was all the time in the match and at 7-5, he had a match point. But he could not make use of this opportunity and I was lucky to reach the next round winning 8-7. But in tis round, luck left me for good. I was already leading 7-4 against Kasper Kristoffersen from Danmark and had everything under control. But once more, I stumbled over the table which was not straight. This happened 3 times in the next 2 racks and finally, I lost 7-8 and was eliminated.

At 7-7, I committed a foul which neither the referee nor the crowd had noticed, but I informed the referee myself about this foul and my opponent had ball in hand. This was the KO in 8-Ball, but I was distinguished at the banquet evening with the fair play price of the referees.


Team Germany

The gold medal went to defending champion Oliver Ortmann (GER), runner-up was Tony Drago (MLT), Aris Damoulakis (GRE) and Marcus Westen (GER) scored the bronze medals, which was a big surprise for the German team.

Now, the most important titel was at stake, in 9-Ball. As the defending champion, I had a walk-through in round one, but then had to face fellow countryman Thorsten Hohmann. If this is the supposed advantage for a seeded player, then I would rather not be seeded.

We both committed a huge number of mistakes, but I finally won 9-5. Then I played David Zalman (CZE) and won 9-1. The following match against Jonathan Mathers from Great Britain was already the qualification match fort he KO round. I continued to play well and deserved to win 9-2.

The draw made me play Roman Hybler (CZE) and I still had to settle my account with him after my defeat in the 14-1 competition. I immediatley took control and was leading throughout the match. In the middle of the match, I had a short downtime, so that the match gained a bit in suspense. But finally, I won 9-6 and had taken my revenge fort he 14-1 defeat. In round four, I played Balasz Miko from Hungary and won 9-5. My best match of the tournament was the quarter-final against Tony Drago from Malta. I played without any mistake and cruised to an undisputed 9-2. But obviously, I had used up my energy, since the semi-final against Radoslaw Babica was more than difficult. I did not find my game and could only run out one single table. At the remaining racks, I always had to play a push-out or a safety. At the end, I was lacking the necessary luck and made the decisive mistake at 8-8. Babica made use of this opportunity and entered the final against Thorsten Hohmann, who had made the long way through the loser’s bracket.

The final was a single-sided affair and Hohmann made his point very clear and this, very soon. He ran out all racks and made use of the slightest mistake made by his opponent to lead 8-0. Then he had pity with his opponent and let him win 3 racks, before scoring the 9-3 and his first European title in 9-Ball. So, I won the bronze medal, together with Konstantin Stepanov from Russia.

Good news fort he German team: the gold medal in the women’s competition in 8-Ball.

Diana Stateczny won the final against Charlotte Sörensen from Danmark 6-5, after eliminating top player Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) with the same result.


Award ceremony 9 Ball


Ralf