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Brunswick Lithuanian Open

Press Release - Final

The final day of the Brunswick Lithuanian Open offered a very nice setting, since the event was now being moved from the Kolegos Billiard Club to the Disco next door. Since only the two semi-finals and the final remained to be played, only one table was needed, and in the morning hours a Brunswick table was being assembled. Due to the shift of venue the level of the event was lifted quite a lot, not only due to the large number of spectators that now better were able to follow the matches, but also due to the superior technique available in the Disco. Around 300 spectators followed the final very intensely, and for sure they also were offered a very good match. By the way, both semi-finals and the final were taped for national television.

The first semi-final saw Ralf Souquet, Germany, and Alex Lely, Netherlands, fighting it out for a spot in the final. Lely was able to make use of the fact that Souquet to begin with had certain problems to adjust to the speed of the new table, and quickly gained a 0 – 3 lead. However, with help of his vast experience and the alternating breaks, Ralf soon was able to get back into the match again, and after this none of the players were ever ahead with more than one point. At 9 – 9 and following a successful break by Alex, the Dutch player made the one mistake that was going to cost him the match. Ralf made use of the opportunity to score this one point in his favor, and since the next break belonged to him, Alex was never invited back to the table again.

The second semi-final featured Marcus Chamat, Sweden, the reigning European Champion in 9-ball, versus Thomas Engert, Germany. By that it can also be stated that the four first seeded players into the event, also were the four last players to fight for the title. If the first match was tight, also the second match was going to show the same pattern. The difference between the two players was never more than two points and it was as somewhat lucky stroke that eventually turned the match in favor of Thomas, when the scoreboard showed 8 – 8. However, in all fairness, also the Swede did have a few lucky escapes ahead of this situation, so the only difference was possibly that Thomas was able to win the match based upon his one lucky shot, 8 – 11.

The all German final between Ralf Souquet, the number 1 on the ranking leading up to this event, and Thomas Engert, number 2, became a very thrilling and good match. Actually, both players missed only one ball each on the way to 9 – 9, and would it not have been based upon the knowledge that no matter what, the match will end when the first player reaches 11 points, it seemed that this match could go on forever. Ralf was able to draw the longest straw following a safety duel in the 19^th frame, and since he himself were the next one to break, the match came to a halt at 11 – 9 for Ralf.

Although it would be perfectly normal to assume that if the number one ranked player also wins the next event, he must be ranked number one coming out of this event, this is however not correct. Instead, due to the bonus point system practiced in the past, Ralf Souquet now is ranked number 3, and ahead of him both Thomas Engert and Marcus Chamat, followed by Alex Lely as number 4.

Tomas Brinkmanis has all the reason to be happy with his, and Lithuania’s, first professional event ever in Pool. The 103 players representing 18 nations really managed to show Pool at its best, and without doubt all of the spectators did enjoy themselves royally. Tomas mastered all of the difficulties that normally are part of any event at this level with excellence, perhaps due to his past as a professional within the Dance Sport. During the ongoing event the EPBF President, Mr. Horst Vondenhoff, was given time to also meet with representatives from both Belarus and Latvia, and as a first and very positive result, the latter is now soon to also join the EPBF. Since the Euro-Tour program is more or less already full for the next year, we will have to wait until 2002 before the event will return to Lithuania, but all athletes are already looking forward to a next visit. Who knows, perhaps 2002 will become the year when the Euro-Tour once and for all will take a large step towards the East, since interest for the Tour also has been shown from both Belarus and Ukraine as well?

For more INFO, please contact the EPBF : epp43@aol.com