Marcin Kubalski and Jouni Tähti have claimed the first gold medals at the EPBF Parasport European Billiard Championships 2026 in Warsaw, Poland. Kubalski secured the European 10-ball title in the Standing Division after a thrilling 5–4 victory over Adam Wilk, while Tähti triumphed in the Wheelchair Division, defeating Daniel Luton 5–3. With the first two European titles awarded, the Championships continue as athletes from 14 nations compete for four more gold medals in 8-ball and 9-ball.
Thursday evening, November 12, brought outstanding sporting excitement to the BOSS Hotel in Warsaw. Two representatives of the host nation, Marcin Kubalski and defending European Champion Adam Wilk, faced each other in the final of the 10-ball competition in the Standing Division.
Both players secured their places in the final after extremely close semifinal matches. Adam Wilk defeated Cyprus's Georgios Malekkidis 5–4, while Marcin Kubalski overcame Slovenia's Blaž Rus by the same score. Remarkably, both Polish players had been trailing 3–4 before turning their matches around and securing victory.
The grand final was another thrilling encounter, with the European title decided in the very last rack. Ultimately, Marcin Kubalski defeated Adam Wilk 5–4 to claim the gold medal and become the European 10-ball Champion. Wilk finished the competition with the silver medal.
Kubalski's achievement is even more remarkable considering that this was his debut appearance at the European Championships!
Final Standings – 10-Ball, Standing Division
1. Marcin Kubalski (Poland) – Gold Medal
2. Adam Wilk (Poland) – Silver Medal
3. Georgios Malekkidis (Cyprus) – Bronze Medal
3. Blaž Rus (Slovenia) – Bronze Medal
The Wheelchair Division also delivered plenty of excitement. One of the most decorated players in the history of wheelchair billiards, Jouni Tähti of Finland, claimed the European Championship title.
In the semifinals, the Finnish star defeated Slovakia's Peter Macho 5–1. His opponent in the final, Great Britain's Daniel Luton, faced a much tougher challenge, narrowly defeating Slovenia's Matej Brajkovič 5–4.
In the gold medal match, Tähti once again demonstrated his outstanding ability, defeating Luton 5–3 and adding another prestigious European title to his remarkable sporting career.
Final Standings – 10-Ball, Wheelchair Division
1. Jouni Tähti (Finland) – Gold Medal
2. Daniel Luton (Great Britain) – Silver Medal
3. Peter Macho (Slovakia) – Bronze Medal
3. Matej Brajkovič (Slovenia) – Bronze Medal
Although the 10-ball competition has concluded, the excitement at the European Championships is far from over. Four more European Championship titles remain to be decided.
All matches at the BOSS Hotel can be followed live on TVSPORTS.PL, with broadcasts available from all eight tables. Live scores and tournament brackets are published on the official website of the European Pocket Billiard Federation.
The EPBF Parasport European Billiard Championships 2026 is the most important event on the European parasport billiards calendar. Representatives of 14 countries have gathered at the BOSS Hotel in Warsaw, with nearly 60 participants in total, including almost 40 athletes.
This year's edition is particularly significant. For the first time, the Championships have brought together two divisions at a single event: Wheelchair, for athletes who compete using wheelchairs, and Standing, for athletes with other disabilities.
The organizers have made every effort to create an atmosphere worthy of a major international sporting event. A specially prepared competition arena, live broadcasts from every table, extensive media coverage and an official Opening Ceremony have all contributed to making these Championships a truly special occasion.
Most importantly, the athletes themselves have appreciated the experience.
– The players have been extremely positive about both the venue and the overall organization of the Championships. The standard is not just European – it is truly world-class. The finals arena, live coverage of every match and the entire media presentation make the athletes feel like real sports stars. And that was exactly our intention when the idea of organizing these Championships first emerged. We wanted this to be their celebration, an event where they could feel like true athletes, almost as if they were competing at the Paralympic Games. I genuinely feel that we are meeting those expectations. The athletes are the most important people here – emphasizes Grzegorz Kędzierski, President of the Polish Billiards Association and Member of the EPBF Board.
The President of the Polish Billiards Association also highlights the broader importance of the event for the development of sport for people with disabilities.
– I am delighted that the message we have been promoting in Poland for many years is now being reflected across Europe as well. "Billiards – A Sport for Everyone", regardless of age, skill level or disability – he adds.
LIVE STREAMING: www.tvsports.pl
LIVE SCORES AND TOURNAMENT BRACKETS: www.epbf.com
CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION: www.pzbil.pl
The EPBF Parasport European Billiard Championships 2026 are organized by the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF), with the Polish Billiards Association (PZBil) as co-organizer, in cooperation with the THEY Foundation and FORTIS.
The Championships are held under the Honorary Patronage of the Marshal of the Mazovian Voivodeship and the Mayor of Warsaw.
This public project is co-financed by the Self-Government of the Mazovian Voivodeship.
This public project is co-financed by the City of Warsaw.
The event is also co-financed by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland.
Championship Sponsors and Partners: Aramith, Iwan Simonis, Diamond, AxisTwo, BOSS Hotel, THEY Foundation, FORTIS and Brześć.
Media Partners: TVSPORTS.PL, TVP Sport, TVP3 Warszawa, Sportklub Polska, CKsport.pl, On Cue Billiards Podcast, Radio ESKA2, Polish Radio RDC, Billiard TV, 77 Billiards, Pro9, AZBilliards and Alison Chang.