PLAY CONTINUED TODAY at the PREDATOR EUROPEAN SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIPS as 10-ball got underway in the two men’s age categories and continued with the ladies. Played over three days at the De Bonte Weever Hotel in Assen, Netherlands, 10-ball is the second of the four disciplines.
In the 45-plus division, Norway’s Raymond Hauge mounted an epic comeback as he came from 5-0 down to Rudy Van Der Veen (NED) to prevail 7-5 and take his place in the last 32 single elimination. Hauge was a familiar face on the European pool scene in the 1990s, claiming a handful of podium finishes on the Euro Tour.
Making a welcome return to the game after a lengthy absence, he made it as far as the final 16 in the straight pool division and is still alive and kicking as the 10-ball advances into straight knock-out.
He said “I played a little bit bad at the start but at 5-0, I got a little bit angry and thought, ‘no, this is not the right way to lose a match’ so I fought and started playing better and did some good safety duels and managed to end it 7-5.
“I quit playing in 2005 because I got a kid and the kid is now 20 years-old, has moved out and so I started playing a little bit again last winter. So, I’ve played a little bit for half a year now, I’m enjoying it and it’s coming back, step-by-step. I have ambitions because I played before in the regular European Championships and I have 3, 4 or 5 bronze medals so to be honest I would like to have a medal here.”
Henrique Correia who took the championships by storm last year, winning two golds and a silver in the four individual discipline in 55-plus. This year, he got off to a solid start, taking a bronze from the straight pool tournament and is well-positioned in the 10-ball, making his way through to the last 16.
He came through a hill-hill nail-biter, defeating Germany’s Martin Steinlage, a fellow medallist at straight pool. Leading 5-4, Correia gave away his lead to trail 6-5 before taking the final tense two racks to secure the win.
Commented Correia, “It was crazy with a lot of turns and emotions but I think that’s what makes this game fun. It was a crazy match but I love this – it’s really what makes me play this game. It was really intense. I had a kick on the 6-ball when it was 6-5 for me so I was a little angry with the game.
“With a bronze, there’s only three golds now but I think I put the stakes very high last year. I came to the European Championships and I always get medals so I think it’s kind of good pressure for me. I love my country, so I do everything for my country and I play with this passion for my country so I will try my best.
“I got a straight pool bronze and we don’t even play straight pool so it’s like one time a year and it’s great fun to play so let’s see what I can do but this is my game. 10-ball, 9-ball, these are the games I love to play more.
“It’s so good and I’m so happy to see these amazing people that I always find every year; they are my friends so maybe it’s because of them but mainly it’s because of me! I really love these championships,” he concluded.
The three 10-ball events continue on Friday morning with the 45-plus division at the last 32 stage, 55-plus at the last 16 and the ladies’ event also at the last 16. The three championship matches are scheduled for 21.00 on Saturday.
Streaming of Tables 1 and 2 for the duration of the Predator European Seniors Championships can be found on YouTube, via the Pro Billiard TV channel – https://www.youtube.com/@ProBilliardTV
For all results, live scoring and draw, visit www.epbf.com/tournaments/european-championships/
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