THEY’RE DOWN TO the final eight players at the DYNAMIC BILLARD Podčetrtek Open after a gruelling day’s play in Slovenia that saw over five rounds of matches completing. Still in the running is Joshua Filer who will be a heavy favourite to lift his first Euro Tour title of the year following four victories in four starts in 2023.
There is plenty of quality left in the tournament and Filler needs to get past gritty Czech Roman Hybler first out tomorrow. Mario He is still in the mix and will be buoyed by his European Championship 9-ball gold earlier this week, In addition, there is a must-watch all-Polish last eight clash between No.3 ranked Miezsko Fortunski and WPA Junior Champ Szymon Kural.
An emerging young player into the spotlight this week is the Netherland’s Yannick Pongers. Following a host of junior titles, he’s already equalled his best ever Euro Tour finish following a solid 8-5 win over No.2 ranked player Daniel Maciol and now he faces countryman Marc Bijsterbosch in a last eight match.
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Commented Pongers, “In our country we’ve played a lot and it’s usually been fifty-fifty but now it’s different as it’s a different environment and I hope we can make a great match and may the best man win. I never really have a plan or routine, I just do my thing and we’ll see what happens.”
Juri Pisklov is another player who will see his current ranking of #65 climb after this week as he looks to reach his second ever Euro Tour semi-final following a good run in Austria last summer, as he goes up against Mario He tomorrow. Undefeated so far, Pisklov has beaten some good quality opponents this week including an 8-4 win over Oliver Szolnoki yesterday.
He said of that match, “Of course I was a little bit lucky on the break against Oliver yesterday. He broke perfect but never saw the one ball but I played good but the rolls were on my side. It’s 10 ball this week but 9 ball or 10 ball, it doesn’t matter to me and hopefully I can play well tomorrow. I just enjoy playing and that’s my secret.”
The quarter-finals get underway at 10.00, followed by the semi-finals at 16.15 and then the championship match at 18.00.
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In the Predator Women’s Podčetrtek Open, there are just four left in the competition. Pia Filler, who ruled the recent European Championships with a haul of three golds and a silver, will be facing countrywomen Ina Kaplan, while another EC gold medallist Ana Gradisnik (Slovenia) will be looking to get the better of Maria Teresa ‘Mayte’ Ropero of Spain.
Ropero, who has already achieved her best ever Euro Tour finish, will look to make her first final, in her favoured discipline of 10-ball.
She said, “It’s my favourite discipline and It’s easier for me if I like the game like that. I’ve felt good about my game all day and coming into the tournament after winning a silver at 10-ball at the European Championships last week has stood me well.”
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Play continues at tomorrow with both semi-finals at 12.00 followed by the final at 13.45.
For viewers at home, Tables 1 & 2 will be streamed throughout on YouTube. Table 1 will be on the Kozoom channel, while Table 2 will be available throughout on the EPBF platform. All other tables can be viewed on the Kozoom.com website, where there are a variety of subscription options.
Table 1 link = https://www.youtube.com/@KozoomTV/streams
Table 2 link = https://www.youtube.com/@theepbf/streams
Tables 1-20 = https://home.kozoom.com/en/all-cue-sports
As well as the prize money, there are Tour ranking points on offer. This week’s Euro Tour tournaments are 10-ball and players compete in a double-elimination format, playing down to the last 32 competitors for the men and last 16 for the women. From there it is single elimination until the finish. The men’s matches are races-to-8 racks with alternate break, while the women play a race-to-6.
Results, live scoring, and draw are available at www.epbf.com