2022 雙打世界盃在英國的布倫特伍德中心展拉開帷幕。衛冕冠軍德國隊由 英國公開賽和世界撞球大師賽冠軍 Joshua Filler 搭檔前世界冠軍 Thorsten Hohmann。紐西蘭則由 Matt Edwards 和 Simon Singleton 代表參賽。雙方前半段都在其節奏中掙扎，Singleton 3號球中袋沒進並留下開放局面給德國隊，以取得1-0領先並很快再將比數形成4-0。紐西蘭隊在第五局 Filler 灌9號球沒進而拿下該局，形成 1-4。然而失誤對於紐西蘭來說似乎也注定了其本場比賽的命運，無法在比賽後半段扳回比數，最終就以 1-7 大比分落敗。德國隊下場比賽將是荷蘭與摩洛哥的勝出者。
因疫情自2019年以來首次參賽的中華台北本次由柯秉逸攜手弟弟柯秉中參賽。柯氏兄弟的對手是阿根廷的 Ariel Casto 與 Sebastian Rodriguez。阿根廷的實力仍存在一定差距，但他們仍在比賽中保持著相當熱關，然後他們並未能在比賽中帶給柯氏兄弟太大的威脅，中華台北以 7-2 輕取阿根廷，下場比賽將對上希臘與賽普勒斯的勝方。
下午場的最後一場比賽由 Eklent Kaçi 與 Besar Spahiu 組成的阿爾巴尼亞隊碰上義大利隊 (Francesco Candela 與 Daniele Corrieri. Corrieri)，Kaçi 在球檯上的技術知識大大的幫助並帶領著他的隊友 Spahiu。義大利並未有太多的機會，一路處於落後，終場阿爾巴尼亞以7-2擊敗義大利晉級下一輪。
GER 德國 v NZL 紐西蘭｜©Taka G. Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport
Defending champions Germany sailed through their opening encounter with New Zealand 7-1 as the 2022 World Cup of Pool got underway at the Brentwood Centre, Essex live on Sky Sports Arena in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Netherlands, and Poland. Matchroom.Live in territories without a broadcaster.
Germany’s near pairing of UK Open and World Pool Masters winner Joshua Filler and former World Champion Thorsten Hohmann come into the tournament as one of the favourites as they look to become the first nation to defend the title whilst New Zealand’s Matt Edwards and Simon Singleton were flying their countries flag for the first time since 2019.
New Zealand won the lag but that was a rare highlight early on as Germany looked to build up some steam. Both teams struggled with the early pace of the table with Singleton missing the three to the middle pocket and opening the table for Filler and Hohmann to make the early move at 1-0. There were chances for New Zealand despite being 4-0 down but they seized their chance in the fifth rack after a brief exchange led to Filler missing a bank on the 9-ball and allowing their opponents the chance to be on the board at 4-1.
It was a tough day at the office for New Zealand through with errors being their downfall early on and Germany just too hot to handle late on as they wrapped up a 7-1 victory to set up a second round clash with either the Netherlands or Morocco later this week.
Team GER 德國_Joshua Filler and Thorsten Hohmann｜©Taka G. Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport
Chinese Taipei are no strangers to the World Cup either as they made a triumphant return to the fold for the first time since 2019 against debutants Argentina. Ko Brothers of Pin Yi and Ping Chung will be feared throughout the tournament, and they sent their warning signs as they moved past Ariel Casto and Sebastian Rodriguez 7-2 to do their work early in the tournament.
Casto and Rodriguez could count themselves to be unfortunate early on as Chinese Taipei took the early rolls to lead 3-1. Pin Yi won the tournament in 2015 with Chang Yu-Lung and with his younger brother alongside him this time, Ping Chung upped the ante to put them two away at 5-1. Argentina was soon gifted their second rack to be 5-2 behind after Chinese Taipei lost their position on the eight. Argentina’s optimism soon came crashing down though as the Ko brothers rattled up a 7-2 victory to meet either Greece or Cyprus next.
Team TPE 中華台北: KO Pin Yi and KO Ping Chung｜©Taka G. Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport
The afternoon session concluded with Albania’s Eklent Kaçi and Besar Spahiu who met Italy’s duo of Francesco Candela and Daniele Corrieri. Corrieri is no stranger to big moments much like Kaçi with success in beating Skyler Woodward at the World Pool Championship back in April whilst Kaçi‘s Mosconi Cup pedigree came to roost as Albania did their work in a 7-2 win.
There were some early nerves from both sides but Kaçi‘s know-how around the table eased Spahiu into proceedings. Spahiu broke well in the second rack to leave a carom on for the 9 to sink and put Albania 2-0 up. That momentum continued at 3-0 before Italy got on the board with a neat piece of safety. Albania continued on their way at 5-1 with relative ease as Italy did get back another rack only for Kaçi and Spahiu to wrap up their win and face either Spain or Australia next.
Team ALB 阿爾巴尼亞: Eklent Kaci (L) and Besar Spahiu (R)｜©Taka G. Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport
Action continues from 5 pm with the USA against Canada live on Sky Sports Arena at 5pm as well as live on DAZN in the USA, Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Netherlands, and Poland. See the full list of broadcasters here including Matchroom.Live if no broadcaster is available.
Tuesday, 14 June – Evening Session – 5pm
- USA (2) vs Canada
- Hungary (10) vs Czech Republic
- Spain (4) vs Australia