THE PREDATOR EURO TOUR is down to the semi-final stage and the four players concerned will be returning to the Petrich Arena at 10.00 on Monday morning to contest the closing stages. From 29 starters, Eyllul Kibaroglu (Turkey) will play Amalia Matas of Spain and Pia Filler of Germany will go up against Poland’s Monika Zabek.
Matas is the only player in the semi-final line-up who knows the feeling of lifting a Euro Tour trophy but the other three have been making their mark on Tour over the past 12 months.
Monika Zabek made it through to her first ever Predator Euro Tour semi-finals with a 7-4 win over Ukraine’s Darya Siranchuk in a match where she trailed in the early stages. Understandably, she was delighted with her progress.
“I’ve played six quarter-finals in my life and I lost every one so I’m so happy. I didn’t win in the best style – I potted the 9-ball by luck – but I’m really excited. I’ve been playing very good and I’m happy with my performance. I don’t care who I’m playing tomorrow, I’m just happy that I’m in the semi-finals so I can relax and play my game.”
Eyllul Kibaroglu｜©EPBF
She will, in fact be playing Pia Filler, who is also seeking her maiden title on tour. She battled through beating Melanie Sussenguth 7-5 and came with a tidy run-out to seal the deal.
However, Filler knows she will need to be at her best; “I’m struggling with my game to be honest. It was a good run out at the end and the same in the match before where I made a pretty tough run-out on 6-6.
“The pressure is there because my expectations are quite high. Joshua (Filler) is happy with my game so that means it must be alright but there are just some stupid mistakes towards the end of the racks. I know I’m going to have some good sleep and get my head right so I’ll be ready tomorrow,” she added.
The semi-finals commence at 10.00 on Monday morning with the final breaking off at 12.00 midday. All Predator Euro Tour Women tournaments are 9-ball and this week, the field contest a double-elimination format, playing down to the last eight competitors, and then single elimination until the finish. All matches are a race to 7 racks with alternate break.
Pia Filler (GER)｜©EPBF
All the matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com
Results, live scoring and draw are available at
www.epbf.com/tournaments/eurot