GERMANY’S DENNIS LASZKOWSKI took the U19 gold medal at the Dynamic Billard European Pool Championships for Youth following a dominating 7–2 victory over Switzerland’s Silvan Starkermann in the championship match. It was Germany’s third gold medal of the championships and the outcome was never really in doubt from the opening rack.
“It’s amazing but I don’t have any words!” said a delighted Dennis after the match. “Travelling to Bulgaria, I thought I could win a gold medal but I said to myself to have fun, play good and we’ll see what I can achieve,” he added.
Starkermann, who had come through a draining 7-6 semi-final win over Poland’s Wiktor Fortunski, won the lag but missed a long pot on the 1 ball to lose initiative. Both players had visits as the rack became a little scrappy before Laszkowski had a good look at the table and completed the run out for the early lead. He then increased that with a confident clearance from the break.
Starkermann, though, came with his own break and run in the next to keep the deficit at one rack but Laszkowski restored his two-rack lead as he won with the break in the next. The German took the fifth to lead 4-1 and leave Starkermann facing an uphill task. A scratch from Laszkowski on the break gave the Swiss a much-needed opportunity.
Dennis Laszkowski celebrationsㄝand referee, Miha Vovko｜©EPBF
He missed the 5 ball though but it ran safe for him and he was soon back to the table to execute a good long pot on the orange 5. From there he cleared to reduce the deficit to 4-2. However, it was to be his last contribution to the scoreboard. A great break from the Swiss boy gave him a good opportunity, but he squandered it as he missed the 3 ball. Laszkowski took the chance as he hit the cue ball with some authority as he dished up for a 5-2 lead.
A dry break from the German got his opponent back at the table and he executed a decent safety to give himself some breathing space. They both had visits but ultimately, it was Laszkowski who took the rack to put one hand on the trophy as he reached the hill. Laszkowski got an opportunity in the ninth game to claim the gold medal and he held himself together, potting with the same confidence he had shown all match, to clear the table for the victory.
“At the start of the tournament I didn’t feel that confident because I lost in a very tough match against Yannick Pongers but after my last 16 match, where I was trailing 6-2 and I came back and won, that gave me a real confidence boost and I continued playing like that and I felt more confident after every match,” said Laszkowski.
There were bronze medals for Kristian Mrva (SVK), his second of the championships, and Wiktor Fortunski (POL).
Dennis Laszkowski grabs gold in 10ball｜©EPBF
The 2022 Dynamic Billards European Championship Youth comprises 14 separate events across four disciplines – 8, 9 and 10 ball as well as straight pool – plus the male and female team competitions. In total there are three divisions; male U19, male U17 and female U19. In total, there are 111 competitors in attendance – 19 girls, 57 boys in the U17 division and 35 boys in the U19.
Play continues on Sunday 31st July with a continuation of the 8 ball events.
All matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com as well as selected matches on the EPBF’s Facebook page.
Results, live scoring and draws are available at www.epbf.com/tournaments/european-championships/