In the girls division at the Dynamic Billard European Championships Youth in Tirana, Albania, last year’s runner-up Diana Khodjaeva (BEL) won 5:1 over Dina Fatihova (RUS) in the winner’s qualification round.
The course of the match proved that Khodjaeva was too strong for Fatihova today. When the match was more than half way through, Fatihova only opened her account to get to 1:3 before Khodjaeva finished the match completely with 5:1. It was a one sided performance by the strong Belgian. Just like her, last year’s Champion Kristina Tkach (RUS) won her match 5:1 over My Nguyen (SWE). Both finalists from last year are once again through to the semi-finals which will be played tomorrow at 16:30 CET. In the semi-finals, they will exchange their opponents from the round before. Nguyen defeated Jana Peters (GER) 5:3 in the loser’s qualification round while Fatihova got the better of Palina Chernik (BLR) in order to win a medal in this competition. That means that Fatihova will deal with Khodjaeva and Nguyen will face Tkach.
Diana Khodjaeva (BEL)
In the Under 19’s, number one seeded Maksim Dudanets (RUS) also booked his seat in the semi-finals. He defeated today Timofey Sereda (BLR) 7:3, Kostas Koukiadakis (GRE) 7:1 and Mark Magi (EST) 7:3. He will meet underdog Osman Sanlisoy (TNC) in the semi-final match. Sanlisoy ousted Bilge Alacam (TNC) 7:5, Enea Shytaj (ALB) 7:1 and Michael Schneider (SUI) surprisingly clear 7:4. The other semi-final will be played between Daniel Maciol (POL) and Cyriel Ledoux (NED).
In the division of the Under 17’s, defending Champion Fedor Gorst (RUS) was ousted by all-time rival Wiktor Zielinski (POL) 2:6. Zielinski will play the semi-final against Mustafa Alnar (TNC), another surprise player from North Cyprus. Alnar won 6:0 over Szymon Blazej (POL). The other semi-final is scheduled between Sanjin Pehlivanovic (BIH) and Jan van Lierop (NED).
The Dynamic Billard European Championships Youth will continue tomorrow morning at 09:00 CET with first round matches in the 8-ball competition. At 16:30 local time, the 10-ball semi-finals are played with the finals scheduled for 18:30 CET.
The Championships are played on 24 tables which are all streamed LIVE throughout the whole event. In order to be able to follow all the action LIVE, premium membership can be purchased at www.kozoom.com. Once a premium membership is held, all events for the respective period of time can be viewed LIVE. Additionally, a huge video gallery is contained in the website.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.epconline.eu, visit us on Facebook or check out our youtube channel for regular news clips or contact our press office [email protected].