Poland’s Wiktor Zielinski secured the Euro Tour Lasko Open title beating Joshua Filler 9-7 in the final on Monday in Lasko, Slovenia, to move up to third on the 2023 Nineball World Rankings with the tournament counting towards Matchroom’s rankings which were launched earlier this year.
The tournament ran by the EPBF forms part of the 2022 Nineball schedule alongside eight Matchroom tournaments and tournaments run by other promoters that will contribute towards the 2023 Nineball World Rankings.
Eklent Kaçi gave a good account of himself as the 2021 Mosconi Cup winner reached the semi-finals which takes the Albanian up to World No.7. Filler‘s run to the final in Slovenia meant the World Cup of Pool winner held his position on the 2023 Nineball World Rankings at No.2. It was a good week for Zielinski‘s compatriot Wojciech Szewczyk who entered the rankings for the first-time level with Kaçi after a run to the semi-finals before defeat to Zielinski.
Money earned by players during Ranking Events, Major Events, and Blue Ribbon Events featured on the Nineball schedule will contribute to the standings on the 2023 Rankings as part of Matchroom’s goal to recognise Nineball as the primary discipline of pool worldwide as well as offering the chance for European and USA players the opportunity to qualify for the 2022 Mosconi Cup through the merit of their 2022 performances.
The Nineball World Rankings:
- Feature the primary rankings list of an initial Top 32 ranked players with a top-up of a further 8 players, this list will be used throughout the 2022 events for qualification and seeding to the Nineball schedule of events
- Feature the secondary rankings list of live actual ranking points of prize money earnt that will come into effect December 2022 as well as contribute towards the Mosconi Cup 2022 team qualification
- Feature 8 Matchroom promoted events
Event Status (subject to change and review on a yearly basis)
- Blue Ribbon > $300,000 +
- Major Events > $150,000 – $299,999
- Ranking Events > Up to $149,999
The Nineball World Rankings are open to any tournament recognised by Matchroom and given the approval of Matchroom and sanction of the WPA.
To be a part of the rankings, tournament organisers must follow the overall standards set out by the Nineball World Rankings to raise the profile of the sport. Whilst this will be flexible for 2022, the aim will be to standardise the professional rules of the game of Nineball producing fairness for players throughout all organised events as well as generating an easy understanding of the game: increasing awareness across the globe.