An important event in the billiards world took place on Saturday evening. The European Heyball Championships officially began in Kielce. The opening ceremony marked the start of the competition and was attended by distinguished guests and athletes who will compete for Europe’s most prestigious trophies over the coming week.
Among the guests were Gre Leenders, President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation; Grzegorz Kędzierski, President of the Polish Billiards Association; Gino de Ruyter from the EPBF; Marcin Krzemiński, Head of the East European Billiard Council; and Marta Orłowska, Vice-President of the Świętokrzyskie Sports Federation. The referees, journalists and everyone else who contributed to organising the competition were also warmly welcomed.
The ceremony at the Grand Hotel Kielce began with artistic performances by the folk group Kapela z Przytupem and Marysia Pankowska. The representatives of all 22 countries participating in the competition were then welcomed, including the host nation, Poland. The highlight of this part of the ceremony was the performance of the Polish national anthem, Mazurek Dąbrowskiego.
©Polish Billiards Association
Grzegorz Kędzierski, President of the Polish Billiards Association, addressed the audience:
“On behalf of our association and the Organising Committee, I would like to welcome you to the billiards region of Świętokrzyskie — a place that has hosted many international billiards tournaments and a region that has produced numerous European and World Championship medallists. I am delighted that we are hosting another international competition. The visit of so many outstanding athletes is, above all, a great celebration for more than 100 children training within our local structures. They are our greatest treasure.”
The next speaker was EPBF President Gre Leenders:
“I would like to sincerely thank the representatives of the Polish Billiards Association for taking on the responsibility of organising the European Heyball Championships. I am extremely pleased that the local team has risen to the challenge and prepared an arena of the highest international standard. I wish all the athletes the very best of luck at the tables.”
A symbolic moment of the opening ceremony was the first break, performed by President Grzegorz Kędzierski, Polish representative Karol Skowerski and Maja Szymańska, a student from a local school with a billiards section who won the Polish Junior Championship this year. Immediately after the break, Gre Leenders officially declared: “The European Heyball Championships 2026 are open!”
The ceremonial opening of the competition is now behind us, and the athletes began their matches on Sunday.
LIVE STREAM – TABLES 1–10: www.youtube.com/@TVSPORTSPL
LIVE STREAM – TABLES 11–16: www.youtube.com/@theepbf
MORE INFORMATION:
www.epbf.com/tournaments/european-championships
The event is being held thanks to the support and assistance of JOY from China, the European Pocket Billiard Federation, the Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the Marshal’s Office of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, FORTIS Bilard Kielce, Aramith from Belgium, LiberWin from China, Dynaspheres, Targi Kielce and the Grand Hotel.
The event is held under the honorary patronage of Renata Janik, Marshal of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, and Jakub Rutnicki, Minister of Sport and Tourism.
Media partners: TVP3 Kielce, Sportklub Polska, TVSPORTSPL, Radio Kielce, Echo Dnia, Telewizja Świętokrzyska, Radio EM, Radio Fama, Radio ESKA 2, CKsport, W Kielcach, Allison Chang, AZBilliards, 77 Billiard, WPA Live and On Cue Podcast.