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Topic: *Industry News* 2015 - 2024

European Pool Pocket Billiards Federation

PREDATOR WORLD JUNIOR 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 18th – 21st NOVEMBER

The 2022 Predator World Junior Youth Championships are set to get
underway this week at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in the capital
city of San Juan. The four-day event will feature three separate
tournaments; Boys Under 19s and Under 17s and Girls Under19s. As usual
the European Pocket Billiards Federation will be sending a very strong
squad of 17 athletes to Puerto Rico looking to build on the success of
last year’s event where they made a clean sweep of the gold medals.

The basis of selection of the European team is through performances at
the 2022 European Championships, which took place in Petrich, Bulgaria
in August. In addition, all players had to first battle through their
respective national championships to make it to the Euros.

Each of the three events has a small field – just 24 players in the U19
and Girls and 32 in the U17s – but the World Junior Championships are a
best of the best as each continental federation sends their strongest
players, making it an elite field indeed. The format is initially double
elimination, moving to single elimination for the closing stages.

Tommi Lamminaho, Team Leader of the European contingent, as well as
board member of the EPBF said, “We’re all looking forward to continuing
success in Puerto Rico. It’s a beautiful spot to stage the World
Championships and I’m sure all our players will certainly enjoy the
experience.

“That aside, we’re not here on holiday and the European players have all
prepared and are ready to give it their very best in pursuit of medals.
Europe has got a terrific track record at the World Juniors and we hope
that our team can all perform as we know they can.”

The Players

Under 19s

Yuma Dorner (Germany)
Dennis Laszkowski (Germany)
Yannick Pongers (Netherlands)
Szymon    Kural (Poland)

Under 17s

Lazar Kostic (Serbia)
Felix Vogel (Germany)
Mika Van Berkel (Netherlands)
Karl Gnadeberg (Estonia)
Jori Narvola (Finland)
Riku Romppanen (Finland)
Michal Wiech (Poland)

Girls

Lena Primus (Austria)
Dominica Pawelczyk (Poland)
Jolien Schuurman (Netherlands)
Alara Ghaffari (Turkish North Cyprus)
Shirin Volery (Switzerland)
Linnea Hjalmarstrom (Sweden)

Action gets underway on Friday 18th November and concludes on Monday
21st at the impressive venue which is staging a series of high-quality
events, culminating in the Predator WPA World 8-Ball Championships.

Further event details including live scoring can be found at the
tournament’s Official Site: https://probilliardseries.com/

Once underway, matches can be viewed at www.kozoom.com

Fisher Fights Through As Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open Begins

Four-time Predator Pro Billiard Series champion Kelly Fisher had to come from 3-2 down to eventually win the second set against 12-year-old American Savannah Easton and move to the winners’ qualification stage of the Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open.

At the impressively set-up Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, 192 pro players from 44 countries opened the 2022 Caribbean CueSports International Expo on Tuesday. With $100,000 in the prize pot of the 128-player Open, and $75,000 for the 64-player Women’s event, the Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open is the final stop of the 2022 Predator Pro Billiard Series and will be followed in Puerto Rico by the Predator World Junior 9-Ball Championships and Predator World 8-Ball Championship.

In the Open event, Fedor Gorst, Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz and Darren Appleton won twice to reach winners’ qualification, the latter defeating Chang Jung-Lin 4-0, 4-1.

After beating Elise Qiu on a shootout at the start of the day, Fisher faced Easton on the TV table in her hunt for an unprecedented fifth Predator Pro Billiard Series title. Easton has been making waves this year, most recently taking fifth in the WPBA’s Sledgehammer Open in Bristol, TN last month.

The 12-year-old had seen off Emilyn Callado in straight sets in the opening round and earned a huge ovation from the Puerto Rican crowd for her efforts against Fisher, who was almost taken to shootout by the youngster nicknamed ‘Roadrunner’.

Having won the first set 4-2, Fisher took a 2-0 lead in the second. However, the American youngster, who will take part in the Predator World Junior 9-Ball Championships starting Friday, cut that lead in half after making the 5 with the bridge. Easton then leveled the set at 2-2 after a safety battle with just the 9 and 10 remaining and a long 8 opened up the fifth game of the set for the junior, who took a 3-2 lead.

A dry break from the hill allowed Fisher to play a safety which Easton couldn’t escape but ball in hand was returned by the Brit when she completely missed the 7. However, Easton left a long 9 in the jaw and Fisher was finally level again at hill-hill in the second set.

The final rack brought more drama as Easton battled for the shootout but the pressure showed as she overcut the 10. Both players had another chance to close out the set but it was Fisher who got over the line to advance to winners qualification tomorrow.

“What a great player, she has nerves of steel and definitely one to watch for the future,” said Fisher. “She should have had me there, it should have been a shootout. I was all over the place but she missed some crucial balls at the end.

“What a great future she knows she must have, she is a great player and we are going to see her in the future. I, personally, don’t want to play her again; she put me under pressure, she got me, could have had me, and I don’t want to play her again until she’s 18!”

“I was this close, I was so close,” said Easton. “In the first set when I was 2-2 I thought I might be able to beat her, and in the second set when it was 3-2 and I took that break, I was so excited but I tried to hold it in as much as I could. It was so fun, I couldn’t believe it.”

Fisher will now face Kristina Tkach for a place in the last 16. Yuki Hiraguchi of Japan will take on Chia Hua Chen after ‘Amber’ beat World Women’s 10-Ball Champion Chieh Yu-Chou in the opening round. Pia Filler, Tzu-Chien Wei, Kristina Zlateva, Jasmin Ouschan and Allison Fisher are among the other players still unbeaten in the women’s event.

In the men’s tournament, local favorite Alan Rolon was well-supported as he Wu Kun Lin by shootout and then Alex Montpellier to earn a day off and set up a winners’ qualification match against Badar Alawadhi on Thursday morning.

A strong field spelt early casualties as the likes of Ko Ping-Han, Aloysius Yapp and Ko Pin-Yi all lost in the first round and now face a long road to reach the last 32 and single elimination.

The Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open continues from 10am AST on Wednesday with six more matches streamed from Table 1 on Billiard TV, the World Billiard TV YouTube channel and at Kozoom.com. Table 2 has full coverage and commentary on the Predator Pro Billiard Series Facebook Page. All tables can be watch live for FREE at Kozoom.com

Brackets and scores can be found at www.probilliardseries.com

Follow @probilliardseries on Facebook, @probilliardseries on Instagram or @PBilliardSeries on Twitter.

Big Names Fall In Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open

Alex Kazakis, Ko Ping Han and Chang Yu-Lung were among the big names knocked out of the Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open on the second day of play at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, while the likes of Kelly Fisher, Margaret Fefilova and Chia Hua Chen are already into the last 16 of the Women’s event.

A goliath match up between Ko Pin-Yi and Alex Kazakis would usually be reserved for the closing stages of any tournament, but here it was a match in the second round on the losers’ side of the draw. Ko had been beaten by Denis Grabe on the opening day but a 4-1, 4-0 win over another Estonian, Gert Gnadeberg, got the two-time World Champion up and running.

A shootout defeat to Jonas Souto Comino in the first winners’ round earlier in the day had sent Kazakis to the one-loss side and, like Ko, he now needed three wins to qualify for the straight-knockout last 32.

Ko looked certain to take the first set 4-1 but missed a straight 3 by going rail first in attempt to gain position on the 4. However, another chance presented itself and was taken in the sixth rack as Ko took the set 4-2.

The first two racks of set two were shared and it was Kazakis who had a clear opening in the third, only to miss the 1 to the side when a simple 2/10 was waiting. Ko took the gift but Kazakis was level again at 2-2 one rack later. The Greek was then able to lead for the first time when Ko missed the 9, but the Taiwanese leveled at 3-3 to move a rack away from victory.

Kazakis needed to hope for a chance as Ko broke on the hill, and he got one immediately as Ko struggled to find power with his break, leaving Kazakis a layout from which he took a clear path to the shootout.

In the tie break, neither player so much as clipped a jaw in their four regulation innings, forcing sudden death where it was Kazakis who blinked first. Ko had already taken a 5-4 shootout lead when the Greek missed his fifth shot to be eliminated from the tournament. Ko’s next opponent will be Tyler Styer.

However, Ko’s brother Ping Han is out of the event after suffering a shootout defeat to Puerto Rico’s Miguel Batista. The home player took the first set 4-3 before Ko fired back, only to lose 3-2 in the shootout. Another local favorite, USA’s Puerto Rico-born Tony Robles, awaits Batista in the next round.

With $100,000 in the prize pot of the 128-player Open, and $75,000 for the 64-player Women’s event, the Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open is the final stop of the 2022 Predator Pro Billiard Series and will be followed in Puerto Rico by the Predator World Junior 9-Ball Championships and Predator World 8-Ball Championship.

In the Women’s Open, eight of the last 16 are now known. Kelly Fisher defeated Kristina Tkach by shootout to reach the single-elimination stage, while Canada Open champion ‘Amber’ Chen was winner over Japan’s Yuki Hiraguchi. Pia Filler, Allison Fisher and Margaret Fefilova make it four Europeans already through.

The other four players to reach the last 16 undefeated are all from Asia, with Filipino speed-shooter Chezka Centeno and Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wan-Ling and Tzu-Chien Wei joining compatriot Chen in the last 16 draw.

The Open event moves to single elimination with 32 players remaining. Winners’ qualification matches commence at 10am local time with Fedor Gorst, Carlo Biado and Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz among those with two chances to qualify. Wiktor Zielinski, Roberto Gomez and Yukio Akagariyama are some of the experienced players who will have to win two matches on the losers’ side of the draw if they are to make it.

The Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open continues from 10am AST on Thursday with six more matches streamed from Table 1 on Billiard TV, the World Billiard TV YouTube channel and at Kozoom.com. Table 2 has full coverage and commentary on the Predator Pro Billiard Series Facebook Page. All tables can be watch live for FREE at Kozoom.com

Brackets and scores can be found at www.probilliardseries.com

Follow @probilliardseries on Facebook, @probilliardseries on Instagram or @PBilliardSeries on Twitter.

Biado And Wei Take Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open Titles

Carlo Biado won the Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open, beating Daniel Maciol 4-1, 4-3 in front of the San Juan crowd after Wei Tzu-Chien had defeated Chezka Centeno 4-2, 4-0 to lift the Women’s Open trophy.

It is Biado’s first Predator Pro Billiard Series title, while the $13,000 Maciol collects for finishing runner-up represents the biggest payout of the young Pole’s career to date. Both Biado and Wei had previously lost Pro Billiard Series finals but both now have Champion trophies to sit alongside their silver medals.

“Finally I made it because before I lost in a final against Fedor Gorst,” said Biado in reference to his defeat in Arizona last year.

After sharing the first two racks of the opening set, Biado quickly took it 4-1. The second was far less comfortable for the Filipino, as Maciol tried to force the shootout.

A large crowd had gathered for both the Open and the Women’s final, and they were treated to a close finish. Biado had the opening break of the set but only took down the first rack when Maciol missed a soft-rolled 3. The Pole tied the set after Biado wasn’t able to kick the 6, but the Filipino cleared to regain his lead after his 23-year-old opponent broke dry.

Maciol wasn’t done yet and was level again in the set at 2-2, before Biado moved to the hill 3-2 up after again running out when Maciol’s dry break left an open table. It was then Biado who didn’t make a ball on the break and Maciol who took advantage to find himself breaking at hill-hill in a rack he needed to win to deny Biado the title.

However, another dry break brought the 2017 World 9-Ball Champion back to the table and Biado showed his class as he completed a difficult out to earn his first Pro Billiard Series title.

Biado’s $25,000 success followed Wei’s win in the Women’s division, which earned her $20,000 and ensured she wouldn’t suffer a second Predator Pro Billiard Series final defeat after losing out to Kelly Fisher in Michigan in September.

A 4-1, 4-2 victory against Chou Cheih-Yu – a repeat of the World Women’s 10-Ball final from September – set Wei up with a final against Centeno, whose 3-4, 4-2, 3-2 semi-final shootout win against Jasmin Ouschan took just a shade over an hour to complete.

Wei had lost that World 10-Ball find to Chou and a few weeks later suffered defeat to Fisher on the Pro Billiard Series in Michigan and the 32-year-old was determined to ensure she left with the trophy in her third final in as many months.

After taking the first set 4-2, she stamped down her authority in the second. She won a safety-strewn first rack from Centeno’s break and made it 2-0 when the Filipino, one of the quickest players in the game, left a straight 4. That lead was extended further in the third rack with a clutch 10-ball. Centeno had it all to do as Wei came up dry at 3-0. She took out a 1/9 but then missed the 2. She had another chance soon after but poor position to the 4 was her final error of the championship match.

Wei completed the rack to take the second set 4-0 and after collecting $20,000 said: “I was sitting there and I was thinking, I have been here twice, and I’m going to get it, it;’s not going to be three-times second. I played better than how I expected and really enjoyed the atmosphere here.”

The Predator Pro Billiard Series returns in 2023. The Predator World Juniors 9-Ball Championship plays November 18-21 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, the host venue of the Predator World 8-Ball Championship which runs November 19-22.

Matches from the Predator World 8-Ball Championship will be streamed from Table 1 on Billiard TV, the World Billiard TV YouTube channel and at Kozoom.com. Table 2 has full coverage and commentary on the Predator Pro Billiard Series Facebook Page. All tables, including matches from the Predator World Juniors 9-Ball Championships, can be watch live for FREE at Kozoom.com

Brackets and scores can be found at www.probilliardseries.com

Follow @probilliardseries on Facebook, @probilliardseries on Instagram or @PBilliardSeries on Twitter.

Friday 18th November

European Pool Pocket Billiards Federation

PREDATOR WORLD JUNIOR 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 18th – 21st NOVEMBER

EUROPEAN CONTINGENT ENJOYS DAY ONE SUCCESS

THE 2022 PREDATOR World Junior Youth Championships broke off today at
the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, and the European squad
competing in the three events – Boys Under 19s and Under 17s and Girls
Under19s – enjoyed a relatively drama-free opening day. With 17 athletes
representing Europe and the European Pocket Billiards Federation, there
were only five defeats suffered in the 54 matches completed thus far.

In the 24-player Under-19 event, the four competing European players
went undefeated over the first day. Poland’s Szymon Kural and Yannick
Pongers (Netherlands) enjoyed two wins apiece, having started earlier in
the competition than the German duo of Yuma Dorner and Dennis
Laszkowski, who both negotiated their respective opening matches.

All four are now into the Winners’ Qualification round of the bracket,
playing off for a spot in the single-elimination quarter-finals. All
four have avoided dangerous Saudi player Khalid Alghamdi, as Pongers
faces off against Dorner while Laszkowski looks forward to a clash
against rated American Joey Tate, while Kural will take on Fu Huan of
Hong Kong.

In the girl’s tournament there are 32 competitors including a European
contingent of six top-level players. Three of them – Domenica Pawelczyk
(Poland, with two wins), Alara Ghaffari (Turkish North Cyprus) and
Austria’s Lina Primus (one win each) – are moving smoothly through the
winners’ side. However, Jolien Schuurman (Netherlands), Shirin Volery
(Switzerland) and Sweden’s Linnea Hjalmarstrom fell into the one-loss
side and will have no margin for error when play recommences on
Saturday.

Finally, in the boy’s Under 17 championship, Lazar Kostic (Serbia),
Felix Vogel (Germany), Mika Van Berkel (Netherlands), Karl Gnadeberg
(Estonia) and Riku Romppanen (Finland) all enjoyed two victories each to
leave themselves one win away from a spot in the last eight
single-elimination.
Michael Wiech of Poland and Finland’s Jori Narvola both succumbed to a
defeat and will need to be on their toes as they look to battle their
way through the other half of the bracket.

Nonetheless, the Team Leader of the EPBF squad, Tommi Lamminaho, was
delighted at the progress of the European players on the opening day of
the Predator World Junior 9-Ball Championships; “All in all it was a
very good day for our players. We suffered a few defeats but I’m
confident that players can bounce back tomorrow from the one-loss side,”
he said.

“Obviously as play continues, we will see more and more do-or-die
matches involving European players against each other but that is the
nature of the event. I really hope that all the European players can
build on their experience from the opening day and bring their strongest
games possible as they all play down to the closing stages on Sunday and
Monday,” he added.

Play continues on Saturday at 10.00am local time (14,00 GMT) as each
event plays down to the final 12 players. The WPA Predator World Junior
Championships are part of a series of top-level tournaments being staged
at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan through November,
culminating in the Predator WPA World 8-Ball Championships.

Further event details including live scoring can be found at the
tournament’s Official Site: https://probilliardseries.com/

Once underway, matches can be viewed at www.kozoom.com

MATCHROOM POOL EXTEND PARTNERSHIP WITH RASSON BILLIARDS FOR NEXT 3 YEARS

RASSON BILLIARDS remain as the Official Table Supplier of Matchroom single table events for at least the next 3 years as part of a new agreement.

The RASSON pool table is the table of choice for Matchroom’s Mosconi Cup, World Pool Masters, and World Cup of Pool with the partnership stretching back since 2016.

RASSON will continue to benefit from exposure through Matchroom Pool’s burgeoning digital footprint of over one million followers including in China on Weibo where followership has grown by over 150% in the last 12 months as well as linearly through global broadcast partnerships. Referees will do RASSON patches during tournaments played on the OX table.

Working closely with Matchroom, RASSON has refined their table to make it some of the toughest conditions in the sport with 4-inch pockets debuting at the World Pool Masters this year and the upcoming Mosconi Cup with the two companies working closely to create a professional standard for Nineball players and events.

The agreement also sees RASSON BILLIARDS continue to supply the tables for Matchroom’s prestigious Champion of Champions snooker event where the 16 winners from the previous year on the World Snooker Tour compete for £440,000 and at Matchroom’s Championship League Snooker events (Ranking and Invitational versions).

Junny Song, the General Manager of RASSON quoted “We're very delighted to extend the cooperation with Matchroom. We didn't expect it had been 7 years since we cooperated in 2016 and we have been cooperating with Matchroom on many events like pool, snooker, and table tennis. They are peerless in producing sports events!”

“We've always endeavoured to create sports products that combine both aesthetics and top quality for the players and consumers, and Matchroom offers a perfect platform to display to all these. We look forward to closer cooperation with Matchroom on more programs and bringing everyone more fantastic events in the coming years!”

Emily Frazer, Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director Emily Frazer said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with RASSON BILLIARDS as a hugely valued partner of our company. The pro’s love the conditions the RASSON tables create. RASSON has been integral to creating the ‘professional conditions’ in our Matchroom events over the past 18 months, where we have seen players improve; the game mature, and events become more competitive. RASSON has reacted well to producing beautiful conditions and that’s how the pro’s expect to be the standard. They are a great partner to have and share our vision of a global professional sport and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes us.”

Visit www.rasson.cn to review the products and dealer details around the world.

Chang, Van Boening Among Winners As Predator World 8-Ball Championship Begins in Puerto Rico

Defending champion Chang Jung-Lin made it through the first round of the Predator World 8-Ball Championship with an 8-6 success over Dutchman Tim de Ruyter on the opening day of play at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan.

There were wins for Americans Shane van Boening and Tyler Styer, Germany’s Joshua Filler and Great Britain’s Jayson Shaw on the TV tables, with the former defeating Puerto Rico’s Alan Rolon.

The eventual winner will collect $60,000 of the $250,000 total prize fund from the event, which is part of the first annual Caribbean CueSports International Expo.

Rolon’s home crowd came out in force to support their local favorite, putting Van Boening in the rare spot of being the player less favored by those spectating. The Puerto Rican, who reached the knockout stages of the Medallla Light Puerto Rico Open during the week, took down the first rack and despite conceding the second, moved ahead again at 2-1 to a loud roar inside the arena.

But Van Boening’s quality ultimately showed. Rolon foulded by moving the 5 ball as he bridged over it and the American was able to level. A great break opened up the fifth rack for Van Boening, and before Rolon knew it he was 6-2 down in the race to eight.

A dry break afforded Rolon an opportunity to claw back the deficit. He found trouble with four balls left but made the 12 with position on the 15 to bring the match to 6-3. However, his next break shot was his final visit as he came up dry, turning the table to Van Boening.

The five-time US Open champion had a straight shot on the 14 which set him up for the rack. Breaking at 7-3 ahead, Van Boening had the 12 down but opted to shoot the 2 owing to the layout of the table. A runout followed for the South Dakota Kid, who returns on Sunday to face Johnny Salas.

While Van Boening was winning on Table 1, on Table 2 a battle was heating up between two member’s of USA’s World Teams Championship roster from September.

Joey Tate and Tyler Styer are close friends off the table and with neither player able to build a substantial lead throughout the match it was Styer who arrived first on the hill before just a second dry break of the match by Styer allowed Tate to the table. The 17-year-old, who is also competing in Under-19 division of the Predator World Juniors 9-Ball Championships this week, played the 15 brilliantly to bring the 10 away from the side rail and from there had no problems in reaching the hill.

A dry break came at the worst possible time for Tate but when Styer missed a 4 he’d usually expect to make, the younger of the two Americans was back at the table. However, he missed the 9 to the middle pocket with three balls and the 8 remaining.

Styer showed he was feeling the pressure when the cue clipped the 10 as he looked for position on the 4. He played the shot well but again the cue kicked another ball, this time the 11, as it came through for position on the 7. The former Kremlin Cup winner held his nerve, though, and made a testy shot up table to come back and make the match-winning 8.

“I’d rather play Shane or Jayson, anybody else but Joey,” said Styer. “I have helped him out a lot and taken him under my wing, so to draw him in the first round sucked. I believe in him but I have to forget about that when I play him because he is like a little brother to me.”

Later in the day, Tate advanced to the quarter-finals of the Predator World Juniors 9-Ball Championship. Playing in the Under-19 division, he defeated Germany’s Dennis Laszkowski 9-5 to progress from the winners’ side. His sister Bethany is through to the last eight of the Girls division, along with Savannah Easton, Lena Primus and Alara Ghaffari. The other Under-19 quarter-finalists are Keane Derek Rota, Szymon Kural and Yannick Pongers.

Riku Romppanen, Mika van Berkel, Felix Vogel and Lazar Kostic made it four Europeans in the last eight of the Under 17s. The losers’ qualification matches of all three divisions take place on Sunday, followed by the quarter-finals. All matches are broadcast live on Kozoom.com and all three Junior finals will be on World Billiard TV YouTube Channel and watchbilliard.tv on Monday.

Predator World 8-Ball Championship reigning champion Chang Jung-Lin has waited ten years to defend his title and was given a tough examination by Tim de Ruyter before eventually winning 8-6. There was a hill-hill win for Jayson Shaw against Dimitris Loukatos while former World 8-Ball Champion Ralf Souquet will face Konrad Juszczyszyn on Sunday after beating Juan Carlos Exposito of Spain in his opening match.

Matches from the Predator World 8-Ball Championship are streamed from Table 1 on Billiard TV, the World Billiard TV YouTube channel and at Kozoom.com. Table 2 has full coverage and commentary on the Predator Pro Billiard Series Facebook Page. All tables, including matches from the Predator World Juniors 9-Ball Championships, can be watch live for FREE at Kozoom.com

Brackets and scores can be found at www.probilliardseries.com

Follow @probilliardseries on Facebook, @probilliardseries on Instagram or @PBilliardSeries on Twitter.

LONGONI 9-BALL LEAGUE

Treviso, Italy

20th November 2022

IT’S POLAND v SPAIN FOR THE TITLE

FOLLOWING A YEAR of competition, the Inaugural Longoni 9-Ball League
concludes next Friday 25th November when Poland takes on Spain in the
championship match. Starting out in Lasko, Slovenia in February, there
were 12 national teams split into four groups who have played down to
the final two.

With current EuroTour rankings determining the selection of teams
playing at any time during the course of the year, the dynamic Spanish
duo of Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz and David Alcaide have led the way for
their country. However, with both having been called up to represent
Europe in the Mosconi Cup, it opens the window for the next two highest
ranked players to step forward.

That means that Jose Alberto Delgado and Jonas Souto, who are ranked
17th and 37th on the EuroTour respectively, will be handed the golden
opportunity of taking on Team Poland. Both Spaniards are playing well
this year having both made it to the last 16 at the Tour stop in
Slovenia and Souto making the same grade a few more times since.

They’re up against a formidable duo though, in Wiktor Zielinski and
Wojciech Szewczyk, who are both enjoying stellar seasons. After the
Polish pair came through a tough group consisting of Austria and Italy,
they then beat a strong German side in the semi-finals and are surely
now favourites to lift the Longoni 9-Ball League title.

The Longoni 9-ball league is a scotch doubles format involving 12
countries highest on the EuroTour rankings at the beginning of the year.
The countries were split into four groups of three teams with each group
winner proceeding to the semi-finals.

The winning team will receive €4,500 which includes prize money for wins
in the group stages. The runners-up receive 2500 Euro plus group
earnings and as with all the teams, the total prize money will be
divided into match shares with one share for each team appearance.

The Final between Poland and Spain can be viewed live on the platform,
TV. kozoom as well as on the Longoni 9 Ball League & EPBF Facebook pages
on Friday 25th November starting at approximately 9pm.

LONGONI 9-BALL LEAGUE

Treviso, Italy

25th November 2022

POLAND TAKE INAUGURAL LONGONI TITLE


POLAND, COMPRISED OF Wiktor Zielinski and Wojciech Szewczyk, has won the
first-ever Longoni 9-Ball League following an 11-5 victory over Spain in
the final which took place at the BHR Best Western Hotel in Treviso,
Italy. From an initial entry of 12 national teams based on Euro Tour
rankings, the Polish duo, who were ever-present throughout the
competition, had too much for their Spanish rivals, opening up a 7-1
lead, which despite a mini-comeback, proved too much for their
opponents.

With current EuroTour rankings determining the selection of teams
playing at any time during the course of the event, the regular Spanish
duo of Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz and David Alcaide were forced to miss the
final, as both are representing Europe in the Mosconi Cup. That allowed
Jose Alberto Delgado and Jonas Souto to take the main stage in the
final. However, despite trying to turn the match around at the
mid-point, they didn’t have enough in the tank to upset the Poles.

Having arrived back from the World 8-Ball in the Caribbean on Wednesday,
there was a possibility that tiredness could have played a part in the
proceedings.

Commented Szewczyk, “We were aware that fatigue can be a factor here but
both me and Wiktor are quite experienced. We know what to expect from
our bodies and our mental game and we were as ready as possible for the
final.

“You never consider it closed until it’s over but a 7-1 lead we were
very happy about. We also saw a difference in the break which always
gives you extra confidence so even if they steal a couple of racks, if
you have that break advantage you know it will be harder for them to
streak racks.”

The match itself was all Poland. With their break working for them while
the Spaniards floundered, they lead 5-0 then 7-1 which seemed
insurmountable for Delgado and Souto. However, they dug in and clawed
their way back to 7-5 to give themselves a glimmer of hope.

That was to be their last contribution as the Polish duo came on strong
down the stretch as the closed it out with an 11-5 victory.

For Zielinski, it was one in the win column after a heart-break loss in
the World 8-Ball final earlier this week, “I just wanted to finally get
a first place and after we took a big lead in the game, I was feeling
quite confident that we could make it so I’m just happy that me and
Wojciech managed to win.

“It will be tough to make the team next year as I will be defending two
first places in a row and then a third place so it’s not going to be
easy and I’m sure other Polish players will do well. We have a lot
of great players so I was lucky that I could play with Wojciech all the
way through,” he added,

Pierluigi Longoni of Longoni Cues was on hand to present the trophy to
the winners and confirmed that the Longoni 9-Ball League would be back
next year, starting at the opening Euro Tour event in Tallinn, Estonia
in February.

Dynamic Billard Euro Tour Men

Dynamic Billard Italian Open

Presented by Best Western Premium BHR Treviso Hotel

DAY TWO COMPLETES IN TREVISO

26th November

DAY TWO OF the Dynamic Billard Italian Open played out today (Saturday)
at the Best Western Premium BHR Treviso Hotel. With 230 players and 20
tables, there are plenty of matches to get through and as a consequence
the Italian Open is extended to four days, concluding on Monday evening
with the live televised semi-finals and final.

There are 32 players remaining on the winner’s side of the bracket
including Poland’s Szymon Kural who earlier this week triumphed in the
WPA Predator World U19 Championship. The 18-year-old from Krakow went
undefeated through that tournament, and after a brief pit stop in home
town Krakow, hit the road bound for Treviso.

So far, he has three wins from three matches and defeated French No.1
Alex Montpelier 9-6 in the main arena to book his spot in the winners’
qualification round where he will face Alex Kazakis (Greece) at midday
on Sunday.

Commented Kural; “It feels fine, nice, because again, I played very
well. I beat a very good player and Alex also played very well. His
break though, didn’t work so good and my break was a bit better so
overall I’m happy and looking forward to playing Alex Kazakis tomorrow.

“I’m tired but I’ll fight till the end and we’ll see how that works. I
will do my best as always and I will try to play my best pool. I’m
feeling quite confident because four days ago I won the best title of my
life – the World Junior Championship – so I’m confident and I’ll have a
lot of fun,” he added.

Another Pole, Wiktor Zielinski, is still on course to usurp the No.1
spot from Francisco Sanchez Ruiz as he too finds himself in the winners’
qualification draw where he will face Tomasz Kaplan. Other big guns
still undefeated include Mario He, Eklent Kaci, Niels Feijen, Ronni
Regli, Dennis Grabe and veteran Ralf Souquet.

On the losers’ side of the draw, the final featured match was a cracker
between another former WPA World Junior Champion in Spain’s Jonas Souto
and experienced Romanian Babken Melkonyan. The Bucharest man played at a
high level as he led throughout but struggled as the finishing line
approached.

Souto’s break wasn’t working to any great effect and it was Melkonyan
who reached the hill first at 8-6, having led 4-1 in the early stages.
A snooker from Souto saw Melkonyan escape but scratch in the process.
With ball-in-hand, the Spaniard made hard work of it but soon found
himself level at 8-8. Breaking for the match, Souto found something and
delivered his best of the match and from there he ran out for a tight
victory.

He said afterwards, “I don’t know how I won that! It was strange in the
beginning as I didn’t make a miss and I was 4-1 down as he didn’t miss a
ball. He was playing perfect and I managed to comeback under pressure
and he missed a little bit more but he played unbelievable. I tried my
best all the time and I won 9-8 but it was a difficult, tough match. I
think I was breaking well but just didn’t get the rolls but in the last
rack I had the luck and made the run out.

“At this Euro Tour, if you lose in the first or second rounds, you need
a lot of energy for all those matches because there’s five or six of
them to get through but I’ll give it my best and if I do, I do. And if
not then it’s onto the next one,” he added.

Play continues tomorrow (Sunday) with the remainder of Losers’ Round
Three, followed by two more Losers’ Side rounds, then the last 32
qualification matches on both sides of the bracket. Play commences at
9.00am.

As well as the prize money, there are Tour ranking points on offer as
well as world ranking points, so there is everything to play for. All
Euro Tour tournaments are 9-ball and players compete in a
double-elimination format, playing down to the last 32 competitors, and
then single elimination until the finish. All matches are races to 9
racks with alternate break.

All the matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com as well as selected
matches on Facebook Live on the EPBF page. In addition, the semi-finals
and final, played out on Monday night, will be live or highlights on the
following television stations across Europe;

SportKlub HD – Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia,
Bosnia Herzegovina, Greece
Eyecons – Netherlands)
SportKlub – Poland
ORF – Austria
B1B Box – Bulgaria

Results, live scoring and draw are available at www.epbf.com

Dynamic Billard Euro Tour Men

Dynamic Billard Italian Open

Presented by Best Western Premium BHR Treviso Hotel

QUARTER FINAL LINE-UPS SET IN TREVISO


27th November

AFTER THREE DAYS of play, we’re down to the last eight at the Dynamic
Billard Italian Open, taking place at the Best Western Premium BHR
Treviso Hotel. Starting out at 9.00 on Sunday morning, there have been
seven rounds of matches today, the majority on the one-loss side of the
draw, concluding with two rounds of single elimination.

The lowest ranked player into the last eight is Iker Echeverria at No.56
and his terrific efforts this week have kept the Spanish flag flying in
the absence of Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and David Alcaide. All the other
quarter-finalists are either previous Euro Tour winners or have gone
deep in previous events.

Poland’s Wiktor Zielinski, currently ranked No.2 on the tour, stayed on
track to steal the top spot from Sanchez Ruiz as he eased his way into
the last eight with a 9-4 victory over Michael Schneider (Switzerland).
The in-form Pole has yet to be extended this week in Treviso and can
look forward to Iker Echeverria tomorrow.

Commented Wiktor, “I’ve been playing quite good and I think with the jet
lag and being tired, I’m playing quite well. I can make some stupid
mistakes but overall, I’m breaking really well and so far, I haven’t had
a really tough match – the worst I’ve lost by is 9-4 with Tomasz Kaplan
and then Michael just now so hopefully I will continue like this
tomorrow.

“I’m sleeping well but not deep sleep so I think I need two or three
more days to adjust to the European time zone. All my results have been
good so I’m confident and hopefully I can continue like this tomorrow,”
he added.

Another big gun who will be fighting it out in the quarter-finals is
Alex Kazakis who enjoyed wins this evening over Marco Cordova (Italy)
and Switzerland’s Dimitri Jungo, 9-2 and 9-7, respectively. He now faces
Pole Mieszko Fortunski who won a thrilling hill-hill match over Roam
Hybler that saw multiple attempts on the 9-ball in the deciding rack.

Kazakis, like many players in the Italian Open, has just returned from
the World 8-Ball in the Caribbean and is grappling with the effects of
jetlag.

“I’m pretty happy when you consider that most of the players came her
from Puerto Rico and we have jet lag, me included. Today I slept only
three hours but I was playing good. I made some easy mistakes but
overall, I’m happy and I’ll keep fighting and this is what matters,”
said Kazakis.

“I hope I can sleep five or six hours tonight and then I’m going to be
happy. It’s only three more wins but there are a lot of good players and
you can lose in any round but it can go the same with me; I can win any
round and I can win the tournament so it would be nice to win here in
Treviso.”

Mario He also advanced to the final day, courtesy of a brace of 9-8 wins
in the single elimination stage. Firstly, he overcame impressive World
Junior Champion Szymon Kural of Poland in the last 32 and then Sanjin
Pehlivanovic in the next round. The Bosnian looked set for victory but
missed a 7-ball to clear a path for a He victory.

Commented Mario, “When you win 9-8, it’s always a good feeling and when
you lose 9-8, it’s a bad feeling. I was down 8-6 in both matches and I
don’t know how I turned them around, especially against Sanjin because
he had me. It was a very tricky situation and I didn’t think that he’d
miss the 7-ball so I guess I got lucky to get through but I feel I’m
playing really good.

“I’m not really thinking about winning the tournament and right now I
have some time off so I’ll try -to refocus tomorrow on my next match. I
hope I can sleep tonight but I’ll just try to grind tomorrow but it’s
been going well up till now,” he added.

Play continues tomorrow (Monday) with the four quarter-finals taking
place at 10am and then the semi-finals at 16.00 and 17.30. The final
breaks off at 19.00.

As well as the prize money, there are Tour ranking points on offer as
well as world ranking points, so there is everything to play for. All
Euro Tour tournaments are 9-ball and players compete in a
double-elimination format, playing down to the last 32 competitors, and
then single elimination until the finish. All matches are races to 9
racks with alternate break.

All the matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com as well as selected
matches on Facebook Live on the EPBF page. In addition, the semi-finals
and final will be live or highlights on the following television
stations across Europe;

SportKlub HD – Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia,
Bosnia Herzegovina, Greece
Eyecons – Netherlands)
SportKlub – Poland
ORF – Austria
B1B Box – Bulgaria

Results, live scoring and draw are available at www.epbf.com

Dynamic Billard Euro Tour Men

Dynamic Billard Italian Open

Presented by Best Western Premium BHR Treviso Hotel

SUPER MARIO IS ITALIAN OPEN WINNER

28th November

MARIO HE CLAIMED the Dynamic Billard Italian Open, winning the
championship match 9-5 as he defeated Eklent Kaci. It was He’s first
Euro Tour title in over three years, having reached the semi-final stage
in the last two Tour events. Despite having a very consistent year and
going deep at any number of tournaments, this was He’s first victory of
2022.

The Italian Open took place at the Best Western Premium BHR Treviso
Hotel and started out with nearly 230 players which played down to the
final four for the Monday evening televised stages. He and Kaci were the
last two men standing and both played their parts in an entertaining
finale.

Commented He; “It feels very good, especially when you come very close
all the time. It’s another award for playing good but I think I needed
it. It feels really good before you go into the holiday break before
next year and I’m very happy about this win.

“When you are that close all the time, you want to win at least one or a
few tournaments but there are so many other great players who can play a
perfect set on you. This time I played really good and I got the rolls
in some matches – I could have been out earlier but when you get lucky,
you have to take it and still play good and try to win it.”

Both players got to grips straight away and they shared the first four
racks with their breaks to set the score at 2-2 in the early stages. He
took the fifth game, running out from his break, before Kaci found
himself blocked out after downing two balls in the next. His jump shot
on the 3-ball wobbled in the jaws and stayed out, enabling He to take
one against the break for a 4-2 lead.

The Austrian had his break working well for him as two balls went in the
next and with the remainder out in the open, he cleared the table for a
three-rack lead at 5-2. That became 6-2 following a dry break from
Eklent but he got to the table in the next and ran out to reduce the
deficit to 6-3. That became 6-4 following another solid break-off but
Mario came with some excellent shots in the next game to keep himself at
the table and run-out for a 7-4 lead.

There were multiple visits in the next rack but it was Kaci who took it
after He found himself blocked by the knuckle of the centre pocket with
just two balls on the table. His jump shot failed to connect with the
8-ball and it became 7-5. A solid break from Mario gave him a look at
the run out which he took advantage of to reach the hill.

They both exchanged high-quality safeties in what was the final rack
before Kaci finally failed to make contact, kicking at the 1-ball, to
give Mario ball-in-hand and a golden chance to close the match out,
which he did to secure the title.

He continued, “It was closer than what the final score was and it could
have been way closer. I didn’t break that well but I got away with it,
making a ball and still having a shot at it. Eklent broke good but
didn’t have as many shots as me after the break so that was the key in
this match. I’m looking forward to taking a break, getting some energy
for next year and just relaxing at home with family and friends.”

Earlier in the semi-finals, Kaci had won 9-5 over Miesko Fortunski
(Poland) who had gamely battled to the closing stages of the tournament
despite using a succession of borrowed cues after his own set went
missing in transit. Mario He had made his way to the final, derailing
Wiktor Zielinski by a similar scoreline in their semi-final.

As well as the prize money, there are Tour ranking points on offer as
well as world ranking points, so there is everything to play for. All
Euro Tour tournaments are 9-ball and players compete in a
double-elimination format, playing down to the last 32 competitors, and
then single elimination until the finish. All matches are races to 9
racks with alternate break.

All the matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com as well as selected
matches on Facebook Live on the EPBF page. Results, live scoring and
draw are available at www.epbf.com

TEAM USA AND EUROPE CLASH AHEAD OF 2022 MOSCONI CUP


Team USA and Team Europe clashed at the 2022 Mosconi Cup press conference with less than 24 hours to go until the two sides lock horns at Bally's Las Vegas live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Italy, and Spain, Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics and Poland and networks worldwide.

Limited Tickets Available Here

USA captain Jeremy Jones came out fighting when reflecting on what the home crowd can expect from his side ahead of the opening team match at 11 am local time tomorrow: "I feel great. My nerves are going but I wouldn't have it any other way. The guys have had a great few days and they're improving every single day. The foundations are the most solid I've been on. When it comes to doubles play these guys mix well. They respect each other. Everybody is held accountable and they understand it. We have one goal in mind."

Jones will be assisted by Skyler Woodward as playing vice-captain this week and he hopes to lean on the two-time MVP for support: "Skyler is a big spirit in our team and he's been a big part of the last few years. There are certain minds that sort of get it. You'd be ignorant to not ask what Skyler Woodward thinks. The home crowd means a lot they will embrace it. It won't always be easy. It's good we have the better half of 2,500 on our side. I don't see it too much more difficult here in Las Vegas to London. We've been on one mission all year and that's to come here and win the cup."

"Last year we got into a great position and we let a few things get away. This year, we plan to get in that position again and have a better outcome. We've practiced the lag, we understand it better as a unit. The lag doesn't look as meaningful this year but certainly, it's important still and it's something we've addressed," Jones added.

Woodward said: "It truly is an honour to be playing vice-captain. It makes me want to prove myself more and show that the USA can still compete. I try to bring the team together we're six guys but I'm just trying to make us one. I'm not going to let anybody get down, I will push everyone and try to get everyone to win their matches, that's just the kind of guy I am."

Alex Lely will lead Team Europe for a third straight year and acknowledged his team is full of big characters that he needs to control: "Any coach on either side will give 100% depending on the team and the set of players you have to focus on different things. They're a handful and it's enjoyable but they're five champions and you have to find a way to make them bond and mix well. There are a couple of veterans who have been around. I can get back to the same things for certain things in my third year. There's a backbone in the team.

"The team has looked sharp from day one. The downside is they've been traveling and playing a lot but the upside is they're sharp. The pockets are tight. I think it helps them. If you're playing on tight pockets you have to focus. I think because of that they're looking sharp and focused."

Francisco Sanchez Ruiz is set to make his Mosconi Cup debut in a glittering year that saw the Spaniard snap off the US Open: "It's like a dream to be here at the Mosconi Cup. I am going to give everything for sure. It's been an incredible year but to be honest I've only been thinking about tomorrow. It's amazing to play alongside David Alcaide, to play together is going to be the best experience of our lives."

There was a sharp focus on the tension between American legend Earl Strickland and Team Europe playing vice-captain Jayson Shaw with the pair trading blows on a variety of points. Strickland paid compliments to the tighter 4-inch pockets: "I will say one thing about this event that makes it a level playing field is the equipment. It's the most difficult I've ever seen. If these guys over there (Team Europe) think they will make very shot, they're fools."

Shaw interjected to his side will make every ball before Strickland fired back to say he wouldn't be engaging in any of the Brit's 'bullsh*t: "I am sure he won four or five world championships on five-inch pockets. He can say whatever he wants. I know what the pockets are like in the backroom. I know how tight they are but we shoot straighter than all of them and that's fact. Under the gun, we produce better and that's a fact too. When we step out there and under the gun, we won't be ducking for no shots."

See more from the Press Conference on the Matchroom Pool YouTubee right now.

Team news from both sides will follow tomorrow ahead of the first day of action.

Watch

Can’t make it to the 2022 Mosconi Cup? Watch the action wherever you are in the world. Broadcasters below. If you do not see a broadcaster in your country, you can watch on Matchroom.Live

• Sky Sports         UK & Ireland
• AMC Network    Hungary
• Dazn                    Brazil, Canada, Italy, Spain, USA
• Fox Sports         Australia
• Mena                 SSC
• Nova                    Czech Republic and Slovakia
• Saran Sport     Turkey
• Singtel                 Singapore
• Sportklub            Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia
• Sportscast         Indonesia & Chinese Taipei
• Supersport         South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa
• Tap                     Philippines
• Viaplay                 Baltics, Iceland, Poland, Scandinavia
• Vietcontent         Vietnam
• Ziggo Sport         Netherlands

MATCHROOM POOL LAUNCHES NINEBALL ASIAN TOUR ALONGSIDE ASIAN POOL PROMOTIONS

Matchroom Pool and Asian Pool Promotions are excited to announce a new strategic partnership that will see the launch of the Nineball Asian Tour in 2023 presented by Matchroom and the APP.

The partnership will break new ground for the Nineball World Rankings with plans to feature new 9-ball events on the 2023 schedule in Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong China, Thailand, and Chinese Taipei.

The highpoint of the Nineball Asian Tour will feature a new Major event by Matchroom with a $200,000 total prize fund, the Asian Open to sit alongside Matchroom’s other 9-ball multi-table open events: The US Open, UK Open, and European Open.

Also featuring in the Nineball Asian Tour will be the APP-promoted Asian Championship, a development from the earlier event that took place in Singapore this August with the first-ever (Asian 9-ball Open), where Nineball star Ko Pin Yi took the title – the tournament became the maiden Nineball World Ranking event in 2022 in the Southern hemisphere and was key to the launch of the new tour.

Due to the overwhelming success, Matchroom and the APP have worked closely to increase representation from Asia on the Nineball World Rankings by bringing more events to the Far East.

Both parties hold a common goal to improve opportunities for Asian pool players, by promoting a competitive environment locally for players to compete in, with more prize money, ranking points, and exposure on offer.

It marks a huge moment in the growth of Nineball as Matchroom continues to create a professional, commercial platform as well as a ranking system based on transparency and a meritocracy for pool players.

Emily Frazer, Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director said: “After watching the success of the Asian 9-ball Open earlier this year in Singapore, I was overwhelmed with the magnitude of players competing, live spectators watching and viewers watching the stream on their phones and tablets. There is a huge demand for more of these events in the Far East, the local players are hungry for an Asian Tour – a lot of the lower-ranked players are not able to participate in all the global events due to the length of travel and those who do, carry further strain both financially and mentally always having to travel the longest and adjust the quickest with jet lag.

Our Nineball World Rankings have only just begun, with our schedule growing every minute Asia was a huge market we wanted to reach, and I am pleased to be working alongside the professional and creative team at APP.

Every continent tour has a starting point, and this is ours but there is always something to expand on: whether that’s launching a Matchroom event or creating a platform online for everyone to watch. This is a very exciting project and I encourage any local promoters to join us on this journey with us.”

“APP is indeed honoured and privileged to partner with Matchroom in this unprecedented groundbreaking initiative to bring Nineball World Ranking events to Asia. The Nineball Asian Tour will undoubtedly boost Nineball in Asia as it will make the game more accessible and affordable for Asian pool players and provide a much-needed catalyst to spur the growth of the sport and raise the standards of play amongst Asian players. This can only augur well for the future of the sport.” - Christopher Chuah, Director, Asian Pool Promotions.

Jessie May To Receive £500 Per Century At Cazoo Masters

WST will donate £500 for every century break made at the Cazoo Masters to official charity Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home, up to a maximum total of £10,000.

Every break of 100 or more at the eight-day tournament will swell the coffers for Bristol-based charity Jessie May, which provides nursing care at home for children and young people with life limiting conditions who are not expected to live beyond the age of 19.

The Cazoo Masters, at Alexandra Palace in London, features 16 of the world’s best players battling for the Paul Hunter Trophy. Last year there were 26 century breaks made during the event, so it is hoped that this time the tally will reach 20 and the maximum donation of £10,000 achieved.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “Jessie May has been our charity partner since 2016 and we know what amazing work they do for vulnerable children and their families. The pandemic has really affected their funding and we urge everyone to have a look at what they do and dig deep to support them because private donations are vital to their future. We are delighted to make this donation at the Cazoo Masters and we hope to see century breaks flying so the donation will hit the £10,000 target.”

Kim James-Coggins from Jessie May said: “All of the team at Jessie May are truly grateful for the support from WST. The impact your support has on our nurses and families is incredible.”

To find out more about Jessie May, visit jessiemay.org.uk

Duelbits Joins Forces With WST

WST is delighted to announce a new partnership with Duelbits, as title sponsor of all three events in the prestigious 2023 Duelbits Series.

Launched in 2020, Duelbits is a crypto casino and sportsbook with an ambition to become a niche global brand, offering users better rewards and an easy-to-use product.

The three events in the 2023 Duelbits Series are:

Duelbits World Grand Prix, Cheltenham, January 16-22
Duelbits Players Championship, Wolverhampton, February 20-26
Duelbits Tour Championship, Hull, March 27 to April 2

For all three events, the field will be packed with snooker’s all-time greats and the players in form. The top 32 from the one-year ranking list have qualified for this week’s Duelbits World Grand Prix, with Ronnie O’Sullivan defending the title against the likes of Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy.

Only the top 16 progress to the Duelbits Players Championship next month, and only the top eight make it into the elite field for the Duelbits Tour Championship.

This outstanding trio of events receives extensive live television coverage from ITV, as well as a wide range of broadcasters across the globe.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “We are thrilled to bring Duelbits on board for the first time, for three of our biggest tournaments. This series of events is unique because the players qualify through their performances during the season, so the players on form are rewarded and we are sure to see snooker of the highest quality.

“Our sport has a massive global audience, including tremendous viewing figures to a free-to-air UK fanbase on ITV. Duelbits have recognised this opportunity to grow their brand and join our journey as we continue to grow worldwide. We look forward to working with them through this series.”

Ross Haffie, Head of Sportsbook at Duelbits, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with WST to bring to you the Duelbits Series. As Steve mentions, this Series rewards the best 32 players throughout the season and we see this as an ideal opportunity to grow our audience with one of the most prestigious brands in Worldwide Sport.”

Duelbits.com is a crypto casino and sportsbook aiming to bring users the most rewarding gambling experience. Founded in 2020 and despite the COVID 19 crisis, Duelbits has grown into a well-known gaming brand, particularly within the crypto niche.

Duelbits’ ambition is to become a niche global brand, offering users better rewards and an easy-to-use product, all accompanied by the crypto element, allowing users fast and secure payments.

Duelbits.co.uk offering will be sportsbook, casino and gaming in partnership with TGP Europe and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

Tickets for the Duelbits World Grand Prix are still available and start at just £17, for details visit www.wst.tv/tickets

Fisher Set to Defend World Women’s 9-Ball Title as New Pro Billiard Series Season Begins

As the clock struck midnight and the calendar turned to a new year, Billiard Congress of America Hall of Famer Kelly Fisher had one goal on her mind: defending her World Women’s 9-Ball Championship.

Given that the championship has belonged to her since 2019, she’s gotten rather attached to it.

“I’ve managed to hold onto my title through default for three years now so I’d like to keep it for a fourth year,” said Fisher, who defeated Jasmin Ouschan of Austria in the finals of the 2019 Open, the last one held before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the event for four years.

Much as changed since Fisher last hoisted the trophy. For starters, the event has been acquired by Predator Group and Cue Sports International as part of its growing portfolio of international tournaments.

Additionally, the 64-player tournament has been relocated from China, where it had been held since 2009, to Harrah’s Resort and Casino in the New Jersey beach destination of Atlantic City as part of CSI League Atlantic City League Championships.

Lastly, Kamui, an industry leader in pool and billiards cue tips, chalk and supplies, has partnered with Predator and CSI as the official title sponsor of the Women’s World 9-Ball Championship, with company founder and Chief Executive Officer Masato Hiraoka attending this weekend’s tournament.

The first day of play kicks off with notable matches such as Chezka Centeno versus Margaret Fefilova Styer, Ouschan taking on Meng-Hsia Hung and Karen Corr facing LoreeJon Brown. Live streaming coverage of the tournament will be available on CSI’s YouTube channel as well as Billiard TV, which is available on Roku and numerous streaming applications.

This weekend’s World Women’s 9-Ball Championship, which carries a total prize fund of $148,000 with $30,000 given to the winner, also kicks off the third year of Predator’s Pro Billiards Series, which is slated to be the biggest schedule to date with 21 total events paying out over $2 million in prize money.

After the World Women’s 9-Ball Championship, the Series moves to the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for the CSI Expo and the Alfa Las Vegas men’s and women’s open, scheduled for February 22 through 27th. The Predator Las Vegas 3-Cushion World Cup will take place from February 26 through March 4 and the Predator World 10-Ball Championship, which carries a $250,000 prize fund, will be held from February 28 through March 4.

The Series’ spring schedule concludes with the Wisconsin Open at Ho-Chunk Gaming in the Wisconsin Dells, with men’s event scheduled for May 17th through the 20 and the ladies competing from May 18 until the 21st.

The Pro Billiards Series travels abroad over the summer with the Croatia Open men’s and women’s events scheduled for June 27 through July 2 in Murter and the Japan Open women’s tournament taking place from September 5 through the 8th in Shizuoka and the World 8-Ball Championship slated for September 7th though the 10th. Additionally, Predator will again be hosting the World Junior 9-Ball Championships in Shizuoka from September 6 through the 9th.

The Series returns state-side in the fall for the Michigan Open, with the men’s event scheduled for September 19 through the 23rd and the women’s event taking place from September 21 through the 24th. The following month, the third-annual Ohio Open men’s event will take place from October 11th through the 14th in Wilmington.

For the second consecutive year, the World Women’s 10-Ball Championship will be held in Ouschan’s hometown of Klagenfurt, Austria, with competition beginning on October 18, finishing on the 21st and carrying a prize fund of $150,000.

The Series will once again conclude in the tropical destination of San Juan, Puerto Rico with a men’s and women’s Puerto Rico Open, scheduled for November 14th through the 18th and the World Team Championships, which are slated to take place from November 16 through the 19th and carrying a $200,000 prize fund.

After a successful Pro Billiard Series women’s season in 2022, the Women’s Professional Billiards Association has decided to not sanction the events this year, which will not affect the players or their status. The Pro Billiard Series and the WPBA remain on good terms and we wish our former sanctioning partners the best for their upcoming season of events.


Follow all feature table matches LIVE @worldbilliardtv on YouTube, or on Billiard TV available on every Smart TVs worldwide

Watch any match, all tables, all week, on Kozoom: tv.kozoom.com

Brackets and scores can be found at www.probilliardseries.com

Follow @probilliardseries on Facebook, @probilliardseries on Instagram or @PBilliardSeries on Twitter.

New WST Classic Added To Snooker Calendar

A brand new world ranking tournament, the WST Classic, will be staged in Leicester in March.

The 128-player knockout event will have total prize money of £427,000 and a top prize of £80,000. Open to all tour players, it will run from March 16-22 at the Morningside Arena.

This tournament, which replaces the Turkish Masters, will be best of seven frames from the first round up to the quarter-finals, then best of nine for the semi-finals and best of 11 for the final.

The top 64 players will be seeded in the draw, based on the seeding cut off after the Duelbits Players Championship, with all other players drawn at random.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “We are pleased to add the new WST Classic to the calendar and to provide an extra earning opportunity for the players. Last week we had to cancel the Turkish Masters after several months of trying to get that event over the line, which was disappointing for us and the players. It was always our intention to replace that event and fill the space in the calendar.”

Details of whether the event will be open to fans, as well as how to watch online, will be announced soon.

PBIA's Jerry Briesath Instructor of the Year

Nominations Close Monday, May 1, 2023

Superior, Colo. - February 15, 2023 - The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) along with the Professional Billiard Instructors Association (PBIA) announce a call for nominations for this year's PBIA's Jerry Briesath Instructor of the Year.

The PBIA's Jerry Briesath Instructor of the Year award is given to a PBIA instructor who has made exceptional contributions to the goals of the organization. In your nominations, please describe why you feel your nominee should be considered. Some of the qualities and activities you may want to include are providing extensive individual or group lessons; using new media, social media or other on-line tools to promote billiard instruction; developing new teaching techniques; working with junior players; volunteering in instruction-related activities; authoring instructional books, videos, or periodical articles; and improving PBIA programs, especially to improve the benefits it offers to members.

The first recipient of the award was BCA Hall of Famer Jerry Briesath himself in recognition of his many years of innovative instruction and his role in founding the PBIA.

To nominate a PBIA instructor, please fill out the nomination form in this link.

Past recipients of the PBIA's Jerry Briesath Instructor of Year award include:

2017 - Jerry Briesath
2018 - Randy Goettlicher
2019 - Scott Lee
2020 - Roy Pastor
2021 - Dr. Dave Alciatore
2022 - Mark Finkelstein

The nomination form for the PBIA's Jerry Briesath Instructor of the Year must be completed by 5:00 p.m. MDT, Monday, May 1, 2022, in order for your nominee to be considered by the PBIA Honors Committee.

The winner of the 2023 PBIA's Jerry Briesath Instructor of the Year award will be announced at the 2023 BEF Junior National Pool Championships in Quincy, IL, July 25-30.

Any questions about the completed forms should be returned to Shane Tyree at shane@bca-pool.com.

About Billiard Congress of America

Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody's game. For more information, visit BCA-Pool.com or call 303.243.5070.

About Professional Billiard Instructors Association

The PBIA (formerly the BCA Instructor Program, established in 1992) is the largest international organization of professional billiard instructors. Since it's founding, the PBIA has improved it leadership position by growing cue sports through professional instruction, development of training products, contributing instructional articles to industry publications, participating in educational workshops and seminars, acting as certified referees or league officials, and directing some of the most notable billiard tournaments throughout the country. The PBIA's mission is to provide quality billiard instruction to the general public, as well as offer training and certification programs for individuals wishing to become qualified billiard instructors. For more information, visit PlayBetterBilliards.com or call 303.243.5070.

NINEBALL WORLD TOUR EXPANDS WITH LAUNCH IN OCEANIA

• Nineball Oceania Tour launches in partnership with Australia’s Pockets Sports

• Minimum of four ranking events for 2023

• Aim for Oceania Open to take place in 2024 joining other Matchroom major multi-table events

Matchroom Pool is delighted to announce the beginning of the Nineball Oceania Tour in partnership with Pockets Sports promising at least four Nineball World Ranking events for players in the Oceania region in 2023 and the first-ever Oceania Open in 2024.

The launch of the tour underlines Matchroom’s commitment to offering a fair and transparent system for all players wherever they are in the world to earn vital Nineball World Ranking points which opens the doors to the most-valued tournaments in the sport.

Pocket Sports is Oceania’s largest professional English 8 Ball Pool Promoter looking to venture into 9 Ball. The company hosts over 18 weekends of competitive and professional grade 8 ball and have over 160 contracted players, featuring players from all over Oceania.

Justin Sajich one of Australia’s leading players said: “I am excited that Matchroom Pool and Pockets Sports are collaborating to bring a world-class tournament to my home country. I haven’t played in a Matchroom event for over 12 months, and I am glad I now have one close to home. I know Arthur and Emily will put on a fantastic event that will attract top-class players from all around the world!”

Arthur Titus, Director of Pocket Sports is delighted to be moving into Nineball in partnership with the sport’s leading promoters: “It is an honour to be working with Emily and her team at Matchroom to bring Professional Nineball to the Oceania regions. Pockets Sports currently hosts over 15 weekends of professional 8-ball pool events and are excited to add Nineball to our calendar! This partnership with Matchroom will see Pockets host, organise, and broadcast four Nineball World Ranking Events this year alone and an Oceania Open with the aim to host at Crown Casino Melbourne in early 2024.”

“We are excited to venture into the Nineball scene and with the backing of Matchroom will see professional pool come to life on these parts of the world (fast-tracked). Pockets Sports are contract holders to over 150 of Australia & New Zealand’s top 8 ball players that will play in these events if given the opportunity. This is a massive step forward to player cross-coding.”

Emily Frazer Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director said: “We are on a mission to expand and grow the Nineball World Ranking, and we welcome others to join our exciting journey as we do this. Oceania is a region with demand in 9-ball but with no local regular events players have a tough time to develop and being included within the Nineball ranking system.”

“The players travelling from Australia, New Zealand, and other countries to current Nineball World Ranking events, this collaboration with Pockets Sports gives them a fantastic opportunity to play locally and competitively, accumulating Nineball ranking points and prize money to then make the most valuable events. Pockets Sports have been integral to this launch, with a passionate Director in Arthur, I am confident this launch will be a successful one.”

Nineball Oceania Tour events will be open to all players with the four ranking events expected to fill up quickly.