Site News
Topic: *Industry News* 2015 - 2024

GBE 2023 to Surpass Previous Records in Show Size
By GBE Committee

GBE 2023 is going to break its own show size records for two years in a row! With over 200 reputable companies on its exhibitor list by the end of this Feb., the first two show halls are running out of space and more exhibitors are still signing up.

To meet the demand，we has decided to add a third hall, taking this year’s total floor space to a record-high 30,000 sq.m. Please don’t forget to plan your trip ahead and make full use of your visiting time.

The 17th Guangzhou International Billiards Exhibition (GBE 2023)

Date: May 10-11 (9:00-17:00), May 12 (9:00-13:00)

Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou

Website: www.gbechina.com

Meet Both Old and New Friends at GBE 2023

Looking at this year’s exhibitor lineup, we see a mix of both familiar and new brands and names.

Current exhibitors in the lineup include JOY, Rasson, Biao Li, Shender, Jflowers, Liber Win, Jianying, Wiraka, Xing Pai, FURY, Strachan 6811, Aramith, Simonis, CPBA, Dynaspheres (GDM), Dufferin, Mezz Cue, Xingjue, Laili, Longoni, OTA, Cuetec, Unique, Hongniu Snooker, Weboo, Fondly Love, Jingkai, Chaoli, DZS, Baineng, Ruichi, Huooyi, PNS, Tianxi, Bestimes, LKD, Bodong, Hude, QC, Rigour, Kangxi Shengshi, Tiangong Yidindg, etc.

Besides companies mentioned above, more excellent brands are waiting for you to discover on the showscene.

A Wonderful Collection of Premium Products

Covering everything from billiard cues, cue cases, cue tips, billiard tables, table slates, cloth to billiard lights, billiard balls, chalks, and so forth, GBE is indisputably the paradise for billiard lovers and billiard hall owners.

Self-service billiard hall solutions and billiards hall carpets see an increased representation in the past two years, as the pandemic has reshaped people’s hygiene habits in public places, and nowadays more billiards halls are trying to appeal to the white-collar clientele who appreciate a well-decorated environment.    

Guangdong Exhibitors Jointly Extend Their Hearty Welcome

Over the past months, the organizer of GBE has paid visits to over 40 billiard companies in Guangdong, including Billee, Liancheng, Erli, Red Sun, Jiansheng, Bison, FONDLY LOVE, Benxiao, LP, Biaoli, BS Baisha, Quanxing, Unique, HongNiu, Ruichi, Xingjue, Xiaotie, Shenglizhe, WIRAKA, Shender, Shayu, JFlowers, Bojue, Sunray, CHENGCHENG, Gelai, SKTI, OKAI, Master, Shishang, Baishi, Duan, Qiuyuansu,Mingtai, etc. As major travel restrictions have been lifted in China, many exhibitors told us that they are very excited to see the return of overseas buyers on the show floor.

Extending our warmest welcome, GBE and Guangdong exhibitors sincerely invite insiders worldwide to join us this May for the most amazing three days in the billiard world!

Billiard Congress of America Chief Executive Officer Rob Johnson Set To Step Down

**Vice President of Operations Shane Tyree to Assume CEO Position**

Superior, Colo., March 23, 2023 - Longtime Billiard Congress of America Chief Executive Officer Rob Johnson has announced his plans to step down at the end of March 2023. As a result, the Billiard Congress of America Board of Directors is pleased to announce current Vice President of Operations Shane Tyree will succeed Johnson as CEO. Johnson will remain with the association in a consultancy role, working closely with Tyree in his role as CEO, as the organization continues on its mission to promote the industry and support its membership.

“As the BCA CEO, Rob Johnson has been a force for the industry and has made positive impacts for the sport and the association,” said BCA Board Chairman Shane Bouchard. “Rob’s direct and honest approach has allowed the Billiard Congress of America to become a more transparent and strategically focused organization. We will always be grateful for his tireless efforts to help position the Billiard Congress of America, and the industry, for the future. While we will miss him as CEO, we are happy to retain his services in a consulting capacity. Working with Rob has been an absolute pleasure.”

"I am truly grateful for the remarkable 16 years I have spent leading the Billiard Congress of America, and I am confident that Shane Tyree is the perfect candidate to take on the role of chief executive officer at this time," stated Johnson. "The efforts that the association has made to support the industry and the game during my tenure have been extraordinary, and I believe that Shane, along with the board of directors, has a clear vision to continue this support for our members and the game. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, it is the perfect time for a change, and I am excited to see how Shane, with the support of the board of directors, will take the organization to new levels of success."

“Shane Tyree has been instrumental in helping move things forward with the Billiard Congress of America,” Bouchard said. “Shane lives for this sport and has invested most of his professional career to the growth of our association. The board has several new initiatives on the table and he has shown the commitment necessary to get those initiatives moving in the right direction for the benefit of the association and the sport in general.”

Tyree was hired as the membership and communications manager of the Billiard Congress of America in 2009. In early 2022 he was promoted to vice president of operations. In his role, Tyree has been responsible for overseeing the organization's membership and communications activities. He also serves as a co-managing director, alongside Johnson, for the Billiard Education Foundation and is a member of the board of directors for the World Pool-Billiard Association. Tyree is originally from Texas and received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas State University.

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead the association and welcome the challenge that comes with being named the BCA’s chief executive officer,” Tyree said. “I love working for the association, serving industry, and promoting this sport we all love. I look forward to continuing to build upon the momentum Rob Johnson, the BCA board of directors and I have established over the past decade of working together. Very honestly, I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and get started in this new role.”

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.

Dates Set For ACOS 2023

Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th October 2023
ILEC Conference Centre, IBIS London Earls Court.

Situated in the heart of the West End, with great transport links, IBIS London is an ideal venue for a relaxed and sociable event like ACOS.

Event Director Karen Cooke commented: “The Conference Centre works well for ACOS and a further programme of upgrade and refurbishment to the hotel rooms will make the venue a much nicer place to be. Most of the major manufacturers and suppliers have already booked their stands, so we are on track for another great event."

Save these dates in your diary and watch out for more news and updates from ACOS 2023.

Karen Cooke
Director
Swan Events

Accommodation and travel details can be found at www.coin-opshow.co.uk

PRO BILLIARD SERIES ANNOUNCE UPDATED 2023 SCHEDULE

The list of choices available to the best players in the sport today was already packed with events, and it seems to be growing every week. China recently eased the restrictions for International players wanting to compete in China, and a handful of top players are competing in this weeks World Heyball Masters. This week also saw the announcement of multiple events in Spain for players to consider. The Predator Pro Billiards Series (PBS) and its partners welcome more events on the calendar for the sport to continue growing.

With the recent news of top players likely to miss major events due of a lack of time to plan a calendar, the PBS is announcing their schedule for the remainder of 2023, with $1,150,000 in prize fund still up for grabs from the overall $1,878,000 global season prize fund.

We understand that while the additional events give the players more opportunities to compete, it could also start to force players to choose between different events. The Pro Billiard Series hope that the release of their upcoming calendar will give players ample time to map out solid schedules that allow them as many chances to succeed.

The upcoming June event in Croatia has been postponed to 2024, while Japan's events are still to be confirmed.

The 2023 Predator Pro Billiard Series confirmed events schedule features events in many different locations including major events in the Austria, USA, and Puerto Rico.

Of particular note on the schedule is the Pro Billiards Series return to Klagenfurt, Austria in October when a total of five World Champions will be crowned. The Predator WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship will return to Klagenfurt, and this marquee event will be joined this year by the Predator WPA Junior World 9-Ball Championships and Predator WPA Men's World 8-Ball Championship.

Reigning World Champions, Chieh-Yu Chou and Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz are both expected to defend their titles in Klagenfurt this year. They are just a small sampling of the top pros that are expected to compete in these events. More detail will follow soon, as WPA and continental federations unveil their players selections.

While all of the events on the calendar are expected to draw record crowds in person, fans will be able to follow all of the action online on the PBS social media platforms, as well as our YouTube Channel World Billiard TV, and OTT partner Billard TV.

Predator Pro Billiard Series 2023 Updated schedule:

WISCONSIN OPEN
MEN: May 17-20, 2023 / $75,000 prize fund
WOMEN: May 18-21, 2023 / $60,000 prize fund
Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells, Baraboo, WI, USA

JAPAN OPEN (To be Confirmed)
September 5-8, 2023 / $50,000 prize fund
Shizuoka, Japan

MICHIGAN OPEN
MEN: September 19-23, 2023 / $100,000 prize fund
WOMEN: September 21-24, 2023 / $70,000 prize fund
Battle Creek, MI, USA

OHIO OPEN
October 11-14, 2023 / $75,000 prize fund
Wilmington, OH, USA

MEN'S WORLD 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
October 17-22, 2023 / $200,000 prize fund
Sportpark Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria

WOMEN'S WORLD 10-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
October 18-22, 2023 / $150,000 prize fund
Sportpark Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria

JUNIOR WORLD 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
October 19-22, 2023
Sportpark Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria

PUERTO RICO OPEN
MEN: November 7-12 / $100,000 prize fund
WOMEN: November 7-12 / $70,000 prize fund
Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

TEAMS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
November 7-12 / $200,000 prize fund
Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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


About the Predator Pro Billiard Series

The Predator Pro Billiard Series is a series of open, professional events held around the world to provide more opportunities for professional and aspiring pool players to compete in high-quality events, earn more income, sharpen their skills and play their way into the 8-Ball, 9-Ball and 10-Ball World Championship held each year by Predator and CSI, sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiards Association.

These events are played on Predator Apex professional tables covered with Predator Arcadia Reserve Performance Cloth, with Predator Arcos II balls, and under the Predator Arena billiard lights.

PREDATOR’s mission is to inspire billiard fans by providing innovative experiences and products that deliver high-performance, with unsurpassed class and style. Predator Group brands focus on performance cues, tables, billiard accessories, and precision components. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorcues.com, www.poisoncues.com and www.uni-loc.com.

CUESPORTS INTERNATIONAL (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is currently comprised of three divisions: CSI Leagues, CSI Events and CSI Media. CSI Leagues manages the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League, CSI Events produces numerous amateur and professional events around the globe and CSI Media creates live streaming and digital content. Through its vision and strategic alliances, CSI is “shaping the future of pool.” For more information about CSI or any of its divisions, visit www.playcsipool.com.

KAMUI brand produces tips, chalk and accessories and has an obsession for quality control and the technology that goes into producing the best tips made for pool, billiard and snooker. For more information, visit www.kamuibrand.com.

The WORLD POOL-BILLIARD ASSOCIATION (WPA) is the international governing body for pocket billiards. It is one of the three member organizations of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), representing the billiard disciplines of pool, snooker and carom. The WCBS is the international umbrella organization that is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For more information, visit www.wpapool.com.

Billiard Congress of America Welcomes Two New Board Members

Superior, Colo. – April 5, 2023, At its annual trade show, the BCA Expo in Las Vegas, the Billiard Congress of America announced the results of its 2023-2024 Board of Directors elections, which are as follows:

Category 1 (Manufacturer/Distributor)
• Jacklyn Ady, (The Brunswick Billiards Group), three-year term

Category 2 (Retailer)
• Maria Trent, (Beyer & Brown/Pool Tables Plus), three-year term

In the follow-up election of BCA officers, Philippe Singer (The Predator Group) accepted a one-year term as BCA Board Chairman as did each of the remaining seated officers: Shane Bouchard (Maine Home Recreation) as Vice Chair; Ed Liddawi (Sandcastle Billiards) as Secretary; and Nick Kroll (QCO, LLC) as Treasurer. The remaining directors include: Debbie Corvey (Boynton Beach Billiards); Robbie Selby (R and R Outdoors); and Trey Stites (Champion Shuffleboard).

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.

US Open 2023 Priority Tickets Available Now!

Tickets for the 2023 US Open Pool Championship from September 25-30 at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City are on priority sale to you right now!

Tickets start from $35 for day tickets with season passes available from $150 which gives you access to all six days of play.

Use the code NINEBALL to access General Admission tickets

Use the code USPREM to access Premium ticket options

BUY YOUR PRIORITY TICKETS HERE

BOOK YOUR EXCLUSIVE FAN HOTEL ROOM RATE

World Snooker Tour Set To Return To China With Three Events In 2023/24

The World Snooker Tour will stage a minimum of three tournaments in China later this year, including the first world ranking events since 2019.

Aside from the 2022 Hong Kong Masters which was an eight-player invitation event, these will be the first professional snooker events hosted in China for four years.

The tournaments are:

Shanghai Masters – invitational with 24 players. September 11-17

Wuhan Open – world ranking event. October 9-15

International Championship – world ranking event. November 5-12. Host city to be confirmed

Total prize money for these three events combined will exceed £2 million. The provisional calendar for the 2023/24 season has now been released.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “This is a momentous announcement for our sport as we ramp up our return to staging events in Asia. To have a minimum of two world ranking events, plus a major invitation tournament, in China later this year is fantastic for the players and fans.

“Throughout the pandemic we have maintained dialogue and relationships with the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association as well as our key partners and promoters across China. This has allowed us to make a fast return to staging key events now that travel restrictions have lifted.

“We promised our players that this was top of our agenda and we have delivered on that promise, adding more than £2 million in prize money to the tour. We will continue to explore opportunities to stage further events in China and beyond.

“We are excited to host a tournament for the first time in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province and a vibrant city of 11 million people. The Shanghai Masters has a long history and is renowned for its prestige.

“There is a vast appetite for snooker among fans in China and they will keenly anticipate the return of our star players. We look forward to working with our partners on building a bright future for snooker in the region.”

WST Heading For Iconic Venue With Tour Championship Set For Manchester Central

Manchester will host the biggest names in snooker next season when the Tour Championship is staged in the city for the first time.

Running from April 1st to 7th in 2024, the tournament will take place at the historic Manchester Central venue in the heart of the city. It will be the first world ranking event in the North West of England in four years.

Tickets will be ON SALE next Wednesday (April 26th) and fans are strongly urged to book seats quickly for this outstanding event in a spectacular location. Details will be announced at www.wst.tv/tickets

The Tour Championship is the third and final event in the Players Series and brings together the best players of the season on current form.

In recent years it has been a field of eight players, but next season this will be expanded to the top 12 from the one-year ranking list. The top four will be seeded straight into the quarter-finals, with the other eight to compete in the opening round. Total prize money will increase from £380,00 to a record £500,000.

The 2024 World Mixed Doubles, which brings together snooker’s best men and women players, will also take place at the same venue, on the weekend of March 30th and 31st. This event, which highlights snooker as one of the few major sports where men and women can compete on an equal footing, took place for the first time in 2022 and was won by Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut.

Both tournaments will receive extensive live television coverage from ITV and a range of other broadcasters worldwide.

Manchester Central’s history dates back over 140 years. It was originally the city’s main railway station, before being developed into an events venue. A Grade II listed building, the award-winning venue is renowned throughout the region.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “The Tour Championship is one of our biggest events and we felt it was right to move it to a venue befitting its stature. The Masters, for example, has thrived and grown massively in London.

"We are always improving our understanding of fans and using all data points available to inform our event venue selection strategy, while also working closely with our broadcasters.

"It will be a great thrill for the players to compete in a tournament in central Manchester and an extra incentive to qualify for this elite 12-player event. We expect the people of Manchester and the North West to support it in droves. And we are delighted to stage the Mixed Doubles again following its success this season.”

Shaun Hinds, CEO at Manchester Central, added: “We’re honoured that the World Snooker Tour organisers have chosen our iconic venue to host this superb event in the North West. This prestigious fixture in the sporting calendar promises to attract people from near and far, as well as showcase our wonderful city to a worldwide TV audience.

“This tournament, and the series of events being organised as part of it, has the ability to create an incredible vibe and sense of excitement throughout Manchester next April. We can’t wait to give snooker fans a warm North West welcome!”

About Manchester Central

Manchester Central is one of the UK’s largest and most versatile event venues. Situated in the heart of Manchester and intrinsic to the region’s business community, the venue attracts over half a million visitors to the city each year, bringing approximately £150m into the local economy (Greater Manchester) in an average year.

With over 23,000m² of space and a capacity of over 10,000, Manchester Central hosts a unique array of events from intimate small business meetings to high-profile, large-scale conferences, sporting competitions, public exhibitions, political party conferences and large-scale international trade shows.

For more information, visit www.manchestercentral.co.uk

PRO BILLIARD SERIES ANNOUNCES 5 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR AUSTRIA

You would be hard pressed to top Predator’s last visit to the Sportspark Klagenfurt in Klagenfurt Austria last year for the Predator WPA World 10-Ball Women’s Championship and 2022 Predator WPA World Teams Championship with over $250,000 in prize money and Chieh-Yu Chou & Team Philippines’s winning respective World Titles.

Predator doesn’t rest on their laurels though, as they are planning on an even bigger event in Klagenfurt this October, with five World Championships to be held.

In addition to the 2023 WPA World 10-Ball Women’s Championship, Predator and Richtwert will also be holding the 2023 WPA Men’s World 8-Ball Championship and the three divisions of the 2023 WPA World Junior Championships.

Klagenfurt is already well known in the sport of billiards, as the hometown of brother and sister World Champions Jasmin and Albin Ouschan.

Jasmin Ouschan’s Academy is a well known Billiard Academy located at the Sportspark Klagenfurt and will be a promotional partner on the organizing committee of the events in her hometown. “I am extremely proud that Klagenfurt will host 5 World Championships at the same time. I don’t know if that has ever happened before. It is a big task but an even bigger honor. Something for the history books!” said the 2010 WPA World 10-Ball Women’s Champion.

Two-time WPA World 9-Ball Champion Albin Ouschan is also looking forward to the events: “It’s an honor to have once again the World Championships in my hometown! It shows that we did something right in the past to get the help and trust from the government and Predator to host multiple World Championships.”

Reigning World 10-Ball Women’s Champion Chou will be defending her title this year, as well as reigning World 8-Ball Men's Champion Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz. Current WPA Boys Under 19 World Champion Szymon Kural will be too old to defend his title, but the WPA Girls Under 19 World Champion Xin Yu Hong will be defending hers. Current WPA Boys Under 17 World Champion Karl Gnadeberg will compete in the Under 19 division this year.

The biggest change in the Junior events will be that the game will evolve to 10-Ball this year. WPA President Ishaun Singh explained the switch to 10-Ball. “The change of discipline from 9-Ball to 10-Ball at the Junior Championships stems from the change at the World Games from 9-Ball to 10-Ball. 9-Ball was originally created as the professional game, but the rules of 9-Ball were interfered with in an attempt to fix certain flaws for it to be the professional game and it still seems to be a problem. The 10-Ball game has since become the professionals' choice.”

Event promoter Richwert’s Gerald Florian is excited to see all of the top players of the sport this year. “It's a honor and huge joy to host five World Championships as well as the best players of the world at one event! Can you ask for more?! We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Klagenfurt!”

Events Schedule

🏆 ▸ Predator WPA World 8-Ball Men’s Championship 2023
🗓 ▸ October 17-22, 2023
💰 ▸ $200,000
👤 ▸ 96 players
📍 ▸ Sportpark Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria

🏆 ▸ Predator WPA World 10-Ball Women’s Championship 2023
🗓 ▸ October 18-22, 2023
💰 ▸ $150,000
👤 ▸ 48 players
📍 ▸ Sportpark Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria

🏆 ▸ Predator WPA World Junior Championships
🗓 ▸ October 19-22, 2023
👤 ▸ Boys Under 19
👤 ▸ Boys Under 17
👤 ▸ Girls
📍 ▸ Sportpark Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria

The matches will be broadcasted live on youtube World Billiard TV, on Kozoom and BilliardTV

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


About the Predator Pro Billiard Series

The Predator Pro Billiard Series is a series of open, professional events held around the world to provide more opportunities for professional and aspiring pool players to compete in high-quality events, earn more income, sharpen their skills and play their way into the 8-Ball, 9-Ball and 10-Ball World Championship held each year by Predator and CSI, sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiards Association.

These events are played on Predator Apex professional tables covered with Predator Arcadia Reserve Performance Cloth, with Predator Arcos II balls, and under the Predator Arena billiard lights.

PREDATOR’s mission is to inspire billiard fans by providing innovative experiences and products that deliver high-performance, with unsurpassed class and style. Predator Group brands focus on performance cues, tables, billiard accessories, and precision components. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorcues.com, www.poisoncues.com and www.uni-loc.com.

CUESPORTS INTERNATIONAL (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is currently comprised of three divisions: CSI Leagues, CSI Events and CSI Media. CSI Leagues manages the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League, CSI Events produces numerous amateur and professional events around the globe and CSI Media creates live streaming and digital content. Through its vision and strategic alliances, CSI is “shaping the future of pool.” For more information about CSI or any of its divisions, visit www.playcsipool.com.

KAMUI brand produces tips, chalk and accessories and has an obsession for quality control and the technology that goes into producing the best tips made for pool, billiard and snooker. For more information, visit www.kamuibrand.com.

The WORLD POOL-BILLIARD ASSOCIATION (WPA) is the international governing body for pocket billiards. It is one of the three member organizations of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), representing the billiard disciplines of pool, snooker and carom. The WCBS is the international umbrella organization that is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For more information, visit www.wpapool.com.

World Nineball Tour Update
Zielinski comes out on top in Slovenia

Wiktor Zielinski took home his first World Nineball Tour Ranking event win of the year at the Ljubljana City Mezz 9-Ball Open in the Slovenian capital beating Oliver Szolnoki 9-0 in the final to cement his place inside the world's top ten.

View World Nineball Tour Rankings

The Pole went on a streak that saw him drop only 20 racks across the tournament beating Vuk Strugar, Gorazd Žužek, Denis Kragolnik, Felix Vogel, Dimitris Loukatos, Georgi Georgiev, and Daniel Maciol to find his way to the final against Hungary's Szolnoki. It was a match-up in the final of some of the finest young players has to offer with Szolnoki getting the better of two-time world champion Albin Ouschan in the quarter-finals with a hill hill finish.

With over 20 nationalities represented, the field was stacked with talent looking to make their mark on the World Nineball Tour with rising Bosnian star Ajdin Piknjač reaching the semi-finals along with Maciol whilst Georgi Georgiev of Bulgaria made it to the quarter-finals with Tobias Bongers of Germany and Finland's Jani Uski. The hopes of 2021 World Pool Masters winner Alexander Kazakis were ended hill hill by Slovakia's Jakub Koniar in the Last 32 to dent his Mosconi Cup race.

Zielinski's win sees him remain sixth on the World Nineball Tour Rankings but close the gap on Jayson Shaw to only $13,555 whilst Szolnoki's run to the final sees him move back inside the top 16 in the world leapfrogging Chang Jung-Lin and Abdullah Alyousef. Both Zielinski, Ouschan and Kazakis will travel to the UK next for the 2023 World Pool Masters.

Next World Nineball Tour Event

The World Pool Masters returns to a 16-player field in Brentwood, Essex from May 10-13 with an increased prize fund of $125,000 on offer. The top 14 players on the World Nineball Tour Rankings at the conclusion of the World Pool Championship were invited alongside two wild cards. The draw was completed earlier this week. Find out more info here as Joshua Filler looks to defend his title.

Next World Nineball Tour Ranking Event

The World Nineball Tour rolls on with a field full of international superstars set to descend on Glasgow, Scotland for the JFlowers Scottish Open the weekend prior to the UK Open Pool Championship (May 26-28) offering a huge amount of vital ranking points as well as the perfect warm-up ahead of the next signature multi-table event from Matchroom. Info can be found here.

17th Guangzhou International Billiards Exhibition (GBE 2023)

The 17th Guangzhou International Billiards Exhibition (GBE 2023) ended with a resounding success on May 12th at China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou.

This year’s show hosted over 300+ exhibitors on a record-breaking show floor of 30,000 sq.m. On its first day alone GBE 2023 counted a staggering 20,000+ visitors from home and abroad, which once again testified to the promising prospects for China’s billiards market.

50% of exhibitors re-booked right off the show and 40% of exhibitors said they are very likely to return for 2024. With old exhibitors enlarging their booths and new ones joining us, the organizer expects at least 40,000 sq.m of total show floor space for 2024.

To learn more about GBE 2023, please visit the link below. If you need the digital show catalog of GBE 2023, please don’t hesitate to contact us as well.

Post-Show Report of GBE 2023:
http://files.gzhw.com/upload/1684301560576872.pdf

Thank you for your support. See you next May!

2023 LONGONI 9 BALL LEAGUE

Tampere, Finland

THURSDAY HERALDS FINAL GROUP MATCHES

22nd May 2023

THIS FRIDAY, 26th May, sees the third round of the 2023 LONGONI 9 BALL
LEAGUE as the final group matches take place at the Tampere Exhibition
and Sports Centre. With four matches taking place over the course of the
evening, each of the four groups will complete their fixtures.

The semi-finalists from two of the groups – A and C – are already
determined with Poland and Norway respectively, already through with two
wins apiece. The remaining matches in those groups though, still have
meaning as the losing teams will be dumped out of the competition for
2024.

The other two groups are wide open with possible outcomes being a clear
winner through to the last four or alternatively, all teams level and
advancing to a three-way play-off at the next Euro Tour stop in Slovenia
in July.

Scotch doubles is always entertaining and the Longoni 9 Ball League
plays to a race-to-seven alternate break format. The competition
involves 12 national teams divided into groups of three. Each team plays
the other once and the country which tops each table moves forward into
the semi-finals.

All competing players are selected on a match-by-match basis with the
two highest-ranked players from competing nations in attendance in
Tampere making up the team.

THE MATCHES (All commence at 21.30 local time)

GROUP A
Austria vs Turkish North Cyprus.

With Poland achieving two wins from their two matches, they are already
through to the semi-finals which means that the loser of this match will
be relegated from the competition for 2024.

Previous Results:     Poland 7 – 3 TNC
            Poland 7 – 2 Austria

GROUP B
Spain vs Czech Republic.

Spain can seal their spot in the semi-finals with a win. Should the
Czechs prevail, it will mean all three teams finishing the group with a
win each. The group would then be determined with a three-way play-off
at the next Euro Tour in in July in Slovenia.

Previous Results:     Spain 7 – 1 Estonia
            Estonia 7 – 6 Czech Republic

GROUP C
Bosnia & Herzegovina v Switzerland.

Like Group A, this match is a battle to avoid relegation from the
competition for the following year. After winning their opening match in
a decider against Switzerland, the Norwegians were gifted the points and
with it a semi-final spot, when Bosnia forfeited their Round 2 match.

Previous Results:     Norway 7 – 6 Switzerland
            Norway FF v Bosnia & Herzegovina

GROUP D
Hungary vs the Netherlands.

The final group is balanced on a knife edge. A win for the Dutch would
see them through to the final stages and if Hungary prevail it would
push the group into a three-way play-off, joined by Germany.

Previous Results:     Netherlands 7 – 2 Germany
            Germany 7-3 Hungary

All matches and groups are contained within the attached graphics and
all matches can be viewed at
https://www.reelive.de/stream-preview/streams

Live scoring can be found at www.epbf.com

WORLD NINEBALL TOUR UPDATE – SHAW WINS INAUGRAL SCOTTISH OPEN

Glasgow native Jayson Shaw overcame Poland’s Wiktor Zieliński in a stunning hill-hill climax to land the first edition of the JFlowers Scottish Open in his home city. Shaw collects the $9,600 top prize and moves inside the top four of the World Nineball Rankings – and second in Team Europe’s Race to Mosconi Cup standings.

Eagle Eye was the conqueror of a star-studded field that descended on McGoldrick’s Pool and Sports Bar, featuring nine of the top 16 players on the World Nineball Tour Rankings – with WNT No.1 Francisco Sánchez Ruíz, UK Open champion Joshua Filler and newly-crowned World Pool Masters winner Ko Pin Yi amongst the stellar line-up.

View World Nineball Tour Rankings

Zieliński, who won the Ljubljana Mezz 9-Ball Open - another WNT Ranking event - earlier in the month, continued a strong start to the year with victories over Ko Ping Han, Jack Whelan and Denis Grabe on course to a runners-up finish in Scotland.

Two-time world champion Albin Ouschan was defeated 10-8 by Britain’s Imran Majid in the first round, leading him down a loser’s path to third-round elimination at the hands of Spain’s Jonas Souto Comino. World Pool Championship runner-up Mohammad Soufi’s first round defeat to Hong Kong, China’s Robbie Capito set up a similar defeat in the third-round to Kelly Fisher.

Nineball veteran Ralf Souquet enjoyed a strong run to the semi-finals. The Kaiser overcame both of Spain’s World Cup of Pool duo in David Alcaide and Sánchez Ruíz before taking champion Shaw to the hill in a thrilling contest.

Filler’s preparations ahead of a UK Open title defence were dented by Austrian star Mario He, who followed up on a quarter-final finish at the World Pool Masters with another spot in the final eight of a World Nineball Tour event.

The tournament featured cross-cue sport representation, with English 8-ball star Jack Whelan recording an impressive run to the quarter-finals. World Snooker Tour top-16 player Gary Wilson featured ahead of his second appearance at the UK Open Pool Championship.

Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director Emily Frazer was delighted with how well-run the latest World Nineball Tour event was:

“Firstly, congratulations to Jayson on what was both an entertaining and dramatic final,” Frazer said.

“This World Nineball Ranking event acts as the perfect primer for Shaw and all players as they head into the UK Open Pool Championship.

“Thank you to Elliot Sanderson, Paul Corrigan and the team at McGoldricks Pool and Sports Bar for hosting such a professional event; the pros have already expressed how great it was to play under the Matchroom rules - especially with it leading into a Major ranking event.

“Across the three days, the Scottish Open stream reached over 380,000 views on Matchroom Pool’ YouTube channel, setting the stage for more ranking events to come in Scotland. The World Nineball Tour presses on!”

Next World Nineball Tour Event

The second-ever edition of the UK Open Pool Championship takes centre stage on the World Nineball Tour, as a 256-strong field of the sport’s very best take to the Copper Box Arena in London between May 30th and June 4th.

Find out how you can watch all of the action here.

Tickets are available from £15 a day to enjoy the action inside one of London’s most historic sporting venues. A season pass is available for £95 with access to all six days whilst a weekend pass giving access to Saturday and Sunday for only £40. Tickets are limited for the weekend sessions. Buy tickets here.

EKLENT KACI MOVES INSIDE WNT TOP TEN WITH UK OPEN WIN

Eklent Kaçi has moved inside the top ten on the World Nineball Tour Rankings to number seven after clinching his maiden Matchroom title at the weekend in London beating Joshua Filler to claim the UK Open Pool Championship crown and the $30,000 first-place prize.

• Eklent Kaçi rises to No.2 on Race to Mosconi Cup standings for Team Europe

• 67 countries represented on World Nineball Tour with ever-growing list

• Joshua Filler becomes new World No.2 overall leapfrogging Shane Van Boening

WNT RANKINGS
https://matchroompool.com/world-rankings/

Kaçi’s win over Filler 13-4 came just weeks after heartbreak in the final of the World Pool Masters where Ko Pin Yi downed the Albanian Eagle but Sunday was a sliding doors moment as he shook off the demons of old to claim a memorable win with his brother watching on.

The $30,000 prize sees Kaçi move into the top ten in the world at seven, his highest position since the World Nineball Tour Rankings were launched in January 2021.

For Kaçi, the mission to return to the Mosconi Cup is well and truly on with the youngest-ever player to appear in the tournament back in 2018 rising to second with closest rival Jayson Shaw $4,600 behind on the Race to Mosconi Cup Rankings with three automatic spots up for grabs.

After claiming glory, Kaçi said: “I feel amazing. This is the first singles event that I have won in the Matchroom arena. Emily always asked me when I would win a trophy! I felt focused and I stayed calm. I played the right shots with no crazy efforts and played safe when I needed to. Joshua didn’t have many chances and when you stay in the chair for too long, you do not feel comfortable. I feel I will be a bigger problem in Matchroom events now.”

WORLD NINEBALL TOUR FOR EVERYONE UNDERLINED

No fewer than 51 nationalities were represented last week at the UK Open Pool Championship with the diverse nature of the World Nineball Tour reflected in the rankings with 67 countries now featuring and 33 within the top 100 alone.

Filler’s run to the final also sees him snatch the WNT No.2 spot off 2022 World Champion Shane Van Boening with a slender $300 separating the pair. Ko’s loss in the semi-finals to Filler sees the Chinese Taipei star move to 11th in the world with brother Ping Chung breaking into the top 20 for the first time after reaching the quarter-finals losing out to eventual winner Kaçi.

Fortunski is now the second-highest-ranked Pole on the World Nineball Tour Rankings after missing out in the quarter-finals at world number 18.

Race to Mosconi Cup standings heat up

2022 Cuetec MVP Joshua Filler’s run to the final has done the Killer’s automatic hopes the world of good with the German taking home his biggest winnings in a World Nineball Tour Ranking event this year, to be sixth in the Race to Mosconi Cup standings shy of Mario He by only $830.

A run to the semi-finals for two-time Mosconi Cup MVP Skyler Woodward has elevated the Kentucky star inside the world’s top 16.

Still, more importantly, he now holds the first automatic spot available for Team USA ahead of Shane Van Boening by $6,200. The UK Open was also a sign of things to come for rising star Shane Wolford who cruelly missed out in the last 16 to Mieszko Fortunski in a hill-hill loss. For Wolford, the run sees him currently occupy the third automatic spot for Team USA.

Three spots for both Team Europe and USA are up for grabs off the World Nineball Tour Rankings with all eyes on the one-year list for hopefuls.

The first automatic pick for each side will be locked in after the conclusion of the European Open Pool Championship set to take place in Fulda, Germany from August 8-13 with the second automatic selection to follow at the US Open Pool Championship from September 25-30 at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City before the final automatic spot will be given after the conclusion of the inaugural Asian Open Pool Championship from October 10-15.

NEXT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR EVENT

The Chuck Markulis Memorial will take place at Oscar Dominguez’s Hard Times Billiards of Sacramento in California with the field expected to include some of the biggest names in pool including two-time Mosconi Cup MVP from June 8-11 2023.

NEXT MATCHROOM EVENT

The next signature Matchroom multi-table open event comes next at the Pazo de Ferias y Congresos de Lugo in Spain for the first-ever Spanish Open Pool Championship from June 20 to June 25 with the first-ever FSR Junior Open taking place on June 23-24. Buy your tickets here from €15.

The 2023 World Cup of Pool will follow in Spain from June 27 to July 2 in the same venue with the tournament seeing 31 countries battle it out for glory as the hosts look to defend their title.

WNT UPDATE | WOLFORD SNAPS OFF MAIDEN TITLE TO BOOST MOSCONI CUP CHANCES

Shane Wolford has won the Chuck Markulis Memorial title at Hard Times Billiards of Sacramento to boost his Mosconi Cup chances with a maiden win on the World Nineball Tour beating Skyler Woodward in the final 11-9.

View World Nineball Tour Rankings

Wolford, buoyed by a run to the UK Open Pool Championship Last 16, came in firing in California as Oscar Dominguez played host to some of the Americas best with the likes of Woodward, Gerson Martinez, Tyler Styer, and Billy Thorpe all lining up aiming to climb the Race to Mosconi Cup standings.

The competition was fierce with Wolford having to overcome Skip Nikakis, Phil Prentice, and Sean Lewis to reach the single elimination stage before Max Eberle and Nicholas De Leon were downed ahead of a crunch clash with BJ Ussery who had snapped off the Bob Stock Memorial tournament last month to boost his own Mosconi Cup hopes. With Ussery conquered, Peru's World Cup of Pool representative Martinez proved to be no match in the semi-finals for Wolford who was on a mission.

Victory for Wolford in the final over Woodward sees the Virginia native move into one of the three automatic qualification spots on the USA's Race to Mosconi Cup standings whilst Woodward has extended his advantage as the leading player for Team USA to a difference of nearly $10,000 over Shane Van Boening. The result also sees Wolford move inside the world's top 32 for the first time whilst Woodward leapfrogs Mohammad Soufi to become the new WNT No. 14.

Styer's hopes of sealing the title were ended by Woodward in the quarter-finals whilst host Dominguez suffered at the hands of Martinez. Thorpe meanwhile fell to Hunter Lombardo in the quarters whilst rising star Lukas Fracasso-Verner lost out to Francis Ritarita.

Three spots for both Team Europe and USA are up for grabs off the World Nineball Tour Rankings with all eyes on the one-year list for hopefuls.

The first automatic pick for each side will be locked in after the conclusion of the European Open Pool Championship set to take place in Fulda, Germany from August 8-13 with the second automatic selection to follow at the US Open Pool Championship from September 25-30 at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City before the final automatic spot will be given after the conclusion of the inaugural Asian Open Pool Championship from October 10-15.

NEXT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR EVENT

The Mezz Bucharest Open will take place in Romania's capital at IDM Club from June 16-18 with the field stacked full of some of the biggest names on the World Nineball Tour including Van Boening, the Ko brothers, David Alcaide, Wiktor Zielinski, and Alexander Kazakis all set to do battle.

NEXT MATCHROOM EVENT

The next signature Matchroom multi-table open event comes next at the Pazo de Ferias y Congresos de Lugo in Spain for the first-ever Spanish Open Pool Championship from June 20 to June 25 with the first-ever FSR Junior Open taking place on June 23-24. Buy your tickets here from €15.

The 2023 World Cup of Pool will follow in Spain from June 27 to July 2 in the same venue with the tournament seeing 31 countries battle it out for glory as the hosts look to defend their title.

Both Matchroom events will be live on Sky Sports and broadcasters worldwide.

WNT UPDATE | KONRAD JUSZCZYSZYN SEALS MAIDEN NINEBALL TITLE IN BUCHAREST

Konrad Juszczyszyn has moved inside the World Nineball Tour's Top 20 with victory in the Mezz Bucharest Open, sealing his first title on the WNT in the process.

Juszczyszyn defeated Ko Ping Chung – who had reached the quarter-finals of the UK Open earlier in the month - 11-10 in a thrilling final.

Juszczyszyn’s climb up the rankings sees four Poles move into the top 20. The WNT No. 17 is joined by countrymen Wiktor Zielinski (No. 8), Wojciech Szewczyk (No. 16) and Mieszko Fortunski (No. 20).

Polish pool continues to thrive in 2023, with Juszczyszyn’s win being the countries third of the calendar year – with Zielinski winning in Ljubljana, Slovenia and Szewczyk in Zaragoza, Spain.

View World Nineball Tour Rankings.

Ko, who climbed into the top 20 himself, had beaten older brother Pin Yi – recent victor of the World Pool Masters – in the semi-finals to reach the final.

Pin Yi, the defending champion going into the event, reached his third successive Nineball semi-final.

The Romanian ranking event attracted a stacked field of talent from across the World Nineball Tour, with the likes of Shane Van Boening, Alexander Kazakis and David Alcaide attending ahead of the inaugural Spanish Open Pool Championship.

Van Boening was knocked out of the tournament by Juszczyszyn in the quarter-finals, with two-time World Pool Master Alcaide defeated in the same round by Pin Yi.

Tobias Bongers had an incredible run to the semi-finals – his best showing at a WNT event. The German potter defeated Petri Makkonen, Kazakis and Walter Laikre on the way.

14-year-old Swedish prodigy Laikre had earlier defeated Britain’s Tom Staveley on course for a last 32 finish – following up a strong showing for the teenager at the UK Open.

Next World Nineball Tour Ranking Event

The World Nineball Tour returns for the second signature Matchroom multi-table event of the year, where 256 players take to the stage in Lugo, Spain in the inaugural Spanish Open Pool Championship. The six-day event will be shown around the entire globe, with broadcast partners Sky Sports, DAZN and Viaplay displaying the action across the week.

Find out where you can watch the Spanish Open in your country here.

POOL’S POWER COUPLE TO HOST JUNIOR OPEN EVENT THIS AUGUST


Joshua and Pia Filler will host the inaugural Filler's Junior Open alongside the European Open Pool Championship in Fulda, Germany from August 11-12.

• $10,000 prize fund on offer

• Tournament to take place on August 11-12

• Opportunity open to all juniors aged 17 and under

SIGN UP FOR FILLER’S JUNIOR OPEN ENTRY ALERT HERE
https://matchroompool.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=35ebb18fd5bf7be43cb010493&id=f7c8634779

As part of Matchroom Pool’s commitment to growing the grassroots of the game for everyone, the Filler’s Junior Open becomes the fourth Junior tournament on the World Nineball Tour.

Both Joshua and Pia inspire up-and-coming pool players worldwide with their professionalism and achievements in Nineball with the tournament set to be open to Juniors aged 17 and under. The Filler's Junior Open will offer a prize fund of $10,000, with 64 spots available following the same format as the SVB Junior Open, JS Junior Open, and FSR Junior Open.

Matchroom Pool is committed to the World Nineball Tour affording opportunities to everyone with entry free to all juniors taking part, and publishing the final of the event live on YouTube as well as highlights within the Sky Sports programme on August 12. Onboard Sportswear will provide a free custom Filler's Junior Open jersey so all can feel and look the part as they do battle in the same main event arena of the second-ever European Open Pool Championship taking place at Hotel Esperanto Fulda from 8-13 August 2023. Aramith will donate the winner the set of Aramith Black balls from their final match so they can take home every memory of their prestigious Junior final.

Entries will open on Friday, 7 July at 12pm UK time

The Fillers said: “We are super excited to host the Junior Open in Fulda! We are always following the younger generation as they are the future of our sport and it’s brilliant to see the passion, love, and fire for pool in the eyes of those young guns!”

“When we’ve been kids, we didn’t have such Junior Events on a big stage, so it’s just an incredible opportunity for every junior player, male or female, to improve and gain experience and we are more than happy to support that!”

Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director Emily Frazer said: The professional game of Nineball is growing, and whilst the top pro’s now have a career path and future to look forward to it's important to inspire and build the next generation of Joshua’s and Pia’s.

The Junior Open events are a great opportunity to give younger players aspiring to become a pool player, giving them experience in a Matchroom arena in front of crowds and television cameras. Khalid Alghamdi won the SVB Junior Open last September and now competes in the likes of Premier League Pool and World Cup of Pool - these events are a major stepping stone for the next generation of Nineball Superstars! Thanks to the City of Fulda, Sky Sports, and our partners Cuetec, Kamui, Diamond, Aramith, and Iwan Simonis for getting behind our Junior Open campaign.

The final will also be live-streamed on the Matchroom Pool social media pages with coverage also set to feature during the live broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK, Sport1 in Germany, and networks worldwide.

Going forward from The Filler's Junior Open in August, players who are eligible will be permitted to enter both the Junior and the main Open events at all World Nineball Tour Open competitions.

However, if a Junior player qualifies for the Last 64 stage of the main event, they will automatically be removed from the Junior event. This is due to both competitions running alongside each other at this stage of the tournament.

WNT Ranking Update | Van Boening wins first title since 2022 World Pool Championship

Shane Van Boening secured his first World Nineball Tour ranking event title since winning the 2022 World Pool Championship by defeating Fedor Gorst in the final of the 2023 Midwest Billiards and Cue Expo Big Dog 9-Ball Championship in Des Moines, USA.

WORLD RANKINGS

Van Boening's victory in Iowa sees the world number two extend his advantage in the overall rankings over Joshua Filler to $8,826. The win also sees the South Dakota Kid strengthen his hope of an automatic qualification spot in the Race to Mosconi Cup standings.

The Big Dog 9-Ball Championship offered up a vital opportunity for Mosconi Cup hopefuls to gather momentum heading into a busy period of ranking events with the first player for both Team Europe and USA set to be locked in at the conclusion of the European Open Pool Championship in less than a month's time at Hotel Esperanto Fulda, Germany with the top player from each team on the Race to Mosconi Cup standings qualifying.

A run to the final for Gorst sees him remain 13th in the world overall with the former world champion fighting back from the losers side to reach the final while Skyler Woodward continued his strong campaign with a run to the semi-finals before Van Boening eventually ended his hopes.

For Woodward, the semi-final finish did see him continue his heavy assault on the top end of the Race to Mosconi Cup standings as he canters ahead as the top-ranked American with an advantage of $10,274 on Van Boening.

Filipino Roberto Gomez had his best run this year to collect enough ranking points to climb inside the world's top 100 whilst Bob Stock Memorial champion BJ Ussery and 2022 Mosconi Cup representative player Tyler Styer both gave good accounts of themselves to improve their hopes of selection for this year's cup.

Three spots for both Team Europe and USA are up for grabs off the World Nineball Tour Rankings with all eyes on the one-year list for hopefuls.

The first automatic pick for each side will be locked in after the conclusion of the European Open Pool Championship set to take place in Fulda, Germany from August 8-13 with the second automatic selection to follow at the US Open Pool Championship from September 25-30 at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City before the final automatic spot will be given after the conclusion of the inaugural Asian Open Pool Championship from October 10-15.

Team USA - Race to Mosconi Cup Standings in focus
• Skyler Woodward $38,900
• Shane Van Boening $28,626
• Shane Wolford $16,950
• Billy Thorpe $11,750
• BJ Ussery $9,900
• Tyler Styer $9,500
• Lukas Francasso-Verner $7,550
• Hunter Lombardo $6,549

NEXT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR EVENT

Events are coming thick and fast with the Jacoby 9-Ball Open set to take place at McGoldricks Pool and Sports Bar in Glasgow, Scotland from July 21-23 2023. See info here.

The Sharks International Open gets underway in Quezon City, Philippines from July 24-29 with top 64 on the World Nineball Tour rankings invited with a lucrative prize fund of $100,000 on the line for the 128 field. See details here.

NEXT MATCHROOM EVENT

The next signature Matchroom multi-table open event comes next at the European Open Pool Championship from August 8-13 at Hotel Esperanto in Fulda, Germany with the first-ever Fillers' Junior Open taking place on August 11-12. Buy your tickets here from €15.

European Pocket Billiard Federation

SMARTPOOL HERALDS 12 MONTHS OF SUCCESS

SMARTPOOL, THE EPBF’S ground-breaking initiative to put pool into
schools across Europe within the context of mathematics, is close to
completing its 12 month programme and has been deemed a roaring success.

Funded by the European Union through its Erasmus+ educational programme,
Smartpool was initially derailed by the Covid pandemic but got underway
in earnest in the summer of 2022. Smartpool itself originated from the
Netherlands as a tool for teaching mathematics through pool.

After funding was achieved in 2020 the EPBF, in partnership with the
KNBB sought co-operating partners to activate the programme across
Europe through its extensive membership. The five countries selected for
the programme were the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany and
Cyprus.

In addition, organisations like EU Maths In – the European Service
Network of Mathematics for Industry and Innovation; Platform Wiskunde
Nederland - Dutch Platform for Mathematics and Stichting Mulier
Instituut, who were tasked with collecting data and analysing results,
collaborated extensively.

The educational establishment in the participating countries welcomed
Smartpool with open arms and the following statuses were achieved:

Bulgaria – Smartpool Mathematics during school hours, pool after school
at pool hall. For Pilot 2, the pool moved into the schools.

Cyprus: Smartpool during school hours as a replacement for one of the
physical education lessons.

Germany: Smartpool after school at the student research centre

Finland: Smartpool as an elective course during school hours

Netherlands: Smartpool as an elective course during school hours

Initially, three schools from each country became involved with 15
schools in total and the first study programme was formulated and
translated into each language of the participating languages as well as
English

Following the first stage, there were evaluations made, with teachers
and pupils being surveyed, and consequently there were some adaptations
and improvements. The second stage saw Smartpool expand significantly as
a further five schools in each country were added.

Each participating school was given one pool table along with other
essential equipment like cues and balls. A lead teacher in each
establishment was educated to become a light-level billiard trainer
enabling them to pass on basic skills to the students. The complete
project took three years from its very beginnings and ends with the
conclusion of Pilot #2 that runs from January to August 2023.
Commented, EPBF Vice President Youth Sport Director Tommi Lamminaho, “In
Finland we went to some schools with the trainers and into the
classrooms, spent time with the kids and saw the enthusiasm they had,
not only for pool but also it made maths more fun for them.

“It generated a greater interest in maths from the students so when
given a choice of classes, ‘Billiards and Maths’ really stood out as
opposed to plain geometry. It makes them more interested and it makes it
much more fun.

“A second important aspect was that if the kids didn’t really care for
the maths, the teachers found that they could reach kids that they may
not have normally reached. So it acted as a social tool for youngsters
who may have found themselves outside the mainstream for whatever
reason.

“For some countries they found it was better to work with children in
the 11/12 age bracket and other countries went for an older 13/14 age
group. In Finland for example, one of our mathematicians who makes the
courses for secondary schools, made his own curricula using Smartpool.

“That was also spread around Europe within the project and translated
into the various languages and that including coding and things like
that and it was all very impressive. However, it mainly showed that the
teachers and mathematicians saw the opportunity and a lot can be done
around this.”

Over the past 12 months, the EPBF have had enquiries from all over
Europe as well as outside the continent and the EPBF will now be looking
at how to take this innovative project further. Ideally, there would be
national school competitions within the participating countries and then
a pan-European competition, but that is still in the planning stages.

As the year-long programme for Smartpool comes to a close - the project
ends at the end of August - plans are being made to make Smartpool
available for the entire EPBF membership and additionally, build a
network of Smartpool trainers across Europe within the membership
countries.

WNT UPDATE | KO PING CHUNG MOVES INSIDE TOP 10 IN THE WORLD

Ko Ping Chung has risen to a career-high on the World Nineball Tour Rankings at ninth in the world after defeating Michael Feliciano in the final of the Sharks International 9-Ball Open in Quezon City, Philippines to claim the $30,000 first-place prize.

WNT RANKINGS HERE
WATCH THE FINAL HERE

Ko battled his way through one of the toughest fields ever assembled at a ranking event over six days beating the likes of James Aranas and Naoyuki Oi on his way to the final.

Local hopeful Feliciano had the tournament of his life to reach a maiden final and take the $15,000 runner-up prize that sees the Filipino enter the World Nineball Tour rankings for the first time at world number 54, putting him behind Roland Garcia and US Open champion Carlo Biado who jumped to 43 in the world.

The win for Ko is not only notable for moving into the top ten for the first time, but it also sees him leapfrog brother Pin Yi in the rankings for the first time. Fedor Gorst's run to the Last 16 meant he maintained a strong footing in the top 16 whilst Naoyuki Oi's run to the quarters that included knocking out Gorst saw him move to the periphery of the top 20.

Former world champion and two-time World Cup of Pool champion and all-round Filipino legend Francisco Bustamante made a good run of it to enter the rankings for the first time whilst it was a welcome return to World Nineball Tour ranking events for the likes of Jeff De Luna, Roberto Gomez, and Garcia to name a few whilst young hotshots such as Anton Raga made their mark.

Coverage from SHARKS was live streamed in the Philippines through the league's website with Matchroom Pool fans treated to all six days of action through the YouTube channel which tipped over 300,000 subscribers for the first time during the final. Key matches from the tournament can be watched in their entirety on the Matchroom Pool YouTube channel now. Subscribe here.

The Sharks International 9-Ball Open marked the first World Nineball Tour - Ranking Event to take place in the Philippines with the top 64 on the WNT Rankings invited.

NEXT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR RANKING EVENT

The Balkan Pool Tour’s Longoni Visoko Open follows the Sharks International 9-Ball Open from August 5-7 2023. See information on how to enter here.


NEXT MATCHROOM EVENT

The next signature Matchroom multi-table open event comes next at the European Open Pool Championship from August 8-13 at Hotel Esperanto in Fulda, Germany with the first-ever Fillers’ Junior Open taking place on August 11-12. Buy your tickets here from €15.