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2004 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEN - WOMEN - SENIORS

2004 European Challenge Tour Play Offs - DRAW

2004 Austrian Championships - DRAW

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European Events 2004 - INFORMATION

EVANS AND JANS REACH LADIES FINAL

Belgium's Wendy Jans will contest her sixth successive European Ladies final, and yet again she will face English opposition as she attempts to lift the title for the first time. But for once it won't be defending champion Kelly Fisher who provides the opposition. Fisher is now pursuing a career in 9-ball in America, and the new rising star of English ladies snooker, Reanne Evans who has rapidly risen through the ranks to assume the mantle of English number one has reached the final at her first attempt.

Evans won her first major title in Riga in March, helping England to the inaugural European Team Cup title, along with team mate Katie Henrick.

And it was Henrick who Evans defeated 4-3 in a close semi final.

Jans has performed consistently well to sail through her group matches and progress to the final. She has set a high break target, for which the prize is an Acuerate cue and case, with a superb 84, made in the opening frame of her quarter final against Norway's Anita Rizutti and also contributed four more breaks over fifty and a string of smaller breaks.

Henrick (left) overcame stiff resistance from Holland's Saskia Smits in the quarter finals, eventually coming through 4-2. Having led 2-0 Henrick then found herself pegged back to 2-2. She moved ahead again and then Smits could count herself a touch unfortunate in frame six. Leading on the last red Smits found herself snookered, and despite her best efforts she got called for 8 misses and with that incident the match swung in Henrick's favour.

Jans easily overcame Belgium's Valerie van Belinghen 4-0 in the semi final but the Belgian's quarter final win over Poland's Hanna Mergies could find its ways into the record books.

The best of 7 match lasted five hours fifty minutes and concluded at 2.20am in the morning. Mergies held a 3-1 lead, but van Belinghen battled her way back into contention and, having drawn level, the impetus turned in her favour.

A scoreboard break down on the last red in the decider, added to the tension, but referee Veikko Hannula from Finland, brought a laugh from players and audience alike, when he decisively marched up to the offending board and pulled the plug out, and then the IBM computer specialist came out with the immortal line "I'm a main frame man!"

OLD BOYS NETWORK

Seniors snooker seems set to become as popular and competitive as the Seniors Golf tour.

Year by year the entries for the European Seniors Championship have increased, and competition is fierce around the countries and many have now organised a full calendar of Seniors' events from which the players can qualify.

In line with this the quality of the field and standard of competition is also rising.

So defending Champion, Ron Jones of Wales, who is bidding to complete a hat-trick of wins, faced fierce competition.

But he made it look easy in his group matches, winning all four contests 3-0 to qualify as number one seed for the knockout stage.

Malta's Tony Mifsud fell by the wayside in the last 16, as Jones won 4-2, running in breaks of 31, 45 and 55.

The quarter final was one way traffic as surprise qualifier, Andys Diamantides from Cyprus, could only sit and watch Jones stroke in breaks of 44, 55 and 77 to win 5-0.

But the semi final was a very different story. Jones faced Englishman Colin Mitchell (right), who was competing in his first International Tournament.

Mitchell progressed quietly and efficiently through the group stage, dropping just one frame. The Northampton man was cursing himself when he missed a golden chance to set a new high break target, missing a simple red in the balls with his break at 66.

Mitchell cruised to the semi finals, breaking Irish hearts along the way. He beat Eddie Ingle 4-0 and Brendan Cooney 5-1.

And he started the semi final in style as well, a break of 47 giving him the opening frame. Jones responded with 71 to draw level.

Mitchell took frame three with a run of 44 after Jones broke down on 31, and they shared the next two frames. But Mitchell then produced a frame winning 76 to lead 4-2. A close fought seventh went to the black, with the Englishman having a chance to win the match, but the black stayed out and Jones kept himself in the match.

And then experience came into play as the sixty-one year old Welshman smacked in 52 to level the match, and he dominated the final frame to keep his title hopes alive.

Jones will face another Englishman, former professional Alan Trigg, from Leeds, in the final.

Trigg (Left) gave up the game after an accident, but was coaxed back into action by his girlfriend who is a keen player. He re-established his credentials by beating Ron Jones in the 2001 Pontins Seniors final and is tipped as the favourite to lift the title.

And he justified that faith by sailing through the group stages, progressively pushing up the high break target, with runs of 64, 65, 71, 86 and 87.

Trigg then beat Switzerland's Rolf Neumaier 4-0 in the last 16. He was pushed harder by Welshman John Terry in the quarter finals, but came through 5-3 and in the semi final he put out former Champion Joe Delaney from Ireland 5-2. the highlight of the match was a new high break of 92 from the Englishman.

CHAMP CRASHES OUT

Defending men's Champion David John from Wales, who has won the event for the last two years, cruised through his group matches and then powered to a 4-1 last 32 win over Poland's Jaroslaw Kowalski, smacking in breaks of 53, 39, 71 and 46 in the match.

But the wheels came off when he faced Northern Ireland's Mark Allen (right).

The eighteen year old was runner up to Jamie Jones in the recent European Under 19 championship and brought his form to Austria.

He lost a scrappy opener but levelled with a 30 clearance after John opened with 49. And he did the same in frame three. John set out with 54 but 53 from Allen gave him the frame. 40 from Allen and 50 from John saw the next two frames shared, before Allen moved 4-2 up with a run of 60. John cruised through the next but missed the blue in frame eight and Allen cleared up to win.

MORRIS MOTORS TO CAREER BEST BREAK

Fifteen year old David Morris twice broke his own career best break as first he knocked in a superb 134 clearance in a group match against Latvia's Andris Simoncsics, then pushed the high break up to 139, with a fabulous total clearance against Yannick Poulain in the last 32.

Sadly for Morris his effort didn't help him over the winning line as the Frenchman prevailed 4-3 in a gripping match.

Also making his mark on the break board was the European Under 19 champion, sixteen year old Jamie Jones.

The Welshman smacked in a 122 clearance in a group match against Germany's Lasse Munstermann. Better still was a 121 clearance, which helped him to a surprise last 32 win over Northern Ireland's experienced campaigner Joe Meara. But his break of exactly 100 was the most meritorious. Trailing 4-3 to England's Eddie Cooper in the last sixteen, the teenager rattled in a break of 100 to send the match into a tense last frame shoot out, which the Englishman won.

Another Welshman, Darren Thompson produced his breaks just when it mattered. During his group match against Switzerland's Thomas Fischer, he knocked in 100 to lead 3-2 and after the match was held over, he returned to the table to produce a match winning 102 in the deciding frame.

Breaks were thin on the ground on the first day, although Rodney Goggins set the ball rolling with 102 on the first morning. But as the players settled into the event the tons started rolling in and the high break target got progressively higher.

Holland's Gerrit bij de Leij (right) led the way with a 131 total clearance, until usurped by Morris. the Dutchman also ran in 116 during his last sixteen win against Ireland's Rodney Goggins.

Germany's Patrick Einsle was a rather unfortunate when, on a break of 103, he attempted the last red with the rest and extension and the extension slipped on his cue causing him to miss.

MEDIA FRENZY!

Austria has gone snooker crazy. The whole country, many of whom are seeing snooker for the first time, have taken the European Snooker Championships in Völkermarkt to their hearts.

All aspects of Austrian media - radio, television, magazines and newspapers, are clamouring for coverage of the event and the players, naturally leading their headlines with stories of Austrian success.

The Austrian fans are crowding into the Neuburg every day to cheer on the Austrian contingent and to watch the leading players from all over Europe, who are providing a feast of live snooker to enjoy. Such is the enthusiasm that fourteen year old Franz and twelve year old Max travelled more than 100km from Deutschlandsberg to watch their first 'live' snooker, having previously only enjoyed the broadcasts by Eurosport. The two teenagers met Austrian Snooker President Clausdieter Franschitz and are excited about learning to play.

One lady spectator from Völkermarkt summed up the excitement sweeping the town. "This is so wonderful. Never have I seen so many nations joined together and the game is so good and the players such gentlemen.

"From now on I will always be watching snooker and now I would like to learn the game myself."

And the Austrian fans have been rewarded with some 'star' performances from their own players.

Oliver Doppler (right) from Wels is leading the Austrian Challenge in the mens' section of the 2004 European Championships in Volkermarkt.

Doppler has already won three matches, beating Gregory Kopec of France, Andris Konosonoks from Latvia, and, best of all, an upset 4-1 win over one of Belgium's leading player Serge Das.
Doppler has two matches left to play in the group stage and, like the other contenders, must win at least one of them to progress to the knock out stage of the Championship.
Doppler will celebrate his 31st birthday this Saturday, the day of the final, and what a celebration it would be if an Austrian were to reach the final stages of the event.
President of the Austrian Snooker Association, Clausdieter Franschitz, from Volkermarkt, still has a chance to qualify in the Seniors Event. He must win his final match on Tuesday against Ireland's Eddie Ingle, and will be hoping that Englishman Alan Trigg beats his German opponent.
Vienna's Dieter Simoncsics notched his first win of the event, beating Frenchman Ali Jaafar 4-2. It won't be good enough for him to qualify, but his win is another boost for Austrian snooker, as their players gain experience from competing against the great players from across Europe.

ALLEZ FRANCE!

Yannick Poulain wrote himself into snooker's record books with an historic last gasp 5-4 win on the pink over Germany's Lasse Munstermann to become the first Frenchman ever to gain professional status.

The delighted French spectators and hordes of players from across Europe, packed into the arena to watch the drama unfold, gave both players a huge ovation.

It was sad that someone had to lose but that's snooker.

An emotional Poulain could barely express his delight. "I'm so happy", he said, between tears and smiles.

Munstermann opened a 3-1 lead in the match, helped by a break of 74, but the Frenchman clawed his way back into contention after the interval. A break of 59 set him on the road to recovery until with the scores at 4-4 it all depended on a final frame shoot out.

Munstermann held the early advantage before Poulain pulled level and then a snooker on the green turned the match in Poulain's favour. He eventually took green, brown and blue to leave the German needing a snooker, which he wasn't able to obtain.

Thirty year old Poulain from Villeneuve d'Ascq near Lille, has played snooker since he was sixteen, and has been a French international player for several years.

But early in 2004 he was introduced to Team Acuerate and has spent four months practicing with the players in Ghent, under the watchful eye of coach Chris Henry.

"I owe a big thank you to Chris and everyone at Acuerate", said Poulain. "They have really helped my game and I don't think I could have won this without their help.

"This is a great day for French snooker and I know my win will spur on all our players, men, ladies and seniors and give a big boost to snooker in France.

"French snooker is on the way up."

Holland's Gerrit bij de Leij (right) booked his place on tour with a 5-2 win over fellow Dutchman Lennon Starkey. Breaks of 51 and 69 contributed to his win.

And Belgium also gained a place as Kevin van Hove, their new national champion, powered to a 5-1 win over Denmark's Rune Kampe.

DAS DASHES BLANCKAERT'S HOPE

An all Belgian clash in the last 32 of the WSA European Play Offs, ended in a resounding 4-0 victory for Serge Das. Highlight of a quick 'Dash' to the winning post was a break of 82 from Das.

Holland's Gerrit bij de Leij was also in sparkling form running in breaks of 50 and 88 in a 4-1 win over Belgium's Kasra Kharavan.

Another Dutchman, Lennon Starkey ended Wendy Jans' bid, with a 4-2 win and another Belgian fell by the wayside as Denmark's Rune Kampe compiled breaks of 40, 45 and 39 against Raphael Phillipart.

Eleven countries had representatives in the knock out stages, emphasising the rise in playing standards right across Europe.

And Poland's Krzystof Wrobel (right) struck another blow for the smaller countries, with a 4-2 win against Belgium's Nicholas Dury.

There was some cheer for Belgium as Tino de Witte overcame Finland's Jussi Tyrkko 4-3, but Serge Lenaerts bowed out by the same score to Germany's Lasse Munstermann, who had one season on the WSA Main Tour in 2000-1.

France were cheering as Yannick Poulain swept to a 4-0 win over Switzerland's Douglas Hogan and Gregory Kopec beat Belgium's Anthony van Loocke 4-2.

Malta kept their hopes alive as Simon Zammit beat Switzerland's Martin Schamaun 4-1. Zammit made breaks of 73 and 51, while Schamaun contributed a run of 51 to an entertaining match.

Holland's Johan Oenema won a titanic struggle against Belgium's former main tour player Leigh Griffin. Oenema stormed into a 2-0 lead but Griffin pulled level at 3-3 helped by breaks of 52 and 57, before Oenema dominated the deciding frame.

Euro Boys (and girls) are up for the Challenge

Sixty-three of Europe's leading men players and World Ladies number two Wendy Jans, assembled in Völkermarkt to compete for the chance to qualify for the 2004-5 WSA Challenge Tour. Four players will gain places on the tour.

Players were broken down into sixteen groups of four players, with two from each group progressing to the knock out stages.

Germany's Lasse Munstermann flew through his matches without dropping a frame to line up a last 32 match against Belgium's Serge Lenaerts who qualified in second place in Group B.

2004 French Cup winner Gregory Kopec topped Group B after two hard fought 3-2 wins over Lenaerts and another Belgian, Sebastian Kan.

Iceland's Brynjar Valdimarsson (left) put himself in line for the high break prize - an Acuerate Cue and Case - with a fabulous run of 130 in his Group J match against Belgium's Kasra Khavaran. Valdimarsson, who wrote his name into snooker's history books in 1991 when he beat the former World Champion John Spencer in the Mita World Masters, qualified in first place from his Group setting up a match against Germany's leading junior Patrick Einsle.

Einsle was pushed into second place in Group K by Malta's Duncan Bezzina. One of Malta's European Team cup winners, Bezzina breezed through the group, although he let five frames slip away.

Belgium's Jim Spapen, runner up in his national championship last weekend, stroked in a break of 105 against Maltese Junior Philip Coleiro, but he failed to qualify as Finland's Jussi Tyrkko topped the group and surprise package, Krzysztof Wrobel from Poland, took second place when he beat Spapen 3-1.

Belgium's Wendy Jans (right), the only lady competitor, qualified in second place from Group F. A string of useful breaks helped Jans, one of the favourites to lift the European Ladies title, to wins over Denmark's Ejler Hame and Belgium's Olivier Dispas, but she had to give second best to Costas Konnaris from Cyprus who claimed first place in the Group.

Romania made their debut in international competition, bringing three players to the event. Although they failed to notch a win, they all gained useful experience from their matches and will be a welcome addition to future European events.

Romania is yet another example of the impact Europe-wide coverage of snooker through Eurosport is having. As their delegate explained "Now everyone can see snooker on the television. They know the names of the leading players and now when we approach sponsors to discuss promoting the game, they understand what we are talking about."

JACK'S The Lad

Hans Nirnberger beat Bernhard Müllner 4-2 to lift the 2004 Austrian Championship.

Vienna's Hans Nirnberger successfully defended his Austrian title with a late night victory against Bernhard Müllner, the 1998 Champion.

Müllner pushed Nirnberger hard before eventually succumbing to defeat.

Nirnberger got away to a 2-0 lead helped by breaks of 44 and 35, but Müllner bounced back with a run of 69, the highest of the match, and added the fourth frame to draw level.

But he was on the back foot again after a 38 from Nirnberger was enough to secure the fifth frame.

The sixth was nip and tuck all the way, with first Nirnberger taking an advantage and then Müllner clawing his way back into contention, until the scores were level on the brown. But it was Nirnberger who slotted a good brown and brought the blue into play, but the key shot was a stunning pot on the pink to the green pocket and victory was secure.

Nirnberger set his stall out very early in the round robin stages, with a 116 clearance, the highest of the tournament and his personal best in a match. He dominated his group until surprisingly losing 3-2 to Hannes Luginger, who turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win.

Salzburg's Alexander Pichler easily qualified from his group, as did Garry Balter, although he was edged into second place by Ebrahim Baghi, when Baghi notched an historic victory against the former champion.

Oliver Doppler secured top place from his group with a 3-2 victory over Zi Kim Chau, who took second place.

Ebrahim Baghi continued his good run with a 3-0 defeat of home town boy, Clausdieter Franschitz, in the quarter finals.

Nirnberger cruised through against Zi Kim Chau, whose defeat against Doppler in the groups had sentenced him to play the number one seed.

In typically gritty fashion both Alexander Pichler and Bernhard Müllner ground out 3-2 wins against Doppler and Balter respectively and that set up a semi final where immovable object met irresistible force!

And so it proved as the pair locked horns for nearly five hours before Müllner won 4-2. Nirnberger beat Baghi by a similar margin.

EUROPEAN PHOTO DIARY

Wilkommen in Völkermarkt!

Austria greeted me with blazing sunshine and a heat wave, which sadly has already given way already to weather I'm more familiar with - rain!

The venue - The Neu Burg in Völkermarkt was a hive of activity as Jacek Rudowicz and his hard working team from Poland set up the twelve Wiraka M1 tables, all clothed with Strachan '6811 Gold' cloth - we spoil these players!

The Austrian organising committee were putting the final touches to all the arrangements and facilities prior to the arrival of more than 300 players, officials and guests from all over the world.

The Austrian Association's Chairman Clausdieter Franschitz, known as 'CD' met me at the airport, but before we even had the chance to leave his good Samaritan service were called upon by a driver in distress. A flat battery was quickly sorted out by a set of 'jump leads' and I was then able to sit back and enjoy my first views of the stunning scenery of South Austria. Well nearly my first view as the aerial views from the plane as we flew into Klagenfurt were quite stunning.

We are staying at a group of pensions and hotels, all clustered around the lake at Klopeinersee. The lake is famous as the warmest lake in Austria and already the area is swarming with tourists, who can enjoy a wide variety of activities, such as golf, scuba diving, walking, climbing or just chilling out in the many cafes and bars.

I also took the chance to have a walk round the host town of Völkermarkt, which is a small historic town, centred around a square. A tower, which forms part of the venue, dates back to medieval times, when it was actually formed part of the town's fortifications.

I'm not saying that the streets are spotlessly clean, but I spotted one shopkeeper busy 'hoovering' up dust from the pavement outside his shop! All the buildings are painted in an array of different colours, giving the whole scene a picture postcard look.