Kristiansen wins Scandinavian clash in 10-ball semis

Aug 6, 2013

Storm has to settle again for a Bronze Medal
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina: In a semi-final match that was packed with good shots and powerful pool, Vegar Kristiansen (NOR) eliminated Tom Storm (SWE) with 7:3.
Vegar Kristiansen (NOR)
It was a match between two big players from the past... who are still sharp. Both of them have proven at these Dynamic Billard European Championships that they are still able to come up with excellent pool. Additionally, Kristiansen has received his luggage today so now he was finally able to play with his glasses and his own cue stick. The match promised to be a classic and it started accordingly. After six racks, the score was 3:3. Kristiansen was able to get a small 3:1 lead but Storm pulled those racks back from him. In the 7th rack, Storm should have taken the lead but he missed an easy 5-ball and left it to Kristiansen to take the 4:3 lead. The following racks proved to become a nightmare for Storm. Kristiansen won rack eight with good safety play. In rack nine, Storm missed an easy 8-ball. What a catastrophe for the likable Swedish. That avoidable mistake took Kristiansen on the hill with 6:3. The 10th rack became a thriller as well. Storm got ball in hand at a certain stage and tried to play the 3-ball into the 10-ball to take a shortcut win. But the 10-ball was hanging in the pocket, staying on the slate. Both contestants then tried with several shots to pocket the 10-ball. It was Kristiansen who succeeded first and won this decisive rack. 7:3 was the final result which booked Kristiansen a place in the Gold Medal match while Storm again had to settle for third place.
The other semi-final match between Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER) and local hero Dino Cerimagic (BIH) also became a thrilling showdown. After twelve racks, the match was tied at 6:6. The pressure was on Cerimagic. The crowd really wanted him to win this match. After Muratovic last week in the junior's, this would be the second medal in the short history of the federation from Bosnia & Hercegovina. Could he come up with more than Bronze? Unfortunately for him, Wirsbitzki played concentrated, strong and cold as ice in the 13th rack, pocketing all balls he needed to win the match and proceeded into the final against Kristiansen.
In the ladies division, Ann-Sofie Löfgren (SWE) booked her ticket for the final match with a solid 5:1 victory over Ilona Zalmanova (CZE). Her opponent in the final will be Barbara Bolfelli (ITA) who took her match over Karin Michl (GER) with 5:2.
Final matches in 10-ball
Vegar Kristiansen (NOR) v Reiner Wirsbitzki (GER)
Ann-Sofie Löfgren (SWE) v Barbara Bolfelli (ITA)
The 10-ball finals will be played at 19:00 CET.
The tournament will be streamed LIVE at all days on up to 20 tables at www.kozoom.com/en/pool-billiard/
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.billiardapps.com or contact our press office.