Willner prevents an all Portuguese final in 10-ball

Aug 7, 2012

Defending Champion Correia in the final
Frank Willner (GER) over his winning 10-ball In a thrilling and action packed match, Frank Willner (GER) overpowered Manuel Pereira (POR) with the smallest of margins 7:6. Lady Luck seemed to be on Willner’s side most of the time during the match. He showed a strong performance but the balls also rolled in his favour. Consequently, Pereira had several occasions where he could not see the ball on or where he scratched. So Willner took a 5:2 lead over Pereira and everything looked very promising. But the tide turned in the 8th rack. Pereira took his time-out before that rack and came back, obviously highly concentrated. The rack developed into a safety battle and Willner had a chance to win the rack but he missed a combination shot. Pereira ran the rack. Could he get a second life in this match? The signs clearly indicated in that direction. Pereira won the next racks and even went on the hill, taking a 6:5 lead over Willner. In the 12h rack, Pereira stopped his own roll. He missed a makeable 5-ball and allowed Willner back to the table. The German won that rack and tied the match at 6:6. The deciding 13th rack was again full of safety play with Willner to be the winner in the end. Willner proceeds to the final match where he will meet the defending Champion Henrique Correia (POR) who defeated Thomas Radakovits (AUT) in the semi-final.
In the ladies division, Susanne Wessel (GER) declassed her opponent Manon Melief (NED) with 5:0 in the semi-final. She will meet Wienke Thamsen (GER) in the final.
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.epconline.eu , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.