30. November, 2014

MEMORIAL MATEJA GRABNARJA 2014 - DAN 1

No-nonsense Jožko Marinko (BK Ljubljanski zmaji).

Saturday could also be called Pool day in Slovenia, since the game was played from morning late into the night. Two pool halls in Ljubljana – Direkt (Vič) and Kaval (Brod) were full of exceptional pool players who ventured into our capital for the weekend to attend the strongest tournament on the sunny side of the Alps, IX. Matej Grabnar Memorial. After accreditation Friday night, the draw was completed in Kaval and each of the players found out when and where he will face his first opponent. Some were lucky and could sleep well into the afternoon while others had their alarm clocks ringing in the early hours of the morning, sending them to the newly re-clothed tables before 9 a.m.

The unofficial title of the king on the first day of the Memorial was won by our Jožko Marinko (BK Ljubljanski zmaji) since he was the player with the fewest lost racks. He won his way into the final group by defeating his opponents 7:0 and 7:2.

Three previous winners of the tournament - Albin Ouschan (Austria, current World Championship 9-ball runner-up), Miloš Verkić and Zoran Svilar (both Serbia) also had no difficulties reaching the next stage of the tournament. Svilar was challenged quite seriously by Matic Donoša (BK Johanca) in his first match. The players were tied on 4 but then the master showed why he was serious contender for the end victory and finished the match 7:4 without making another mistake.

Besides Jože, Slovenian delegation had 6 more players reach the final draw through the winners’ side of the draw. Current national 10-ball champion Matjaž Demšar (BK BTC) was constantly behind in his first match against Niklas Kaltenböck (Austria), but he managed to turn the match into his favor in the end.

Brothers Erčulj (both BK Gomes) also had their work cut out for them. Boris showed no mercy and defeated one of the better Croatian players, Božo Primič, to enter the final 64. Matjaž first eliminated Matej Dakol (Premium BK) who had shown some signs of improving form by taking 5 racks from Erčulj and later defeating two opponents to reach the final 64. Matjaž later defeated Aleš Mandič (BK Johanca) who had a real chance to lead 4:1 during the match but was stopped by a missed difficult 4-ball and succumbed to Erčulj 7:4.

The final group was also filled with Ana and Matjaž Gradišnik (both BK Ilirija). Ana only needed one victory to join Zrinka Antonijević (Croatia) as the second out of three girls in the draw that reached that stage. Mitja had shown improving game throughout the day which could be a good sign for the Sunday matches.

Also reaching the final was Denis Kragolnik (BK Celje) who had been missing from the tournaments for quite some time but it was quickly obvious that he had not been neglecting the game. He looked relaxed and brave behind the table and will be a tough opponent for anyone standing in his way of the victory.

Slovenians also have some competitors that entered the final group through the losers’ bracket. Andrej Počeko (BK Ilirija) with two 7:1 victories clearly showed why he is one of the most dangerous competitors in the 3rd Slovenian league. We must not forget our Ilirian squad – Rado Doroslovac, Vid Kuklec and Jure Potočnik and the ever consistent Alen Simonič (BK Gomes) that won two hill-hill thrillers in the loser’s bracket – first against Klemen Gradišnik (BK Ilirija) and later against Sašo Mežek (BK Johanca).

Christian Nečimer (BK Gomes) also progressed to the final group but had to work extremely hard to win 7:4 after trailing 3:0 behind. Tomaž Dovgan (BK BTC), Blaž Kolenc (BK Direkt) and Uroš Meglič (BK Johanca) also showed no signs of surrender and are by no means easy pickings for the rest of the players. Last but not least, we have Kaval local Andrej Marcijan (BK Ljubljanski zmaji). It is said that he is able to clear the table but then immediately miss with a ball in hand, but we believe only the first half of the rumour to be true.

We have some serious treats waiting for us on Sunday. In the final group we have many world renowned pool players waiting to face each other and there are not many brave souls out there who would be brave enough to predict the winner. Ivica Putnik and Karlo Dalmatin, the Croatian pair from World Cup of Pool entered the final group through the winner’s side. Karlo was quick to eliminate his opponents while Ivica learned the hard way why players of Slovenian 2nd league fear Sašo Mežek. Ivica was finally able to secure a 7:6 victory. Quarter finalists from last years’ couples’ world championships, Hungarians Miko Balazs and Gabor Solymosi, also had no problems reaching the final stages.

Will the trophy find its place in the home of some wunderkinds from Bosnia and Herzegovina – Alen Muratović or Sanjin Pehlivanović? Both had shown extreme concentration and no fear in their matches and will without a doubt continue in the same path on the second day of the competition. Or will Portugal’s own Henrique Correira be able to gain another few racks more that separated him from the win last year when he finished 3rd? Remember – he is the current Senior European champion!

We also have a strong Slovakian squad, trampling over their opponents - Jakub Koniar, Jaroslav Polach and Vojtech Stofko. We must not forget the Romanian Ioan Ladanyi that already proved his form on Thursday, placing in the final of a tournament in BK Gomes in Maribor, but eventually losing to Matjaž Erčulj. He has been looking strong in his Memorial matches so far.

The final group is also full of well-known names that bring fear into the bones of the opponents –Marko Lisnić, Josip Šušnjara, Philipp Stojanović and runner-up two years ago, Ante Šustić (all Croatia), Jürgen Jenisy and already mentioned Niklas Kaltenböck (both Austria) Dino Čerimagić from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nove Serafimoski from Macedonia (who had a lot of difficulties in his first round match against our improving Miha Zajc from BK Ilirija. Miha went up 6:4 after trailing 4:1 behind but ran out of energy to bring the match home) and the ever popular aces from Serbia, Martin Martinović and former memorial winner, Šandor Tot. And many, many, many more.

Who will lift the biggest trophy on Sunday night? The draw is complete and the competitors are already resting before their final matches. Join us to find out and – as always – good practice until next time!

______________________

Sobota je bila v Sloveniji resnično dan za biljard, saj se ga je igralo od jutra do sutra. Dve ljubljanski biljardnici, Direkt na Viču in Kaval na Brodu, sta pokali po šivih, polni izjemnih biljardistov, ki so se iz dvanajstih držav za vikend preselili v našo prestolnico, da bi se udeležili najmočnejšega turnirja na sončni strani Alp, IX. memoriala Mateja Grabnarja. V petek zvečer, po akreditacijah, se je v Kavalu izvedel žreb in vsak tekmovalec je vedel, kdaj in kje ga čaka prvi dvoboj. Medtem ko so nekateri lahko spali tudi preko poldneva pa so drugim budilke zvonile že navsezgodaj in jih pošiljale za novo preoblečene mize še pred deveto.

Neuradno titulo kralja prve dne Memoriala si je letos priigral naš Jožko Marinko (BK Ljubljanski zmaji) za najmanj izgubljenih iger. Do finalne skupine se je namreč prebil z dvema suverenima zmagama 7:0 in 7:2.

Prav tako so brez večjih težav med najboljših 64 skočili zadnji trije zmagovalci turnirja, Albin Ouschan (Avstrija, aktualni svetovni podprvak v devetki), Miloš Verkić in Zoran Svilar (oba Srbija). Svilarja se je v prvem dvoboju tesno držal Matic Donoša (BK Johanca) do izenačenja na 4, nato pa je mojster pokazal, zakaj je resen kandidat za končno zmago in brez greške zaključil na 7:4.

Poleg Jožeta je slovenska delegacija po rednem delu v finalno skupino poslala še 6 igralcev. Aktualni državni prvak v desetici, Matjaž Demšar (BK BTC) je bil v svojem prvem dvoboju proti Niklasu Kaltenböcku (Avstrija) ves čas v zaostanku, a mu je uspelo do sedmih dobljenih rezultat obrniti v svoj prid.

Tu sta še brata Erčulj (oba BK Gomes), ki ju ni čakalo lahko opravilo. Boris ni popuščal in je za prehod v finalni K.O. ugnal enega boljših hrvaških tekmovalcev, Boža Primiča, Matjaž pa je najprej izločil Mateja Dakola (Premium BK) – ki je kot dokaz za vračanje v formo najprej Erčulju odvzel 5 rackov, nato pa v repasažu premagal dva nasprotnika za uvrstitev med 64 – nato pa še Aleša Mandiča (BK Johanca), ki je imel celo priložnost, da povede z rezultatom 4-1, a ga je zgrešena težka štirica ustavila na poti in klonil je s 7 proti 4.

V zaključno skupino sta po rednem delu prišla tudi Ana in Mitja Gradišnik (oba BK Ilirija). Ana je potrebovala le eno zmago, da se je pridružila Zrinki Antonijević (Hrvaška) kot druga od treh deklet na tekmovanju, ki se je prebila v finalno skupino. Mitja je v svojih dveh bitkah pokazal, kaj pomeni, igrati vedno bolje, kar je lahko dobra popotnica za nedeljske dvoboje.

Prav tako pa je kot nosilec v final knock out prišel Denis Kragolnik (BK Celje), ki ga že lep čas nismo videli na zveznih turnirjih, a očitno je, da to ne pomeni, da se v tem času ni rokoval z biljardom. Za mizo je izgledal sproščen in pogumen in s tako igro bo težak nasprotnik za kogar koli, ki bi si želel z njim prekrižati palico.

Imamo pa Slovenci še nekaj tekmovalcev, ki so se med najboljše prebili skozi repasaž. Andrej Počeko (BK Ilirija) je z dvema zmagama 7:1 pokazal, zakaj je eden od najbolj nevarnih tekmovalcev, ki je še lahko nastopal v tretji ligi. Tu so še vedno zanesljivi Ilirci Rado Doroslovac, Vid Kuklec in Jure Potočnik, letos zelo suvereni Alen Simonič (BK Gomes), ki je v repasažu moral dvakrat skozi hrib-hrib triler, prvič proti Klemnu Gradišniku (BK Ilirija) in nato še proti Sašu Mežku (BK Johanca).

Iz Gomesa je napredoval tudi Christian Nečimer, ki se je moral zares potruditi, da je iz zaostanka 3:0 prišel v vodstvo in nato do končne zmage 7:4 za prehod med najboljše. Prav tako se niso predali Tomaž Dovgan (BK BTC), Blaž Kolenc (BK Direkt) in Uroš Meglič (BK Johanca), ki nikakor ne bodo prijetno nedeljsko kosilo; kot zadnji pa je tu še Kavalov domačin Andrej Marcijan (BK Ljubljanski zmaji). Pravi, da je sposoben sestaviti štap in takoj zatem zgrešiti kuglo iz roke, ampak šušlja se, da je res samo tisto o štapu.

V nedeljo nas čaka kar precej poslastic. V finalni skupini se bo udarilo več – tudi svetovno – znanih biljardistov in redko kdo bi znal napovedati najboljše, kamoli najboljšega. Po rednem delu je prišel med najboljše hrvaški par z World Cup of Poola, Karlo Dalmatin in Ivica Putnik, Karlo je svoje dvoboje zaključil precej ekspresno, Ivica pa je v svoji drugi bitki spoznal, zakaj se slovenski drugoligaši tako bojijo Saša Mežka – izid je bil skrajno tesen, 7:6 za Hrvata. Prav tako pa sta brez resnih težav med najboljše skočila četrtfinalista z lanskega svetovnega prvenstva dvojic, Madžara Miko Balazs in Gabor Solymosi.

Bo največji pokal domov odnesel kateri od wunderkindov iz Bosne in Hercegovine, Alen Muratović ali Sanjin Pehlivanović? Oba sta pokazala izjemno zbranost in neustrašnost in nihče ne dvomi, da bo tako tudi drugi dan tekmovanja. Ali pa bo še eno stopničko višje stopil Portugalec Henrique Correia, ki je lani končal na tretjem mestu, letos pa si je že nadel zlato kolajno z evropskega prvenstva seniorjev.

Tukaj so še trije Slovaki, ki meljejo nasprotnike, Jakub Koniar, Jaroslav Polach in Stofko Vojtech. In ne pozabimo na Romuna Ioana Ladanyija, ki je svojo formo dokazal že na četrtkovemu turnirju v mariborskem klubu Gomes, ko se je uvrstil v finale, kjer je moral priznati premoč Matjažu Erčulju. Na Memorialu do sedaj ni izgledalo, kot da bo zlahka klonil.

Potem pa so tu še znana imena, strah in trepet nasprotnikov, Marko Lisnić, Josip Šušnjara, Philipp Stojanović in drugouvrščeni izpred dveh let, Ante Šustić (vsi Hrvaška) pa Jürgen Jenisy in že omenjeni Niklas Kaltenböck (oba Avstrija) pa Dino Čerimagić iz Bosne in Hercegovine, Nove Serafimoski iz Makedonije (ki je imel veliko težav v prvem kolu proti našemu, vedno boljšemu, Mihi Zajcu, BK Ilirija. Miha je po zaostanku 4:1 povedel s 6:4, a za zaključek mu je zmanjkalo energije) ter povsod priljubljena asa iz Srbije, Martin Martinović in bivši zmagovalec Memoriala, Šandor Tot; in še mnogi, mnogi drugi, prvi boljši od naslednjega.

Kdo bo dvignil največjega izmed pokalov v nedeljo zvečer? Žreb je opravljen in tekmovalci že počivajo pred zaključnimi dvoboji. Vabljeni v čim večjem številu in, saj veste, dober trening do prihodnjič.

Rezultati:
Skupina A
Skupina B
Skupina C
Skupina D
Finalna skupina