Szewczyk loses to Mehmetcik in first winner's round of straight pool
Friday, 27 July 2012: One of the things that make sports so special is that one cannot
always predict what is going to happen.
In the first winner's round, defending 9-ball European Champion and runner-up at last year's juniors World 9-Ball Championship, Wojciech Szewczyk (POL) got clearly defeated by unheralded Berk Mehmetcik (TNC) with 10:100. Mehmetcik played very well and used the few chances that he was given. “I did not get to play my A-level game”, said Szewczyk after the match, “and luck was not on my side. But in all fairness, Berk deserved to win since he has played much better than I did”. That was a statement from the modest Polish gentleman as we know him – always a sportsman, always fair. He now needs to make his way through the loser's bracket while it will be interesting to see how Mehmetcik will proceed in the event.
Another unexpected match was taking place between Finn Eschment (GER) and Tobias Trattnig (AUT). Both players are known to be steady straight pool players and normally perform on a high level. However, today's match between the two was far from that. The encounter was determined by errors and mistakes from both sides. “I have no idea what is wrong with Tobias,” said Erich Matheis, one of the Austrian coaches, “it looks like he has not even arrived at the EC yet”. Consequently, Eschment won the match with 100:20.
The defending Champion in the juniors 14/1 competition is Bence Varga from Hungary. He defeated Nicolas Ernst (SUI) 100:53 and his victory was never really in danger.
The event will be 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.
