Bahram Lotfy (DEN)
Portoroz, Slovenia: In an amazing match, Bahram Lotfy (DEN) eliminated former World Champion Oliver Ortmann (GER) with 9:5.
The match probably could not have gone any better for Lotfy or any worse for Ortmann. Statistics of the match say that both players played on an equal level. They both missed the same amount of shots and with regards to safety play, Ortmann even had the better shots. But the result tells another story. Lotfy had some really good rolls in this match. That together with Ortmann having tough luck allowed him to get an advantage over Ortmann which the German was never able to equalize again. At 3:2 to Lotfy, he missed an easy shot on the 2-ball and the layout looked like easy prey for Ortmann. But Ortmann dogged the 8-ball so Lotfy got the point instead of him. The match was probably completely decided in racks seven to nine. In the 7th rack at a score of 4:2 for Lotfy, Ortmann ran out of position for the 8-ball. Lotfy accepted the present; 5:2. The next rack, Ortmann leaves the table with a great safety position on the 5-ball for Lotfy. The Danish player aimed and hit the 5-ball. But that was not all. The 5-ball was even pocketed and he got position for the next ball; 6:2. In the 9th rack, history repeated itself since Lotfy fluked the 5-ball in again after a good safety shot from Ortmann. The score was now 7:2 in favor of Lotfy who knew that he was a bit lucky. He could not be stopped by Ortmann -who made several mistakes in the final stage of the match - any more and won the match with 9:5. "In this tournament I defeated both, Ralf Souquet and Oliver Ortmann for the first time", stated proud Lotfy after the match. "I know that luck was on my side but 9-ball is a game where luck is a considerable factor." "For me the pressure was very very high. Oliver is one of the players that I have always looked up to so I really wanted to win this time." "We both made some bad mistakes and in the end, I am very glad that I was able to win against Oliver." "I had a good run this morning; maybe that helped", said likable Lotfy before he left the arena.
Other notable results from the 9-ball individuals include another legend, BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet (GER) being kicked out by unheralded Marko Lisnic (CRO). "He just played better than me. He was very strong and deserved the win", stated fair sportsman Souquet afterwards. Straight Pool Champion Nick van den Berg (NED) received a 9:1 lesson from Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS). Defending Champion Francisco Diaz (ESP) lost out to Mateusz Sniegocki (POL) with 8:9.
In the women's division, Line Kjoersvik had the better end in her match with Kamila Khodjaeva (BEL). She left the table as a 7:4 winner. Louise Furberg (SWE) booked her ticket for the round of the final 16 players with a 7:5 victory over Katarzyna Wesolowska (POL). Nataliya Seroshtan (RUS) ended Kynthia Orfanidis' hopes for a medal in 9-ball with 7:5.
In the wheelchair division, Matej Brajkovic (SLO) seems to play the tournament of his life so far. After good performance in 10-ball and 8-ball already, he now defeated Jouni Tahti (FIN) with 7:4 to make it to the semi-final. Since this was the winner's qualification round, Tahti will get one more chance to make it to the semi-final. Tony Southern (GBR) won over Fred Dinsmore (IRL) with 7:4.
Today, two more rounds of 9-ball individuals will be played. At 17:00 CET, the team competition will begin. The final rounds of the 9-ball individuals will be completed tomorrow.
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 or contact our press office.
