Bruno Muratore (ITA) Foto: EPBF/AMM
In a thrilling match, Bruno Muratore (ITA) remained the upper hand over Imran Majid (GBR) with 8:7.
The match was equal – on paper and on the slate. Both players are part of the European elite for many years now. So it was no wonder that the fight between the two was close and on a high level. Majid had the better start and got s small advantage over Muratore, taking a 5:3 lead. Muratore struggled with his position play but he never showed any sign of surrender to Majid. He hung in there and even managed to tie the match at 6:6. Then Majid was able to take the next rack and get on the hill first. The pressure was on for Muratore. The Italian hope tied the match again and made it 7:7 – hill-hill! What a drama. Then Muratore broke the final rack. He allowed Majid back to the table and the layout of the pool balls looked very promising to Majid. No problems, just making a few more shots to win the match. But Majid missed an easy 4-ball in the side pocket. That was more than Muratore needed. He ran the rack and tore the match away from Majid, winning 8:7.Muratore will stay in the winner's round while Majid needs to make his way through the loser's bracket now.
Other notable results of the winner's round include Tomasz Kaplan (POL) defeating Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) with 8:6. Stephan Cohen (FRA) smashed Manuel Ederer (GER) with 8:2. Former World Champion Karl Boyes (GBR) lost 5:8 to Gabor Solymosi (HUN). “The Tornado”Tony Drago (MLT) just made it over Bozo Primic (CRO) with 8:7.
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.
