Thursday, March 31, 2011: In a relatively one sided final match, Nick Van Den Berg from the Netherlands defeated Mario He (AUT) 11:3 for the European 9-Ball title. “I really wanted the title, I was very focussed.” “Mario is a very good shooter and I never underestimated him”, says the newly crowned Champion. “He played risky shots that I would not have taken, not even in a house tournament” says van den Berg. “You are playing the best players in the World here and you cannot go for any more risk than necessary.” “When I was younger, I played those shots myself and I had to learn that these risks are not good to take, especially not in a final”. He does have a lot of respect for his opponent though. “He will be in the top group of European pool players. Maybe he is already there. He is a great shot maker”. Nick van den Berg is the current #1 player on the Euro-Tour rankings and now also the 9-ball European Champion. When asked about his next goal, he says with a smile: “I want to snatch a World Champion title now.”
Mario He said after the final: “I feel great though I lost. I have achieved the silver medal and that makes me very happy.” “I am satisfied with my performance in the event.” “I was a bit tired in the final and I tried to just go in there and play Nick and see what I can do. It didn't work out in the final but it did in the earlier matches.” Nick van den Berg is a well-earned 2011 9-ball Champion.
Final Standings:
1. Nick van den Berg (NED)
2. Mario He (AUT)
3. Huidji See (NED)
Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz (ESP)
5. Kim Laaksonen (FIN)
Mariusz Skoneczny (POL)
Niels Feijen (NED)
Serge Das (BEL)
