Marika Poikkijoki (FIN)
Portoroz, Slovenia: What an amazing match in the women's semifinal. Marika Poikkijoki (FIN) once more defeated Jasmin Ouschan (AUT) with 6:4.
The story of the match is quickly told. Ouschan has made mistakes that could hardly be ever witnessed from her. Poikkijoki played strong and rock solid and punished Ouschan for every mistake she made. And there were many of them. Ouschan even once missed the 8-ball and pocketed in a wrong pocket. She seemed to be completely off the roll. When being asked after the match whether she would be something like Ouschan's bogey opponent, Poikkijoki said: "Yea, I think I am in that role these days. It is the fourth time that I have beaten her. The difference between me and other players is that I punish her for the mistakes she makes while most others don't do that." Now Poikkijoki will play the final match with Line Kjoersvik (NOR) who eliminated Tamara Peeters-Rademakers (NED) with 6:3. Every time Poikkijoki was able to take out Ouschan from an event, she could never win the event but always had to settle for second place. Will she be able to change this today?
In another great and tight match, unheralded Jim Chawki (SWE) clearly prevailed over Niels Feijen (NED) with 8:5. The final matches in 8-ball will begin at 20:00 CET.
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.
