CERVERA –Raul Cuenca from Spain won his third European gold medal this Wednesday in Cervera, Spain, it was his second in the discipline of one cushion. The 45-year-old classic player won the European title by defeating Austria's Arnim Kahofer 120-100 in 17innings (7.05) in the final. The low averages were understandable given the tension and fierce battle with many difficult positions between the two finalists. Raymund Swertz and Willy Gérimont joined them on the podium.
Raul Cuenca's European crown had a Dutch touch, as the Spaniard defeated two Dutchmen in the run-up to the final: first Gert-Jan Veldhuizen 120-33 in 7 innings, then Raymund Swertz 120-46 in 13 innings in the semi-final. In both matches, Cuenca was superior with averages of 17.14 and 9.23. Arnim Kahofer reached the final with an even better match. The Austrian defeated Frenchman Willy Gérimont in the semi-final 120-41 in just 5 innings: the best average of the entire tournament with 24.00 and a run of 82. That was just short of the highest run of this European Championship: that was achieved by Xavier Gretillat in the group stage against Michael Hikl: 85.
Some of the favorites had already been eliminated before the final phase, such as Patrick Niessen with an average of 2.57, Xavier Gretillat and Nikolas Gerassimopoulos.
The eight players from the preliminary rounds qualified for the quarter-finals. The most exciting match was between Raymund Swertz and Esteve Mata, which ended in a draw after a marathon over 32 innings: 120-120 (3.75 average). The Spaniard Mata started the shoot-out with a miss, then Raymund Swertz scored and qualified for the semi-finals.
Raul Cuenca defeated Dutchman Gert-Jan Veldhuizen 120-33 in 7, Arnim Kahofer was the better against Peter De Backer 120-86 in 9, and Willy Gérimont won the French battle against Xavier Leroy 120-94 in 22.
Raymund Swertz was also unable to show his usual fast pace in the semi-finals and lost to Raul Cuenca 120-46 in 13. Arnim Kahofer, in turn, was also too strong for Willy Gérimont, winning 120-41.
The match for the gold medal went back and forth for a long time in a match with ups and downs for both players. The best final shot was for Raul Cuenca, who won 120-100 in 29 turns.
The final ranking at the European championship one cushion:
- Raul Cuenca 11-7.85-58
- Arnim Kahofer 8-8.57-82
- Willy Gérimont 8-7.81-39
- Raymund Swertz 8-6.65-73
- Peter De Backer 6-6.22-38
- Gert-Jan Veldhuizen 5-5.84-29
- Xavier Leroy 4-5.51-53
- Esteve Mata 4-5.00-49
- Xavier Gretillat 2-7.22-85
- Nikolas Gerassimopoulos 2-4.58-28
Tomorrow, Thursday, the European championships continue with the 47/2 balkline game. All matches can be viewed live on Kozoom.
The new European champion in one cushion, Raul Cuenca
Arnim Kahofer lost his title and took the silver medal
