SOISSONS - The Soissons team headed by Eddy Merckx has qualified first for the final round of the French team championship. The leading team in Group A qualified this Thursday evening with an 8-0 victory over Intermarché. In Group B, the Blois Doozy team moved closer to the finals after a 6-2 win over Colmar. The two matches were played on Thursday evening, the matches between Albert and Andernos and Douarnenez's match against Saint-Quentin are played today, Friday.
Without its leading player Nikos Polychronopoulos, Intermarché was no match for Soissons at home. The title favorites played a 1.500 team average for a clear 8-0 score, while the Girondins achieved only 0.896. Eddy Merckx was the leading man to show the way in his match against Francis Connesson, the veteran who was defeated 40-10 in 20 innings without a chance: 2,000 average against 0,500.
Mikael Devogelaere beat Ghani Refassi 40-32 in 29 despite a superb run of 15 for Refassi. Pierre Soumagne won against Marc Boingnères 40-36 in 34 innings, Jérémy Bury beat Frédéric Mottet 40-17 in 23.
Soissons now has 9 out of 10 achievable points with only the 6th and final day to play. The team has secured a place among the top two in the group, with a good chance of first place. As for Intermarché, qualification or relegation is a possibility, it will depend on the result of tonight's match between Douarnenez and Saint-Quentin.
In Group B, Blois Doozy won 6-2 at home to Colmar (1,400/1,247). The promoted team now has 7 out of 10 possible points at the end of matchday 5! Blois Doozy are comfortably leading but not yet qualified for the Final Four.
Glenn Hofman, the leader, was the only one to suffer a loss. Ruben Legazpi saved the honour for the visitors by beating the Dutchman 40-27 in 22 innings. Tolgahan Kiraz was Blois' best man with 40-30 in 18 against Sergio Jimenez. Adrien Tachoire asserted himself with 40-26 in 19 innings against Jean Haby, Maxime Panaia secured the points with 40-35 in 46 against Jérôme Riotto.
Blois Doozy is having a successful season, but Colmar, the other team promoted this season, was less so. Despite a team average of 1,202 over the season, Colmar risks relegation with only 2 match points and 12 individual match points (out of a possible 40). Today's match between Albert and Andernos could seal Colmar's fate.
Albert is on 5 points, Andernos on 4!