IPT Qualifier in Oslo/Norway and Pratteln/Switzerland

The 2007 IPT Qualifying Tournament will take place in December in Las Vegas and there are still a lot of players who are trying to qualify for this event. There are lots of rumours going around about the future of the IPT but I don’t care. All I care right now is to play good pool and qualify. My first try was in Oslo again where I already qualified for the tournament in Reno. At the beginning I lost to the Nr.4 in English Pool Christophe Lambert from France. With a lot of concentration and motivation I won my next match against Lars Harald Riber with 10:9 and 10:7 against the Spanish Victor Tapies and I was back in the tournament. In the next match I faced Jimmy Wikman from Finland and this match did not run well at all. I increased my level from match to match, so I felt really strong and focused. At the beginning I could show it on the table as well when I took a rapid 3:1 lead. But all of a sudden the match changed and especially the luck at the break. I couldn’t make a ball on the break anymore and he ran out one rack after another. I didn’t give up and when I finally got a chance I run out but I could do what I want. In the end I lost 10:5 and I only finished 4^th.

After the Oslo Qualifier I went straight to the next Qualifier in Pratteln/Switzerland. We played in a building in the industry area and on the weekends it is because of the pool tables, bowling and disco a meeting point for teenagers and adults. I started with a bad performance in the first match which sent me to the losers round. But I was not defeated yet. With a very good game I managed to win the next three matches before I had to play Stephan Cohen from France for the qualifying spot. This match became very nerve racking. I had a good break but again the balls decided not to go in, which was a really big disadvantage. In a short time I was trailing 7:3. I ran out every time I got a chance but my break didn’t work out. With good pool I fought back into the match and at the score of 9:8 for me I had the break. I was hoping for a little luck but again I had to go back to my player seat. He took the chance and finished the match with 10:9. This time I finished 3^rd and I couldn't believe it. Cohen had 6 Break&Run-Outs and I had 9 Breaks but only 3 times I made a ball. Because of my packed schedule I only have one more chance left and this will be the Qualifier in November in Oslo.

Results:

Oslo

Pratteln