World Games 2005 in Bottrop/Germany

The World Games is held every fourth year and this year it was the second time that the billiard sports was a part of it.The host of this event was the city Duisburg in germany. 3500 athletes were competing in 40 different sports throughout the two weeks the competition was held. Because of my two european titles which I won this year I got a wildcard from the european federation to take part in it. Billiards were held in the last week, so when I arrived in Duisburg there was already a lot going on. It was a tremendous feeling to see all these bus-loads with professional athletes and security people, it was a lot going on. I really had a feeling I was part of something great.

The billiard tournament was held in Saalbau in Bottrop and 16 of the best Pool players, Snooker players and Carom players were there to compete side by side. In the venue there was room for 800 spectators and it was sold out a couple of weeks before the event started. So you can imagine the atmosphere was great. Among the 16 women who were playing, I was the youngest player and I was ready for action.

My first match was on wednesday (20/07/05) against the young german player Diana Statezny.I knew her from the European championships where I played her in the Straight Pool final. I was a bit nervous at the beginning but I found my rhythm and won 9:2.After a one day break I played Hamanishi Yukiko from Japan in the quarterfinal.It was the first time that I played against her so I couldn´t really estimate her.I had a good start but in the middle of the match I lost my concentration and made a couple of unnecessary mistakes and gave her the chance to take the lead.At the score of 8:5 for her I started making better use of my opportunities and found my way back into the match. I won the 9:8.My opponent in the semifinal was Line Kjorsvik from Norway. I played her a couple of times before, so I knew that she is a really good player and playing in america for a couple of years at the wpba tour as a pro made her very experienced. I knew that would be a tough match. I was very concentrated and focused. I had a really good start and kept her well under control. I won the semifinal with 9:5.After that match I needed some time to realize that I was in the final. I thought “Oh my god I could really win the World Games”. It was a really awesome feeling but I have to say I got a bit nervous, which was a good sign.

In the final I faced Chen Chun Chen from Taiwan. During the tournament she won against the number 1 in the world Allison Fisher. The hall was totally sold out and the chinese TV station was there. We were the first match so everybody was focused on our table. It was a great feeling to play there. I was of course a bit nervous at the beginning but after the first shot my eyes were only on the table. I played really good pool and took a rapid 7:2 lead. After one mistake Chen Chun Chen was able to make 3 more games but that was the only chance I gave her. I knew the victory is mine. I won the World Games 2005 with 9:5 over Chen Chun Chen from Taiwan. I couldn´t believe it. It was really great.

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