One of the biggest billiard events in the world had a sensational end. Karol Skowerski (POL) defeated… Mateusz Sniegocki (POL) 8:6 in final match of World Pool Masters. The third place got Denis Orcollo (PHI) and Nick van den Berg (NL).

16 great billiard players took part in in the tournament organized by Matchroom Sport and Swietokrzyskie Billiard Association. The event took place in Hala Legionow in Kielce. Deputies if the Polish Parlament – Z. Pacelt and L. Pietrzczyk, Vicemarshal of Swietokrzyskie Voivodship – G. Swiercz and the President of the city of Kielce – W. Lubawski were the guests of the event. The players were seuprised by the hosts. Everyone competitor had his own fun-club clothed in his national colors. The opening ceremony was graced by singing of the beautiful vocalists.

Surprisingly in the first round from the tournament dropped out the defending champion – Ralf Souquet (GER), Shane van Boening (USA) and Ko Pin-Yi (TPE). All of them were defeated by Poles. Darren Appleton lost with Tony Drago. Close to the quarterfinal was the fourth of the Polish players – Radoslaw Babica, who was leading 7:3 with Mika Immonen (FIN) but finally lost 7:8. The only woman, who took part in this tournament – world champion – Kelly Fisher (USA) lost with Denis Orcollo. The next round was thrilling. Two of Poles made another surprise – M. Sniegocki won with Alex Pagulayan (CAN) and k. Skowerski defeated Tony Drago. To the semifinals got also D. Orcollo and N. van den Berg who were considered as a favorites, but Skowerski and Sniegocki played better and got to the final. In the last match Skoweski was leading 6:0. In that moment Mateusz Sniegocki woke up and got next 5 racks and the score was 6:5 but Skowerski was better in the endgame and won 8:5. The winner couldn’t believe in his success for a long time. “I still can’t believe it and maybe tomorrow morning when my wife pinches me it may sink in,” said Karol Skowerski. “The money is not important and if I’d have thought about it in any way then I wouldn’t have achieved this success. I’m going home now to see my wife Alina and three month old son Jan and if we can find a baby-sitter then we will be out celebrating!”

All matches of World Pool Masters were recorded by Matchroom Sport and will be soon shown on TV stations on 3 continents (Europe, Asia, North America). The atmosphere was great in hall. The spectators were applauding also the winners and losers. Few hundreds of billiard funs were getting the autographs and taking pictures with the players. Polish Billiard Association invited to Kielce pupils playing in school billiard clubs. Around 100 children came in total. The presence during such a great event was a wonderful experience to them. Many people snatched the opportunity to buy some billiard equipment offered by Mak Marketing Company from Kielce. The fantastic atmosphere was during the evening meetings in Kielce Billiard Centre, where players, organizers and funs were meeting all together. We can say the WPM was a great holiday of billiard sport.

“ I was a chef of organization committees of many international events, including European Championships, but here, for the first time was fully supported by the partner. It was a pleasure to work in that conditions. I would like to thank all team I worked with, the President of the city of Kielce and the Director of the Department of Sport and Tourism Promotion for the support. I hope that we will be able to continue the cooperation with Matchroom.” summed up Marcin Krzeminski – the host of WPM.

The President of Polish Billiard Association – Grzegorz Kedzierski didn’t hide the tears of happiness: “ We were waiting 19 years for this success . I am very happy especially that Karol, who is my apprentice from the very beginning. He came for the first time for the training to our billiard centre placed in primary school in 1995. I was teaching there.”

“ It was a wonderful tournament with blinding opening ceremony. The idea to invite the youngest billiard players was a bullseye. We are very glad of the cooperation with the host of the event. I would like to thank my friend – Marcin Krzeminski – this tournament wouldn’t have been organized without him.” Said Luke Riches – media manager in Matchroom.

Results:

The 2012 ClubWPT.com World Pool Masters is sponsored by ClubWPT.com. Cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis, Super Aramith balls by Saluc, tables by Diamond Billiards and the Official Cue and Chalk is Predator.