Court with a view
For the second year in a row, the Billiards Carom Eurocup was a success. Inas Mazhar attended the one-week event
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The highlight of this year's championship was the table, placed in a pyramid-shaped glass court on an island in the Red Sea
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Infront of a high spectator turn-out on the island of Magawish, Sweden's world number one Torbion Blaundahl entertained the audience with world-class carom to win the French Eurocup. In an exciting three-hour game, Blaundahl took avenge on last year's defeat, taking down Italy's defending champion Marco Zanetti 3-0.
World champion Blaundahl took his trophy from Ibrahim Nafie, head of Al-Ahram's board of directors, Minister of Youth Alieddin Hilal, Red Sea Governor Saad Abu Reida, President of the International Billiards Federation Jean- Claude Debon, and Wolfgang Rithman president of the European Billiards Federation.
Blaundahl said he has been determined to clinch the title since day one.
"The atmosphere here is great," Blaundahl said. "For the second year in a row I'm playing in the open air, in a glass court on an island surrounded by the great and magnificent Red Sea. How couldn't anybody be impressed by such conditions with the spectators so much aware of the game and supporting the players all the way."
"I hope to come here every year. I don't want to miss being here," the crowned Eurocup champion told Al-Ahram Weekly in praise of the tournament and its unique location.
Belgium's Frederick Codron placed third, ahead of Turkish Taifoun Tashdimir who placed in fourth place.
Organiser Al-Ahram has been keen to surprise the public with both spectacular play and a new display of talent. Turkish player Sameih Saginir came as one of those treats, entertaining the audience with a show of his skills of the ball. For half an hour, the Turkish player captured the audience in awe -- instigating the frequent eruption of applause.
Saginir is world renown for his spectacular shows; dubbed by his local press as "Prince of Turkey", and famous as well for his sense of humour while displaying the hard routines with the ball.
"This is the first time I come to Egypt. I was glad when I was asked by the organisers to display my show, so I have prepared new routines specially for you today," Saginir told the audience before his little show proceeding the final match.
The championship -- like all other Ahram sports events -- has become a spotlight event.
"Every year we have new surprises to the spectators whether in the opening ceremonies or the closing ceremonies," said Ibrahim Hegazy, head of the Al-Ahram Sports Championships Committee and editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram sports magazine, explaining the oragnisational philosophy of Al-Ahram. "The history of Al-Ahram championships goes back eight years. We started with squash, handball, billiards and lately futsal. We don't want them to get bored. It's not only the games and the competition they come to watch but other activities as well. When they go back home to their countries, they have new stories to tell their friends, different from previous years," he continued. "Our ideas are always fresh. It takes us a lot of time and effort to think of new ideas and carry them out. They should be outstanding, unique and spectacular."
The billiards table this year was set in a pyramid-shape glass court, with the spotlights sparkling on the waters of the Red Sea in the night.
