Souquet Wins World 8-Ball Championship

Ronnie Alcano Reign as a WORLD champion came to an end Friday courtesy of the same man he beat to achieve full stardom two years ago. Ralf Souquet of Germany finally exacted revenge with a 13-9 conquest of defending champion Alcano in the finals of the 2008 World 8-Ball Championship in Fujairah City, United Arab Emirates. The clean-shaven German, who lost to Alcano in the finals of the World Pool (9-ball) Championship in Manila in 2006, pounced on a poor start by the Filipino to grab a 3-0 lead which he skillfully protected throughout.

Souquet, who bagged the top purse of $60,000, became just the fourth cue artist -- after Efren "Bata" Reyes, Taiwanese Wu Chia-ching and Alcano -- to hold both the world 8-ball and 9-ball plums. He won his 9-ball title in 1996.

The 35-year-old Alcano, top gun of star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano and the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), won all his previous matches in astounding fashion, while Souquet had to go through the back door after losing his opening match in the $200,000 tournament. But in the game that mattered most, Alcano started sluggishly and eventually settled for the $20,000 runner-up prize.

Alcano later apologized for failing to live up to expectations, saying the breaks went against him early. "I promise to redeem myself and give honor to our country the next time," Alcano vowed. Alcano won the lag but his two straight dry breaks had Souquet taking a 3-0 lead, which the latter stretched to five after 11 racks.

The Filipino then caught fire and pocketed five of the next six racks to close in at 9-8. He had a chance to even the match when the German broke dry in Rack 18, but he was unable to clean it up.

Souquet's victory meant the two world titles are now in Europe. The world 9-ball tiara is in the hands of Englishman Darryl Peach, who claimed it last year at the expense of Filipino Roberto Gomez.

The next best Filipino finisher was world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, who made it to the semifinals and bagged $10,000. Warren Kiamco of BMPAP and Negros Billiards Stable of Jonathan Sy finished fifth worth $6,000, while Alan Cuartero received $3,000 for reaching the Last 16.

Ralf Souquet: Paris Open 9-Ball – Title defended

For the sixth time, the Paris Open 9-Ball were organized and as the defending champion, I was seeded fort he final round of 16 players. The two Dutchmen Nick van den Berg and Niels Feijen as well as the English player Imran Majid were also directly invited to the final round.

On day one, the qualification rounds were played with 64 participants and some European top players qualified for the final round. In the previous years, this was not possible, because only French players could play the qualification stages.
The format was a KO bracket with matches in races to 10 with winner break and the venue was the private club „Clichy Montmartre“.

My first opponent was Frenchman Emmanuel Lemaire, against whom I had recently played at a EuroTour event. As before in the Netherlands, Lemaire seemed to have too much respect and made a few easy mistakes. The result was an undisputed 10-2.

In the quarter-finals, I was opposed to the next Frenchman, Stephane Cohen. This was a much tougher task and I managed to improve my game. Even if my game was all but perfect, I was in full control of the match, Cohen made a few mistakes and I won 10-5.
In the semi-final, I had to play against Niels Feijen (NED), against whom I had not always convinced in the past. I tried once more to play better and partly succeeded. I finally deserved to win 10-5 and had entered once more after 2007 the final of the Paris Open.

My opponent in the final was an old acquaintance, since I had played Yannick Beaufils (FRA) already at the IPT tour and last year at the Paris Open. Beaufils had eliminated in the first round of the final bracket Imran Majid, than last year’s runner-up Vincent Facquet (FRA) and in the semi-final Jonni Fulcher who plays for Switzerland.

As expected, the final was a thriller, even if both players did not enjoy lucky break shots. So, the match went on a quiet pace and we had a few safety battles. I had gained a small advantage right from the beginning of the match and was leading by two and three racks, but then Beaufils came back into the match and even equalled the score at 8-8. I was about to trail for the first time, when the French player made an incredible mistake by missing an easy 7 ball. I could run out the rack and re-gain the lead at 9-8 and the trophy was in reach. I ran out the last rack and had won the title at the Paris Open for the second consecutive time.

Final Names added to 2008 World Pool Masters Line-up

The final names have been added to the players’ roster for the forthcoming 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters which takes place at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from May 9 to May 11.

Filipino superstars Francisco Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan have confirmed their attendance as well as top-rated Europeans Ralf Souquet (Germany) and Niels Feijen of Holland.

With 16 players in the field competing for a $62,000 prize fund, event promoters Matchroom Sport believe they have assembled the strongest line-up yet in the 16 year history of the event.

“With four World 9 Ball Champions, six US Open Champions and a host of other title-holders in the field, I believe that this will be the toughest ever World Pool Masters,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn.

“With winner breaks, race to eight matches on the toughest equipment it will take a series of fantastic performances over the three days to lift this prestigious trophy,” he added.

Other recent confirmations include 2001 US Open Champion Corey Deuel and a quartet of stars recently qualified from the Euro Tour.

They are the latest English 9 Ball sensation Mark Gray, Germany’s dangerous Christian Reimering, up-and-coming Italian player Bruno Muratore and 2006 Mosconi Cup player Imran Majid (England).

World Junior Champion, the 18 year-old Ko Pin-Yi of Taiwan cemented his credentials to a Masters spot at the weekend by coming from 14-4 down to beat Dennis Orcollo 15-14 and lift the Brunswick Thailand 9 Ball Open.

Elsewhere, 2003 Masters Champion Tony Drago won the Paris Open at the weekend, his first Euro Tour title, after three losing finals.

2008 World Pool Masters Field:

Daryl Peach (England)
Thomas Engert (Germany)
Mika Immonen (Finland)
Tony Drago (Malta)
Shane Van Boening (USA)
Rodney Morris (USA)
Francisco Bustamante (Philippine)
Alex Pagulayan (Philippines)
Ko Pin-ye (Chinese Taipei)
Niels Feijen (Netherlands)
Ralf Souquet (Germany)
Corey Deuel (USA)
Mark Gray (England)
Christian Reimering (Germany)
Bruno Moratore (Italy)
Imran Majid (England)

Souquet over Bustamante for Derby 9-Ball Title

It took two sets to do it, but Ralf Souquet has defeated Francisco Bustamante to win the Derby City Classic 9-Ball Division.

Souquet came into the finals as the favorite with an undefeated record and two wins over John Schmidt under his belt to get him comfortable with the speed of the TV table while Bustamante had been sitting for hours taking advantage of back to back byes.

Souquet took a quick 2-0 lead, but Bustamante took complete control of the match after that and won seven straight games for a 7-2 win.

Souquet used his buyback option and the players got ready to play one more time to determine the champion. This time it was Bustamante who took a 1-0 lead, but Souquet won the next three games for a 3-1 lead. Bustamante took advantage of two missed balls in rack five to narrow Souquet's lead to one at 3-2, but then it was Souquet who took control of the match and won the next four straight games for the 7-2 win.

Souquet earned $17,500 for first place, while Bustamante settled for $8,800. Bustamante was also consoled with the $20,000 all around bonus. One pocket winner Gabe Owen took 2nd in the all around and Souquet's 9-ball win earned him third place.

Souquet vs Bustamante for Derby 9-Ball

The finals of the Derby City Classic 9-Ball Division are now underway. Ralf Souquet will face Francisco Bustamante and Bustamante will face the task of defeating Souquet twice.

With three players left in the event, Bustamante drew a bye and Souquet had to play John Schmidt. Souquet won that match 7-6, but Schmidt had a buyback available and bought back into the event.

Bustamante had the luck of the draw again and drew the bye which forced Souquet to face Schmidt again. The score was 7-5 the second time, but it was still the same winner as Souquet eliminated Schmidt.

Souquet will now face Bustamante. Souquet has a buyback available, while Bustamante does not.

Bustamante has already locked up the all around award.

Souquet beats Schmidt, faces Schmidt again

Ralf Souquet scored a 7-6 win over John Schmidt in round thirteen of the Derby City Classic 9-Ball Division; and his reward for that win was another match with Schmidt in round fourteen.

Both Schmidt and Souquet went into round thirteen with buyback options available, while Francisco Bustamante took advantage of a bye. After the Souquet won, Schmidt exercised his buyback and Bustamante drew the bye again.

Schmidt is now without a buyback, and will be eliminated from the event if he falls to Souquet in this match.

Ralf Souquet

Ralf Souquet (born 29 November 1968 in Eschweiler, Germany) is a German professional pool player. His nicknames are "the Kaiser" and "the Surgeon." Since 1981, he has won more than 200 tournament titles, including 41 German Champion and 32 European Champion titles.

He began playing billiards at the age of six in his parents' pub, practicing up to five hours per day. He won his first German Championship title at the age of fourteen in the juniors division. In 1985, Souquet co-won his first European Championship team title with the National Team, and in 1986 won his first individual title at the European Championship (juniors division). In 1997, he received the Silberne Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf), the highest official distinction awarded to sportspeople by Germany, which was presented to him by German President Roman Herzog.

In the 2006 WPA Men's World Nine-ball Championship in Manila, Philippines, he lost the final to Ronato Alcano 17-11. Souquet won the World Pool Masters Tournament for the fifth time in June 2006. He represented Team Europe in the 2006 Mosconi Cup in his twelfth appearance.

Personal Background

• Name: Ralf Souquet
• Known as: "the Kaiser" or "the Surgeon"
• Sex: Male
• Age: 39 years old
• Date of Birth: 29 November 1968
• Place of Birth: Eschweiler, Germany
• Country: Germany
• Nationality: German
• Hobbies: Playing pool
• Spouse: na
• Sports: Billiard

Achievements:

• World Pool Masters (1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2006)
• WPA World Nine-ball Championship (1996)
• International Challenge of Champions (1996)
• US Open 14.1 Championship (2000)
• US Open Nine-ball Championship (2002)
• BCA Open Nine-ball Championship (2003, 2006)
• All-Japan Pool Championship (2004)
• Derby City Nine-ball Classic (2004, 2006)

Trivia:

• Ralf Souquet is a German professional pool player. His nicknames are "the Kaiser" and "the Surgeon." Since 1981, he has won more than 200 tournament titles, including 41 German Champion and 32 European Champion titles.

• He began playing billiards at the age of six in his parents' pub, practicing up to five hours per day. He won his first German Championship title at the age of fourteen in the juniors division. In 1985, Souquet co-won his first European Championship team title with the National Team, and in 1986 won his first individual title at the European Championship (juniors division). In 1997, he received the Silberne Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf), the highest official distinction awarded to sportspeople by Germany, which was presented to him by German President Roman Herzog.

• In the 2006 WPA Men's World Nine-ball Championship in Manila, Philippines, he lost the final to Ronato Alcano 17-11. Souquet won the World Pool Masters Tournament for the fifth time in June 2006. He represented Team Europe in the 2006 Mosconi Cup in his twelfth appearance.