The European Open Pool Championship is back, and Nineball fans are in for a treat as some of the world’s best players compete for the prestigious title. Defending champion David Alcaide from Spain is among those returning to the tables, determined to retain his crown after a thrilling victory in 2023.
Tournament Overview
The tournament, held at the Hotel Esperanto in Fulda, Germany, is part of the World Nineball Tour and has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in the pool calendar. It kicked off on August 6 and will conclude on August 11, with 256 players battling it out in a double-elimination format until the last 16, where it switches to single elimination.
Who to Watch
Several big names are participating this year, including:
- David Alcaide (Spain): The defending champion and world number seven.
- Albin Ouschan (Austria): The 2022 European Open champion, looking to reclaim his title.
- Anton Raga (Philippines): Last year’s runner-up, aiming to go one step further this time.
- Jayson Shaw (Great Britain): A fan favorite with a fierce competitive streak.
Latest Results
The competition has been intense, with some surprising upsets and thrilling matches. Jayson Shaw and snooker champion Gary Wilson have already been knocked out, while Alcaide has advanced to the last 16.
Day Four Highlights:
- Fedor Grost defeated Aleksa Pecelj 10-5.
- Skyler Woodward triumphed over Szymon Kural with a 10-3 victory.
- Daniel Maciol edged out Aloysius Yapp in a close 10-8 match.
Prize Money
The 2024 European Open Pool Championship has a total prize pot of £200,000, with the winner set to take home £30,000. Here’s a breakdown of the prize money:
- Winner: £30,000
- Runner-up: £15,000
- Semi-finalists: £9,500
- Quarter-finalists: £6,000
- Last 16: £4,000
- Last 32: £2,000
- Last 64: £1,000
- Last 128: £500
How to Watch
Fans can catch the early rounds on the Matchroom Pool YouTube channel, although only one table is available for viewing. Coverage will expand from the quarter-finals onward, broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix with two sessions at 11am and 5:30pm BST.
FAQs
The championship starts with a double-elimination format until the last 16, after which it becomes single elimination. Matches are a race to nine frames until the last 16, where it becomes a race to 11 frames.
The tournament concludes on Sunday, August 11, 2024.
The early rounds are streamed live on Matchroom Pool’s YouTube channel, and later rounds will be broadcast on Sky Sports Mix.