According to its website, the organizers of the three-day tourney had earlier decided to transfer the playing venue from Lloret de Mar, Girona to Guitart Grand Monterey Hotel in Day 1 after Europe continued to experience storm and the heaviest snow downfall in 30 years.

But the bad weather persisted in the next playing day, prompting the organizers to play only until the Last 16. The tournament resumes competition in Sao, Paolo Brazil in an unspecified date in summer this year.

Snow, rain, Europe hasnt experienced this kind of weather in 30 years. Only two out of the three days of plays could be completed, the website said, adding that the organizers will shoulder the airfare and hotel accommodation of the players going to Brazil.

The effect of the heavy snow downfall was actually felt by British players including World No. 3 Darren Appleton and former World 9-Ball champion Daryl Peach as they were refrained from seeing action in the tournament after most of Englands airports were shut down due to heavy snow.

Meanwhile, the Davao-based Corteza reached the Last 16 after defeating the hosts David Alcoberro, 8-6.

Peach started off his career as a snooker professional

He won the 1995 European Masters and was part of Europe’s 1995 Mosconi Cup team that beat USA

The pockets on an American Pool table are huge – is the game easy?

Pockets are larger than snooker tables for example, but in a way this makes the game more difficult than easier because how do you keep your opponent from the table? It’s easy to pot balls and run the table when all the balls are there to be potted, it’s when you can’t make a pot or are hooked (snookered) for example that is the hardest part of the game to master. If it was so easy then why don’t you see ANY snooker players playing and winning the big world events? Because its a myth about it been an easy game – that’s why!
It’s usually obvious when a snooker player plays American Pool. However, you look like a fully fledged shooter! How did you adapt from snooker to 9 ball?

Believe it or not I have reverted back to my old snooker approach a little because I have tried all sorts of things and at the end of the day you really should stick to what you know.
In American Pool – there are so many different disciplines. What cuesport game are you best at?

I think I am quite decent at most pool disciplines, I have finished 5th in World 8 Ball Championship and 7th in IPT 8ball event.

I have won numerous events at 9ball and I finished 3rd in the European Straight Pool Championships at my first and only attempt!

However, my real love is 9 Ball.

“I don’t worry about other players – I concentrate on my own game! ”
Daryl Peach

You won your first Eurotour event this year – the German Open. Did you ever lose belief in winning a Eurotour event?

I never lost belief in winning a Eurotour because at the end of the day I have only been playing on the tour for 3 and 3/4 years.
You came through a tough field to earn a coveted tour card in 2006 for the International Pool Tour (IPT) which sadly has been a financial disaster. Financial problems aside – what did you think about the format of the tour?

I thought IPT format was superb…the best players always came through. If I had a choice I would make it 10 Ball though!
If a sponsor offered you a $1m to stage a tournament – what kind of cuesport event tell us what tournament you would run…

With $1m for an event it would have to be a world team cup with 5 players per team. Thirty two teams on Diamond tables held in Blackpool – the Vegas of the UK!
You’ve been top of the UK rankings for much of your 9 ball career. How have you kept motivated?

The reason I have been at the top of the UK rankings for ever is because I have kept my game improving by travelling to overseas events, and watching and learning from the best players!
What do you think makes a good coach?

Over the past few years I have done a little bit of coaching, and for pool I truly believe that knowledge of the game is 70% of what is needed to succeed. And I now have plenty of that along with a few more laughter lines!
If you could afford to have a coach travel with you everywhere to be on hand and help you with your game who would it be?

I think my best coach would be my dad because usually for top players the problems start in your head and my dad knows me as good as anyone.
Do you use the diamond system?

I do use some diamond systems but to be honest it’s not just one system – there are around 100 systems. Some work for some players and others work for other players.
A lot of players are driven by rivalry whether it be friendly or competitive. Are there any UK players that have helped you play better?

I don’t worry about other players – I concentrate on my own game!
American Pool is popular all over the globe – and much bigger than snooker worldwide. Do you think 9 Ball will take off in the UK?

All the time the game is getting much bigger in the UK and I even hear that there maybe a Eurotour event in the UK next year!
How do you cope with the lows of being a pool player?

I cope with the lows by thinking about my baby – looking at pictures of her always brings a smile to my face!
How will you feel if your daughter wants to play on the pool circuit?

My daughter will be what she wants to be…and both me and Lesley will be behind her 200%!
What do you blow money on?

I blow money on my family – boring I know but that’s me! I like a sherbert or two as well!
Players spend fortunes on cues and accessories. Tell us about your must haves in your bag…

To be honest I think players get carried away with cues and tips, etc. I can play with a broom handle if the money is right! A natural!
Describe your best pool moment – and your pool nightmare…

The highlight of my career has to be winning the 2007 World Pool Championships and my biggest nightmare was not being picked for the team since – despite been at the top of UK pool for as long as it’s existed!

I will be playing again this year though after the Worlds!
If you stop the tournament trail – what do you think you will do?

I have been getting into the property game for a while now and when, not if, I stop the pool game that is what I will be involved in.
You get to pick Europe’s Mosconi Cup team – who would you select?

My ideal Europe team for Mosconi Cup would be:
Daryl Peach (obviously)
Niels Feijen
Ralf Souquet
Thorstan Hohmann
Mika Immonen
If it was a UK only team – who would you pick?

Uk only team would be:
Daryl Peach
Mark Gray
Imran Majid
Darren Appleton
Karl Boyes/Raj Hundal
Build the perfect pool player…

My perfect pool player would be:

Best break – Shane Van Boening/Francisco Bustamente
Best shot maker – Earl Strickland
Digs in under pressure – Ralf Souquet
Best kicker (getting out of snookers) – Efren Reyes
Best temperament – Ralf Souquet/Efren Reyes
Best money player – Dennis Orcollo

If I could steal one skill from above it would have to be Efren Reyes’ kicking…..he is a magician!

from BBC

This year, the European Federation of Pocket Billiards (EPBF) Fielding 46 is players from 21 other countries. Gre Leenders, EPBF President and Secretary General Billiard Association World Bank, has announced the membership of the EU delegation to an email to the organizer, WTBC, Sports Raya. Other key team members are: Marcus Chamat a great pool player (Sweden), Niels Feijen a great pool player (Netherlands), Stephen Cohen (France), Bruno Muratore a great pool player (Italy), and Ruslan Chinakhov a great pool player (Russia).

Britain and Germany are the two great powers in the sport, the greatest number of participants, and nine out of 11 countries that send players to the WTBC Outside the United Kingdom and Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, Poland , Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Austria, France, Norway, Turkey, Spain, Serbia, Belgium, Denmark, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece and the Czech Republic. Leenders, said that within 10 WTBC ball format is very popular in Europe.

EPBF could fill every corner. European qualification WTBC, held in September, after the Euro Tour, has attracted over 50 players who wanted to qualify. “European player to win the title WTBC with players from other continental federations: North America, South America, Africa, Oceania and Asia.

An impressive list which is led by current world No. 1 and defending WTBC champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain; Ralf Souquet of Germany (2); Mika Immonen of Finland (3); Niels Feijen of the Netherlands (4); and Shane van Boening of the United States (5).

With them are Top 10 players Neils Feijen of the Netherlands (4); Shane Van Boening of the United States (5); Marcus Chamat of Sweden (6); Daryl Peach of Great Britain (7); and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany (10).

“These are all great matches that shouldn’t be missed by Filipino billiards fans,” said billiards patron Perry Mariano Tuesday in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s United Nations Avenue.

“Gustung-gustong makabawi ni Dennis kay Yang,” said Mariano, during the forum supported by Outlast Battery, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Accel and Shakey’s.

Yang, a former Asian Games gold medalist, defeated Orcollo in their race-to-60 challenge at the Gateway Mall two years ago.