Turkey with Semih Sayginer and individual World Champion Tayfun Tasdemir has really done it! At the 35thWorld Team Championship in 3-Cushion, the duo won the title for the third time in a row and thus entered the history books. In a great final, Turkey defeated the representation from Sweden, while third place went to the Netherlands as well as Spain.

The final saw a brilliant Semih Sayginer, especially in the early stages of the match, who was 20:5 up after five innings against Torbjörn Blomdahl. The Swede managed to turn the tables within three innings and take a 25:23 lead, but Sayginer knew how to counter again. Runs of seven and six points brought him a 38:26-lead and a little later he had reached the target of forty points. Blomdahl still had the equalizer, but he only managed to make two points.

At the same time, it looked as if Michael Nilsson would be able to hold his own against Tayfun Tasdemir for the Swedes, but he did not count on the Turk. Trailing 16:25, Tasdemir took the lead with a spectacular run of 14 and did not relinquish it until the much celebrated match point. Sayginer and Tasdemir fell into each other’s arms and loud chants could be heard from the numerous Turkish fans in the Viersen Festhalle.

Earlier today, Turkey and the Netherlands met in the semifinals. In both singles, both Semih Sayginer and Tayfun Tasdemir were initially a few points down but were able to turn the tide after the obligatory half-time break. Seyginer beat 5-time world champion Dick Jaspers 40:30 after 24 innings, while Tasdemir turned a 36:39 deficit against Jean-Paul de Bruijn into a 40:39 win a few minutes later.

The second semifinal between Sweden and Spain was even closer, as after a draw after the singles, the doubles were needed to determine the second finalist. Torbjörn Blomdahl first lost to Daniel Sanchez 30:40 in his singles match, but Michael Nilsson kept viceworldchampion Ruben Legazpi at bay 40:29.

In the scotch doubles the Spaniards got off to the better start and took a 5:0 lead. However, Blomdahl/Nilsson countered immediately with a run of six and later followed up with another of five points to lead 13:7. Finally, both teams were eager to leave their opponents bad positions, but in the end it was Blomdahl who was the first to score again. The following matchpoint was safely converted by Michael Nilsson and brought his team into the final.

Thus, four days of 3-cushion at an absolute top level come to an end. The city of Viersen and the Deutsche
Billiard-Union once again presented themselves as excellent hosts and could perfectly rely on their well-
rehearsed organisation team with the many referees and the expert moderation by Frank Schiffers.

In addition, there was a large number of spectators, especially at the weekend, and German television also
took an interest in the event with several reports. The billiard fans were also very interested in the four
livestreams produced by „Five & Six“ via Youtube. The perfect playing material was provided by Gabriels
(billiard table), classone (cloth) and Dynaspheres (balls).

PHOTOS

Semifinals
➡️ 12.03.23 | Turkey vs Netherlands
➡️ 12.03.23 | Spain vs Sweden

Final
➡️ 12.03.23 | Turkey vs Sweden

Closing
➡️ 12.03.23 | Award Ceremony