On this Thursday morning, the 36th Three-Cushion Team World Championship was solemnly opened in Viersen/Germany. Thus, the traditional event returns once again to the Festhalle, where it has been held since 1990.

After the participating teams were invited into the arena by announcer Frank Schiffers, Viersen’s Mayor Sabine Anemüller, the State Secretary for Sport and Volunteering in North Rhine-Westphalia, Andrea Milz, as well as the President of the German Billiards Union, Enrico Wahle, welcomed the athletes, officials, and spectators present on-site and in the livestream. Finally, Farouk Barki, President of the Union Mondiale de Billard, officially opened the World Championship.

The total of 16 teams will initially play in four groups of four in a round-robin format, with the first and second-placed teams advancing to the quarter-finals. The defending champions are the duo from Turkey, who will enter the fray today at 6:00 p.m. against newcomer Argentina.

The World Championship started at 12:00 p.m. with the matches Belgium vs. Egypt and Germany vs. Sweden. The final will take place next Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

PHOTOS

➡️ Opening Ceremony