EUROPEAN OPEN 2026, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, March 10-15

[sjm]

A unified schedule would be a huge help. Sadly, I don't see that happening any time soon. The Sarajevo event conflicts with both Griff's events and the EPBF championships. Emily should not be surprised by the embarrassingly weak turnout. Of those two conflicts, I suspect that the EPBF c'ships took away 30-40 potential top players. Maybe not 800s, but far stronger than many examples shown on the streams, and certainly stronger than the 54 byes.

So true, Bob. While I understand that there is more to it than this, Matchroom and WPA/Predator won't collaborate on the world pool calendar until it is mutually beneficial to both of them and that day can't come before each of them accepts that the top pros will sometimes choose one over the other when their events run concurrently.

In May 2025, WPA and Matchroom jointly offered that “an agreement has been reached, ensuring that WNT events will be ratified by the WPA.” The WPA pledged not to suspend WNT players. The stage was set for pros to have freedom in event selection. Pros would, it seemed, no longer have to juggle loyalties and would no longer have to fear penal actions against them by pool's two superpowers. WPA/Predator has been as good as its word to date, but, contrastingly, Matchroom opted to penalize two of its superstars, SVB and Filler, for choosing the World 8ball championship over the Hanoi Open in October 2025, denying both the substantial guaranteed payday that would have come with Reyes Cup participation.

By penalizing players who chose a WPA world championship over a WNT major, Matchroom made it clear that they are not yet willing to live in a world where players have freedom of choice when schedules clash. As long as they feel that way, the door to collaboration with WPA/Predator on the world pool calendar will remain shut.

Both Matchroom and WPA/Predator would benefit if they can reach the day when schedule collaboration is possible, but whether we will ever see it happen is hard to gauge.

I won't suggest for a moment that I am privy to all the obstacles that hinder schedule collaboration, but permit me to dream here.

 

[sjm]

Tomorrow is the de facto start of the European Open. Yes, we've lost two contenders in Kazakis and Lechner, but nearly all the favorites are still in with a chance and it is a safe bet that at least a few of the game's giants will be eliminated tomorrow.

Let's see who gets to the last sixteen. Best of luck to all who remain.

 

[Scrunge19]

Matchroom needs to be more proactive in communicating what their event schedule looks like in advance. Given the uptick in options and with only a couple months notice, it’s not surprising that players would have made other commitments.

Matchroom needs to realize that they’re not the only big fish in the pond now and can’t just assume that players are going to line up to play their events and kiss the ring.

 

[sjm]

Matchroom needs to be more proactive in communicating what their event schedule looks like in advance. Given the uptick in options and with only a couple months notice, it’s not surprising that players would have made other commitments.

This is much more difficult than it sounds. As a fan, I reminisce with fondness on the days when WPA coordinated most aspects of the world pool calendar. Yes, it has grown to the point where the date protection guarantees of yesteryear are impractical, but much of the process might have been maintained.

Matchroom needs to realize that they’re not the only big fish in the pond now and can’t just assume that players are going to line up to play their events and kiss the ring.

I am sure they realize this. They also understand that the players will chase the money. It's not so easy to compete with something like the Las Vegas Open, which offered four different high purse events (Men's singles, Women's singles, Mixed Doubles and the World Teams event). Josh, Shane and Fedor combined to earn almost $100,000 in those events, which was the total purse at the concurrent PLP.

For Matchroom, they have grown and must continue to grow prize funds and make their tour as lucrative as possible for the elite players. No doubt, the hobbyists will hate me for this, but I'm surprised by Matchroom's choice to pay $500 to players finishing 65/128. That's money that, in my view, should have been added to the top spots, which would make their events more competitive with the top-heavy Predator events.

I have 100% confidence in Matchroom's management team and feel certain that they will figure out how to meet the challenges of the moment.

 

[mikepage]

[...] I'm surprised by Matchroom's choice to pay $500 to players finishing 65/128. That's money that, in my view, should have been added to the top spots, which would make their events more competitive with the top-heavy Predator events.
[...]

Who are you? And what have you done with my friend Stu?

 

[mikepage]

[...] Matchroom and WPA/Predator won't collaborate on the world pool calendar until it is mutually beneficial to both of them and that day can't come before each of them accepts that the top pros will sometimes choose one over the other when their events run concurrently.

WPA is not Predator. They play fundamentally different roles.

The problem with framing this as some kind of negotiation over the calendar is that framing is an unstable equilibrium. As soon as any private entity believes they are in a position they don't need to negotiate, they won't. At that point they will either 100% "win," or the fans and the players will pay the price. Neither is a good outcome.

To go where we want to go, there must be a disinterested calendar authority. And we as fans must expect and require fealty to it. If some organization dominates the battle to produce high quality high engagement high dollar events, then great. But if we allow an organization who is at some moment in the lead to wield the calendar club, then shame on us.

NOBODY who cares first and foremost about pool--player, fan, promoter--should fear a calendar authority.

 

[uk_9_ball_convert]

I wonder how they decide who is on each table? I just presumed most famous players would be on lowest numbered tables. I was hoping Elliot's match would be on table 4 or 5 so I could watch it for free, but he's on table 1 (according to this https://www.wntlivescores.com/events/european-open-pool-championship-2026/matches-list/2/bracket) whilst Gorst is on table 4 and FSR is on table 9. Lots of matches don't even have a table number assigned yet, but they've still relegated FSR to table 9

 

[skogstokig]

duong almost did a kpc vs yapp at the US open against salvador garzia. but at 9-0 he missed a ball, and salvador got to run a couple balls but confusingly lined up a 8-7 combination thinking it was a 7-8 combo. 10-0 duong

 

[sjm]

WPA is not Predator. They play fundamentally different roles.

Obviously, I know this, but Predator still fits under the traditional mode of WPA sanctioning that ruled pool for decades until recently. WNT events, to use WPA terminology, are ratified, but not sanctioned. That means that they are not bound by many of the guidelines that have traditionally governed high level events (e.g., field filling rules and the payment of sanctioning fees).

The problem with framing this as some kind of negotiation over the calendar is that framing is an unstable equilibrium. As soon as any private entity believes they are in a position they don't need to negotiate, they won't. At that point they will either 100% "win," or the fans and the players will pay the price. Neither is a good outcome.

To go where we want to go, there must be a disinterested calendar authority. And we as fans must expect and require fealty to it. If some organization dominates the battle to produce high quality high engagement high dollar events, then great. But if we allow an organization who is at some moment in the lead to wield the calendar club, then shame on us.

WPA was a disinterested, and effective, calendar authority from about 1989-2022, so, at least in theory, they can be that again. The question is only whether the growth of the game and the evolution of the politics have made their oversight of the world pool calendar unrealistic, and this is definitely debatable.

 

[jbart65]

I wonder how they decide who is on each table? I just presumed most famous players would be on lowest numbered tables. I was hoping Elliot's match would be on table 4 or 5 so I could watch it for free, but he's on table 1 (according to this https://www.wntlivescores.com/events/european-open-pool-championship-2026/matches-list/2/bracket) whilst Gorst is on table 4 and FSR is on table 9. Lots of matches don't even have a table number assigned yet, but they've still relegated FSR to table 9

MR wants the most competitive match on table 1, and Arseni is viewed as an up and coming star who is one of the most exciting young players to watch. Gorst and FSR are expected to win handily.

 

[skogstokig]

MR wants the most competitive match on table 1, and Arseni is viewed as an up and coming star who is one of the most exciting young players to watch. Gorst and FSR are expected to win handily.

it's competitive so far. i think arseni will catch a gear though and sanderson will nerve out

 

[jbart65]

Upsets coming in.

Daniele Corrieri took down Niels Feijin, 10-6. Feijin was terrific in his first two matches, but Corrieri played perhaps his best game ever. Niels couldn't nail down his break and Corrieri controlled the table with some fine safety play. He made a lot of clutch shots, too.

More disappointing, Albin Ouschan lost 9-5 to Can Salim. I am not sure we will ever see prime Ouschan again. He's just been off his game ever since losing the Hanoi Open a few years ago to Jayson Shaw, notwithstanding an 8-ball title last year. The WNT-WPA conflict seemed to wear on him more than any other player.

Jonas Souto lost 10-2 to Mark Foster of the UK. I could not find a Fargo on Foster or any evidence of a notable WNT win. He wasn't seeded in this tourney. Souto may suffering fatigue after flying in from Turkey a few days ago, where in played in the Euros.

Mika Van Berkel (736 Fargo) dashed Thorsten Hohmann's bid for some nice Mosconi points. He won 10-9 over the new U.S. citizen Hohmann.

Berkel, 19, won the WNT junior event at the European Open in 2023. Last year, he won the World Junior 9 ball tournament.

Haris Trtovac (708 Fargo) beat Ralf Souquet, 10-7. Trtovac also beat Francesco Candela earlier in the tournament.

 

[mikepage]

[...]

Jonas Souto lost 9-2 to Mark Foster of the UK. I could not find a Fargo on Foster or any evidence of a notable WNT win. He wasn't seeded in this tourney. Souto may suffering fatigue after flying in from Turkey a few days ago, where in played in the Euros.

[...]

Foster is 712 with over 5,000 games around London in the last decade (Great Britain 9-Ball Tour, UK Open..., local events) . This is the first we're aware of him traveling. He did beat Neils Feijen 10-7 back in 2017.

 

[jbart65]

Foster is 712 with over 5,000 games around London in the last decade (Great Britain 9-Ball Tour, UK Open..., local events) . This is the first we're aware of him traveling. He did beat Neils Feijen 10-7 back in 2017.

Could of sworn he did not come up when I searched half an hour ago. But now I seem him. Ghost in my machine perhaps.

 

[jbart65]

A unified schedule would be a huge help. Sadly, I don't see that happening any time soon. The Sarajevo event conflicts with both Griff's events and the EPBF championships. Emily should not be surprised by the embarrassingly weak turnout. Of those two conflicts, I suspect that the EPBF c'ships took away 30-40 potential top players. Maybe not 800s, but far stronger than many examples shown on the streams, and certainly stronger than the 54 byes.

The EPBF took away about 20 players who often play in WNT events, about 10 or so who might make noise. Not 30 or 40. Still a substantial hit, though, especially given a light Asian contingent.

 

[skogstokig]

Upsets coming in.

Daniele Corrieri took down Niels Feijin, 10-6. Feijin was terrific in his first two matches, but Corrieri played perhaps his best game ever. Niels couldn't nail down his break and Corrieri controlled the table with some fine safety play. He made a lot of clutch shots, too.

More disappointing, Albin Ouschan lost 9-5 to Cam Salim. I am not sure we will ever see prime Ouschan again. He's just been off his game ever since losing the Hanoi Open a few years ago to Jayson Shaw, notwithstanding an 8-ball title last year. The WNT-WPA conflict seemed to wear on him more than any other player.

Jonas Souto lost 10-2 to Mark Foster of the UK. I could not find a Fargo on Foster or any evidence of a notable WNT win. He wasn't seeded in this tourney. Souto may suffering fatigue after flying in from Turkey a few days ago, where in played in the Euros.

Mika Van Berkel (736 Fargo) dashed Thorsten Hohmann's bid for some nice Mosconi points. He won 10-9 over the new U.S. citizen Hohmann.

Berkel, 19, won the WNT junior event at the European Open in 2023. Last year, he won the World Junior 9 ball tournament.

Haris Trtovac (708 Fargo) beat Ralf Souquet, 10-7. Trtovac also beat Francesco Candela earlier in the tournament.

can salim has a very high gear that shows up now and then

 

[skip100]

Sanjin is playing very poorly against Imran Majid but still in it at 5-5.

 

[skip100]

Right after home country favorite Pehlivanovic screwed up a wide open hill-hill rack to lose, fellow Bosnian Piknjac just missed with ball in hand in his own hill-hill game.

 

[heresy]

That last rack between Piknjak and Hoyh was a rough watch.

 

[sjm]

Finally, we are seeing some upsets. Labutis and Souto each losing 10-2 to players of whom I have never heard. Wow! The top few contenders have, for the most part, yet to be tested, but that will change by tomorrow.

Solid performances by the last five Junior World 9ball champions. Mika Van Berkel is on to the last 16, Yannick Pongers is still in the mix, and Mortiz Neuhausen is still in. Januarta did not play, but finished a solid third at the recent PLP event and Szymon Kural did not play, either, but he came second at the Qatar 10ball not too long ago. The young ones are definitely starting to make their statements.

There is a chance we'll get Kaci vs Kaci in the quarterfinal.

This is getting really good!