After his 10-2 win over Arseni, it was clear that Mario was in very good form. No surprise to me.
EUROPEAN OPEN 2026, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, March 10-15
- Thread starter jbart65
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Kaci vs Filler in the finals is money.
Scrunge19
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How did Arseni and Soufi play in their losses?
My gut tells me their rapid fire pace doesn’t hold up well in later rounds when the level of opponent and pressure both increase. That breakneck pace seems to breed unforced errors and you’re not likely to get away with too many of those deep in tournaments.
My gut tells me their rapid fire pace doesn’t hold up well in later rounds when the level of opponent and pressure both increase. That breakneck pace seems to breed unforced errors and you’re not likely to get away with too many of those deep in tournaments.
soufi spent a lot of his match seated.. but i don't think it's the unforced errors as much as the post-break moving game, where they are both big underdogs to the top players.
the moving game has become a prerequisite for success with the new break rule. doesn't matter if you break wet 100% if you can't wrangle yourself to the first clear shot on the 2 ball. filler has become a master at this aspect of the game
Just when I think Joshua Filler has no more to give, he seems to get better and better and better. His fundamentals are better than most. Aside from being a left-hander, it's his dedication to practice, practice, practice that stands out.
The pride of Albania, Ekent Kaci has taken time off from social media by his own choice, and it looks like it's paying off. Not sure what he's doing behind the scenes, but he's always been powerful opponent in any setting, action or tournament play.
Moritz Neuhausen is the epitome of Germany discipline when it comes to pool, and he's been rising to the top in almost every event he steps foot in. A win from Moritz would not be surprising.
Mario He is always a fan favorite. The Austrian seems to grind his way to the top and seems to run out of steam. The Panda is hungry for a win, and nothing would please him more than the European Open title. He's due.
My pick for win? Joshua Filler, hands down.
The pride of Albania, Ekent Kaci has taken time off from social media by his own choice, and it looks like it's paying off. Not sure what he's doing behind the scenes, but he's always been powerful opponent in any setting, action or tournament play.
Moritz Neuhausen is the epitome of Germany discipline when it comes to pool, and he's been rising to the top in almost every event he steps foot in. A win from Moritz would not be surprising.
Mario He is always a fan favorite. The Austrian seems to grind his way to the top and seems to run out of steam. The Panda is hungry for a win, and nothing would please him more than the European Open title. He's due.
My pick for win? Joshua Filler, hands down.
Let's see what we get from Moritz today. If we get the Moritz that beat Robbie Capito, his chances against Kaci are excellent. If he plays as poorly as he played against Duong, his chances are near zero. Kaci's play has been both solid and consistent from match to match, so he won't go down easily.
Filler a big favorite over Mario He, but I recall seeing Mario beat Filler in single elimination at the (?2022?) International 9ball, so you never know.
Josh is clearly the one to beat, but I will resist the temptation to call him a heavy favorite today just because his break hasn't really been working. If his break is even decent, though, he is a heavy favorite, regardless of opponent in the final.
Filler a big favorite over Mario He, but I recall seeing Mario beat Filler in single elimination at the (?2022?) International 9ball, so you never know.
Josh is clearly the one to beat, but I will resist the temptation to call him a heavy favorite today just because his break hasn't really been working. If his break is even decent, though, he is a heavy favorite, regardless of opponent in the final.
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moritz has been looking focused. up 3-2
both are breaking hard. but kaci has scratched twice
ball in hand and he doesn't get out.. kaci is playing sub-par.
A perfect safety in rack 14 earns Kaci ball in hand, but he hooks himself on the seven and fails to jump it in. Neuhausen's safe is superb, but Kaci's two rail kick is excellent to keep him in the rack. A brilliant seven ball secures the rack for Kaci, who pulls to within 9-5.
Another defensive error costs Kaci a rack, and Neuhausen reaches the hill at 10-5. The WNT break rules have made safety play critical, and Kaci's defense has been way below that of Neuhausen in this one. Neuhausen has also been the more efficient runner of the table in this surprisingly uncompetitive affair. Perhaps Kaci can find a gear late.
Worst I've seen Kaci play this year. He had been playing extremely well. Looking the best I've seen him since his injury. Not today.
Moritz has been shaky this year. Evidently he is adjusting to a new stick. But he's looking in this match like he did late last year, when he was playing as well as anyone not named Yapp.
Moritz has been shaky this year. Evidently he is adjusting to a new stick. But he's looking in this match like he did late last year, when he was playing as well as anyone not named Yapp.
well played moritz.
On a perfect kick safe, Moritz got a bonus when the one dropped, A nice safety on the three kept the heat on Kaci, who played a superb jump shot to turn the tables on Moritz. A really nice four ball by Kaci sets up a runout but a poor miss on the six ends his chances, and Moritz is on to the final.
Kaci was a little off here, but Moritz was superb, and Kaci has often struggled in matches that, like this one, call for lots of safety play and kicking. Although he has the firepower to run over almost anyone when he's full steam ahead, when he has to fight hard for control of the table, he is not one of the WNT's most elite.
Moritz gave a "how to" clinic in the kind of pool needed to win in WNT play today. If he plays this well in the final, he'll be dangerous.
Kaci was a little off here, but Moritz was superb, and Kaci has often struggled in matches that, like this one, call for lots of safety play and kicking. Although he has the firepower to run over almost anyone when he's full steam ahead, when he has to fight hard for control of the table, he is not one of the WNT's most elite.
Moritz gave a "how to" clinic in the kind of pool needed to win in WNT play today. If he plays this well in the final, he'll be dangerous.
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