I wonder what the difference in the classifications of "Women" and "Ladies" would be?
European Championships Dwarfs Any Pool Event in US
- Thread starter ChrisinNC
- Start date
Kinda shows why Europe dominates the US though.
All most Americans know is BB's - it is sad, but glad so many still participate.
Jason
Age.
Girls->Women->Ladies
I think players over 40 can play in the Ladies or Seniors division.
But some veterans still decide to play in the open division like Chamat or Lely for example,
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Something odd I just noticed on their site. There is not ONE player from Albania. You would think with a player Kaci's speed, pool would be monstrously popular in Albania. It's a little ridiculous to think he's the only player in the entire country. I wonder why no Albanians are there?
I'd be interested to know the age groups for each. So there are four female groups? Girls, Ladies, Women, Seniors? And I see "Youth" listed as well. So that would be male only? And if not, then there would be FIVE for females?, G, Y, L, W and S. Unless "Senior" is Males-only as well. Seems a tad confusing but I suppose, whatever they are, the Euros are more than used to it.
Spot on with this one.
In the invitation letter you will find answers to these questions - and more
https://billiardapps.com/epc/images/event/2018/1_Veldhoven/Invitation_EC_2018_Veldhoven_ENG.pdf
Thats depends purely on criteria of said national federation,each federation has its own criteria for each division. For example selection process for men division here in Czech Republic goes like this: 1) first EC spot (all disciplines - 8b,9b,10b and 14.1) with all expenses paid by federation (entry fee, hotel, travel) goes to winner of Czech pool tour ranking which consists of 6 tournaments; 2) second EC spot with all expenses paid by federation goes to winner of nationals ranking (4 tournaments - 8b,9b,10b and 14.1). Then it gets little more complicated - third spot goes to Roman Hybler - he doesnt compete in Czech Republic as he lives in Germany but he consistently wins tournaments there having won German Tour ranking two years in a row now which is more than enough for our federation to pick him automatically for EC spot (again with paid expenses). Then it comes down to 1-2 spots where anyone placed high enough at Czech pool tour can apply for said EC spot,only such player has to cover his own expenses this time. EPBF acceps max 5 players per discipline so thats about it in men division in Czech Republic
Just imagine something like that being proposed in the states. I can't imagine one top player would agree to something like this.
While you are imagining that, think about the idea that the Euro players actually have to abide by the rules of their federation. If they are told they can't play in an event, they either don't play or they are sanctioned for going against what they were told. As far as that goes, the WPBA does the same thing. The guys wondered for so long why the ladies had success with the WPBA when the men didn't. Part of it was that they agreed to let the WPBA represent them and to go along with the what the WPBA decided they needed to do.
Mike
While you are imagining that, think about the idea that the Euro players actually have to abide by the rules of their federation. If they are told they can't play in an event, they either don't play or they are sanctioned for going against what they were told. As far as that goes, the WPBA does the same thing. The guys wondered for so long why the ladies had success with the WPBA when the men didn't. Part of it was that they agreed to let the WPBA represent them and to go along with the what the WPBA decided they needed to do.
Mike
Finland Billiard Federation get small cut(or big) from every official tournament here in Finland. That money is spent to send players to European Champs etc.. 5(men) best ranked players get spot expenses covered. Women,Juniors, Seniors, Pupils and wheelchair too(maybe top three or 2). Dunno how many seniors get free spot because this year so many in there. Probably 3
Every year EPBF puts great effort to run the excellent EC and this annual event really means a lot for those who loves this sport, for growing and inprovement in many aspects. I was lucky enough to have the experience being involved in the EC as a head referee, team-leader, a coach and a player during last 18 years.
My first experience was at the European Championship for youth in 2000 which was held in my home city at the sport arena of the University for physical education and sports of Ukraine. At that time I was studying in this University at the department for coaches. Our university seemed to be the first to open the doors for those who wanted to become a billiard coach and invited Jorgen Sandman to be the head of this education. It was the initiative of the rector of our university who loved the game of billiards (russian piramid especially of course). He met Jorgen during Olympic games 1996 in Atlanta ant at that time the idea was born. The education started at the end of the year 1998. Jorgen Sandman was the president of WCBS back than and he made it possible for Ukraine to hold the EC for youth. At that time pool was fairly new game in our country. First national pool tournament was held same year before the EC. So that EC was a great chance for our country to introduce the game to the audience, get some kids to like the game and have an interest to play and learn. So Jorgen was a TD of that event and he chose me who was one of his student to help as a head referee. Should I tell how important was that EC for youth for pool as a sport in our country? In addition Jorgen invited and made it possible for Mike Massey to come to Kiev to this event for entertaining the audience with his trick shots. It was a priceless experience and a lot of fun. At that EC we had a few kids and juniors who were really beginners but represented our country. One of the youngest and the most talented member of that team was 11 yo kid Artem Koshovyi. His father brought him to our pool school just several months before the EC when he got to know we were looking for interested and talented kids to teach. So that EC in Kiev was the first event for Artem and such a great experience and motivation that very soon in 2002 he brought the first medal for our country. There were a few more medals afterwards. He was able to get bronze at WC 9-ball for youth in Sidney and that medal was really special for him but that is another story. Of course I don't imagine all his success possible without help of Jorgen Sandman who became a coach and a friend for Artem and his parents. Every summer just before the EC for youth started Jorgen held the training camp in Klagenfurt (Austria) because he worked with team Austria back then. Artem participated in those camps together with many talented kids and young players, for example Albin Ouschan was among them (Klagenfurt is his home town).
Then we had one more talented pupil Evgen Novosad who also brought gold and silver for Ukraine at the EC for youth. BTW later on in 2014 this guy won World championship in combined piramid with terrific performance.
Thankfully to all good feedback we had one more EC for youth 2006 in Kiev. So those two events for youth in Kiev were just a great possibility for pool as a sport to grow in our country. Besides between those two events Jorgen helped to organize the European Artistic Pool championship first and the World Artistic Pool championship afterwards also in Kiev with such great maestros and entertainers as Mike Massey, Tom Rossman, Stefano Pelinga and the others. That was just great time. All of this is just a quick look in the past and an example how this sport had started in my country.
So the European championships for youth and all the preparation for this event every year is a great school for young talents which gives them most they need to become strong and successful players.
Of course there may be certain problems with pool as a sport in Europe but as it was mentioned the major factor and difference it is treated in most European countries as a sport.
European championships men, women divisions are also of great importance. Yes, there is no prize fund but the weight of success and medals at this event is huge. The battles for the titles are so hard and mean so much for the players. Some will be paid by their country's Olympic committee, get a good sponsorship and open some more doors for the future improvement. The EC is such the event that gives opportunity to the players to qualify for WC. I don't remember for sure about sport regulations and rules nowadays but for example the winner of the 9-ball at the EC goes to the WC 9-ball and EPBF takes care about the expenses.
There are things which are priceless. The organization of these events is a very high standard and there are so many things the organizers think and take care of. For example just look at the award ceremony. What about after party when the event is closed and so on? There is a lot of fun and you know the emotions and memories are priceless.
I remember the EC in Willingen (Germany) ten years ago when EPBF celebrated its 30th anniversary. That was amazing and this time they managed to make it even bigger so I'll be looking forward to see how huge the EC hopefully will be in ten years when it will be 50th anniversary.:wink:
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As marek said, every country has different criteria.
In Austria you have to be part of the national team to be nominated.
The criteria here are Austrian ranking list, EPBF and WPA rankings plus subjective criteria like viability, teamwork, sportsmanship, willingness to work on technical, tactical and mental aspects of the game and the approval of the coaches.
These subjective criteria especially become important when they choose the youth players. For the pros and semipros its more about rankings and output.
The ladies and seniors have no national team, their nomination is part Austrian ranking, part decision of the association and since all of them are amateurs its also about who wants to be sent to the event, since they all have jobs and families.