Holland and Finland slip into the last 16
Now in day three of the PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool, the last 16 is nearly decided, with Holland and Finland making the list with superb victories Thursday morning at Robinsons Place, Manila, in the Philippines. Neils Feijen and Huidji See of Holland beat Austria at 8-3, while Mika Immonen and Markus Juva of Finland left Singapore in the dust at 8-2. Now, Holland and Finland will be going face to face in round two.
“It was my first match in the World Cup and I really enjoyed it and the fact that we won,” said See. “I live in Rotterdam and the event has been there twice so I have seen it but never played in it so it’s great to be able to play in it.
The Austrian pair of Jasmin Ouschan and 17-year-old Mario He put up a good fight until the final rack, which spelled their defeat when He choked and missed an easy shot which worked right into Holland’s hands.
“I was a little nervous but Huidji played well and we both broke well,” said Feijen. “At the start we were a bit doggish but the break kept us in and we won two in a row to make it 5-3. Then Austria made some mistakes and missed a 9-ball, an 8-ball and another 9-ball so in the end it was easier than I thought it would be. It’s unfortunate for them but I’ve been there myself.
His blunder started a pattern, with Ouschan following suit. While Holland certainly benefitted from the poor form of their opponents, they also proved themselves a strong new pair, with See competing for the first time in the World Cup, replacing Nick Van Den Berg, Feijen’s old partner.
“We have to step up our game but we’re playing good and have got a lot of potential,” said Feijen. “This was Huidji’s first ever match on television and he handled it very well. I’ve played in Mosconi Cups, World Cup of Pools and World Pool Masters so maybe been in 50-plus TV matches but this was his first.”
The second match was won by Mika Immonen and Markus Juva of Finland in a great performance, earning them an 8-2 score against Toh Lian Han and Chan Keng Kwan of Singapore. Finland will go on to face the other winners of the day, Holland.
“The Dutch are mentally tough, are excellent players and they have the whole team dynamic with all the coaches and everything, said Immonen. “But we play with heart, work hard and have been around enough to know what to do. We’re the underdogs but deep down I think we will beat them. Maybe they have a false sense of security but we’re going to come and surprise them.”
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