Andres Petrov is set to become Estonia’s first-ever professional snooker player after he defeated Ben Mertens 5-3 in the final to win the 2022 EBSA European Amateur Snooker Championship held at the Delfin Resort in Shengjin, Albania.
The 25-year-old was runner-up in this event five years ago in Cyprus but the Tallinn cueist went one better this time around to secure the biggest title of his career and a two-year World Snooker Tour card.
Representatives from 35 different nations took part in the 31st staging of this prestigious event which has previously been won by players such as Mark Allen and Luca Brecel.
Reigning eight-time national champion Petrov qualified for the knockout phase after topping his round robin group with three wins from three, including a victory over recent European under-18 champion Liam Davies (Wales).
In the knockout rounds leading to the final, Petrov dropped just seven frames, eliminating Darren Oldroyd (Northern Ireland) 4-1, Viktor Iliev (Bulgaria) 4-2, Aaron Busuttil (Malta) 4-1, Iulian Boiko (Ukraine) 4-1 and then Germany’s Umut Dikme 4-2 in the semi-finals.
On the other side of the draw, Mertens – who was crowned European under-21 champion here last week – was attempting to create history by becoming the first player to claim both continental titles within the same year.
The 17-year-old Belgian nearly made a maximum 147 break in the groups stage – missing the 15th black on 113 – before defeating Ilia Chisleacov (Moldova) 4-0, David Cassidy (Republic of Ireland) 4-0, Robbie McGuigan (Northern Ireland) 4-2, and then ousting England’s Josh Thomond 4-3 to reach the last four.
A repeat of the under-21 title match last weekend, Mertens again faced Austrian youngster Florian Nuessle in the semi-finals, and would prove to be a thorn in his opponent’s side once more as he booked another final berth with a 4-3 victory.
Mertens chalked up the opening frame of the final with the help of a 53 break. Petrov took the next two, but Mertens did the same in frames four and five to move 3-2 ahead. However, the Estonian was not to be denied the championship again as he fashioned a three-frame winning streak to record a memorable triumph for Baltic snooker.
Article by Michael Day.
The Women’s event was won by Wendy Jans from Belgium. It’s ‘only” the 14th time that Wendy wins this event…
Welshman Darren Morgan hold his own crown at the Seniors 2022 EBSA European Snooker Championship claiming victory in the decider of the final match at Shengjin’s Delfin Resort facing England’s Wayne Brown (4-3) this Tuesday night.
EBSA Chairman Simon Smith, Darren Morgan, Wayne Brown and EBSA General Secretary Simon Smith
Morgan and Brown were both awarded by EBSA with a nomination to take part in the World Games that will take place in America next July.
German’s referee Christoph Levin and Hungarian marker Gabor Batori with an historial day as well.
«Was very hard. I’m feeling very tired. It was very difficult», told as the aged 56 Welshman, after getting the cup and retaining the European title for a record 12th time. Almost unreal longevity in the sport.
England’s Shaun Wilkes scored the highest break at Seniors event: 128 points
A legendary legacy and astonishing benchmark. England’s Shaun Wilkes scored the top break in Seniors event, with 128 points, and got hiz prize too, as well as both semifinalists placed 3rd in the event, Malta’s Duncan Bezzina and Belgium’s Peter Bullen
Game, set, match & Seniors championship for the Welsh legend: astonishing getting a 12th title!
Latvia’s Artemis Zizins is the 2022 EBSA European Snooker Championships U16 event winner and becomes the first continental champion at this age after claiming victory by 2 Frames to 1 facing Moldovian Vladislav Gradinari in the final match, played this Friday afternoon at Shengjin’s Delfin Resort.
Artemis Zizins and EBSA Chairman Maxime Cassis: it takes Art to become european champion!
Gradinari won the 1st frame but Zizins, after overcoming U18 champion Liam Davies at the semis, made quite a comeback and prevailed to win and earn The Peter Ebdon Trofhy. It takes Art to do it.
Zizins celebrated but runner-up Vladislav Gradinari got also a big applause
«I’m so happy! It’s a dream come true. I want to thank all, but especially my family for the support. It’s what I always want’», told the aged 16 Latvian new sport star to a large crowd at the Official Opening Ceremony of the event, in the hotel. The competition continues Saturday with the quarterfinals matches of the U21 event at Shengjin’s Delfin Resort.
Gradinari’s mum, Natalia, and Artemis coach joined referees and EBSA in the U16 champion celebration
Welshman Liam Davies performed with a 100 points break the best one in the U16 competition.
4 thoughts on “EBSA 2022 Championships in Albania Winners”
Oh. Then it was not as “off topic” as I thought. I knew about the viral infection but assumed it was cured. Thank you.
Well, apparently from what you said it has been cured indeed but not without leaving problems.
Hi Monique. Off topic: Do you know what happened to Robin Hull? Is he retired?
Robin was playing in some of the EBSA events this week. However, I’m not sure he actually would want to return to the main tour. Robin suffered from a viral infection nearly 20 years ago and, as a result, has been prone to heart problems (irregular hearbeat). This has hindered his career. He has been forced to retire from several events, and not entered many others. At one point he said he would retire, but still came back a few years later. However he continued to miss many events. So, I’m really not sure what the situation is with him.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
Oh. Then it was not as “off topic” as I thought. I knew about the viral infection but assumed it was cured. Thank you.
Well, apparently from what you said it has been cured indeed but not without leaving problems.
Hi Monique. Off topic: Do you know what happened to Robin Hull? Is he retired?
Robin was playing in some of the EBSA events this week. However, I’m not sure he actually would want to return to the main tour. Robin suffered from a viral infection nearly 20 years ago and, as a result, has been prone to heart problems (irregular hearbeat). This has hindered his career. He has been forced to retire from several events, and not entered many others. At one point he said he would retire, but still came back a few years later. However he continued to miss many events. So, I’m really not sure what the situation is with him.