Press Release | 14 March 2026 (web version)
KOEFOED AND CEULEMANS ON THE TOP STEP OF THE PODIUM
The CEB All-in-One Carom Billiards European Championships in Antalya, Türkiye are entering the final stretch. On the penultimate day, two more medal decisions were made, with Charlotte Koefoed (Denmark) winning gold in the women’s 5-Pins event and Peter Ceulemans of Belgium claiming gold in the 3-Cushion discipline.
Women’s 5-Pins
Spectators in Antalya witnessed a highly exciting final this afternoon in the women’s 5-Pins event between the two Danish players Marianne Mortensen and defending champion Charlotte Koefoed. Koefoed secured the first set with a score of 60–50, but Mortensen turned the match around by winning the next two sets. After Koefoed narrowly took the fourth set 60–49, the match headed toward a dramatic climax. In the decisive set, however, Charlotte Koefoed did most of the scoring and ultimately crowned herself European Champion with a 60–34 victory.
The two bronze medals went to the Czech Republic and Denmark, namely to Anna Pechmanova and Emma Bjerregaard.
3-Cushion Individual
Two Belgians, Peter Ceulemans and Eddy Merckx, had already qualified for the final of the 3-Cushion Individual event on Friday. A very close match without a clear favorite had been expected, and that is exactly how the final unfolded. For most of the match, Eddy Merckx held a slight lead over his compatriot, but the grandson of 3-Cushion legend Raymond Ceulemans always stayed within striking distance. Only toward the end did the momentum shift. Peter Ceulemans overtook his opponent and eventually scored the winning point for a 50–45 victory. The new European Champion raised his hands in celebration and briefly rejoiced before the two Belgians embraced in a display of great sportsmanship and congratulated each other on an outstanding tournament.
Joint third place went to defending champion Martin Horn of Germany and Tayfun Tasdemir of Türkiye.
For his European title Peter Ceulemans achieved an overall tournament average of 1.893, although his final opponent Merckx actually surpassed him with an average of 1.960. The highest run of the tournament was recorded by Tayfun Tasdemir, while Merckx produced the highest match average with 2.941.
Women’s 3-Cushion National Teams
The semifinalists in the Women’s Three-Cushion National Teams competition have now been determined. In Group A, Denmark 1 and Türkiye 1 drew against each other and both defeated their remaining opponents from Germany and Greece, allowing both teams to advance to the semifinals.
In Group B, the Dutch team featuring individual European Champion Therese Klompenhouwer first defeated Belgium 1 and Türkiye 2 before drawing with Austria. Alongside the Netherlands, Belgium ultimately reached the semifinals, edging out the Austrian team thanks to a better average.
The highest run of the group stage was achieved by Türkiye’s Guzin Mujde Karakasli with twelve points. The Netherlands recorded the highest individual average (1.250) as well as the highest overall team average in the preliminary round (0.831).
Semifinal Draw – 11:30 a.m.
Türkiye – Belgium
Netherlands – Denmark
Men’s 3-Cushion National Teams
This morning also saw the start of the final tournament of this year’s European Championships. A total of 24 3-Cushion national teams began the competition in eight groups of three teams, with only the group winners advancing to tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
This format inevitably meant that some of the declared favorites were eliminated early. This year, for example, Germany 1 with former individual European Champion Martin Horn was knocked out. Spain 1 with Ruben Legazpi will also watch the remainder of the tournament from the sidelines. Belgium, Türkiye and the Netherlands are still represented with two teams each. Sweden and France complete the quarterfinal lineup for Sunday morning.
The highest run of the day, twelve points, was achieved by Dutch player Glenn Hofmann. The best averages were recorded by Belgium’s second team with Eddy Merckx and Roland Forthomme. At their peak, the duo achieved an average of 2.285, finishing the day with an overall average of 1.904.
Quarterfinal Draw – 9:00 a.m.
Belgium 2 – Sweden 1
Türkiye 1 – France 1
Netherlands 1 – Türkiye 2
Belgium 1 – Netherlands 2
There is also a livestream available for fans covering all 24 tables. A paid service is available at www.tv.kozoom.com.
The entire European Championship and all tables can be watched from for €9.99 (special offer).
Additionally table 3 is always visible for free on Kozoom YouTube channel.
You are welcome to use this press release for republication with a source attribution to "CEB".
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail.
CEB Media Office
E-mail: media@eurobillard.org
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