1/2 Dick Jaspers. (Photo: Ton Smilde)
Three cushion boring? The participants in the Masters 2025 in Benelux Theater in Berlicum show that the time of sitting still in the room is long gone. If the Dutch title is caught by a Brabander on Sunday, it will be completely fun. That chance is fairly high, because five of the eight quarter -finalists come from our province. “In Friesland they are good at skating, in Brabant there are good billiard players,” says 22-time Dutch champion Dick Jaspers.
Jaspers is the favorite for the Dutch title this week. The five -time world champion from Sint Willebrord prepared for the Masters, a different name for the Dutch Championship, in the Mexican sun where he gave demonstrations. “I don’t have a problem to motivate myself, because I love this sport. It is my job, even if it feels like a hobby. I do notice that it costs a lot of energy. Very normal, because I will be 60 this year. ”
“I enjoy good competitions.”
On Sunday, Jaspers will play the semi -final at 11 am. Obviously that there is a new title, it is not. “The level in the Netherlands is very high and good young players are added. Only nice, because I enjoy good competitions. I challenge myself every year to be the best. “
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What is striking during the Masters in Berlicum is the relaxed atmosphere. For example, all players come up with a self -chosen song for their matches, copied from darts years ago. Roosendaler Adrie Demming, for example, entered the hall with a song from the American rock band Kiss.
Jaspers finds the atmospheric measures positive, but believes that there should not be an exaggeration. “Standing up is a nice development in which the Netherlands is at the forefront. But billiards remains a sport where you have to concentrate. That concentration should not be endangered, because your competition starts quickly. ”
“Nice and cozy with a drink in the stands.”
Someone who creates atmosphere is Jean van Erp (51) from Heeswijk-Dinther. He has a loyal audience that is heard. “There has been a somewhat looser atmosphere at the three -cushion for about ten years. Nice and cozy with a drink in the stands. A good step, because there are people who don’t come to a billiard room if they can’t say anything. As with tennis, it may be between a noise between points. But when someone is playing, it’s silent. “
The former Dutch champion, who has a job in court, hopes that the youth will embrace the sport more. “We have so many good players in Brabant, perhaps because of the Brabant cosiness? The fact is that billiards disappear more and more from the hospitality industry. Instead, it goes to community houses, among others. There is the risk that young people will come into contact with it less. Although they show in Heeswijk-Dinther that they can start a youth group by putting the shoulders to the wheel. ”
Organizer Harry Mathijssen of the Masters looks positively to the future. “I run a billiard store and I see that the sport is popular. Many billiard players are not affiliated with a union, but just do the sport for pleasure. ”
The Berlicummer draws a comparison with darts. “That sport was in the doldrums years ago, but has grown enormously due to a good approach. We are not going to follow the darts, but the image of a gray, boring sport is certainly incorrect. Billiards grows worldwide. There is more to earn in various countries and we see talents up -and -coming in our own country. We cannot complain about the public interest in these masters. The theater is full from the start on Wednesday. ”