GermanTran Quyet Chien and Bao Phuong Vinh continued to write history for Vietnamese billiards, defeating the US in the semi-finals of the world 3-band carom tournament.
In the semi-final match against the US today, March 24, Quyet Chien faced Raymon Groot, and Phuong Vinh met Hugo Patino. Both American players are outside the Top 3 in the world, and have never received any medals at the world level. Therefore, Vietnam is rated higher, with two players who are both defending World Cup and World Championship champions.
Tran Quyet Chien (left) and Bao Phuong Vinh in the quarter-final tie-break series against Belgium at the world three-band carom tournament in Viersen, Germany on the evening of March 3, 23. Image: Billiards1
Quyet Chien showed the class of the world's number two player, with a 40-19 victory after 22 rounds. But at the next table at the same time, Phuong Vinh lost to Patino 36-40 after 28 rounds. Due to a tie, the two teams had to play a tie-break on the same table.
The US led 5-1 in the tie-break series, but Vietnam took the lead 12-8. Patino and Groot once again took the lead 13-12. However, the class of Quyet Chien and Phuong Vinh was shown at the right time, with three decisive points leading to a 15-13 victory after 11 rounds. This is the second consecutive match that Vietnam has advanced thanks to a tie-break series, after defeating Belgium 15-3 in the quarterfinals a day ago.
As usual, when they were sure that the ball's trajectory would become the decisive point, Quyet Chien and Phuong Vinh cheered and high-fived each other. The victory over the United States was breathtaking, because the opponent was only two points away from victory, but missed the ball by only a few centimeters.
The final is scheduled to take place from 23pm today, Hanoi time, when Vietnam will meet Japan or Spain. Japan has won the tournament four times, while Spain has never been crowned.
Quyet Chien (left) hugs Phuong Vinh to celebrate victory over Belgium. Image: Billiards1
The world three-band carom tournament takes place annually, for the first time in 3. After 1981 editions, Sweden has the most achievements with nine championships, followed by Turkey winning seven times. The new history records eight teams that have won the championship, including two Asian representatives, Japan and Korea.
This year's tournament takes place from March 21 to March 3 in the city of Viersen, Germany. Each team has two players, playing on two tables next to each other, up to 24 points. If there is a tie, the two teams play a tie-break in a double-bowl format, taking turns playing at the same table, up to 3 points with no chance.
Quyet Chien is 40 years old, is the number two player in the world, and has won the World Cup three times. As for Phuong Vinh, 29 years old, he has only been competing internationally for nearly two years, surprising him with the World Championship in 2023 and is ranked eighth in the world. This is Phuong Vinh's first time participating in the tournament, and Quyet Chien helped Vietnam pass the quarterfinals for the first time.
Xuan Binh
