The Mezz Cues Baltic Pool League 2024 third stage was held in the cozy BAMS Poolclub in Riga, Latvia. The exciting weekend offered many top class matches in all the divisions. The open division was won by Jere Virtaranta (Finland), women’s division by Anna Prisjaznuka (Latvia), and the senior division best was Maciej Trudnowski (Poland). This time was no different about the side events as there were held the pro and mini event. The pro event was won by Karl Gnadeberg (Estonia) and the mini event by Azuolas Tadaravicius (Lithuania).

 

Undefeated Virtaranta

Jere Virtaranta was the firm winner of this event as he securely won all his matches. In the semi-final he was better of Jokubas Silantjevas (Lithuania) 9:5, who had a back-to-back bronze medal. In the final Virtaranta won against the events legend Mark Mägi (EST) by the same score. Mägi had a tough semi-final against the young gun Karl Gnadeberg (EST) as their match finished 9:7.

Let’s see whether the young Silantjevas will get higher in the next stage.

 

Prisjaźnuka on top again

One of the all-time most successful women players in the league has done it again. Namely, it was Anna Prisjaźnuka (LAT) who won the women’s event, and she had a convincing run as well as she did not lose any matches. In her semi-final match she faced Diana Jelinskiene (LIT) and in the final Anastasia Losseva (EST). Prisjaźnuka did not leave many chances for both as she won both matches 7:3.

 

Gold for the Pole

The senior’s event was no different as the winner Maciej Trudnowski (POL) who was on bronze medal the last time made his corrections and clinched the gold medal with no lost matches. However, the poles path to success was not that secure. He won his semi-final 9:7 against Źilvinas Cemnolonskis (LIT) who won back-to-back bronze medal. In his final he had to grind hard to get 9:7 on the score board against Guntars Timmermanis (LAT). Timmermanis played in his semi-final against Martins Rusis (LAT) and won 9:6.

 

Gnadeberg to throne the Pro event

The Pro side event is always real nailbiter as the event includes the top players of the event. This time the Pro event was dominated by Estonian players as there were three of them on the podium. The most successful was the young Karl Gnadeberg as he won the final against another Estonian Gert Maimre 8:4. Another third place for Silantjevas as he lost the semi-final to Gert Maimre. Another podium finish for Mägi as well as he lost his semi-final to Gnadeberg. Both semi-finals ended 8:6.

 

Another Mini win for THE MINI

It is nice to see another gold medal for 12-years old Aźuolas Tadaravićius (LIT) as he won back-to-back Mini side event. In the semi-final Tadaravićius left no chances for Robertas Kudlis (LIT) as he won 4:0. The final was a battle of two youngsters as another young promising player Sander Tamm (EST) reached the final winning a thriller against senior division bronze medallist Cemnolonskis 4:3. In the final Tadaravićius showed good class and won the match 4:2.

 

Riga is always the place to be

It was another great event in Riga. Big gratitude goes out to BAMS Poolhouse and all the staff. Playing on the brand new tables is always a pleasant experience. It is heartwarming to see that all medals played out this weekend went to different countries. In total there were 110 players taking part in the events.

Big gratitude goes out to all the athletes, volunteers, fans and all other people and companies that were part of another enjoyable event. Additional gratitude to Estonian Billiard Federation, Finnish Billiard Federation, Latvian Billiard Federation and Lithuanian Pool Federation for their constant support and cooperation. Last but not least a big gratitude goes out to all the sponsors – Mezz Cues, Holly Case, Mirai, Aramith, Iwan Simonis, Kamui, Aveiras, Turtle Rack Sheet, Arena Billiards Club, Black Ball Billiard Club, Bams Pool House, Hill-Hill Pool Club, and Baltic Billiard Development Union.

The next event is scheduled to be held from 18 to 20th of October in Vilnius, Uptown Billiards and the good news are that all Rasson tables will have Ivan Simonis 860 installed just for a week. For further information please visit our Facebook www.facebook.com/balticpoolleague.