The inaugural stage of Mezz Cues Baltic Pool League 2025 was held in Tallinn, Estonia. The host of the event was the beloved Hill-Hill Billiard Club. There were three days of exiting events in mini, women, open and seniors’ divisions. Karl Gnadeberg (EST) won the men division, women’s division was won by Simona Milisauskaite (LIT) and senior event was won by Joonas Saloheimo (FIN). The mini warm-up event was won by Andrzej Guzanowski (POL).

 

The Challenge of Future

The final of the open division was literally the final of the future as two world class youth players Karl Gnadeberg and Walter Laikre (SWE) met in the final. Gnadeberg who lost last years Tallinn stage final surely wanted to shine in his home club this year. Laikre was quite close to spoil the joy for Gnadeberg as he was leading the whole final to only let Gnadeberg tie at 7:7 with Gnadeberg’s break. Gnadeberg showed his class with a brake and run and winning the Estonian stage. Gnadeberg was really on fire this weekend as on his way to the final he won 8:3 against many times Baltic Pool League winner Mark Mägi (EST). Laikre played his semi final nearly to perfect as he won 8:1 against Gert Maimre (EST).

 

Milisauskaite’s revision

Strangely enough Milisauskaite had the same task as Gnadeberg as she as well had to forget the last year’s Tallinn stage loss in the final. She was up to the task and made a nice revision against Aleksandra Sinilnikova (EST). Throughout the match she was leading and finally formalized the win with a score 9:6. Milisauskaite played strongly in the semi final as well as she won 9:3 against Anna Grintśuk (EST).  Sinilnikova’s semi final went without any major turbulence as well as she won 9:5 against Lotte Linnas (EST).

 

Saloheimo’s dominance

If there was a certain thing this weekend, then it was Saloheimo’s win in seniors division. He won all his matched with a 72% win percentage. In the final Saloheimo had to play the legend of Latvian pool Peteris Ermasons. Saloheimo did well as he won 7:2. In the semi final Saloheimo played good as well as he won 7:0 against Guntars Timermanis. Ermansons had a comfortable win in his semi final as well as he won 7:2 over Antti Rantanen (FIN).

 

Guzanowski won the mini

The warm-up mini event on Friday evening is always needed to break the ice for the weekend. This time the winner was Andrzej Guzanowski. He really deserved the win as he won all his seven matches. In the final it was close as Guzanowski won 4:3 against Eero Hammais and in his semi final another hill hill against Peteris Ermansons. Hammais has a little more comfortable semi final as he won 4:2 against Mario Palumets (EST).

 

Nice to kick off the season

Another season start has come to an end with more than 80 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, Rasson, Kamui, Aveiras, Turtle Rack Sheet, Arena Billiards Club, Black Ball Pool Club, Bams Pool House, and Hill-Hill Pool Club.

The next event is scheduled to be held from 30^th of May till 1^st of June in Black Ball club in Klaipeda. For further information please visit our Facebook www.facebook.com/balticpoolleague.