Vietnam cueists finish second at world championship for national teams

By VNA March 17, 2025 | 01:09 am PT

Bao Phuong Vinh on the final day of the World Championship Three-Cushion National Teams at the Festhalle stadium, Viersen, Germany on March 16, 2025. Photo by DBU

Vietnamese billiards duo Tran Quyet Chien and Bao Phuong Vinh secured the second position at the 2025 World Championship Three-Cushion National Teams after a competitive final against the Netherlands team on Sunday.

In the first match, Chien faced off against world No. 1 Dick Jaspers, a familiar opponent in recent years. Jaspers started with a nine-point series on his first turn, while Chien struggled to find his rhythm and trailed 9-20 by halftime.

However, in the second half, the Vietnamese player staged a remarkable comeback with an 11-point series, taking the lead 22-21 for the first time. Despite holding a 33-30 advantage in the 19th inning, Chien missed a key scoring opportunity, allowing Jaspers to mount a comeback with a nine-point run, eventually losing 38-40 after 21 innings.

Vinh was defeated 34-40 by Jean Paul De Bruijn after 28 innings.

With both Vietnamese players falling short, the Netherlands claimed their 4th championship title (1998, 1999, 2016, and 2025), with Jaspers being a key player in all four victories.

Chien and Vinh were unable to defend their historic 2024 world championship title, which the duo had secured by defeating Spanish rivals in the final.

The World Championship 3-Cushion National Teams has been held annually since 1990. This year's tournament featured 16 teams divided into four groups, competing in a round-robin format from March 13 to 16 in Viersen, Germany.