2025 Predator Austrian Open – Fortunski is King of The Alps

Mieszko Fortunski

POLAND’S MIESKO FORTUNSKI claimed his third Euro Tour crown as he defeated countryman Wojciech Szewczyk 11-7 to claim the PREDATOR Austrian Open. He can now add this to the 2016 Italian Open and Tampere Open from 2023 but for Szewczyk, the hunt for his first Euro Tour title must continue.

Taking place in the picturesque Alpine town of St Johann im Pongau, the final itself stayed close until the mid-point when Fortunski began to edge away as he led 8-4, needing three more for glory. To his great credit, Szewczyk staged something of a comeback as he took the score to 7-9, to give his opponent something to think about.

However, sensing this was his time, Fortunski closed out the match to add the beautiful trophy to his Euro Tour collection. The Pole enjoyed the more comfortable ride to the final as he overpowered surprise package Ugur Turku and then No.1 ranked player Stefan Kasper in the quarters and semi-finals respectively.

Afterwards he was thrilled with his success; “I’m feeling amazing. It was a really nice atmosphere to play here for the people who watched and I’m very happy. I think that was a better match for me than the semi-final and I felt better on the table. I was more confident so I’m happy with that.

“It’s never easy to play against a friend from the national team so of course I’m happy because I won but there are no words for him right now except full respect. I have an eight-hour car journey home now but with this trophy!” he added.

For Szewczyk it was one match too far after putting in two massive performances to come from behind in the quarter-finals, winning 11-10 over Oliver Szolnoki and then holding off Mario He to win his semi-final 11-8.

He said, “It’s just a game and I try my best and today it meant second place not first but overall, I think I played a good tournament. Coming here I had no expectations and didn’t feel too good at the table and I didn’t play too well in my opening matches but later on I got some groove.

“I’d love to win, obviously, but I’m also happy for Miesko – he was the better player in the final. I accept that whenever you lose it’s just part of the game. I know my efforts were huge today and I’m proud of that.”

The Women’s Predator Austrian Open got underway on earlier in the day Saturday at 9.00, and the 64-player played down to the last eight. The quarter-finals commence at 10.00 on Sunday morning, with the title-decider taking place at 17.00.

This year sees a new streaming platform for all Euro Tour and European Championships events.

Table 1 and 2 will be streamed throughout on YouTube, via the Pro Billiard TV channel – https://www.youtube.com/@ProBilliardTV

For all results, live scoring and draw, visit https://www.epbf.com/tournaments/eurotour/information/

EPBF Sponsors

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▸ Aramith Billiard Balls
▸ Longoni Cues
▸ Kamui Brand

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