On Monday, during the European Snooker Junior Championship in Antalya, Turkey, Jake Castaldi, who on the first day qualified with the last 32 in the under-16 category was again victorious to qualify amongst the last 16 but was eliminated in the following round.
In his first match Castaldi met the Polish player, Witold Bystrzycki in which they offered the most contested and exciting game so far during this championship. It was the Polish who won the first frame but Castaldi responded immediately and won the second frame.
Bystrzycki once again took the lead but the Maltese was solid in the fourth frame and once again drew level. During this fourth frame Castaldi achieved a break of 44 points. The fifth frame had to decide who would secure a place with the last 16. As often, the decisive frame created excitement, even more when the frame remained in total balance that the last ball had to decide the qualification. It was Castaldi who was brave enough to try the last black ball from an akward position but managed to pot it and close the game for a final score of 3-2 with the following frame scores; 41-60, 58-34, 43-54, 77-58 and 51-50.
In the last 16 match, Castaldi’s opponent was the English juvenile, Logan Hall gave a little chance for the Maltese to enter into the game. In the three frames they played, Hall made a break of more than fifty points in each frame. In the first frame 84 points, in the second frame 52 points and in the third frame 54 points for a convincing 3-0 victory with the scores of the frames ending as follows; 1-84, 30-88 and 41-61.
In this category the adventure for Jake Castaldi comes to an end but continues during the Junior competition for Under-18 which starts on the third day. In the last part of this championship, Jake Castaldi is also an entrant in Under 21 competition.
On Wednesday, along with Jake Castaldi, in the Under-18 category join his brother Chaylon and Xavier Rizzo together with the two Maltese who have already participated the Under 16 European Championship. These are Caiden Casha and Gregory Cachia.
The five Maltese players will be among the 90 young people who are registered to take part in this category. They are divided into 20 groups of four and two groups of five. In the first stage, all the Maltese, are drawn along with three other competitors and therefore they must play a total of three games.
