The knockout phase of the European Snooker Championship in Antalya, Turkey, has begun, and Malta’s Aaron Busuttil and Chris Peplow have secured their spots in the last 16. A total of 46 matches took place on the fourth day of the tournament, narrowing the field to the remaining elite competitors.
Both Busuttil and Peplow had already showcased strong performances in the group stage, earning direct qualification to the last 64. Their journey continued with impressive victories.
Busuttil’s Dominance on the Table
In the last 64 round, Busuttil faced Germany’s Umut Dikme, who had previously eliminated a Maltese player in January’s World Snooker Federation Championship in Morocco. This time, Busuttil turned the tables, securing a 4-2 victory. His remarkable play included breaks of 105, 95, and a 63-point clearance in the final frame, overcoming a 60-point deficit.
Moving into the last 32, Busuttil encountered Austria’s Florian Nuesse, a newly minted professional after winning a Q Tour Global Play-Offs final on March 13. Despite Nuesse’s credentials, Busuttil dominated with a resounding 4-0 win. He displayed confidence throughout, sealing the match with a stunning 47-point clearance in the fourth frame.
Peplow’s Steady Path to the Last 16
Peplow’s journey was equally impressive but slightly different. In the last 64, he defeated Scotland’s Michael Collumb 4-1, demonstrating early control by winning the first three frames.
His last 32 opponent, 14-year-old Ukrainian prodigy Matvei Lagodzinschii, posed a tougher challenge. Peplow took the first two frames, but Lagodzinschii fought back to level at 2-2. However, the Maltese player responded strongly, winning the next two frames to claim a 4-2 victory and secure his place in the last 16.
Other Maltese Performances
Among the other Maltese competitors, Arthur Cachia achieved the best additional result, winning his last 64 opener 3-1 against Ireland’s John Sutton before being eliminated 4-2 by Northern Ireland’s Fergal Quinn.
Unfortunately, Brian Cini, Alex Borg, and Joseph Casha were all knocked out in the preliminary rounds. Cini fell 3-0 to Wales’ Sam Thomas, Borg lost 3-1 to Switzerland’s Alain Vergère, and Casha was defeated 3-1 by Romania’s Mihai Vladu.
Upcoming Last 16 Matches
Busuttil and Peplow will return to action on Friday morning, playing for a place in the quarterfinals. Busuttil will face England’s Ashley Hugill, while Peplow is set to take on another 14-year-old sensation, Poland’s Michal Szubarczyk, who has already won the Under-16 and Under-18 titles at this tournament.
With both players surpassing last year’s last 32 finish in Sarajevo, Malta will be hoping for even greater success as the competition heats up.
