Five Maltese snooker players are heading to Spain to take part in this year’s European Snooker Championship, organised by the European Billiards and Snooker Association. The event will run in Gandia, Spain, from Sunday, 8 March to Saturday, 14 March.
The Maltese players are reigning local champion Brian Cini, Aaron Busuttil, Chris Peplow, Joseph Casha, and Philip Ciantar. They are among 173 players from 40 countries. The competitors are divided into 43 groups — 42 groups of four players and one group of five (Group A).
The first four days of the group stage will see the Maltese players face the following opponents:
- Brian Cini (Group AO): Jose Ignacio Enciso (Spain), Diego Minxalli (Albania), Amaan Iqbal (Scotland)
- Aaron Busuttil (Group E): Oscar Puigpinos (Spain), Martin Orinak (Slovakia), Sebastiaan Kan (Netherlands)
- Chris Peplow (Group F): Ayaan Iqbal (Scotland), Thomas Janzso (Austria), Fabian Haken (Germany)
- Joseph Casha (Group G): Dan Merrigan (Ireland), Kayhan Durukan (Turkey), Craig Steadman (England)
- Philip Ciantar (Group S): Hugo Van Houten (Netherlands), Daan Leyssen Janssens (Spain), Miguel Ruivo (Portugal)
On the first day, Brian Cini will not play, as the schedule begins on Sunday, 8 March. The group stage runs until Wednesday, 11 March.
Maltese players’ schedule for the first day:
- 10:00 – Group G: Joseph Casha vs Dan Merrigan (Ireland)
- 12:30 – Group E: Aaron Busuttil vs Oscar Puigpinos (Spain)
- 12:30 – Group S: Philip Ciantar vs Hugo Van Houten (Netherlands)
- 17:30 – Group F: Chris Peplow vs Ayaan Iqbal (Scotland)
