Nicholson beats holder Brecel 5-2 in final

Jake Nicholson is the winner of the European U-17 Open. The young English player beat 2007 champion Luca Brecel, of Belgium, 5-2 in the final played in Buġibba on Sunday.

Nicholson won the opening three frames 80-34, 71-65 and 64-57 but Brecel hit back and won the next two frames 74-44 and 67-24 to bridge the gap to 3-2.

Nicholson, however, kept his cool to take the next two frames 74-26 and 74-44 and seal the title.

Maltese player Shaun Sultana produced a creditable showing in the tournament. He advanced to the semi-finals after chalking up three wins in the group stage.

Sultana opened up against Simon Lindblom, of Sweden, winning the match 3-1 and then had the better of Rob Smessaert (Belgium), 3-2, and Alexander Westholm (Sweden), 3-0.

Sultana's opponent in the last four was Brecel. During the semi-final, the Belgian compiled the highest break of the tournament, a 128, in the third frame.

Brecel proved too strong for Sultana, winning the match 4-0 (39-65, 30-68, 6-129, 44-54).

In the play-off for third place, Sultana lost to Ryan Clark 3-0.

Twelve players took part in the U-17 Open. Christopher Peplow and Wayne Pace were the other Maltese cueists in the tournament, finishing ninth and 10th respectively.