ANTWERP - The Antwerp Hilton arena is preparing for the traditional gala with the world’s best three cushion players. Dani Sánchez, the world champion and Dick Jaspers, the overall World Cup winner, will show up on Saturday night 4th of March for an exclusive audience in a match for the Supercup in short, exciting sets. These two world class players have been nominated along with Frédéric Caudron for the 2016 Player of the Year election.
The Supercup gala is a combination of sport and entertainment, for which Ludo Dielis devised the golden formula. Dick Jaspers: ,,I want to perform well on such a night and I see the evening as a wonderful experience to be part of.’’ Dani Sánchez, who returned this week from Japan and celebrates his 43rd anniversary on Friday: ,,The gala is a serious challenge, but on such a special night like this, it's hard to stay focused.’’
What is more important to you, winning the Supercup or be elected as the Player of the Year?
Dani Sánchez: ,,I would like to be Player of the Year.’’
Dick Jaspers: ,,I'd rather like to win the Supercup, because you have it in your own hand. Player of the Year will be determined by others.’’
How do you like the system with short sets?
Dick Jaspers: ,,There is tension, it's exciting, so I do like it. You can quickly win the match, but on the other hand be out after a few short sets. I know how to prepare for that.’’
Dani Sánchez: ,,I don’t’ like the short sets, but that’s what the organization and the audience want, so we will try to make the show.’’
Who deserves the title Player of the Year in 2016?
Dani Sánchez: ,,I see no clear winner last year.’’
Dick Jaspers: ,,The top players all won tournaments, no one was the very best.’’
The Supercup gala is organized by Ludo Dielis and his team for the 13th time. The winner of the Super Cup and the Player of the Year are rewarded by 5.000 euros. The Player of the Year is chosen by the federations, the confederations and the fifty best players on the world ranking.
The Supercup gala and Player of the Year election will be broadcast live on Kozoom.
The honour list of the Player of the Year:
2001: Torbjörn Blomdahl
2002: Marco Zanetti
2003: Semih Sayg谋ner
2004: Dani Sánchez
2005: Dani Sánchez
2006: Dani Sánchez
2007: Torbjörn Blomdahl
2008: Dick Jaspers
2009: Frédéric Caudron
2010: Dick Jaspers
2014: Sung-Won Choi
2015: Torbjörn Blomdahl
The palmares of the two protagonists:
Dick Jaspers:
Three-time world champion
4 times World Cup winner
Two-time European champion
18 times Dutch champion
1 time Supercup winner
2 times Player of the Year.
Dani Sánchez:
Four-time world champion
4 times World Cup winner
3 times European champion
18 times Spanish champion
Two-time winner Supercup
Three times Player of the Year.