Johan Swyngedouw, an active member of the Backgammon Club Brugge, passed a way a few days ago. His lively and joyful presence will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family. Obituary: [web | pdf].
Tag: Brugge
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In memoriam Johan Swyngedouw
Johan Swyngedouw (26/03/1954 – 03/07/2023), member of the Backgammon Club Brugge -
BMS : Fine PR’s by Johan H. and Michel in Four Cubes encounter Gent-Brugge (3-6).
The Four Cubes encounter between Gent and Brugge was validated as a BMS-event after both TC’s ( = Team Captains), Geert Van der Stricht (Gent) and Guy Van Middelem (Brugge), agreed to record and transcribe all 9 matches. The players had all the matches transcribed within 48 hours and Johan Huyck re-analysed the matches and processed the data within a day.
Here is how the players did (in brackets is the number of victories, followed by the overall PR, the checkerplay PR and the cube PR) :
Michel Lamote (3) 3,84 3,58 5,21
Johan Huyck (1) 4,30 4,26 4,48
Geert Van der Stricht (1) 6,21 5,14 10,40
Guy Van Middelem (2) 7,15 6,59 12,02
Bert Van Kerckhove (1) 8,13 4,46 23,30
Paul Van Dijke (1) 8,39 5,31 21,54
These PR’s show that it is not easy to play well after a hard day’s work and that it is difficult to achieve a below-10 PR in cube handling. Johan H. and myself were the exceptions.
I also campaigned in Gibraltar. I got off to a bad start in the 11-pointers (1/4), but managed to string 3 wins together in the Consolation (9-point matches). I filmed all my matches and came up with this encourageing result :
PR Michel in Gibraltar (4 x 11, 4 x 9) -
BMS : Christian Sörensen wins PR contest at 2nd BMS Belgium tournament (22-23 July).
With an average PR of 4,26 over six 13-point matches, Christian Sörensen took first prize at the recent BMS tournament held in Bruges. He beat Grandmaster and World’s number three Michihito Kageyama by 0,1 PR point : 4,36.
Congratulations, Christian!
Christian (l) in deep thought against Michy (r) Best performance by a Belgian player came from Marc Van Damme, who posted a strong 4,64 PR. This result brings Marc back to the number one spot on the BMS GT.
Belgium’s number 1 Marc (l) playing Kazuko (r) Five more players managed to stay below the 6 PR threshold : Geert Van der Stricht (5,39), Johan Huyck (5,53), Michel Lamote (5,63), Tatsuya Tanaka (5,67) and Walter Meuwis (5,96). Special mention should go to Johan Huyck, who out-cubed everyone with a powerful cube PR of 5,40 (!). In that domain he beat Michihito Kageyama by 0,03 mps (5,43). Well cubed, Johan!
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BMS : Paulus Van Rooijen wins 2nd BMS Belgium tournament! (22-23 July)
With an astonishing streak of 6 consecutive wins Paulus Van Rooijen (Nl) won the 2nd BMS Belgium tournament. With 5 wins out of 6, Michihito ‘Michy’ Kageyama (Japan) took second place.
Paulus (l) pondering a decision. In the background we recognise Tatsuya Tanaka. 
World’s number 3 : Michy. 12 players played six 13-point matches over two days in the ‘Hollandse Vismijn’ in Brugge. All matches were recorded and the players’ PR’s will be tabulated in the BMS Grading Table. The results will also count for the BMAB World Ranking.
The tournament was organised by BMS Belgium’s chairman Geert Van der Stricht (with a little help from his friends). Below are some pictures, which were taken by professional photographer Frank Viergever :
(from left to right) : Kazuko Numazawa, Marc Steyvers and Michy. 
Tense moments from the Michy – Marc Van Damme encounter. 
Marc Steyvers (l) playing Geert (r) 
Walter Meuwis 
Kazuko Numazawa, wondering what Marc Van Damme is up to… 
Christian Sörensen (l) and Johan Huyck (r) 
Geert Van der Stricht (l) and Kazuko Numazawa (r) 
Hisako Nishizawa These are the players who won at least 4 out of 6 matches :
- Paulus Van Rooijen 6/6
- Michy 5/6
- Walter Meuwis 4/6
- Marc Van Damme 4/6
BMS Belgium would like to thank all players for their sportsmanship and gentlemanlike conduct.
The next BMS event will be the 2nd Xmas Trophy, which will be held during the Christmas holidays.
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World’s number 3 Michihito Kageyama comes to play at 2nd BMS Belgium tournament!
BMS Belgium is proud to announce that Michihito Kageyama, better known as Michy, has agreed to come and play at the upcoming 2nd BMS Belgium tournament, which will be held at the ‘Hollandse Vismijn’ in Bruges on Saturday and Sunday 22-23 July. His entourage consists of three more Japanese players (among them Tatsuya Tanaka), who will also be taking part.
Michy (Grandmaster Class 1) playing at the Merit Open in Cyprus. For those who do not know Michy : he is currently considered one of the absolute best players in the world. On the BMAB Ranking list (which is PR based) Michy is currently ranked nr. 3 with an astonishing aggregate PR of 3,18. Only Victor Ashkenazi (1 – USA) and Mochi (2 – Japan) precede him.
Never before has a backgammon player of such calibre set foot on Belgian soil. Michy is not only an outstanding player, he is also much respected for his strikingly serene table presence. Michy’s zen approach to the game has, together with his warm and outgoing personality, made him one of the most esteemed and admired players in the world.
BGFed.be members are welcome to come and watch this Backgammon Giant (currently nr. 2 on the Giant-32 list) play in Bruges on 22-23 July. Play starts at 10am.
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New Venue for Brugge Backgammon Club
Brugge Backgammon Club heeft een nieuw lokaal vanaf 1 december 2016:
Cultuurcafé de Biekorf
Naaldenstraat 4
8000 BruggeOnze speelavond blijft donderdagavond vanaf 19.30 uur.
Allen welkom !Groetjes,
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BMS Brugge : Zdenek and Michel divide PR prize.
Wonder kid Zdenek Zizka As was to be expected, Zdenek Zizka, the timid 17-year-old grandmaster from the Czech Republic, took first prize in the PR contest at Belgium’s 1st BMS event (6 x 13) :
BMS Brugge PR Zdenek I was able to dip below 5 and thus post the 2nd best PR :
BMS Brugge PR Michel The other performance results :
3. Honza Cerny (CZ) : 5,36
4. Johan Huyck (B) : 5,72
5. Geert Van der Stricht (B) : 5,89
6. Pavel Zaoral (CZ) : 6,20
7. Walter Meuwis (B) : 6,33
8. Paulus Van Rooijen (NL) : 6,82
9. Maurits Pino (NL) : 8,00
10. Guy Van Middelem (B) : 9,02
The question now is : how much improvement can our best players make in the coming 12 months? Belgian backgammon would make a big leap forward if 3 to 4 players could post PRs below 5 next year.
BMS BE hopes that at least a number of players will find the time and motivation to strive towards that goal. It will take study and dedicated practice. We wish everyone good luck in that noble endeavour.
M (for : BMS BE)
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BMS : Johan Huyck remains undefeated at 1st BMS tournament.
With an amazing streak of 6 consecutive wins, Johan Huyck (Gent BC) became the convincing winner of the 1st BMS Belgium tournament. After having beaten Paulus Van Rooijen (NL), Guy Van Middelem, Honza Cerny (CZ) and Walter Meuwis in the first 4 rounds, Johan won a crucial duel against the young Czech grandmaster Zdenek Zizka to take 5/5. In the 6th and final round, Johan was able to keep Maurits Pino (NL) from a shared first prize by scoring his 6th victory.
Johan (r) with BMS trophy and BMS organizer Michel (l) Four players shared 2nd place with 4 wins : Geert Van der Stricht (Gent BC), Maurits Pino (Brussels BC), Paulus Van Rooijen (Brugge BC) and Pavel Zaoral (CZ).
Top favourite Zdenek Zizka (CZ) was knocked out of contention in the 4th round by Guy Van Middelem (Brugge BC) and had to content himself with a meagre 2/6. Same for Michel Lamote (Brugge BC – 2/6). Both players can hope for some consolation in the form of respectable PRs. All 10 players are currently transcribing the 30 matches (13 points) and eagerly (anxiously?) awaiting the performance evaluations.
BMS Belgium would like to congratulate all participants on their gentlemanly conduct and good-humoured competitiveness and especially the Czech delegation for travelling 1000 km to come from Prague to Brugge and being great sports. Robin Bilderbeek handcrafted the trophy.
M
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Czech grandmaster Zdenek Zizka (17) plays at BMAB event in Brugge.
Zdenek Zizka with BMAB award letter A couple of months ago (March ’16) the BMAB event in Vienna, Austria, was won by Zdenek Zizka from the Czech Republic with an overall PR of 3,52. He has since then been awarded the official BMAB (Backgammon Masters Awarding Body) grading of Grandmaster (Class III) with a PR of 3,84. In an effort to improve on his rating, he will play in Brugge on 23-24 July 2016. He will be accompanied by his mentor Honza Czerny and by Pavel Zaoral, two Czech players of Master level.
The American backgammon pro Phil Simborg did an interview with this talented youngster for the on-line magazine GammonVillage. We are allowed to publish some excerpts :
(Chiva Tafazzoli, President of the World Backgammon Association, on “the Czech group”) : The members of the Czech group are all extremely nice people. They have been regulars at the monthly tournaments in München. On Saturdays, they drive 4 hours from Prague to be on time (never late) and after the tournament, around 10pm, they drive back to Prague, another 4 hours. That’s dedication!
Zdenek (about himself) : I started to play backgammon when I was 5. My dad was working in a restaurant where they had a backgammon machine and he showed me and my mom how to play. During our vacations in July and August we would play tens and tens of games on a small wooden board. That was our favourite family game and the experience was invaluable in helping me understand checker play strategy without the cube. As you know, even with the cube, knowing how to play at DMP is quite important.
Zdenek (on studying backgammon) : The only book I ever read was Boot Camp by Walter Trice, but I think it really did not help me so much. I teach myself by importing my matches into XG and studying my mistakes. I have had eXtreme Gammon since 2013 and it is a great learning tool. I think most of the top players in the world would not be near as good without this wonderful machine.
Zdenek (on backgammon heroes) : I have a lot of respect for players who can play at the highest levels and still control their emotions when losing. I do not like loud people and people who complain all the time. It is unpleasant and ruins the game and the atmosphere. If you can’t handle bad luck, then backgammon is not the game you should be playing.
Zdenek (on his aspirations) : I am concentrating on mathematics in school. I am not exactly sure what I want to do, but it will have something to do with money, statistics and probability. Backgammon is not my life, but my life is like backgammon – full of luck, decisions, studying probability and statistics. If there is a way I can make a career teaching and playing backgammon some day, that would be great.
So, this young prodigy will play against some of Belgium’s Best on 23-24 July. You can still register for the event (before Sunday 17 July, midnight) if you play at Advanced level or better.
Michel, Zdenek and Honza Czerny in Prague (August 2015) M
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Van Kerckhove/Van Gemert (NL) win 1st Consulting Doubles in Brugge.
In Brugge, 10 of the best players in the Low Countries gathered to compete in a consulting doubles contest. Each team played 4 matches (9 points) with generous time allotment : 15 seconds/move and 27 minutes in the time bank. Players had sufficient time to discuss checker plays and consider cube actions.
Bert Van Kerckhove (left) and Rogier van Gemert (right), winners of the Brugge 2016 Double Consultation, both on result and on PR. At the end of the day, two teams had won 3 and lost 1 : Bert Van Kerckhove/Rogier Van Gemert (NL) were declared the tournament winners because they had beaten Johan Segers/Luc Palmans in their mutual duel. Congratulations to winner and runner-up.
Full result :
1. Bert Van Kerckhove/Rogier Van Gemert (winners) : 3/4
2. Johan Segers/Luc Palmans (runner-up) : 3/4
3. Paulus Van Rooijen/Paul Van Dijke : 2/4
4. Geert Van der Stricht/Johan Huyck : 2/4
5. Walter Meuwis/Michel Lamote : 0/4
In this tournament all matches were recorded live. A prize was also set apart for the team who put down the strongest performance. Half an hour after the last dice shake, XG delivered the verdict and, lo and behold, the winners appeared to also have played best : Bert and Rogier scored a world-class 3,48 PR. It was a close affair though, since the 2nd best performance was only 0,26 off : Walter Meuwis/Michel Lamote were only marginally outplayed with 3,74 PR. Ironically, they did not manage to win a single match (0/4). Geert Van der Stricht/Johan Huyck managed to end within one of the winners with a 4,41 PR.
Full result :
1. Bert Van Kerckhove/Rogier Van Gemert : 3,48 (!)
2. Walter Meuwis/Michel Lamote : 3,74
3. Geert Van der Stricht/Johan Huyck : 4,41
4. Paulus Van Rooijen (NL)/Paul Van Dijke (NL) : 6,01
5. Johan Segers/Luc Palmans : 6,16.
The tournament was an initiative of Paulus Van Rooijen set up in cooperation with Brugge BC. A special word of thanks to Robin Bilderbeek for handcrafting the trophies and transcribing 4 matches and to Walter Meuwis for processing the data and transferring the match files to all players. Thanks also to Mireille and Pol of the Hollandse Vismijn for providing the accommodation and the professional service.
Hopefully we can look forward to a second edition somewhere in the not too distant future.
M
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BMS(BE) : first Four Cubes cluster between Brugge and Gent.
For the first time in Four Cubes history, an encounter between two teams was fully filmed and transcribed. Since both team captains (Michel Lamote – Brugge BC, and Geert Van der Stricht – Gent BC) agreed beforehand to have all PRs validated by BPR, the encounter became an official Four Cubes cluster.
A little more than 24 hours after the action, all players had received XG-files of all matches in their mail-box. They could find out whether certain checker plays were right or wrong, see whether they handled the cube well or not, and keep the files for further study.
An extra benefit of recording matches can be that the loser might gain some consolation from a fine performance. While Brugge BC had every reason to be doleful after losing the Four Cubes, some relief could be found in the idea that they put up a good fight or at least played according to their skill level. Here is how the current Four Cubes holders performed (9 matches to 7 points) :
PR Brugge BC As a corollary, however, the jubilant team might find its enthusiasm slightly dampened if their performance was not at par :
PR Gent BC To illustrate this psychological effect further, here is how Paul Van Dijke (Brugge BC) performed in 3 matches to 7 (won 1, lost 2) :
Amazing PR by Paul Van Dijke This is a jaw-dropping performance of grandmaster level. While Paul experienced some extreme frustration on the night, he can surely derive satisfaction from these data. If his matches had not been recorded, he might have fallen subject to dejection or bouts of self-doubt. As it is, it looks like there is not much he could have done better or differently.
Same for me : as captain of the home team, I cannot afford to squander much equity. Having lost my 3 matches – horresco referens – I managed to find relief in my better than average PR :
PR Michel Lamote Here are the other PRs :
3. Geert Van der Stricht (Gent BC) :
PR Geert Van der Stricht 4. Guy Van Middelem (Brugge BC) : 7,42
5. Bert Van Kerckhove (Gent BC) : 7,53
6. Robin Bilderbeek (Gent BC) : 9,60.
BMS(BE) would like to thank all players for their willingness to participate in this challenging format and their agreement to have these data made available to the BGFed.be backgammon community.
M
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Four Cubes : Brugge BC – Gent BC 3-6.
Through this loss, Brugge BC has to relinquish the Four Cubes. Leuven 2 can win the coveted prize if they win at Brussels BC tonight, Friday 17 June. Admission free.
Bert Mr Four Cubes Van Kerckhove led the Gent team to victory with 3 wins. Captain Geert Little Karpov Van der Stricht won 2 encounters, and Robin Rain Bilderbeek won one.
M
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Game of Dice – Season 5 – Episode 2 (trailer)
A strong team or army is not judged on its many victories, but on its rare defeats. In rugby union, the New Zealand All Blacks played and won their first encounter in 1903. 113 years later they still cause havoc over their enemies. Are they unbeatable? No, in 1949 they had a bad season, appropriate named their “Black Year”. One of the reasons was that their Maori players were not welcome in South Africa, a nation ruled by Apartheid.
In his monumental The Phoenix Book of International Rugby Records, John Griffiths gives the details: “Six Tests were played and all were lost, four to South Africa and two against Australia. Uniquely, the series ran parallel, the South African tour taking place at the same time as the home rubber with Australia, and the first Test against Australia was staged on the same day as the third Test in South Africa.”
One bad season in 113 years…
Splitting forces is seldom a good idea. And the signs were bleak when both teams of Leuven left the Brabant Highlands and travelled the long and dangerous road to Flanders’ Fields. Passing Waterloo was unavoidable, and the soldiers were fully aware that at this same spot one of the greatest generals that has ever lived, lost his final combat. But they didn’t leave unprepared: it was a wise decision to leave their mercenary from the Prince-Bishopric of Liège at home.
When the outskirts of Gent dawned at the horizon, both teams went their own way. One army headed for the nearby city; the second continued the hazardous journey to that other place of meticulous checker play and razor sharp cube decisions: the city of Brugge.
In both towns the fighters from Brabant were greeted in dark and small streets by hostile inhabitants. Suspicious eyes under long hats followed their footsteps, broad shoulders forced them to step in the mud, barking dogs made life difficult and danger loomed behind every window or corner. Unscathed they reached the local taverns, where they were confronted with some of the lowest PRs mankind has ever seen in these surroundings…
(See the 4 Cubes 2016 Tournament Book for all the details of the combats.)
– LP
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Brugge BC wins the 4 Cubes 2015
Although losing to Ghent 5-4, Brugge was able to take the Four Cubes home. Losing to Ghent meant that three clubs were tied at first place with 3 encounters won and one lost. To break the tie, the ancient Four Cubes codex had to be consulted. It revealed that in this case, the number of matches won in the 3 encounters between the equally ranked teams would break the tie. Brugge, who won 9-0 to Brussels and lost 4-5 to Ghent, ended up with 13 matches won, 4 more than Gent and 8 more than Brussels.
Ghent was seriously handicapped by the absence of Bert Van Kerckhove (the Scourge of the Lowlands). However, the team was led by a highly motivated Geert Van der Stricht, who set the example by winning his three matches (best score of the evening with 3/3). Johan Huyck and Robin Bilderbeek both won one match and sadly lost one each through clock violation. Johan, who was leading 6-4 against Guy and in the process of bearing in against a 4-point anchor, somehow forgot to keep track of his remaining seconds and lost on time. The same happened to Robin, who had brutally gambled on a 4-cube at 3-away 4-away against Michel Lamote, suddenly had real winning chances, but also allowed the time flag to drop on him. These two points proved to be extremely valuable to Brugge, who might otherwise have lost 7-2… What a thrill!
Brugge appeared in their strongest formation, with Guy Van Middelem and Paul Van Dijke completing the team led by captain Michel (2/3 on the night). Although probably the strongest club team in Belgium, Brugge looks quite vulnerable with only three players available for the team. Gent and Brussels appear to be the strongest challengers for the 2016 Four Cubes contest, with more players of Advanced level ready to complete the team.
Thanks to all teams and players for competing well in this prestigious competition.
M
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4 Cubes 2015: Deciding match Gent – Brugge tonight
Tonight, the last encounter in the 4 Cubes 2015 tournament takes place, Gent vs Brugge. If Brugge wins, then it will have won all encounters and it will become “Belgium’s Best Backgammon Club 2015”. If Gent wins, then there will be three teams with three encounters won and one lost: Brugge, Brussels, and Gent. In that case, the triple tie will be broken according to Article 6 in the rules (page 6 in the tournament book). The result depends on the number of matches won: If Gent wins 5-4 or 6-3, it’s still Brugge who will be champion. However, if Gent wins 7-2 or more, then Gent will be the final winner.
Good luck to both teams!
The 4 Cubes 2015 referee committee
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4 Cubes: Brugge beats Brussels in convincing fashion 0-9 (!)
Michel, Guy and Paul scored 3 out of 3 against Leonidas, Zsolt and Maurits. Surprisingly, Brussels player Alain Chif decided to watch proceedings from the sidelines.
Brugge is now top contender for the 2015 BIC trophy.
M
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4 Cubes 2015 : Brugge – Leuven 6-3
Akbar Soltani (L) giving Michel Lamote (R) a hard time. In the background, Henri Pollet (L) facing Paul van Dijke (R). Brugge-Leuven was scheduled for June, but the home team proposed to switch battlefield to Leuven and time of action one month earlier – a most generous proposal. Was there weakness in the heart of the Ogre? Nay! Brugge wished to start the fight in full force, and this could only be accomplished in these circumstances.
But, beware future adversary of the Fighters from Leuven! These man can not be lured with such simple tricks. Henri Pollet, a soldier of many a war, smashed his first two opponents into smithereens. And an objective observer informed your reporter that Mr Soltani held the throat of Belgian’s number one Michel Lamote with both hands in an iron grip, and only had to release his opponent at the last moment.
Michel Lamote (L) versus Marc Van Haverbeke (R). In the background, Paul van Dijke, Guy Van Middelem, and Akbar Soltani. With the score tied 3-3, darkness looming over the bloody and messy battlefield, all subtleties were thrown overboard, and Brugge switched to their final strategy. With pure brute force they overcame the last hurdle in this heroic battle.
Returning home, sweat streaming down their faces, they muttered “mission completed”. But let there be no misunderstanding! This was not the usual Ogre’s roaring voice, which is feared by all foes; this resembled the sound of a peeping mouse.
(The second match of the third round Gent-Hasselt will be played as scheduled on Tuesday, June 16th in Gent)
— LP
Round 1: Brugge – Leuven 2-1
Guy defeats Marc
Henri defeats Paul
Michel defeats AkbarRonde 2: Brugge – Leuven 1-2
Henri defeats Guy
Marc defeats Michel
Paul defeats AkbarRonde 3: Brugge – Leuven 3-0
Guy defeats Akbar
Paul defeats Marc
Michel defeats HenriFinal score: Brugge – Leuven 6-3
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1st Brugge Backgammon Day
Saturday 28 February 2015
from 10.00h till 19:00h
De Hollandse Vismijn, Vismarkt 4 , Brugge
De 6 Brugse Zotten: a team challenge.
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4 Cubes Trophy Goes from Brugge to Hasselt
Last Sunday, 04/01/2015, the 4 Cubes trophy was handed over from Brugge to Hasselt, congratulations!! From left to right on the picture, Line Vandamme (Brugge), Walter Meuwis (Hasselt), Michel Lamote (Brugge).
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1st Brugge Backgammon Day 28/02/2015
After many 5’s and 6’s this is the correct invitation for the event in Brugge.
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New Venue for Brugge Backgammon Club
Dear backgammon friends,
As from Thursday 17/10/2013, we organise our club evening in café De Hollandse Vismijn, Vismarkt 4, 8000 Brugge.
Best regards, Peter.
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4 Cubes 2012, Round 4: Brussels vs. Brugge, 3 – 6
4 Cubes 2012, Round 4
Brussels vs. Brugge, 3 – 6
Played on Thursday, September 6, in Orée (Brussels) (more…) -
4 Cubes 2012, Round 3: Gent – Brugge, 5-4
On Tuesday, June 26, Gent received Brugge for the 3rd round of the 4 Cubes 2012. Location: Koninklijke Academie Union-Sandeman, Kantienberg 5, 3000 Gent. (more…)
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4 Cubes 2012, Round 2 : Brugge bounces back – beats Leuven 7-2
Report by Brugge’s team captain, Michel Lamote.
Last Monday, 30 April, the 4 Cubes 2012 competition entered the second stage. Leuven, with a win over Brussels under their belt, delegated 4 players to Brugge in an attempt to make a strong bid for victory. For Brugge, ruffled after a surprising home loss against Hasselt, only a convincing win was good enough. A second consecutive loss would surely mean the end of all Four Cubes dreams. (more…)
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4 Cubes 2012, Round 1: Brugge – Hasselt, 3-6
Round 1 of the 4 Cubes 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012, in Café Belleman Pub, Jozef Suveestraat 22, 8000 Brugge. (more…)
