Page Defends U18 Title in Sofia

Welsh starlet Jackson Page has completed the successful defence of his EBSA European U18 Championship title with a 5-3 victory against Austria’s Florian Nüßle today in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The 16-year-old maintained his 100% record of final appearances in the competition which was initiated in 2016 by the European Billiards and Snooker Association (EBSA), having lost out to compatriot Tyler Rees two years ago, before he won the title for the first time in 2017 with success against Israel’s Amir Nardeia.

It was to be a similar story a year later as from being level at 3-3 with a possible three frames still to play, the Ebbw Vale player notched breaks of 63 and 84 to triumph and ensure that the trophy would be returning to Wales once again.

By winning the title, Page has now ensured that he will take his place in the draw for this season’s Betfred World Snooker Championship in Sheffield for a second successive year. He will now need to win just three matches in April if he is to qualify to play at the iconic Crucible Theatre for the first time in his career.

The youngster also adds to his growing reputation as one of the sport’s most talented players, having reached the last 32 of last year’s Welsh Open in Cardiff as a 15-year-old. He has also drawn glowing praise from legendary Welsh player Mark Williams, who was himself a winner at the German Masters tournament last weekend.

The EBSA European Championships continue with the U21 competition, with Page among those competing and hoping to go one better than last year when he finished as runner-up to Switzerland’s Alexander Ursenbacher, ahead of the Men’s competition which starts on Friday.

For more information on the tournament visit www.ebsa.tv