At A Glance
- Johann Chua dismantled Italy's Francesco Candela, 9-3, to advance to the knockout stage of the 2024 European Open 9-Ball Championship Thursday at the Hotel Esperanto in Fulda, Germany.
Johann Chua dismantled Italy's Francesco Candela, 9-3, to advance to the knockout stage of the 2024 European Open 9-Ball Championship Thursday at the Hotel Esperanto in Fulda, Germany.

Chua got into an early lead which he never relinquished despite some counters from his Italian foe to arrange a showdown against Albania's Kledio Kaci in the Round of 64 of the European tournament that has a top prize of $30,000 (roughly P1.7 million) for the grand winner.
Chua, the 2023 World Cup of Pool champion, moved into the next round after a default win over Belgium’s Kevin Lannoye and a 9-6 win over Chinese Taipei’s Liu Chien Hung.
Meanwhile, James Aranas was eliminated after he yielded to Greek Alex Kazakis 9-2, and to Polish Mateusz Śniegocki, 9-7, in the loser's bracket.
Anton Raga wouldn't be able to repeat or improve his bridesmaid finish last year after absorbing back-to-back losses to Taiwan's Ko Ping Han (9-7) and Austria’s Max Lechner (9-2).