AUSTRIAN OPEN SEEFELD 2001
Oct. 11^th to 14^th 2001
(Casino Seefeld – Hotel Veronika, Austria)

Because former European Champion Thomas Lumper lost against Akaki Kikaleishvili from Georgia and reigning European Champion François Tardieu beat this year´s Warsteiner Cup winner Norbert Lisiecki in the semifinals, it came to a match we already had a month ago in Nova Gorica. At the 13^th WBF European Championship Akaki Kikaleishvili had to play François Tardieu in the semifinals. On September 1^st Akai lost. On October 14th the man from Georgia wanted to take revenge in the finals of the Austrian Open.

He did it.
But Akaki had "only" a five point board with the four point open. So François had to show a four - and he did it. With 4-2 François entered from the bar (with the four) and hit Akai´s back checker inside his board with the two. Akaki needed the four again. It was revenge´s time, because François didn´t recover from another hit by Akaki. All the players allowed the nice and always polite man from Georgia his first win of a big backgammon tournament. Well done Akaki! The tournament was perfectly organized by the experienced Peter Winkler and his crew. The cosy Hotel Veronika provided the players with good food and perfect service almost around the clock. Many reasons for returning next year! See you in Seefeld!

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