Well done! Lydan Debono claims Blackball World Champion title giving Malta its third gold medal
Lydan Debono has claimed the Blackball World Championship title, giving Malta its third gold medal in the event, which concluded yesterday at St. Paul’s Bay.
In the final, Lydan Debono skillfully overcame England’s Dean Shields, achieving a 10-5 victory. His triumph was marked by an impressive comeback after a challenging start, as he rallied to secure the championship in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Initially, Lydan faced difficulty, losing the first two frames in the best-of-19 format. However, he quickly regained his rhythm, winning five consecutive frames to turn the match in his favour and put Dean Shields on the defensive.
Although Dean Shields managed to take the eighth frame, Lydan responded with another streak, winning three more frames to extend his lead to 8-3.
As the match neared its conclusion, Lydan Debono showed signs of tension, allowing Shields to inch closer at 9-4. Yet, he regained control, executing a flawless table clearance in the 15th frame to seal his decisive 10-5 victory, crowning himself the Blackball world champion.
Well done, Lydan!