Borg, Bezzina in fine openings

Duncan Bezzina and Alex Borg made a solid start to the European Snooker Championships, currently underway in Volkermarkt, Austria, after winning their respective opening group matches yesterday.

Bezzina, who earlier this week had reached the last 32 of the WSA Challenge Tour play-offs, had the better of Gibraltar's Sean Galligan 4-1 (69-22, 49-50, 71-2, 51-11, 98-0) in a Group A tie. He compiled breaks of 45 and 75 on his way to victory. Today he plays his second match against Belgium's Jim Spapen.

Borg, the Malta champion, also had little difficulty in having the better of Austria's Zi Kim Chau 4-1 (97-0, 62-37, 83-0, 55-66, 80-44), potting breaks of 72, 83 and 45. His next opponent in Group B is Rodney Goggins, of Ireland.

Malta's other representative is Simon Zammit. On Wednesday, he just missed out on a place in the 2004/05 Challenge Tour after losing his final qualifier.

Last night, the former Malta champion was playing against Kevin Zarakani of Sweden in Group F. Today he faces Stefan Mazrocis, of Holland.

In the seniors' competition, Tony Mifsud opens his commitments today when he takes on German Zeljko Halapa.