Potting down memory lane

> HANS NIRNBERGER
Though Hans Nirnberger [30] from Vienna lost his top-spot on the Austrian snooker rankings, he has had an incredible season. In December, Jack was the first ever Austrian player to compile a 147 maximumbreak. He managed to do so during a training session with John Dangerfield in his local snooker club Köö 5. It turned out to be no accident, as just four months later, Nirnberger knocked in a never seen before 146 total clearance in his Grand Prix match against Ebrahim Baghi in Wels. Nirnberger is beyond doubt the best breakbuilder ever to pick up a snooker cue in Austria.

> GARRY BALTER

Never before could a player dominate the Grand Prix series like 28-years-old Garry Balter did last season. The Grand Prix is a monthly tournament for Austria's snooker elite. In seven tournaments played, Balter appeared in no less than six finals, and ultimately won three of them. He beat his main rival Hans Nirnberger 5-4 twice, and downed Sebastian Hainzl 4-1 in another final. His consistency in the ranking events won Balter this season's number one spot in Austrian snooker.

> BERNHARD MÜLLNER
Bernhard Müllner [32] saved the best for last. In April, he won the final Grand Prix tournament of the season, beating Garry Balter 4-3 in a tense final in Wels. But things even got better for Austria's former number one. In May, Bernie surprisingly regained the crown of Österreichischer Meister after he beat top favourite Hans Nirnberger 4-2 in the final of the national championships in Salzburg. With his second national title after 1998, Müllner ended the regency of Nirnberger, who had claimed the title for four years in a row.

> MATTHEW COUCH
Eight matches played, eight matches won; 31 frames played, 27 frames won; a highest break of 136... Matthew Couch put in an immaculate performance to become the new Austrian Snooker Open champion in May. 31-years-old Couch was in unbeatable fashion as he whitewashed Mark King in the semis, and downed Patrik Einsle of Germany [who has now entered the World Snooker main tour for the 2006/07 season] 6-2 in the final of a remarkable tournament, staged in a huge shopping mall in Salzburg.

> WILLI BRAUN
Every snooker season has its highs and lows, at the table and off the table. In January, 45-years-old Willi Braun from Vienna passed away. The death of the well-known and highly beloved character in the Viennese snooker scene meant a real shock to many of his friends and club mates. But Braun won't be forgotten: his snooker club 15 Reds has staged the Wilhelm Braun Snooker Memorial tournament for early September. A great gesture for a great character.

In the next report on Austria's snooker scene, we check out how the players have survived the long hot summer when they meet for the new pre-season ISC National Open tournament in Stadlau.

©  text: Eric Willemsen [Vienna]  /  picture: www.snooker.co.at