France – the country карамболя, fault and the big possibilities (№5 (17) from November, 15th, 2007)

It would be most logical to assume, what exactly Paris, the capital of France, is the centre of billiard movement of the country. However it at all so. In a city it is not enough billiard institutions. The reason for that is dearness of the earth and a rent in city line. But in vicinities of Paris of clubs suffices.

Billiards is extended across all France, and the grouping of clubs is defined following zakono - regularity: the more the sun, the there is less than billiards, and on the contrary. That is game institutions prevail in the north of the country. It is caused by that in warm places people prefer entertainments in the open air, somehow: swimming, volleyball etc. An exception with - ставляет Marseilles – a place in the south in which the number of "actors" from карамболя is very great. So in this city billiards – separate entertaining branch. The recognised billiard centres also are Lyons and Lille.

In France there are two federations – FFB (Fеdеration Franсaise de Billard) and AFEBAS (Association Franсaise des Exploitation de Billard Anglais). Uninitiated it is difficult to understand nuances and to understand, than they differ. But actually all is simple: one federation – FFB has the official status only. It is recognised by the World Association of a pool and unites professional sportsmen whom 16 000 persons are nearby. From them 13 000 are engaged карамболем, 1500 play «Black Ball», 1000 – in a pool and only 500 specialise on снукере. AFEBAS, strictly speaking, is engaged only in billiard business. Its members are an order of 14 000 sportsmen, and all of them play «Black Ball». And rules do not forbid them to participate in tournaments FFB.

Unusual feature of the French billiards consists that it gets support from the state. Moreover, politicians are interested in that on the country the maximum number of clubs opened. And any conversations on "gambling" or its fatal influence on youth. On the contrary: billiards here – sports. The French clubs share on commercial and noncommercial. Billiard rooms concern the first version in classical understanding of this word: with a bar, kitchen, hourly payment for game both other, and other. Owners of similar institutions are aimed exclusively at profit reception. Noncommercial clubs (we name them «fe - деральными») are created for the good of sports and by default should not bring the income. They use set of privileges, however have also a considerable quantity of obligations. The mechanism of creation of similar institutions the following: initiators should send the letter in FFB, having informed the plan for development of the future club. Also it is necessary to inform local authorities on the intentions. Whether thus on opening of a noncommercial institution found - can receive financing at the rate from 10 000 to 20 000 euros. Besides, often similar clubs are released from a rent, and the payment of invoices for utilities and an electricity is incurred by the state. Thus, noncommercial billiards in France vsjaches - ки is supported. By the way, it is promoted very much by the law from 1901 about creation of associations (which, actually, and similar institutions concern). As to quantitative sootno - шения, noncommercial clubs in France of an order 700, whereas commercial only 300.

For the whole world France is known as the country карамболя. Here it is national game – the same as снукер in England. And here itself снукер among Frenchmen not in honour: exists – and only. Fifty years ago карамболь has been extended in the country everywhere. However now the pool has started to win from it the rights on the sly. The matter is that a business component of billiard business. More cheaply also is more profitable to establish in clubs small tables for a pool, and especially – for English. Therefore in a pursuit of benefit owners I (will underline) commercial clubs have addressed to лузному to billiards. And карамболь has moved to noncommercial institutions. However primordially French kind of billiards still continues to be cultivated. And to no small degree it is promoted by the TV which is carrying out translations of competitions.

Hour of game per a pool per average commercial French club costs 8–10 euros («Black Ball» manages more cheaply). As карамболь it is found in noncommercial institutions, also the prices here much more low – 3–5 euros in an hour. And for clubmen special conditions are provided – for 200 euros it is possible to get the subscription granting the right of unlimited game within year. Well here it is possible to tell?. That we so lived! And now about the menu of the French billiard rooms. In noncommercial clubs is it is not accepted, and spirits there are not on sale at all. And it is final, any smoking or games on money. And commercial institutions offer the standard menu of the European institutions: at least it is sandwiches, кола and beer, and in certain cases – paste, salads and "noble" alcohol. Frenchmen – devoted fans. If the person though is interested in billiards a little, but itself does not play, it all the same will come to support the favourite sportsman. So, eyewitnesses assert that in the beginning 90 in halls usually gathered on one thousand the person, wishing to look game. Now times any more those, but billiards all the same involves crowds of fans.

As to age frameworks of the French billiards children take great pain to involve in game. About 20 noncommercial clubs have the status "partially children's", that is regularly, направленно carrying out rising generation training (certainly, it is gratuitous). However even those institutions which are under FFB and nurseries are not considered, submit to the so-called decision «Label Federal»: they should allocate not less than 6 hours per week for free training of children.

Women in France too an active - but are engaged in billiards, but only лузным. So, women make about 30 % from all sportsmen-pulistov of the country, and only 1 % (!) – from total number карамболистов. This is ка speaks for itself. For those who wishes to get acquainted more close with billiards in France, the reference www.kozoom will be useful. com. Here it is possible to read about карамболе, an English and American pool, and also about снукере in France – the truth, while only in French. Except work on a site company "Kozoom" is engaged in manufacture of billiard video films and online of translations of competitions.

Is to France and the billiard magazine. It is published by federation ' 46FB and is called «Sport Billard Magazine». Each interested person can subscribe and receive 8 releases For 11 euros throughout a year. In a word, this project urged to inform and educate people. Readers pay only post expenses, and publishers do not receive the income any. Here it, an example of the present altruism!

And, certainly, the set of competitions is spent to France. Actually the tournaments are in each club. And besides they be tens championships of city and national level. After all one only versions карамболя in France 8! So to list names of the strongest players of the country very much and very hardly. We will be limited to three: in a pool it is Vincent Fake and Stefan Koen, in «Black Ball» – Frederik Balluar. And about карамболистах, no less than about subtleties most карамболя, we will tell in one of the nearest issues of the magazine.

Julia Petrov has prepared