Pool is changing. Fast. If you still think of it as a smoke-filled basement game, you haven't been paying attention to the World Nineball Tour. The European Open Pool 2025 wasn't just another tournament; it was a total vibe shift for the sport. Hosted at the Hills Hotel in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, from March 11–16, this event basically confirmed that the Balkans are the new power center for professional nine-ball.
Honestly, the atmosphere was electric. You had 256 players—a massive field—descending on a city that treats cue sports with the kind of intensity Americans usually reserve for football.
Joshua Filler’s Masterclass in Sarajevo
Let’s talk about the man of the hour. Joshua Filler. The "Killer" lived up to the name. Watching him work through a bracket is like watching a surgeon who also happens to be a rock star. He didn't just win; he dominated.
In the final, he faced off against Japan's Naoyuki Oi. Now, Oi is a fan favorite for a reason—the guy is hilarious and incredibly talented—but Filler was on another planet. The final score was a brutal 13-1. One. That’s not a match; that’s a statement. Filler walked away with the $40,000 top prize, part of a $200,000 total purse that has everyone on the tour feeling a bit more optimistic about their bank accounts.
What made this run special?
✨ Don't miss: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
- Filler’s break was working like a literal cannon.
- He beat Pijus Labutis 11-6 in the semis without breaking a sweat.
- The guy barely missed a ball the entire weekend.
The Shocking Exit of Mickey Krause
Nobody saw this coming. Mickey Krause, the defending champion, came into the European Open Pool 2025 with a massive target on his back. He’s the "Danish Viking," known for being cool under pressure.
But Sarajevo had other plans.
Krause’s title defense was basically a nightmare. He got knocked into the losers' bracket early by Emil Gangflot. Then, in a "win or go home" match against Poland’s Hubert Lopotko, he just couldn't find his rhythm. He missed a fairly straightforward 1-ball late in the game, and that was it. Gone. The defending champ was out by Day Three. It’s a cruel game, man.
A Massive Field and Local Heroes
The 256-player format is kinda chaotic, but in the best way possible. You’ve got the top 128 pros from the World Nineball Tour mixed with hungry amateurs and wildcards.
🔗 Read more: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
Sanjin Pehlivanovic was the poster boy for the event. Playing in his home country, the pressure was immense. He played great, taking down Eklent Kaci in a hill-hill thriller in the Last 32, but eventually ran into the Wojciech Szewczyk buzzsaw in the Last 16. Even though he didn't win the whole thing, the local support for him was insane. People were literally chanting in the hotel lobby.
Who else showed up?
- Shane Van Boening: The South Dakota Kid looked strong early on, whitewashing Tony Drago in about 29 minutes. Yes, 29 minutes for a race to nine.
- Johann Chua: Looking for redemption after losing the 2024 final, Chua played some world-class pool but fell in the Last 64.
- Naoyuki Oi: His path to the final was a grind. He beat Daniel Maciol 11-1 in the semi-finals, which made everyone think the final would be a toss-up. We were wrong.
Why This Event Actually Matters
If you're wondering why you should care about a pool tournament in Bosnia, it's about the bigger picture. The European Open Pool 2025 is one of the "Majors" on the Matchroom schedule. This means points for the Mosconi Cup.
For the uninitiated, the Mosconi Cup is like the Ryder Cup but with more yelling and smaller balls. Winning or even just placing high in Sarajevo is the only way these guys get on the team. You could see the tension on the faces of players like Jayson Shaw and Francisco Sanchez Ruiz. Every rack felt like it carried the weight of a whole season.
The production value was also top-tier. Sky Sports was there, Viaplay was broadcasting across Europe, and WNT TV was streaming it to the rest of the world. It felt big. It felt professional.
💡 You might also like: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Players
If you're looking to follow the tour or even improve your own game after watching these guys, here’s what you need to do:
Watch the "Break" closely. Filler and Van Boening aren't just hitting the balls hard. They are controlling the cue ball's height and the wing ball's trajectory. If you want to win at nine-ball, your break is 70% of the game.
Follow the Rankings. Don't just look at who won. Look at the WNT (World Nineball Tour) rankings. This is where the real drama happens as players fight for those guaranteed spots in the big-money invitational events later in the year.
** Sarajevo is a Pool Destination.** If you’re a traveling player, keep an eye on the Balkans. The facilities at the Hills Hotel were world-class, and the cost of travel there is way more affordable than London or Las Vegas.
The European Open Pool 2025 proved that the gap between the "Elite" and the rest of the field is widening, mostly because of how clinical guys like Joshua Filler have become. It also showed that the "defending champion" curse is very real. Whether you’re a casual fan or a hardcore rack-runner, the 2025 season is shaping up to be the most competitive year in the history of the professional game.