Alex Lely – Holland

Age -                     32 (Born 30 June ’73)

Based -                 The Hague, Holland

Nickname -            The Plague from the Hague

Hobbies -               Sports, Cooking & Eating

Cue Used -             Predator Z

Achievements -      2005 European 8-Ball and 9-Ball Champion. 2005 Italian Open Champion. 1999 World Masters Champion. 1999 German Open Champion. 1999 Mosconi Cup representative. 2003 Fujeirah 8-Ball Champion. Ranked No.30 in Europe.

The relaxed Dutchman is making his sixth World Pool Masters appearance and his record in the tournament is excellent. A win on his debut in 1999 when he put away Takahashi, Bustamante and then Reyes in the final, was followed up by another appearance in the final albeit unsuccessful when he fell to Ralf Souquet at the final hurdle in 2000. Quarter-final appearances in the last three years of the event would indicate that the Masters is Lely’s kind of tournament.

Despite having a poor second half of 2005, including a disappointing Mosconi Cup, Lely cleaned up in the first sixth months. He won the Italian Open on the EuroTour (his first ET win since April 1999) and was then in spectacular form at the European Championships in Holland claiming double gold (and a bronze) in the three major disciplines.

As well as being one of Europe’s top pool players, Lely is also a former Dutch international rugby player. Currently studying part-time at university, Lely became a father for the first time in August 2004.