Report – Hans “Jack” Nirnberger wins Austrian Masters title for the second time

Garry Balter, Hans Nirnberger, Christian Hochmayer;

The 2024 Austrian Snooker Masters champion hails from Lower Austria: Hans “Jack” Nirnberger (SCAH, Lower Austria), who repeated his 2021 title win and secured his eleventh Austrian national title overall.

After one withdrawal, 15 athletes competed in the newly renovated Snooker and Billiards Academy in Vienna on Saturday, January 11, to kick off the 2024 National Championship season. Defending champion Garry Balter (15 Reds, Vienna) was seeded first and made his intentions clear with a commanding 3-0 opening victory over Bernhard Ullmann (HSEBC, Vienna). The multiple Austrian Champion in both the Open and Masters categories continued his dominant form with clear wins against Clausdieter Franschitz (SCAH) to reach the semifinals and his clubmate Bernhard Wallner, whom he relegated to the bronze medal match.

Garry Balter, referee Günther Eckhart;

Hans Nirnberger started equally strong, eliminating Helmut Chlada (HSEBC) to set up a quarterfinal clash with Alexander Trinkl (15 Reds), the reigning Viennese Masters Champion and 2017 Austrian Champion. Trinkl reached the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Christian Kasparek (HSEBC). After splitting the first two frames, Nirnberger emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline to face Christian Hochmayer (FBC, Vienna) on the final day. Hochmayer, the top-ranked Masters player of the 2024 season and three-time Masters champion, pushed Nirnberger to a deciding frame in a closely fought match. Ultimately, Nirnberger clinched victory, earning his place in the final.

Hochmayer then faced Bernhard Wallner in the bronze medal match, where every shot seemed pivotal. In the end, the FBC athlete secured third place and a spot on the podium.

Christian Hochmayer;

The final, officiated by Eva Poskočilová from Prague, was a thrilling spectacle. Defending champion Balter took an early 2-0 lead, appearing poised to retain the coveted trophy. However, Nirnberger, initially struggling with his attacking game, turned the match around in spectacular fashion, winning the next four frames and claiming the Austrian Masters title.

Hans Nirnberger;

The tournament’s highest break, a 55-point run, was achieved by Bernhard Wallner during his 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Carl Walter Steiner (HSEBC, Vienna), a small consolation for the fourth-place finisher.

Bernhard Wallner;

Referees included Eva Poskočilová, Gábor Bátori (Budapest), Franz Meszaros (Vienna), Günther Eckhart (Upper Austria), Wolfgang Pecka (Vienna), and tournament director and ÖSBV Sports Director Patrick Stegmeier (Vienna).

The new Masters season begins on February 1-2 at KSC in Gerasdorf near Vienna. In addition to the six regular ranking rounds, the newly introduced Masters Austrian Championship Qualifier event in November will allow 32 athletes to compete, doubling the previous limit of 16. The qualifier will determine four finalists who will join the Austrian Championship Finals in January 2026, competing for medals alongside all other Austrian National Championship divisions.

Details will be available in the upcoming Championship Conditions and the 2025 tournament calendar. Additionally, ÖSBV will host a public Q&A session on January 30 at 6:30 PM via ZOOM for athletes, officials, and anyone with questions about ÖSBV operations. The meeting link will be accessible in the tournament calendar.

Results Austrian Masters Championship | Season 2024

ÖSBV wishes all Austrian Masters athletes a successful 2025 season!