The European Snooker Championships 2011 have kicked off in Bulgaria and the Maltese flag is being represented by Maltese champion Alex Borg and runner up in this year`s Premier League Simon Zammit in the men`s tournament.

As regards to the ladies tournament, Malta is being represented by Roberta Cutajar who, after her positive European team championships earlier this year, was trusted to represent the Maltese flag again in the ladies tournament on foreign soil.

In the Men`s tournament, 64 players from 27 European countries split into eight groups of eight players each, are contesting the title. After the group stage, 32 players will make it through to the second round where a knockout stage will eventually produce this year`s European Champion. The Ladies tournament has 24 players from 12 European countries divided into four groups of six players, of whom 16 will qualify to the knockout stages.

As regards to results from the Maltese players, there was a very positive start from Alex and Roberta where, up till now, they are still unbeaten in their respective groups.

Alex has an impressive five wins from five games which make him a strong contender to win his group. Alex is in superb form at the moment potting three centuries and even holding the tournament`s highest break with a superb 141.

Roberta made it three out of three with some excellent performances and is clear favourite to make it to the final stages and even win her group.

Simon had a good start as well winning three out of five matches, and is still in a good position to qualify to the latter stages if he can make the best out of the last two group matches.