In the world of billiards, everyone knows Efren "Bata" Reyes, who is known as "The Magician" - the magician of the billiard table. With shots that many experts cannot even explain, Reyes has become a living symbol of the magic and infinite creativity in this sport. But in a high-level friendly match organized between him and Niels Feijen, the Dutch superstar who was a world champion, the unthinkable happened - and it all started with a simple question from Reyes:
"Can you do my magic shot?"
The audience could not have imagined that this challenging question would become the spark that almost exploded the entire stadium with excitement, suspense, and finally an unbelievable explosion of emotions!
The competition is not just about technique – it is about the spirit of billiards
The match was held at a prestigious event that gathered famous names in the billiards world. When the name Efren Reyes was announced, the entire audience stood up and cheered enthusiastically, even though he was no longer in his physical prime. But with just a nod, a focused look, and a familiar cue in hand, Efren made people feel the “living miracle” present right in front of them.
Opposite him was Niels Feijen, one of the most powerful, precise and courageous players in Europe. With a cool appearance, professional style and a shot like a measuring machine, Feijen is the embodiment of the modern generation of billiards – where technique and science are pushed to the limit.
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When the challenge was thrown – no one thought it would go so far
The match was tense, beautiful and extremely evenly matched. Sometimes Feijen led, sometimes Reyes "turned the tables" with unimaginable moves. In the 7th game - an important game that could decide the psychology of the match - Efren made an extremely complicated shot: the cue ball was stuck behind a series of block balls with almost no way out.
But then, in a magical moment, he made a low-spin, precise bounce, sending the cue ball around the block balls and hitting the target in a way that no one could have imagined. The whole stadium erupted in thunderous applause!
At that moment, Reyes turned to Feijen, smiled and asked in a half-serious, half-witty voice:
"Can you do my magic shot?"
The audience burst into laughter, thinking it was just a joke, a gentle encouragement. But no - Feijen stood up, looked at the ball that was still in the same position, and said:
"Let me try." (Let me try.)
The world held its breath – and then… boom!
Feijen stepped up to the table, holding the cue with unprecedented concentration. He adjusted his hand position, checked the angle, and turned his wrist slightly as if he were simulating the trajectory of Reyes’ shot. The room fell silent – ​​thousands of people held their breath, as if the air had stopped moving.
Then he swung the cue.
The cue ball slid, lightly touched the cushion ball, circled the block ball, and… success! The shot was almost identical to Reyes’ shot, with only a slight difference in the trajectory.
The entire stadium exploded in applause, cheers, and loud “Oh my God!” shouts. Those near the front row held their heads in amazement, many jumping up and down in disbelief that they had just witnessed two of the most magical shots ever – executed in the same match and by two great players from two different generations.
Efren laughed heartily, approached Feijen and hugged his opponent like a bosom friend in the billiards world. He whispered something into Feijen's ear that the Dutchman later revealed in an interview:
"He said: 'You make me happy. The magic is not mine alone. Billiards needs a successor.'"
It was more than a shot - it was a connection between two generations
That moment was not simply a beautiful shot, but a symbol of transfer, of recognition, of a spirit of not competing but of inspiring each other. An old master with the title of "magician" - not looking down on the younger generation, but on the contrary, challenging them with his love for the game, and then being happy to see that they could also create their own magic.
The crowd left the court that day not only with images of spectacular shots, but also with a strong feeling of love for the art of billiards, the mutual respect between legends, and how the real magic lies not in the shot, but in the player’s soul.
The match between Efren Reyes and Niels Feijen that day will be talked about for many years to come not only for the visual delight of the technique, but for the emotional explosion it brought. When a 60-year-old man, with a hand that once trembled, can still blow up the entire stadium with an impossible shot – and when the next generation dares to step up and do the same with all due respect – that is when the real magic is passed on.
