ROMAN HYBLER - CZECH REPUBLIC

Age - 27
Based - Olching, Germany
Nickname - Czech Attack
Hobbies - Tennis, football, table tennis
Cue Used - Volmer
Achievements - Bronze medals in 8-Ball and 9-Ball at 2003 European Championship. Bronze in Straight Pool at 2004 European Championships. 2002 German Open Champion. Currently ranked No.5 in Europe.

The stylish German-based Czech gains an invite to the Masters following a consistent season on the Euro Tour where he has risen to No.5 in the rankings.

Hybler did his cause no harm either this summer as he put in a good showing at the World Championship in Kaohsiung, including a late night come-from-behind win over two-time World Champion Fong-pang Chao to gain a spot in the last 32.

Roman certainly had the bit between his teeth that night, but could not sustain a challenge as he went out to eventual finalist Kuo Po-cheng in the last 16. However, his showing in Taiwan was enough to gain him an automatic spot in next year’s event.

In Europe, Hybler has had a good year, with his best finish being a runners-up spot in the Danish Open in November 2004. The Czech first came to prominence in early 2002, when he won the German Open against a high-quality field. Ready to make a break through into the big league, Hybler could be a real dark horse in Doncaster.