Topic: The Snooker thread

[Schmarn]

Were you watching the game or just Ceefax when you typed this?

Ye of little faith.

I do miss Ceefax though

[Ray K]

Sensational stuff by Brecel. Fully deserved.

[TheShanklyGates]

Get in Luca Brecel! Really thought he was toast for a bit there until Selby suddenly started missing.

Brecel becomes the first ever World Champion from continental Europe as well as the first world champion born after 1990. And he's done it with a ruthless, immensely watchable attacking style of play. Fantastic result for snooker.

[Chavvie]

Cracking tournament, excellent final and deserved winner. Been the best player and beat some massive names

[voodoo ray]

if you'd told me before the tournament that brecel was going to win it I'd probably have told you to fuck off. if you'd told me 18 months ago I'd have laughed.

but he's been brilliant.

williams, o'sullivan and selby have 15 between them and he's beaten all 3.

[Crosby Nick]

What a way to win it!

[Iska]

Get in, absolutely brilliant win.

[Libertine]

Amazing!

Had to suffer a little in the last session, but so fully deserved. Lit up the tournament.

Loved the way he got a few laps of table to celebrate too....

[Barneylfc∗]

Well deserved. Brilliant to see

[**** The Pain Away.]

These interviews are the worst, awkward as hell every time.

[Red-Soldier]

This interviews are the worst, awkward as hell every time.

Yep.

Why the hell go to the loser first too.

[Tobelius]

Congratulations Luca,well deserved!   

[west_london_red]

Yep.

Why the hell go to the loser first too.

They do that in most sports don’t they?

[Keita Success]

Didn’t want Selby to win, but upmost respect for that interview.

What’s the bad news that he’s had?

[Ray K]

Yep.

Why the hell go to the loser first too.

Selby spoke well and was generous to Luca.

[voodoo ray]

old trophies are always better.

[Libertine]

What's he gonna do now? He's already been partying all through the tournament.

[kaesarsosei]

Didn’t want Selby to win, but upmost respect for that interview.

What’s the bad news that he’s had?

Exactly my thoughts. Don’t like his play style but he’s probably the best fella on the circuit.

What are his off-table issues?

[Schmarn]

He had mental health issues last year. Not sure what’s happened to his wife but can probably guess.

[Hazell]

This interviews are the worst, awkward as hell every time.

Don't diss Hazel Irvine.

[west_london_red]

Exactly my thoughts. Don’t like his play style but he’s probably the best fella on the circuit.

What are his off-table issues?

He’s had a lot of mental health issues a year or two ago, I can’t remember the game but there was one where he  was literally falling apart mentally, you could see that something wasn’t right in his face.

[Red_Mist]

Well played Luca. There’s something about the way he knocks those pots in when he’s on song. It’s almost effortless. Has been a great entertainer this tourney and fully deserves the trophy. Fair play to Selby too for making Luca sweat. Nearly had him!

[voodoo ray]

brecel might not practice but he's off to vienna in 2 days to play in a pro-am.

[Red-Soldier]

They do that in most sports don’t they?

Yeah.  I just find it weird.  Seems unnatural to me.

[mattD]

One of the most entertaining snooker champions I've seen, take a bow Luca!

And full respect to Selby, he made the likes of myself eat a massive serving of humble pie. Usually part of the 'anyone but Selby' brigade, and that was in full flow after the poor semi final he had, but he was the other reason why this final was so enjoyable. He was fantastic and its the last time I criticise him.

Hoping Luca can make a real stamp on the game from here. Need his kind of quality on the baize and drive the standards up again. Top top quality from both players, and on a personal level, the pair are a credit to sport.

[Robinred]

Chuffed for Brecel, the more so for the game. Like others, I was impressed with Selby - his response was that of a true champion and gentleman. I don’t like the way he slows down play to gain an advantage, but his magnanimity was admirable.

[Fordy]

Brecel fully deserved that.

He played his own game of if the shot is there then i am taking it.

[nayia2002]

Brilliant final and massive deserved win for brecel
Well done to Selby aswell especially for the 147 last

[cashmere pringle]

Not watched snooker since the 80s heyday..
Watched this final and some the rounds, even thinking of joining my local club.

Can someone explain the negativity towards Shelby for me?  I thought both players were excellent and made au unforgettable final.

[baltic out here]

Not watched snooker since the 80s heyday..
Watched this final and some the rounds, even thinking of joining my local club.

Can someone explain the negativity towards Shelby for me?  I thought both players were excellent and made au unforgettable final.

Think it started with the 'gwaan ronneeeh' brigade creating an agenda against him when Selby first won the WC against Ronnie. Ronnie playing his flashy style as usual, but Selby was simply magnificent tactically. And Selby was unbeatable for a while, but the agenda was that his style was 'boring' etc. Which is utter bollocks, I find his game fascinating to watch, especially the safety part of the game, which I'd say has to be as equally admired as daring long pots or what else. And as the hating increased I found myself rooting for him more and more. And a really lovely fella, very determined and caring for his family, respects the sport and his opponents (unlike a certain ronneeh).

[kaesarsosei]

Think it started with the 'gwaan ronneeeh' brigade creating an agenda against him when Selby first won the WC against Ronnie. Ronnie playing his flashy style as usual, but Selby was simply magnificent tactically. And Selby was unbeatable for a while, but the agenda was that his style was 'boring' etc. Which is utter bollocks, I find his game fascinating to watch, especially the safety part of the game, which I'd say has to be as equally admired as daring long pots or what else. And as the hating increased I found myself rooting for him more and more. And a really lovely fella, very determined and caring for his family, respects the sport and his opponents (unlike a certain ronneeh).

As I've said before, I like Selby but these arguments are going around in circles. Tactical play != slow play. I would like the way Selby played if it was just a bit faster.

He was perfectly fine for most of this final and for most of the final session was fantastic to watch. The semi against Allen was beyond the pale though.

[Knight]

When you're as far behind as Selby was last night you can't make any mistakes really and he made 2 in that penultimate frame. Made it a very interesting and exciting final session to watch though!

[Schmarn]

As I've said before, I like Selby but these arguments are going around in circles. Tactical play != slow play. I would like the way Selby played if it was just a bit faster.

He was perfectly fine for most of this final and for most of the final session was fantastic to watch. The semi against Allen was beyond the pale though.

Exactly this. Most people have no problem with tactical play but Selby has had a tendency to take a long time over shots that he knows he is going to play. The match against Allen was the low point with him taking 30 seconds per shot and only 5 of 8 frames being played in a session which is unfair on the paying audience. Someone mentioned the 2014 final and the same happened there in the 3rd session.

The interesting thing about this year's final is that Selby realised that he wasn't able to slow down Brecel and decided to speed up himself which drastically improved his game, almost leading to a stunning comeback. By playing quicker it actually improved his own rhythm and timing.

Despite all of that, I've always thought Selby is a top guy off the table. Very humble, very hard working. And I do enjoy a contrast in styles rather than everyone playing at breakneck speed.

As for Brecel, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if he never wins another one. His style of play is so high risk and is probably why he never got past the first round before. Still, he can probably dine out on this for the rest of his career and he thoroughly entertained us for 2 weeks.

[Barneylfc∗]

As for Brecel, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if he never wins another one.

Another in a long list trying to break the crucible curse.

He won't be the one to do it.

[Red-Soldier]

When you're as far behind as Selby was last night you can't make any mistakes really and he made 2 in that penultimate frame. Made it a very interesting and exciting final session to watch though!

Yeah, he gave himself too much to do in the end.  I really didn't expect him to miss that black off the spot though, or that brown into the middle.  But, when you're behind and get to that stage of the match, you can't really afford any mistakes.  He may have got away with one, but not two.

Perhaps, he started to feel a bit nervy too, at 15-16 - very different to 11-16.

[B0151?]

Not a big snooker fan but Brecel and young Si helped me be a lot more interested in this years than I usually am. I hope they can both push on.

[Ray K]

At least they both had a good time last night

[meady1981]

Looks like the Wernham Hogg Christmas party

[PaulF]

 For casual snooker people ( not even fans) desert Island discs from Fri 2nd June ( BBC sounds) is worth a listen as Ronnie is the guest.

[Barneylfc∗]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/65641122

Chinese players Liang Wenbo and Li Hang have received lifetime bans for match-fixing in snooker's biggest corruption scandal.

A total of 10 players, all from China, have been disciplined by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).

The allegations include manipulating games, approaching players to cheat, betting on snooker and fixing a match.

Yan Bingtao, the 2021 Masters champion, has been banned for five years until 11 December 2027, and UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong must serve a 20-month suspension that ends on 1 September 2024.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: "This has been a very complex case. It has been heart-breaking to see some young talented players fall foul of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations through pressure exerted by two senior players.

"This behaviour has been recognised as wholly unacceptable by the imposition of two lifetime bans from participating in recognised snooker in any way.

"I am pleased that the commission found that they did not see from the present case any evidence of a wider culture of wrongdoing in snooker.

"The WPBSA will continue its strong stance against those who try to manipulate sport and today's outcome sends out a clear message that match fixing will not be tolerated in snooker."