The Premier League caravan reaches Preston

Preston will have its share of snooker

We are travelling north to the city of Preston, a beautiful city which knew fame and prestige being a boomtown during the Industrial Revolution. For the Preston people and all the others snooker fans who will come from near of far away, the Premier League reserved a big surprise because they will have the chance to see not two snooker matches (as usual), but three! So, six big names from the snooker world will play in a "tic-tac" format, trying to be at their best and please the public who adores them. What a snooker feast!
The town of Preston must feel very privileged, since this will be the first and last time when three matches will be disputed. I think I feel some jealousy in the air! ;-)


The first two to break the ice, will be the Chinese Marco Fu and the defending champion Shaun Murphy. Our "made in Hong Kong" cue man will have to give his best, since he has just one point in his bag, from the match where he fought Ronnie O`Sullivan at the beginning of this month. The match ended on a draw (3-3), so each player received one point, still not enough if you want to secure a place in the semis or the big final.

Marco Fu is to fight Shaun Murphy

Shaun Murphy, our contemporary "Merlin" was the one who opened the Premier League rounds, defeating Ding Junhui 5-1 and receiving as a reward 2 points to cherish and multiply :-P Still, he needs to keep up the good work if he wants to keep his title of Premier League champion.


"The Chinese Sensation" Ding Junhui and "The Welsh Potting Machine" Mark Williams are to fight in the second match of the evening, These two talented boys fought last week in the quarter-finals of the World Open, in what was one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. Ding was leading 2-0, when Mark made a remarkable comeback to win the next three frames and by doing so, he also won the match (3-2).

China and Wales clash

Mark had an amazing performance two weeks ago, at the Premier League round 2, when he recovered from 2-0 in favor of Mark Selby and won the match 4-2, receiving 2 points for the effort. He was into the Premier League arena after five years of wondering through the ranking system so his victory meant a great deal.
Ding Junhui was the one who received 0 points from the battle against Shaun Murphy, losing as I’ve said before 5-1, but thanks to the draw from playing Ronnie O`Sullivan in round two, he got his first point. As his fellow-country Fu, he also needs to get back on the track and earn as many points as possible if he wants to play into the finals stages of this tournament.


And, with your permission, I present you the last match of the day which will have as main characters, the fresh winner of the World Open tournament , Neil Robertson and “The Jester from Leicester” Mark Selby.

Robertson and Selby fighting for their first points

Neil will make his first appearance on the Premier League caravan, this year. He is a fast player so the main rule - 25 seconds per shot - will not be an obstacle he could not suppress. He is a very gifted player and a very ambitious one, so it’s going to be interesting to watch him play "The Shark" Mark Selby, who by the way, wasn’t at his best lately, but I’m sure he wants to get back into the game as soon as possible.
Mark has 0 points in this bag for losing 4-2 to his namesake Mark Williams so he needs to put quite a performance into this match in order to get some more points.


These being said, I invite you all, not to miss the chance of seeing these six wonderful players doing what they do best - playing terrific snooker! The Premier League is going to be covered LIVE tonight by SkySports 2 (here`s the link) from 18:00 (UK time).
Enjoy snooker and see you tomorrow for some gossip! ;-)

Caravana Premier League ajunge la Preston

Inca un oras pe lista, Preston

Calatorind inspre nordul tarii, iata ca am ajuns si la Preston, un oras frumos, unul dintre acele orase care au cunoscut gloria si faima in perioada Revolutiei Industriale. Astazi, locuitorii "prestonieni", dar si cei veniti special din alte colturi mai mult sau mai putin indepartate ale tarii, vor avea ocazia sa vada caravana Premier League poposind la ei in "ograda". :-))
Si pentru ca in sfarsit caravana a calatorit ceva mai mult si nu se ma afla la cateva mile de capitala Regatului Unit, spectatorii ce si-au achizitionat din timp bilete pentru eveniment, vor avea ocazia sa vada nu doua meciuri, asa cum ne-am obisnuit, ci trei! Un festin de snooker! Si ar trebui sa se simta privilegiati, intrucat Preston-ul va fi si singurul oras unde sase nume de renume vor veni sa joace in Premier League.


Primul meci al serii se va da intre chinezul Marco Fu si campionul in exercitiu al acestei competitii, Shaun Murphy. Marco vine dupa un singur meci jucat in runda intai, impotriva lui Ronnie O`Sullivan, meci incheiat la egalitate 3-3. Astfel chinezutul nostru "made in Hong Kong" nu a primit decat 1 punct si are nevoie disperata de mai multe, daca vrea sa se califice pentru stadiile finale ale acestei competitii.

"Cue man Fu" si "The Magician"

Magicianul la datorie, acest "Merlin" al vremurilor moderne, Shaun Murphy a fost cel care a debutat in Premier League, la inceputul lunii septembrie, inregistrand o victorie remarcabila in fata lui Ding Junhui (5-1). Aceasta victorie i-a adus 2 puncte pretioase in cont, insa daca vrea sa-si pastreze titulatura de campion de Premier League, va trebui sa munceasca si mai mult pentru a-si asigura un loc in semifinale si mai departe in finala.


Cel de-al doilea meci al serii are tot un iz asiatic :-P, intrucat "Senzatia" Ding Junhui il va intalni pe "The Welsh Potting Machine" Mark Williams. Cei doi, de abia daca s-au "razboit" in cadrul sferturilor de finala ale World Open-ului, unde Ding l-a condus detasat cu 2-0 pe Mark, pana cand acesta a decis ca nu ii prea convine situatia si a castigat 3 frame-uri consecutive, pentru a inchide scorul la 3-2, in favoarea sa. :-)

China si Tara Galilor se ciocnesc

Mark are deja o victorie de 2 puncte, inregistrata in meciul impotriva tizului sau, Mark Selby, acum doua saptamani, cand a pasit pentru prima oara in cinci ani in arena Premier League. A realizat o performata "a la Williams: revenindu-si pe acelasi stil de la 0-2 la 4-2 si a demonstrat ca "se poate!". Ii uram succes si speram sa ajunga cat mai departe in aceasta competitie.
Ding a fost cel care, alaturi de Murphy, a deschis seria de runde Premier League, insa nu cu un rezultat foarte bun, o serie de probleme cu viza tinandu-l departe pe chinezut de Sheffield si snooker. Avea sa nu primeasca niciun punct in runda de deschidere, insa in meciul impotriva lui O`Sullivan (3-3), din runda a doua si-a castigat primul punctulez. Si Ding, ca si compatritotul sau Fu, au nevoie de o victorie, cel putin, daca vor sa mearga mai departe in rundele finale ale Premier League.


Si, cu permisiunea dvs., ultimul meci al serii va fi cel discutat intre proaspatul castigator World Open, Neil Robertson si Mark Selby.

Robertson si Selby se bat pentru primele puncte de PL

Pentru Neil, aceasta este si debutul in Premier League, pe anul in curs, fiind primul meci pe care il va disputa in drumul intortocheat al rundelor "round-robin" cu ticatit obsesiv de ceas. :-) Neil este un jucator rapid, asa nu va fi o problema pentru el sa-si concentreze strategia de atac intr-un timp limita de 25 de secunde per lovitura.
Mark Selby, isi disputa cel de-al doilea meci in cadrul competitiei si speram ca de aceasta data va fi ceva mai norocos. In meciul impotriva galezului Williams a pierdut cu scorul de 4-2, acest lucru neaducandu-i niciun punct in cont, asa ca are nevoie urgenta de ceva care sa atarne greu in "traista de punctaje". Nu va fi un meci usor, Neil este un oponent de temut, insa nici Selby nu cred ca se va lasa mai prejos ;-)


Cam asa arata programul de meciuri snookeristice ale zilei de azi, program ce va putea fi urmarit pe SkySports 2 (aici aveti si link-ul ) incepand cu ora 20:00 (ora Romaniei).
Pofta buna la snooker de prima liga si ne auzim maine pentru picanterii! ;-)

Snooker in October

The autumn is here, the rain is knocking in our windows, but snooker is still kicking! :-) And it seems like October is going to be quite a busy month! First of all the Premier League will continue to delight us with its "tic tac" format, second of all the PTC/ EPTC events are about to kick off and last, but not least, let’s not forget about the Power Snooker event, which will give a new perspective to the world of snooker. Since the line up for all these events is not set up yet, you’ll see the "update needed" expression very often on the following schedule. But not to worry, my little snooker "termites" :-P, for as soon as the lists and the draws are set up, I’ll update the page and you’ll receive the information you need. So, don’t be a stranger and pay a visit from time to time, so you won’t miss what’s going on with snooker ;-)




When?: 1 - 3 October
Where?: Boudewijn Seapark, Bruges, Belgium
Who’s playing?: click here for the draw.
Prizes: winner (10,000 Euros), runner-up (5,000 euros), semi-finals (2,500 Euros), quarter-finals (1,400 Euros), last 16 (1,000 Euros), last 32 (500 Euros) and last 64 (200 Euros). There are also a plate winner prize (1,500 Euros) and a plate runner-up prize (500 Euros).
Ranking points: winner (2,000), runner-up (1,600), semi-finals (1,280), quarter-finals (1,000), last 16 (760), last 32 (560) and the last 64 (360).
Note: Ranking points are only available to professional players.




When?: October 7
Where?: Brentwood Leisure Centre, Essex, UK
Defending champion: Shaun Murphy
Who’s playing?: Mark Selby v. Ding Jungui and Ronnie O`Sullivan v. Shaun Murphy
Prizes: winner(£30,000), runner-up (£15,000), losing semi-finalists (£5,000).
There will also be a bonus fund of £1,000 per frame won during the round-robin section; the £1,000 century bonus does not apply during the semi-finals or final. Also a £25,000 prize will be awarded to the players who hit the maximum break.




When?: 8 - 10 October
Where?: World Snooker Academy, Sheffield, UK
Who’s playing?: click here for the draw.
Prizes: winner (£10,000), runner-up (£5,000), semi-finals (£2,500), quarter-finals (£1,500), last 16 (£1,000), last 32 (£600) and the last 64 (£200).
Ranking points: winner (2,000), runner-up (1,600), semi-finals (1,280), quarter-finals (1,000), last 16 (760), last 32 (560) and the last 64 (360).




When?: 11 - 14 October
Where?: Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds
Defending champion: Stuart Bingham
Who’s playing?: click here for the draw
Prizes: -
Ranking points: -




When?: October 14
Where?: Inverness Leisure Centre, Inverness Scotland, UK
Defending champion: Shaun Murphy
Who’s playing?: Mark Selby v. Marco Fu and Neil Robertson v. Mark Williams
Prizes: winner (£30,000), runner-up (£15,000), losing semi-finalists (£5,000).
There will also be a bonus fund of £1,000 per frame won during the round-robin section; the £1,000 century bonus does not apply during the semi-finals or final. Also a £25,000 prize will be awarded to the players who hit the maximum break.




When?: 15 - 17 October
Where?: World Snooker Academy, Sheffield, UK
Who’s playing?: click here for the draw
Prizes: winner (£10,000), runner-up (£5,000), semi-finals (£2,500), quarter-finals (£1,500), last 16 (£1,000), last 32 (£600) and the last 64 (£200).
Ranking points: winner (2,000), runner-up (1,600), semi-finals (1,280), quarter-finals (1,000), last 16 (760), last 32 (560) and the last 64 (360).




When?: 18 - 20 October
Where?: Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds
Defending champion: Stuart Bingham
Who’s playing?: click here for the draw
Prizes: winner (£ 2,000), runner-up (£ 800), semi-finalists (£350), quarter-finals (£150) and for the last 16 (£75). There is also a prize money of £100 for the highest break.
Ranking points: -




When?: October 21
Where?: Spiceball Leisure Centre, Banbury, Oxfordshire
Defending champion: Shaun Murphy
Who’s playing?: Neil Robertson v. Ding Junhui and Marco Fu v. Mark Williams
Prizes: winner (£30,000), runner-up (£15,000), losing semi-finalists (£5,000).
There will also be a bonus fund of £1,000 per frame won during the round-robin section; the £1,000 century bonus does not apply during the semi-finals or final. Also a £25,000 prize will be awarded to the players who hit the maximum break.




When?: 21 - 24 October
Where?: Russelheim, Germany
Who’s playing?: click here for the draw
Prizes: winner (10,000 Euros), runner-up (5,000 euros), semi-finals (2,500 Euros), quarter-finals (1,400 Euros), last 16 (1,000 Euros), last 32 (500 Euros) and last 64 (200 Euros). There are also a plate winner prize (1,500 Euros) and a plate runner-up prize (500 Euros).
Ranking points: winner (2,000), runner-up (1,600), semi-finals (1,280), quarter-finals (1,000), last 16 (760), last 32 (560) and the last 64 (360).
Note: Ranking points are only available to professional players.




When?: October 28
Where?: Penrith Leisure Centre,Penrith Cumbria, UK
Defending champion: Shaun Murphy
Who’s playing?: Marco Fu v. Ding Junhui and Ronnie O`Sullivan v. Mark Williams
Prizes: winner (£30,000), runner-up (£15,000), losing semi-finalists (£5,000).
There will also be a bonus fund of £1,000 per frame won during the round-robin section; the £1,000 century bonus does not apply during the semi-finals or final. Also a £25,000 prize will be awarded to the players who hit the maximum break.




When?: 28 - 31 October
Where?: The South West Snooker Academy, Gloucester, UK
Who’s playing?: click here for the draw.
Prizes: winner (10,000 Euros), runner-up (5,000 euros), semi-finals (2,500 Euros), quarter-finals (1,400 Euros), last 16 (1,000 Euros), last 32 (500 Euros) and last 64 (200 Euros). There are also a plate winner prize (1,500 Euros) and a plate runner-up prize (500 Euros).
Ranking points: winner (2,000), runner-up (1,600), semi-finals (1,280), quarter-finals (1,000), last 16 (760), last 32 (560) and the last 64 (360).
Note: Ranking points are only available to professional players.




When?: October 30
Where?: IndigO2 Arena, London, UK
Who’s playing?: Ronnie O`Sullivan, Mark Selby, Jimmy White, Ding Junhui, Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter, Neil Robertson and Luca Brecel
Prizes: 1st place gets £35,000, the runner-up £15,000, 3rd and 4th place will get £8,000, as for the rest of the players, they will get £3,000.
Ranking points: -

For the above programme, information from global-snooker.com and worldsnooker.com has been used.

Snooker in luna Octombrie

Luna lui Brumarel se dovedeste a fi plina ochi de evenimente snookerstice, din pacate doar partial televizate. :-( Avand in vedere ca perioada de inscriere pentru multe dintre competitiile din proxima luna nu s-a incheiat, inca nu avem disponibila lista participantilor, de aceea expresia "in curs de actualizare" va fi des intalnita. :-) Insa nu va faceti griji! Imediat cum listele vor fi date publicitatii, voi actualiza pagina, asa ca va invit sa mai "dati o fuga" pe aici cand aveti timp ;-)




Cand?: 1- 3 Octombrie
Unde?: Boudewijn Seapark, Bruges, Belgia
Cine joaca?: click aici pentru lista.
Premii: locul 1 (10.000 euro), locul 2 (5.000 euro), semifinalisti invinsi (2.500 euro), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (1.400 euro), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (1.000 euro), ultimii 32 (500 euro) si ultimii 64 (200 euro). Trofeul de consolare pentru campion (1.500 euro) si trofeul de consolare pentru vicecampion (500 euro).
Puncte: locul 1 (2.000), locul 2 (1.600), semifinalisti (1.280), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (1.000), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (760), ultimii 32 (560), ultimii 64 (360).
Nota: Punctele se acorda doar jucatorilor din circuitul profesionist.




Cand?: 7 Octombrie
Unde?: Brentwood Leisure Centre, Essex
Campionul en-titre: Shaun Murphy
Cine joaca?: Mark Selby vs. Ding Junhui si Ronnie O`Sullivan vs. Shaun Murphy
Premii: locul 1 (£30.000), locul 2 (£15.000), semifinalisti invinsi (£5.000).
Se mai acorda premii pentru fiecare frame castigat in etapa de "round-robin" (£1.000) si pentru fiecare break de 100+ (£1.000) realizat numai in etapa mai sus mentionata.De asemenea, orice break maxim primeste £25.000.




Cand?: 8 - 10 Octombrie
Unde?: World Snooker Academy, Sheffield, UK
Cine joaca?: click aici pentru lista.
Premii: locul 1 (£10.000), locul 2 (£5.000), semifinalisti invinsi (£2.500), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (£1.500), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala(£1.000), ultimii 32 (£600), ultimii 64 (£200).
Puncte: locul 1 (2.000), locul 2 (1.600), semifinalisti invinsi (1.280), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (1.000), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (760), ultimii 32 (560), ultimii 64 (360).


4. Paul Hunter English Open (etapa de calificare)


Cand?: 11 - 14 Octombrie
Unde?: Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds, UK
Campion en-titre: Stuart Bingham
Cine joaca?: click aici pentru lista.
Premii : -
Puncte: -




Cand?: 14 Octombrie
Unde?: Inverness Leisure Centre, Inverness Scotia, UK
Campionul en-titre: Shaun Murphy
Cine joaca?: Mark Selby vs. Marco Fu si Neil Robertson vs. Mark Williams
Premii: locul 1 (£30.000), locul 2 (£15.000), semifinalisti invinsi (£5.000).
Se mai acorda premii pentru fiecare frame castigat in etapa de "round-robin" (£1.000) si pentru fiecare break de 100+ (£1.000) realizat numai in etapa mai sus mentionata.De asemenea, orice break maxim primeste £25.000.




Cand?: 15 - 17 Octombrie
Unde?: World Snooker Academy, Sheffield, UK
Cine joaca?: click aici pentru lista
Premii: locul 1 (£10.000), locul 2 (£5.000), semifinalisti invinsi (£2.500), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (£1.500), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala(£1.000), ultimii 32 (£600), ultimii 64 (£200).
Puncte: locul 1 (2.000), locul 2 (1.600), semifinalisti invinsi (1.280), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (1.000), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (760), ultimii 32 (560), ultimii 64 (360).




Cand?: 18 - 20 Octombrie
Unde?: Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds, UK
Campion en-titre: Stuart Bingham
Cine joaca?: click aici pentru lista.
Premii : locul 1 (£ 2.000), locul 2 (£ 800), semifinalisti invinsi (£350), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (£150) si jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (£75). Organizatorii ofera si un premiu in valoare de £100 pentru cel mai mare break realizat.
Puncte: -




Cand?: 21 Octombrie
Unde?: Spiceball Leisure Centre, Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK
Campionul en-titre: Shaun Murphy
Cine joaca?: Neil Robertson vs. Ding Junhui si Marco Fu vs. Mark Williams
Premii: locul 1 (£30.000), locul 2 (£15.000), semifinalisti invinsi (£5.000).
Se mai acorda premii pentru fiecare frame castigat in etapa de "round-robin" (£1.000) si pentru fiecare break de 100+ (£1.000) realizat numai in etapa mai sus mentionata.De asemenea, orice break maxim primeste £25.000.




Cand?: 21 - 24 Octombrie
Unde?: Russelheim, Germania
Cine joaca?: click aici pentru lista.
Premii: locul 1 (10.000 euro), locul 2 (5.000 euro), semifinalisti invinsi (2.500 euro), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (1.400 euro), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (1.000 euro), ultimii 32 (500 euro) si ultimii 64 (200 euro). Trofeul de consolare pentru campion (1.500 euro) si trofeul de consolare pentru vicecampion (500 euro).
Puncte: locul 1 (2.000), locul 2 (1.600), semifinalisti (1.280), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (1.000), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (760), ultimii 32 (560), ultimii 64 (360).
Nota: Punctele se acorda doar jucatorilor din circuitul profesionist.




Cand?: 28 Octombrie
Unde?: Penrith Leisure Centre,Penrith Cumbria, UK
Campionul en-titre: Shaun Murphy
Cine joaca?: Marco Fu vs. Ding Junhui si Ronnie O`Sullivan vs. Mark Williams
Premii: locul 1 (£30.000), locul 2 (£15.000), semifinalisti invinsi (£5.000).
Se mai acorda premii pentru fiecare frame castigat in etapa de "round-robin" (£1.000) si pentru fiecare break de 100+ (£1.000) realizat numai in etapa mai sus mentionata.De asemenea, orice break maxim primeste £25.000.




Cand?: 28 - 31 Octombrie
Unde?: The South West Snooker Academy,Gloucester, Marea Britanie
Cine joaca?: click aici pentru lista.
Premii: locul 1 (10.000 euro), locul 2 (5.000 euro), semifinalisti invinsi (2.500 euro), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (1.400 euro), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (1.000 euro), ultimii 32 (500 euro) si ultimii 64 (200 euro). Trofeul de consolare pentru campion (1.500 euro) si trofeul de consolare pentru vicecampion (500 euro).
Puncte: locul 1 (2.000), locul 2 (1.600), semifinalisti (1.280), jucatori invinsi in sferturile de finala (1.000), jucatori invinsi in optimile de finala (760), ultimii 32 (560), ultimii 64 (360).
Nota: Punctele se acorda doar jucatorilor din circuitul profesionist.



Cand?: 30 Octombrie
Unde?: IndigO2 Arena, Londra, UK
Cine joaca?: Ronnie O`Sullivan, Mark Selby, Jimmy White, Ding Junhui, Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter, Neil Robertson si Luca Brecel
Premii: ocupantul primului loc primeste £35.000, locul 2 primeste £15.000, locurile 3 si 4 primesc £8.000, iar restul participantilor £3.000 .
Puncte: -

Pentru realizarea acestui program s-au folosit date oferite de global-snooker.com si worldsnooker.com

Power up Snooker

The Power is yours!

While power has become such a negative word, Power Snooker comes to reassure us of its enormous benefits in the world of snooker. And it has a strong point, I assure you! ;-) Totally harmless, peaceful, fun, entertaining and homely backed after a really cool and genuine recipe, this new concept of Power Snooker is the revolution that the gentlemen` sport needed and was crying out for.
If you don’t what’s the deal with Power Snooker, you can read my article "PowerSnooker - the beginning of a new era", where you shall find the rules and all the main features of this brand new way of playing snooker.


Still fighting with the bubble rap, but on its way to the big take off, Power Snooker has the line up all set up and ready to be known by the public. So, let’s begin by announcing the first name of this crazy and beautiful idea...of course I have to start with Ronnie O`Sullivan! He is the ambassador of this new snooker deal and the icon of fast snooker. This type of format suits him well and what a better person but him to take full advantage of snooker’s power ? :-)) But the list continues with seven more players:

• Mark Selby, because we need a "Shark" ready to attack!

• Jimmy White, because we need to "wind up" the classic and bring the future more closely!

• Neil Robertson, because we need to hear "The Thunder from Down Under"!

• Ding Junhui, because this new snooker has to be a "sensational" one!

• Shaun Murphy, because we all need a drop of "magic" in our lives!

• Ali Carter, because someone has to be "the Captain" of this ship!

• Luca Brecel, because youth and talent are key ingredients to Power Snooker recipe!

"Whirlwinding the game away!"

But what about the referees? We can’t play snooker without a referee, right? Of course not! :-) And since snooker has been such a men sport, the two referees to take over the first edition of Power Snooker are the Scottish Michaela Tabb and the Irish Patricia Murphy, two of the most spectacular girls in snooker’s history!
"Power Snooker is an entirely new game with a totally new set of rules and will provide many exciting challenges to both the referees and the players. The game will be played at a faster pace than the traditional game, it's going to be very exciting to watch!", said Michaela Tabb


So, we have the concept, we have the players, we have the referees...what’s next? Well, you can’t have big launch and not be interested in the atmosphere! That’s why the players will wear designer’s clothes, will be introduced in the arena by the sexy Power Snooker girls and will have a microphone attached, communication with the audience being encouraged. Sounds exciting, right? Still, is too quiet...so let’s bring the music on! That’s right, music will be also nicely incorporated in this fancy new event! So I’m really curious how the players will cope with all of these, for they will have to play damn good as well as cheering the crowd. It’s going to be a huge challenge, both professionally and personally.

Snooker`s spinach - PowerSnooker

The big launching "party" will become a reality on October 30 and will be staged at the Indigo O2 Arena in London. It will last only one day, but it will definitely be one day of excitement and great fun. The event will have two sessions: the first will take place between 13:00 - 17:00 (GMT) and will feature all the eight contestants and the second one will take place between 18:00 - 22:00 (GMT) and will feature the two semi-finals the play-off for the third and forth places and of course, the Grand Final. The whole event will be covered LIVE by ITV 4.


So, this is basically it! Things are pretty much arranged, the last details are being put to order so you can enjoy a big share of snooker. There are some voices there which are saying this is pure marketing. I don’t fully agree! Yeah, it has its commercial way, but that doesn’t exclude the fact that snooker fans will see a fun yet serious way of playing snooker. This kind of events brings the sparkle to the sport and it has nothing to do with replacing it. It just gives the people, what they want - SNOOKER! ;-)

Pregatirile pentru Power Snooker

Puterea e in mainile tale!

Va povesteam acum ceva timp despre "una bucata parte" din revolutia pe care presedintele World Snooker, Barry Hearn o pregateste pentru lumea snooker-ului, si anume Power Snooker. Un format inedit, plin de culoare, ticait de ceas, rapiditate, noutate, dar si calitate. Daca nu stiti despre ce vorbesc, puteti citi articolul "Snooker-ul si revolutia" in care am prezentat pe larg, regulile de joc si toate detaliile aferente.


Numarand pe degete zilele pana la mare lansare, organizatorii si mintiile "cretze" au pus  la punct si ultimele detalii. Avem lista competa a celor 8 jucatori care isi vor demostra talentele de snookeristi, avem lista arbitrilor care vor fi cu ochii in patru pentru ca totul sa se desfasoare ca la carte, avem data de incepere, cateva detalii despre cum va fi atmosfera...deci totul pare sa fie gata de "atac" :-))

Vartejul schimbarii se apropie...

Capitanul Picard (aka Barry Hearn) si-a ales ceata de falnici jucatori, in numar de opt, dupa cum va spuneam si mai inainte. Si cum as putea incepe sirul de jucatori fara ambasadorul de drept al acestui nou format, Ronnie O`Sullivan? Cel caruia ii se potriveste cel mai bine noua modalidate de joc, fiind cunoscut pentru rapiditate-i in gandire si actionare in preajma mesei de snooker.
Insa lista continua cu:

• Mark Selby, pentru ca un "Shark" gata de atac intretine atmosfera!

• Jimmy White, pentru "The Whirlwind" face ravagii doar prin simpla-i aparitie (fara a mai mentiona stilul inconfundabil de joc)!

• Neil Robertson , pentru ca avem nevoie sa auzim si de "The Thunder from Down Under" !

• Ding Junhui, pentru ca face "senzatie"!

• Shaun Muprhy, fiind avem nevoie de un stop de "magie"!

• Ali Carter, pentru ca cineva trebuie sa stie si cum sa "piloteze" masinaria Power Snooker spre succes!

• Luca Brecel, pentru ca tineretea si talentul sunt ingrediente absolut necesare unei astfel de retete!

Si pentru ca evenimentul sa nu fie unul exclusiv feminin, echipa arbitrilor este fromata din scotianca Michaela Tabb si irlandeza Patricia Murphy, doua figuri extrem de cunoscute si de iubite in lumea snooker-ului.
Iata ce a declarat Michaela despre Power Snooker: "Power Snooker este un joc total diferit cu un set de reguli nou-noutze, ceea ce inseamna o provocare atat pentru jucatori cat si pentru arbitrii. Jocul va avea o viteza de desfasurare mai mare decat cea cu care am fost obisnuiti si cred ca va fi extrem de interesant de urmarit".

"Puternicia Sa - Snooker-ul "

Dar pachetul nu poate fi complet fara atmosfera, asa ca jucatorii vor fi imbracati de designeri renumiti,vor fi introdusi in scena de fetele Power Snooker, vor avea lavaliera la purtator, iar comunicarea cu publicul va fi incurajata. Si ce ar fi toate acestea fara muzica de fundal? :-P Ei, si acum sa-i vedem pe cei mai ursuzi din fire cum se vor descurca sa joace bine, dar sa si intretina atmosfera! Va fi o provocare nu numai la nivel profesional ci si personal. ;-)


Revolutia va avea loc in magnifica locatie Indigo O2 Arena din Londra, intreaga "nebunie" durand o singura zi si fiind impartita in doua sesiuni; prima sesiune se va desfasura intre orele 13:00 - 17:00 (GMT), avandu-i ca protagonisti pe toti cei 8 jucatori, iar cea de-a doua sesiune se va desfasura intre orele 18:00 - 22:00 (GMT), avand in vizor cele doua finale, cele doua jocuri de play-off pentru locurile 3 si 4, si fireste Marea Finala. Intregul eveniment va fi difurat LIVE pe programul ITV 4, pe data de 30 octombrie.


Cam asa arata noul snooker, o varianta amuzanta insa in acelasi timp, cat se poate serioasa a sportului in care gentlemenii sunt la ei acasa. Desi multi o vad ca fiind o gaselnita de marketing, sincer cred ca se inseala (cel putin partial). Cu singuranta are si o componenta comerciala, insa nu inseamna ca nu reprezinta si o noua modalitate de a da publicului ceea ce isi doreste sa vada - SNOOKER! ;-)

Frictions in snooker

Fighting for a better snooker???!!!

The John Higgins` case hasn’t gathered dust yet and another scandal is about to erupt in the snooker world. According to the Daily Mail publication, it seems like Lee Doyle, chairman of 110sport (son of long-time Hearn’s enemy) has made a request for setting a EGM meeting of the WPBSA as soon as possible in order to discuss the outing of board members: Steve Davis, Jason Ferguson and Davis Douglas. Why? Well, it’s pretty simple. They are Barry Hearn’s choices.


Lee Doyle was the board director of the WPBSA from 2006, until this year, when he resign from his position in April. Back then he seemed not to agree with Barry’s way of reviving the snooker and his idea of becoming World Snooker Ltd chairman.
At that given moment, Lee declared: "I do understand what Barry is trying to achieve in snooker and we have discussed this at considerable length but on this one we agree to disagree. Barry has always run his own business and made his own decisions. However, I feel extremely uncomfortable where, from my perspective, decisions are being taken on contracts without me being consulted as a board member".


According to thesnookerforum.com, Doyle said this campaign is not his personal idea, but that some players came to him demanding to take action. Who are those players? Here’s the list: Peter Ebdon, Adrian Gunnell, Alistair Carter, Nigel Bond, Martin Gould, Mike Dunn and Mark King.
The main deal here, seems to be that through the EGM meeting and the voting process, the three board member that I’ve mentioned before in the first paragraph should be replaced with: Lee Doyle, Jim McMahon and Nigel Bond.


I’m sure the media will practically explode in the next days and it will definitely turn this story on its every possible sides and looking at it from every possible angles. Yes, a lot of ink will pour for this story, but what’s really sad is that none of this will help snooker. Scandals after scandals will not bring the light to this wonderful sport. Snooker needs a breath of fresh air not some crazy and twisted battle for power.


I shall keep you inform on this subject in the following days.

Update October 6, 2010: According to thesnookerforum.com, Ali Carter has requested that his name be withdrawn from the list of players who made the EGM requisition.

Update October 7, 2010: It seems like Mike Dunn and Peter Ebdon have withdrawn their names from this crazy petition also. They are dropping like flies! :-))
"I want to move on and concentrate being a player as being on the previous board has held me back for 7 yrs because of lack of practice i love the sport and want to be part of the new future", said Dunn for thesnookerforum.com Hm, a little bit too late to realize that, don`t you think? Pfff
Anyway, Lee Doyle has made a statement on his 110sport.tv website, saying that: "Ali stated to me his fear of retribution if he was to be linked to the proposal.It is clear there is still unrest in the game and until proper money is invested and the players are earning what they should be earning unfortunately this will not disappear." Yep, scary business this snooker thing! :-))

Update October 7, 2010: Jim McMahon asks that his name be also withdrawn from the list. This is a real shock since he was one of the three person who were proposed to be on the board!

Update 7 October, 2010 : Next in line, Martin Gould wants out! This is such a joke! Pfff...


Update 8 October, 2010: Dave Hendon just said it`s OFFICIAL! The coup is now history! Dropping like flies, one by one have withdrawn their name from the list! Wise decision! Let`s get back to snooker, shall we? ;-)

More to follow...you can bet on it! :-))

Frictiuni in lumea snooker-ului

Lupta pentru un snooker mai bun???!!!

Aproape ca nici nu s-a asternut praful pe sentinta de nevinovatie a lui John Higgins si lumea snooker-ului este din nou zguduita de o serie de aspecte, de aceasta data ce tin mai mult de politica interna.


Conform publicatiei Daily Mail, presedintele 110sport, Lee Doyle (fiul "inamicului numarul 1" a lui Barry Hearn) a cerut intrunirea unei Adunari Generale Extraordinare in cadrul WPBSA (Asociatia Mondiala de Biliard si Snooker Profesionist) pentru a pune sub discutie eventuala inlaturare din echipa de conducere a lui : Steve Davis, Jason Ferguson (presedintele WPBSA) si David Douglas. Motivul? Simplu. Toti trei sunt alegerile lui Barry Hearn, ceea ce nu prea ii convine lui Lee.


Trebuie mentionat ca Lee Doyle a fost directorul WPBSA inca din anul 2006, pana cand in luna aprilie a acestui an, in urma dorintei lui Hearn de a deveni preseintele World Snooker Ltd. si a planurilor sale de revolutionare a snooker-ului, acesta si-a dat demisia in semn de protest.
La respectiva data, Lee declara: "Inteleg ceea ce vrea Barry sa realizeze in snooker si am discutat aceasta problema un timp indelungat, ajungand la concluzia ca nu gandim la fel. Barry si-a condus din totdeauna singur afacerile si a luat singur deciziile. Faptul ca nu sunt consultat, in calitate de membru al echipei, in legatura cu o serie de contracte, ma face sa ma simt inconfortabil.".


Conform site-ului thesnookerforum.com Lee Doyle a declarat ca nu este o initiativa pur personala ci a fost contactat de o serie de jucatori de snooker pentru a incepe aceasta campanie.Cine sunt jucatorii? Urmatorii: Peter Ebdon, Adrian Gunnell, Alistair Carter, Nigel Bond, Martin Gould, Mike Dunn, Mark King.
Se pare ca dorinta este inlocuirea celor trei membrii mentionati in primul paragraf cu: Lee Doyle, Jim McMahon si Nigel Bond.


Sunt sigura ca presa va exploda in urmatoarea perioda pe aceasta tema si va curge multa cerneala pana cand aceast subiect va lua sfarsit. Cert este ca astfel de "evenimente" nu ajuta cu nimic snooker-ul care are nevoie de o "gura de aer curat" si nu de batalii pentru putere.


Voi reveni pe marginea acestui subiect, in urmatorele zile in functie de turnura pe care o vor lua lucrurile.

Update 6 octombrie 2010: Conform site-ului thesnookerforum.com Ali Carter a cerut retragerea numelui sau din lista celor 7 "agitatori" dornici de inlocuirea presedintelui si comitetului de directie WPBSA.

Update 7 octombrie 2010: Inca doua nume au cerut stergerea de pe lista! Destul de surprinzator, se pare ca Mike Dunn (adeptul fostului "regim") si Peter Ebdon (no comment, stiti voi de ce) au cerut ca numele lor sa fie retrase. 
Iata ce declara Mike Dunn: "Vreau sa merg mai departe si sa ma concentrez pe joc. Faptul ca am facut parte din comitetul de conducere m-a tinut departe de snooker 7 ani, timp in care nu m-am antrenat corespunzator. Iubesc acest sport si vreau sa fac parte din el pe viitor." Hm, da! Cam tarzior a realizat "monsieur" acest aspect!
Lee Doyle, capul de lista (desi s-a ferit sa ii se atribuie acest nume), a declarat azi chiar pe site-ul sau 110sport.tv ca retragerea lui Ali Carter s-a produs datorita temerii de rabunare. Pe scurt lui Ali i-ar fi frica ca nu va mai fi remunerat pentru munca depusa. Uuuuuu! Snooker-ul asta este de-a dreptul scary! :-))

Update 7 octombrie 2010: Soc!!! Jim McMahon cere ca "SI" numele lui sa fie retras din lista. De-a dreptul interesant, cu atat mai mult ca cat el era una dintre cele trei figuri "inlocuitoare" !

Update 7 octombrie 2010: Urmatorul pe lista, Martin Gould "se lasa" de petitie! 


Update 8 octombrie 2010: Conform spuselor lui Dave Hendon, e oficial! Gata cu "lovitura de stat"! Oamenii si-au retras numele, unul cate unul! O decizie cat se poate de inteleapta! Si acum sa ne concentram pe ceea ce realmente conteaza -snooker-ul - de acord? ;-)

Va continua...cu siguranta :-P

Robertson on top of the world

Neil Robertson has moved to No.1 in the world rankings after his 5-1 in the final of the 12BET.com World Open. The Aussie maintained his perfect record in the final of ranking events and has now won six out of six.


Robertson is the eighth player to hold the No.1 spot after Ray Reardon, Cliff Thorburn, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Williams and O’Sullivan.
The world rankings now work as a two-year rolling list and Robertson says he approves of the new system.

Robbo is no. 1

“It means the list is much more up to date and rewards players who are winning tournaments and doing well,” said the Australian, who won the Betfred.com World title last May.
“To be World Champion and World No.1 at the same time is a dream come true.”



Source: 110sport.tv

Neil Robertson - numarul 1 mondial

Neil Robertson ocupa locul fruntas in clasamentul mondial, dupa castigarea turneului 12BET.com World Open. Australianul isi mentine astfel recordul de a castiga toate finalele in cardul carora s-a calificat, mai precis sase din sase.


Robertson este cel de-al optulea ocupant al primului loc in clasamentul mondial dupa : Ray Reardon, Cliff Thorburn, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Williams si Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Calendarul de puncte, functioneaza pe principiul rotatiei la fiecare doi ani, iar Robertson a declarat ca este de acord cu noua modalitatea de acordare a punctelor.

Robbo e pe primul loc

"Inseamna ca lista este mult mai actualizata, iar sistemul rasplateste jucatorii care castiga competitii si joaca bine", a declarat australianul care a castigat titlul de campion mondial in urma turneului Betfred.com din luna mai.
"Sa fiu campion mondial si sa ocup locul intai in clasament in acelasi timp, este un vis devenit realitate", a adaugat Robertson.



Sursa: 110sport.tv

World Open - the last day

World Open 2010 - Wall of Fame

It is said that all good things must come to an end, and that’s perfectly true for the World Open. We had nine days of excitement, of snooker on bread, of great names, of tension and surprises, of laughter and drama...we had it all in a new shot format with one single table in the middle of the arena and high quality snooker all the way!
The city of Glasgow received snooker with its arms open wide and it did a great job in making "his highness the Snooker" staying, comfortable! :-))
Yesterday the two semi-finals but also the big final kicked off, so the inaugural edition of the World Open 2010, picked its winner.


The first semi-final and the first battle, was given between The Rocket and Ebbo. The one who broke the ice, was Ronnie, who won the first two frames, in the second one hitting a wonderful 135 break! Ebbo win the third frame with a break of 69 and ... here we were...the next frame was going to be the last one or, the frame Ebbo will turn into a decider. It turned to be quite a tricky frame, for O`Sullivan potted a pink along with a red, committing a foul, so Ebbo came to the table. But Ebbo also committed a foul ...and a miss (four time in a row) so Ronnie took the lead and won the match, 3-1. Yes, Ronnie reached the final!

Ebbo in the semis

Robbo and Williams

Neil Robertson was to fight the Welsh Mark Williams also for a place in the big final. And this match was a true battle of confidence and strength. Robbo came back from 0-2, to push the match into a decider. Just one day before, Mark was in the same position, being lead 2-0, by the Chinese Sensation Ding Junhui; he made a spectacular comeback and finally won the match 3-2. And it seems like he set up a pretty good and inspiring example, for the Australian Robertson did exactly the same thing. He hit a wonderful 101 break to make it 2-2 and won the next frame for a place in the final, along with Ronnie O `Sullivan.

So, at 20:00 UK time, the big final was starting! "The Rocket" followed by "The Thunder Down Under" entered the stage (each of them on their own favorite song). The ref for last night was the Welsh Eiriam Williams, a true example of etiquette, elegancy and professionalism in the snooker world. Let’s play snooker!
Robbo was the one who opened the score, winning the first frame; it was quite a tight one, Ronnie was playing good, but he committed a foul and that gave Neil plenty of time to win the first game. The second frame started with great series of safety shots, but in the end Robbo overcame them and made a very beautiful 107 break to establish the score 2-0.

O`Sullivan - the Snooker`s Rocket

Next in line was Ronnie, who fought back, in what was an insane frame of safety shots battle; still “The Rocket” succeeded in winning his first frame. At 2-1, things started to look good for Ronnie and he was in great position for a full comeback, but Neil’s style and his tenacity won him the next frame for a 3-1 scoreline.


Robertson was playing so good, that O`Sullivan was sitting in his chair with nothing to do. He wasn’t given the opportunity to come to the table very often. So the score started to improve for Robbo at 4-1 and finally at 5-1! What an amazing victory for the Australian and current world champion!


It was a victory appreciated and applauded by Ronnie himself, who played well last night, but who didn’t get the chance to prove that very often. Robbo cashed his sixth won final to set up quite a record!
He truly played extraordinary well and he deserved to win. On the other hand, some people were telling me that Ronnie played bad. Not true! He played well, not great, but he definitely didn’t play bad! It’s true he made some mistakes, but he is still the Rocket and during this tournament he showed us he can still play damn good and he’s eager to win!

The 2010 World Open Champion, Neil Robertson

To be honest, I feel sad that the World Open is over. Yes, nine days is a long time and it was hard to keep up with all the news and the snooker aspects, but it’s also been great fun. I really enjoyed this tournament and it’s been a pleasure to comment it on my blog or to give you updates on Twitter or FaceBook. Thank you for all your kind words, I’m happy you’ve found my work helpful and I promise to keep you in touch with the snooker world every day. ;-)
Until the UK Championship in December, we shall have to get used not seeing too much snooker on television, only the Premier League on SkySports and the Power Snooker (at the end of October) are the events to be covered by the local television stations. But there’s more snooker going on in the world! We still have the whole series of PTC/ EPTC events and, as always, I’ll be posting the insides of these great tournaments on my blog. We won’t be able to see it on TV, but we can talk snooker as long as we want, right? :-)))


Congratulations to this amazing player from the far, far away Australia- Neil Robertson! He did a spectacular job last night! And the next song is for him (actually is his walk-on song ;-) )

World Open - ultima zi

Panoul de onoare - World Open 2010

Acum 9 zile World Open-ul isi incepea lungul drum printre competitiile de puncte din lumea snooker-ului. Cu un format mai scurt, imbunatatit, premii atractive, nume mari si mult snooker, turneul isi dorea sa faca valva printre iubitorii snooker-ului de pretutindeni. Si se pare ca a reusit. Ideea de a avea o singura masa in arena, astfel incat intreaga atentie a publicului sa se rasfranga asupra a doar doi jucatori a prins la public, iar regula de joc "cel mai bun din cinci" a facilitat desfasurarea a 5 meciuri pe zi. Un adevarat festin pentru fanii infocati!


Ieri s-au desfasurat semifinalele dar si marea finala. A fost o zi superba, o zi la foc continuu pentru castigatorii din semifinale care trebuiau sa se pregatesca pentru finala din aceiasi zi. Totusi, premiul de 100.000 lire streline nu e de neglijat, asa ca si efortul depus este rasplatit pe masura.

Ebdon in semifinala

Prima semifinala i-a avut ca actori principali pe Ronnie O`Sullivan si Peter Ebdon. Un meci frumos, in care Ronnie a deschis scorul castigand primul frame fara mari eforturi, iar in al doilea inregistrand un minunat break de 135 puncte! In urmatorul frame, Peter si-a adjudecat singura victorie din acest meci, castigand jocul cu un break de 69. Scorul de 2-1, in favoarea lui The Rocket a fost imediat imbunatatit cu un 3-1, scor ce il "lansa" in marea finala. Un meci extrem de bun, in care Peter insa nu a prea jucat, Ronnie acaparand intregul joc.

Robbo si Mark se bat pentru finala

Cea de-a doua semifinala ne pregatea o surpriza, galezul Mark Williams si australianul Neil Robertson aveau sa se dueleze pana in ultimul moment pentru locul din marea finala. Scorul a fost deschis de "The Welsh Potting Machine", si dus pana la 2-0 in favoarea sa. Insa Robbo nu avea sa lase lucrurile sa continue asa, astfel incat a castigat doua frame-uri consecutive, in cel de egalizare a scorului "prinzand" si un frumos break de 101. Iata-ne la 2-2, frame decisiv. Cu doar o zi inainte, Mark reusise performanta de a rasturna situatia pornind de la 0-2 si ajungand la 3-2. De data aceasta insa, Robbo avea sa-i urmeze exemplul, castigand ultimul frame si asigurandu-si un loc in finala alaturi de Ronnie.

Ora 22:00 (ora Romaniei) si finala editiei inaugurale incepe! Cei doi giganti intra in scena, "The Rocket", urmat de "The Thunder from Down Under" (fiecare pe melodia lui). Arbitrul la datorie, galezul Eiriam Williams, etalon de eticheta, eleganta si profesionalism in snooker. Let`s play snooker!

O`Sullivan ramane "Racheta" snooker-ului mondial

Robbo a fost cel care a spart gheata, acesta castigand primele doua frame-uri, cel de-al doilea cu un break de 107, pentru ca apoi sa il vedem in actiune pe The Rocket. Trebuie mentionat ca primul frame a fost totusi unul destul de strans, un fault comis de O`Sullivan oferindu-i sansa lui Robertson sa vina la masa; cel de-al doilea a inceput printr-o serie de lovituri de siguranta absolut extraodinare, insa Robbo a reusit sa le dovedeasca.
Va spuneam ca in cel de-al treilea frame, a fost randul lui Ronnie...da, a fost o batalie a loviturilor de siguranta, care insa a fost castigata (de aceasta data) de englez.


La 2-1, totul se putea schimba, "The Rocket" parea gata de egalare si de a prelua conducerea.Nu a fost insa cazul, tenacitatea si extraodinara dexteritate a australianului de a inscrie bila dupa bila, limitandu-i lui O`Sullivan sansele sa mai revina la masa, suficient de mult pentru a putea castiga inca un frame. Asa se face ca Robbo a dus scorul la 3-1, 4-1, pentru ca in final tabela de marcaj "sa inghete" la 5-1 in favoarea sa. O victorie meritata, a sasea finala castigata (consecutiv)!

Neil Robertson campion World Open, editia 2010

Victoria australianului a fost admirata chiar si de O`Sullivan, primul care l-a felicitat indelung si aplaudat. Neil a jucat atat de bine, incat Ronnie abia a putut ajunge la masa.:-P Intr-adevar si cand a facut-o a comis o serie de erori, insa nimic care sa-i puna la indoiala capacitatile de mare jucator de snooker. Cineva de pe FaceBook, imi spunea ca ar vrea ca meciul sa fie investigat pentru ca Ronnie a jucat extrem de prost. N-as fi chiar atat de dur in declaratii. A jucat bine, cateva greseli pe care le poate face oricine, insa nu a prea avut sanse sa vina si sa joace efectiv. Cam asta a fost problema! Neil a jucat extraodinar, curatand masa, asa ca ce mai poti face in astfel de cazuri? Recunosti ca ai in fata un adversar puternic, un adversat foarte bun si ... jos palaria! :-)


Au fost noua zile frumoase si nebune aici in Scotia la Glasgow, noua zile care ne-au tinut lipiti de televizoare si de alte surse de informare in masa. Ne-am bucurat, ne-am intristat (dupa caz), insa in final nu ma puteti contrazice: am avut parte de snooker de calitate!
Pana in decembrie insa, cand UK Championship-ul va incepe, va trebui sa ne multimim cu rundele din doua in doua saptamani de Premier League, televizate pe SkySports si cu seria de PTC-uri/ EPTC-uri care nu sunt televizate, insa care vor fi abordate (ca intotdeauna) pe acest blog. ;) Nu va las eu fara snooker! :-))))


In final, dedic melodia de mai jos, lui "The Thunder from Down Under" Neil Robertson cu felicitarile de rigoare! :-) (este de fapt si melodia aleasa de el pentru intrarea in arena)

World Open - Day 8

World Open’s quarter finals kicked off yesterday to find their winners and to put quite the show for the audience. It was a crazy day in Glasgow, a crazy yet beautiful one, filled with great shots, great comebacks, tension and...you know...high quality snooker all the way! It was a day, were some dreams came true, some will just have to wait a little bit longer, but in the end the winner was this wonderful and amazing sport, called snooker.;-)

The Welsh Williams making his remarkable comeback

The first match of the day, was probably one of the most thrilling matches in this World Open tournament. "The Welsh Potting Machine" was to fight "The Chinese Sensation"! We all know that both of them are really good players and Mark has had a spectacular performance here in Glasgow, as well as Ding...so this match was indeed extraordinary. The first frame found the Welsh very unlucky , a huge kick (and I mean a HUGE kick) let him with an unfortunate positions to pot the balls, this giving Ding the opportunity to come to the table and win the first frame. The next frame was also won by the little Chinese and at 2-0 in a best of five rule game, you really have to fight back as quick as you can, otherwise you’ll lose the match. And this is what Mark did! He fought back from 0-2 and make it a draw at 2-2!


So here we were, the first decisive frame in the quarter finals. No one has succ
eeded (since the start of this tournament) to come back from 0-2 and actually win the match. The majority has made it until 2-2 and the next frame was won by the player who opened the score. But this was about to change. Williams was leading, but Ding was at the table making his way to win the last frame, when he tried to pot the green but failed leaving Mark with a good potting position. So the Welsh came to the table and make the most of Ding’s error to win 3-2 the match and reach the semi-finals. What a comeback! And what a match! Both cue men played wonderfully!

Peter Ebdon reached the semis

The next match of the day was the one between Peter Ebdon and Martin Gould. Peter opened the score, by winning the first frame, but Gouldie won the next. At 1-1, things were tight and since both of them play very, very well the tension was rising. The next frame ended on a draw (60-60) with all the balls in their pockets :-P so the black was re-spotted and Ebbo was the one who succeeded in potting it. Martin was playing like always...meaning damn good, but I think Peter’s style (sloooooooooooow) really got to him. Gouldie is a fast player while Peter is ..not :-D
In the end, Peter was the one who claimed the victory, winning the last frame and ending the match at 3-1. Too bad for Gouldie, who really had it in him. This guy will have a bright future in snooker if he keeps up the good work. On the other hand, I’m happy to report that Ebbo was playing much better than in his last two matches and to be honest I’m glad for him he reached the semi-finals, although that meant that Gould had to lose. That’s the deal with snooker and sports in general, there can be only one winner.

The Rocket...rocks! ;-)

Another brilliant match was the one were Ronnie O`Sullivan faced Stephen Maguire. Although Stephen opened the score, Ronnie won the next frame, by hitting a nice 81 break. And from this moment the victory was only two frames away for "The Rocket". The third frame was won with an incredible 116 break and the last one with two breaks of 62. Maguire, an excellent player, was sitting in his chair, biting his nails (paradox, huh? :-P) while O`Sullivan was potting one ball after another. That’s the deal this Ronnie, once he starts something he becomes unstoppable! :-))
At 3-1, Ronnie has a cozy place in the semis, where he’ll be playing Ebbo. "I am glad my match against Peter tomorrow is a best of five. A longer match would be tough. ", said The Rocket after the match. :-)) A fast player against a slow but very good one. What a match this will be! ;-)

Neil Robertson

The last semi-finalist of yesterday was to be decided in the match between Ricky Walden and Neil Robertson. Although Ricky has had a great performance here at the World Open, he only won one frame in this match, Neil ending it by a 3-1 scoreline.
So, Australia will face Wales in a match were talent, strategy and self-confidence will play the main roles.


Not much of a century breaks day: Ronnie O`Sullivan (116).



 
So, the semis are today, but also the big final (this is the only match were "the best of five rule" doesn’t apply anymore, being replaced with "the best of nine" rule) :


And here you can watch the boys playing spectacular snooker:


Also you can try the lucky link. ;-)
A wonderful draw for the final stages of this World Open , "much better than the one from the World Championship", as Dave Hendon said.
It will be an evening spiced with world champions so don’t miss it! Enjoy snooker my dears! ;-)

World Open - Ziua 8

Penultima zi a turneului de forta World Open a strans multa lume in arena, multa lume doritoare de snooker pe paine. Si au primit...din plin! Numele de renume :-) au facut show, au inscris puncte, au stat la autografe, insa cel mai important este ca au jucat snooker de calitate.


Primul meci al zilei, a fost unul dintre cele mai antrenante meciuri din acest turneu. "Actorii" de ieri au fost Mark "The Welsh potting machine" Williams si Ding "The Chinese Sensation" Junhui. Dupa un ghinion teribil a lui Mark (un kick de-a dreptul urias!), Ding a venit la masa pentru a-si pune la "portofoliu" primul frame castigat. Chinezutul nostru s-a aflat in mare forma, asa ca si-a mai adjudecat si urmatorul frame cu o rapiditate si indemanare uluitoare.

Revenirea spectaculoasa a galezului Williams

La 2-0, multe nu mai erau de facut...poate pentru un amator, insa Mark a trecut de acest stadiu acum multi ani, asa ca "a pornit" la drum pentru a egala situatiunea in cauza. Si a reusit castigand doua frame-uri consecutive. Si iata primul meci din sferturile de finala ajuns in frame decisiv. Presiunea era enorma si atarna deasupra ambelor capete luminate de magia snooker-ului.


De la inceputul acestei editii inaugurale, niciun jucator nu a reusit "sa-si revina" de la 0-2 si sa castige meciul. De obicei egala la 2-2 si frame-ul decisiv era castigat de oponentul care a si deschis scorul. Insa, acest lucru avea sa se schimbe. Ding a comis o eroare destul de nefericita incercand sa inscrie bila verde cand situatia cerea o lovitura de siguranta sau mai bine zis, un snooker...a ratat si atunci galezul a avut sansa se revina la masa. Se afla in avantaj, avand mai multe puncte decat Ding, asa ca Mark a inscris bila dupa bila pentru o victorie decisiva, devenind astfel si primul care reuseste sa incununeze revenirea de la 0-2 cu o victorie de meci. Si ce meci!

Ebbo are un loc asigurat in semifinala

Urmatorul meci care avea sa-si trimita castigatorul in semifinale, a fost cel dintre Peter Ebdon si Martin Gould. Peter si-a inceput show-ul prin castigarea primului frame (in mod paradoxal destul de rapid...chiar si pentru el :-P), insa Gouldie l-a egalat in urmatorul. Cel de-al treilea frame i-a gasit pe cei doi la egalitate (60-60) cu toate bilele "la buzunarele lor". Astfel s-a repozitionat bila neagra si jucatorii si-au dat tot interesul pentru a o inscrie; cel care a si reusit a fost Ebbo, care prelua conducerea cu 2-1. Gouldie a jucat la fel de bine, insa stilul molcom si extrem de securizat a lui Ebdon l-au cam scos din sarite, pierzandu-si calmul si executand de multe ori lovituri mult prea violentate. La un moment dat bila neagra (se dorea inscrierea ei) a fost lovita atat de tare incat s-a balansat de cateva ori intre marginile buzunarului si a sarit in sus ca arsa (chiar foarte sus :-D), aproape parasind suprafata mesei.


Ultimul frame a fost dominat de Ebbo, care si-a inregistrat victoria cu un 3-1, in fata unui jucator de calibru, care insa si-a pierdut rabdarea in fata stilului "de melc strategic". :-)) Am vazut un Peter Ebdon totusi mai cumpatat in erori tehnice, un Peter ceva mai rapid (rapid fiind totusi un termen generic :-P), un Peter mai atent si cu un joc mai bun. A reusit sa castige un loc frumos in semifinale, loc pe care nu l-a mai ocupat de o lunga bucata de timp, asa ca il felicitam pe deplin si ii uram bafta.

The Rocket .... rocks!

Ronnie O`Sullivan il intalnea pe Stephen Maguire la "o sueta de snooker" tot pentru un loc in semifinale. Stephen a deschis scorul cu 1-0, insa Ronnie a egalat imediat inregistrad un break de 81. Si de aici pana la victoria lui 'The Rocket" nu mai avea sa fie mult...decat vreo doua frame-uri mititlete, pe care englezul nostru le-a castigat. Primul cu un break frumos de 116 si al doilea cu doua break-rui de 62 de puncte. Nu cred ca mai trebuie mentionat ca Maguire a fost tintuit pe scaun, singura oportunitate de a mai simti tacul atingand bilele fiind in primul frame pe care l-a castigat si foarte putin in al doilea.


The Rocket il va intalni pe Peter Ebdon intr-un meci pe care Ronnie l-a descris cum nu se poate mai bine: " Ma bucur ca joc impotriva lui Peter intr-un meci cu regula de cel mai bun joc din cinci. Un meci mai lung ar fi destul de dificil". :-)))) Un jucator rapid impotriva unuia care contempla fiecare lovitura (insa o legenda vie a snooker-ului)...vom avea cu siguranta un meci frumos.

Neil Robertson

Ultimul meci al zilei avea sa ne dezvaluie si ultimul semifinalist. Ricky Walden s-a razboit intr-un meci de forta cu campionul mondial Neil Robertson. Desi Ricky a jucat extrem de bine pe parcursul intregii competitii si chiar si in Shanghai Masters, in acest meci a reusit sa castige un singur frame, Neil inchizand scorul la 3-1.
Australia se va "chiocni" cu Tara Galilor in semifinala numarul 2, intrucat Neil il va intalni pe Mark Williams.


Asa cum si Dave Hendon spunea, graficul semifinalelor pentru World Open arata mult mai interesant decat cel de la Campionatul Mondial. :)


Break-uri de 100 + pentru ieri...doar unul, realizat de Ronnie O`Sullivan (116).


Dupa cum bine stiti astazi vom avea semifinalele insa si marea finala (singurul meci unde regula de cel mai bun joc din 5 este inlocuita de cel mai bun joc din 9).


Programul EuroSport pentru Romania si Ungaria (din cate am inteles) v-a incepe transmisia ceva mai tarziu, asa ca incercati link-ul norocos ca sa nu care cumva sa pierdeti inceputul de semifinala :-P Programul actualizat primit direct de la cei de la EuroSport imi arata totusi ca se va incepe la timp, insa pentru a nu pierde ocazia de a-i vedea pe baietii snookeristi in actiune, tineti link-ul aproape :-))


Numai campioni mondiali in graficul World Open...mmmm Pofta buna la snooker! ;-)