snooker world championship final

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mark williams vs ken doherty: 11-5 overnight.

so i decide to go and watch some improv on this wonderful may bank holiday afternoon and miss the third session. i come back and its 12-12!!!! (damn can't believe i didn't tape it).

talk abt it.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 5 May 2003 17:35 (twenty years ago) link

i got sucked in too, switched on to see williams polish him off but no! ugly ken is fucking him up, forcing sloppy errors etc, classic stuff

dud is the commentators trying to attribute doherty with the "man utd influence"

is that the conway hall thing you went to?

Chip Morningstar (bob), Monday, 5 May 2003 17:54 (twenty years ago) link

Is there anyone in the county cheering Mark Williams on? I can't think of a less appealing sportsman. And what's with the doublechin he's developing? Is he on the Stephen Lee diet or something?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 5 May 2003 18:49 (twenty years ago) link

i find snooker strangely nice to watch on TV when there's nothing else on...i am such an old man its a little scary

stevem (blueski), Monday, 5 May 2003 18:56 (twenty years ago) link

nah, steve, when you start watching bowls, that's when you'll feel old!

jel -- (jel), Monday, 5 May 2003 19:23 (twenty years ago) link

come on Ken!

Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 5 May 2003 20:09 (twenty years ago) link

I got really sucked into a couple of games earlier this week. It's the same with darts and bowls. Give me an unathletic game for two hours and I'll watch it forever.

RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 5 May 2003 20:23 (twenty years ago) link

Come on Ken! F'ing Mark Williams: "oh, he's a character". I swear if Steve Davis talks about 'characters' one more time, Hazel Irvine about Man Utd's influence on Ken or (f'ing) SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY or John Parrot BREATHES once more. I swear!!!

COME ON KEN!

Cozen (Cozen), Monday, 5 May 2003 20:26 (twenty years ago) link

Tha guy who has been talking to Steve (Davis) and Ken (as a panel) about SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY (ie body language etc) is REALLY annoying (like me).

I just asked my li'l bro why he keeps saying "oooh, Ken's missed... come on Mark..." - apparently, he is "bamming me up". Fair do's.

Cozen (Cozen), Monday, 5 May 2003 20:27 (twenty years ago) link

< /mucker>

Cozen (Cozen), Monday, 5 May 2003 20:28 (twenty years ago) link

What happened to the Sunday Night Final Climax? That was an INSTITUTION.

Starry (Cozen), Monday, 5 May 2003 20:31 (twenty years ago) link

nothing must be allowed to run over 24...they actually cancelled 24 for one week because of the fucking golf a month or so ago, that was bad enough

stevem (blueski), Monday, 5 May 2003 20:37 (twenty years ago) link

What happened to the Sunday Night Final Climax? That was an INSTITUTION.

Surely it's finished on a May Day BH Monday for ages?

Cor, 17-16... must watch exciting finish in bed. (Last year Pam fell asleep midway through 35th frame...)

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:05 (twenty years ago) link

just finished. mark 18-16

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:16 (twenty years ago) link

shame, feel sorry for Ken, but Williams seems a funny chap and pretty decent.

Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:17 (twenty years ago) link

great match: i wished ken won really. Mark has been the best player. he trashed everybody on the way to the final and is world no1. and he knocked stephen hendry out so he's fine with me.

''is that the conway hall thing you went to?''

yup.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:19 (twenty years ago) link

I always liked him. < /back-track>. haha, no, yeah, he did come off as a nice guy... More power to him and all that...

Cozen (Cozen), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:20 (twenty years ago) link

yeah, after his comeback in the semis i thought his name was on the trophy. oh well, it was a good game, and i quite like williams, too.

weasel diesel (K1l14n), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:20 (twenty years ago) link

I'm a right tool when it comes to snooker though (like most things, I suppose) in that I really like Stephen Hendry and really hate (HATE!) Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Cozen (Cozen), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:23 (twenty years ago) link

I like ronnie and i don't hate stephen (though many do) BUT i don't want him to win more world titles.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:36 (twenty years ago) link

Ronnie O'Sullivan makes me think of the pig's head, goading me, making me stupid.

RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:39 (twenty years ago) link

wah! ronnie is great and should win more world titles. you are just jealous of his talent. bunch of hataz!

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 5 May 2003 21:41 (twenty years ago) link

ppl hate ronnie cos he's an arrogant prick, but yes, he is entertaining.

weasel diesel (K1l14n), Monday, 5 May 2003 22:17 (twenty years ago) link

Ronnie O'Sullivan is like a modern day Michael Corleone.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 5 May 2003 22:29 (twenty years ago) link

come on Jimmy!

stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 6 May 2003 01:05 (twenty years ago) link

Reserve your hatred for John Parrott. Supposed to be funny, but just comes across as self-absorbed, unnatural on TV and, dare I say it, blown away by Steve Davis in terms of TV presentation.

Daniel (dancity), Tuesday, 6 May 2003 16:59 (twenty years ago) link

We need better snooker coverage here in the states. The kids don't even know how it works here.

teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 6 May 2003 17:03 (twenty years ago) link

Wot no Cabbage?

I enjoyed 'Frame Academy' very much indeed. It put the 'OO' back into snooker for a few minutes, especially Steve Davis's elasticated balls.

I also enjoyed the odd glimpse of Terry Griffiths.

PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 7 May 2003 08:39 (twenty years ago) link

R O'Sullivan is signing his books in Borders round the corner from me tonight, and his lingerie emporium is v.near where I work. It's Ronnie's world, I just live in it.

Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Wednesday, 7 May 2003 09:06 (twenty years ago) link

Ronnie O'Sullivan is everything.

Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 7 May 2003 09:52 (twenty years ago) link

nine months pass...
bum-di-bum-bum-bump!

o'sullivan vs hunter 8:7 ...and 4 more to go, eh? or less, meh?
(it is live on eurosport, innit?)

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:32 (twenty years ago) link

...the masters...

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:33 (twenty years ago) link

what is with these dudes' hair??

teeny (teeny), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:37 (twenty years ago) link

like, long?

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:38 (twenty years ago) link

they saw me and thought 'heeey!'

stevem (blueski), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:39 (twenty years ago) link

and o'sullivan kinda looks like nick cave.

teeny (teeny), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:41 (twenty years ago) link

uuu-mmm... not quite

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:43 (twenty years ago) link

sorry, I'm just peeved they don't carry this in america.

teeny (teeny), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:44 (twenty years ago) link

oh, it's now 9:7 to o'mullivann...

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:47 (twenty years ago) link

I've not watched snooker for a while. What's happened to O'Sullivan's bowlcut?

Also these are a couple of sexy shits, eh?

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:54 (twenty years ago) link

I mean, I imagine someone making smartass comments, esp about the blond one...

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:56 (twenty years ago) link

But if it was a foul leading to a free-ball in some dim alleyway, I bet you'd force him to play again, eh?

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:57 (twenty years ago) link

Whatever.

They're both pretty great.

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:57 (twenty years ago) link

Ew. Hunter looks about twelve and has one of David Beckhams's old haircuts. This does not sexy make :(

(xpost)

O'Sullivan's post-therapy interviews are a mind-boggling wonder of pop-psychology-speak (well, the only one I saw this week anyway).

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 8 February 2004 22:59 (twenty years ago) link

...9:8 now, with 18th under way

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:00 (twenty years ago) link

Ain't that entertainment -- 9:9, uhhhhh!

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:29 (twenty years ago) link

That was some red, eh?

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:42 (twenty years ago) link

This could be Hunter's chance now, I reckon.

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:44 (twenty years ago) link

We should commentate. You be Willie Thorne.

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:44 (twenty years ago) link

I'm thingy from the Jim Davidson show. With the beard.

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:45 (twenty years ago) link

I don't think Hunter can win the frame at this visit.

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:45 (twenty years ago) link

What will he do here?

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:45 (twenty years ago) link

Not bad. Nothing left on here.

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:46 (twenty years ago) link

Lots of balls near the cushions (I'm plagiarising here).

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:46 (twenty years ago) link

What does that mean, Willie?

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:47 (twenty years ago) link

WHAT A MISS!

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:47 (twenty years ago) link

HE'S LEFT IT!

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:47 (twenty years ago) link

MATCH-WINNING CHANCE!

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:47 (twenty years ago) link

THE BLONDE GIRL COVERS EYES!

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:48 (twenty years ago) link

NEEDS A KISS! HE'S GOT THE KISS!

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:48 (twenty years ago) link

Well done that kid :)

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:48 (twenty years ago) link

paul wins.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:48 (twenty years ago) link

IT'S OVER!

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:48 (twenty years ago) link

RONNIE'S "BIT HIS TIP OFF"!

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:49 (twenty years ago) link

SEXY SHITS!

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:50 (twenty years ago) link

Is Paul Hunter the guy who always goes on about shagging his girlfriend in the mid-session breaks?

(xpost - that "biting off his tip" made me laugh a bit. New relaxed therapied Ronnie seemed to not care at all that he lost)

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:50 (twenty years ago) link

a helluva mutha of a match

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:52 (twenty years ago) link

He looks like N. had N. been at the peroxide.

(he has just made a reference to shagging his woman)

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:53 (twenty years ago) link

haha well the first time he won this (against fergal o'brien) he was 6-2 behind in the break and he did let out post-match interview that his manager allowed his gf in the dressing room in the break (he won that match 10-9). I'm not sure whether they did it again today, think he was joking this time because he didn't play badly, just that ronnie was perfect in that first session (paul hunter won those two frames with century breaks).

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 8 February 2004 23:58 (twenty years ago) link

two months pass...
revive!

Go on ronnie!!! He's just won the first four frames of the second session in 42 mins (he so totally deserves to be called 'the rocket').

two eighty breaks and a century and he's 10-2 up.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 30 April 2004 13:44 (nineteen years ago) link

I wish i was at home watching this :(

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 30 April 2004 13:45 (nineteen years ago) link

I wish I was home tomorrow to keep watching this.

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Friday, 30 April 2004 20:54 (nineteen years ago) link

Real pleasures of watching snooker revealed:

Heh heh heh.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 30 April 2004 21:08 (nineteen years ago) link

john parrot gets bitterer every year! i'm lovin dott's spoiler style, a final with him and ronnie might be fascinating. alternatively dott might get utterly blown away but hey

prima fassy (mwah), Friday, 30 April 2004 21:36 (nineteen years ago) link

Dott'd be that much of an outsider that maybe... just, maybe...

And why has Dominic Dale suddenly vanished from the commentary team? Dennis Taylor is starting to irk me a bit...

Worst thing about Parrott - his tips segment, where he teaches Stan Boardman to play snooker. Fucking hell.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 30 April 2004 21:40 (nineteen years ago) link

dott has a small throat.

'when I won the championship back in 1991...'

come on hendry.

YEAH I SAID IT.

cozen (Cozen), Saturday, 1 May 2004 06:18 (nineteen years ago) link

dennis taylor + john parrott are ok.

john virgo must die. he'd whinge even if he goes to heaven "ooh that's not that cloud i'd put myself on.."

ian mccolloch should have won, or david gray.

ken c (ken c), Saturday, 1 May 2004 07:25 (nineteen years ago) link

o'sullivan just finished hendry off 17-4. I quite like to see Dott in the final but it may not matter who gets there.

O'sullivan has rarely got it consistently together, playing to his full potential as he has in the last two rounds, blowing away anthony hamilton and hendry with a session to spare.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 1 May 2004 10:02 (nineteen years ago) link

: (

this boy's good.

cozen (Cozen), Saturday, 1 May 2004 11:25 (nineteen years ago) link

Does anyone else think Hazel Irvine the finest woman on Earth?

Not Steve Davis, Saturday, 1 May 2004 13:02 (nineteen years ago) link

Oh, for crying out loud, Dott-Stevens just went off the air at 16-15 with just four balls left on the table and an immense safety battle developing in frame 32. I was watching the live coverage on BBCi (ch701 on Freeview) when a message appeared "This interactive service is coming to an end, press [TEXT] to exit." WTF?! They'd never do this on a main analogue channel. I note the BBC website also appears to be down.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Saturday, 1 May 2004 15:51 (nineteen years ago) link

The BBC website isn't down any more.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 1 May 2004 15:59 (nineteen years ago) link

Apparently Dott won 17-15 - after "an exchange of unbelievably tense safety" according to the now-reachable BBC website.

After a laborious registration procedure I'm about to leave a Why Oh Why complaints on the Points Of View messageboard - in that curly electric typewriter font.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Saturday, 1 May 2004 16:05 (nineteen years ago) link

It's on Eurosport. But it must be on some time delay thing, as it's just at the start of the 32nd frame.

(x-post cheers Mike, I'm watching on Europsport)

ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 1 May 2004 16:06 (nineteen years ago) link

(I'm sorry, Ailsa, it didn't occur to me that anyone other than the BBC was covering this.)

I was jumping the gun by claiming I was registered on the BBC website - despite doing precisely what they required I'm not registered. I requested a resend of their confirmation email and didn't get it. This is a very good way of intensifying but broadening miffed viewers' rage and ultimately getting them to give up. What a waste of 20 minutes of my life.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Saturday, 1 May 2004 16:15 (nineteen years ago) link

I keep reading this thread as "smoker world championship final" and that does not compute.

stephen morris (stephen morris), Saturday, 1 May 2004 16:17 (nineteen years ago) link

Microdott is 3-0 up! Ronnie does not look happy.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:01 (nineteen years ago) link

4-0!

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:16 (nineteen years ago) link

!!!

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:19 (nineteen years ago) link

Apparently that scoreline was 66-1 yesterday evening...

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:35 (nineteen years ago) link

This is rapidly acquiring an aura of unreality. Dott has now scored 300 points with no reply from Ronnie.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:53 (nineteen years ago) link

5-0! Ronnie just failed to return to the table in a one snooker required situation.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:59 (nineteen years ago) link

Horrid thought - he's not trying to give him a head start, is he?

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 2 May 2004 15:00 (nineteen years ago) link

Well, normal service has suddenly resumed. Solid 100, and he is doing a lot of left handed stuff. 5-1.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 15:06 (nineteen years ago) link

AAARGH I need to get digital telly! Bloody Young Musician Of The Year, grrr.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 15:13 (nineteen years ago) link

5-3, last time I heard. :( come on dott!!!!

cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 2 May 2004 17:11 (nineteen years ago) link

5-4 now. Dott's at the table, looking a little twitchy, but holding it together nicely.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 18:32 (nineteen years ago) link

I'm starting to feel one of the great embassy emotions: anguish.

come on dott!

cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 2 May 2004 19:21 (nineteen years ago) link

I don't think Dott believes he can win. *I* don't believe he can, Ronnie looks that much more comfortable at the table. Every significant break Dott's made has been so painstakingly constructed, whereas O'Sullivan's been almost casual at times. And yet we're still at seven all.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 20:30 (nineteen years ago) link

7-8 now, to O'Sullivan. Bollocks.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 20:37 (nineteen years ago) link

*curses below breath; wonders whether it's live on eurosport right now*

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 2 May 2004 20:42 (nineteen years ago) link

...mwoah, man o'mullivann maketh it 9-7 now. dang.

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 2 May 2004 20:49 (nineteen years ago) link

End of session. 7-9 to O'Sullivan the pantsmonger.

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 20:51 (nineteen years ago) link

Why are the BBC showing me Nicky Campbell and that c#nt from Fame Academy?

Ricardo (RickyT), Sunday, 2 May 2004 20:53 (nineteen years ago) link

Are you sure it's not the Spice Channel?

El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Sunday, 2 May 2004 20:55 (nineteen years ago) link

Peeps, get ready, frame seventeen to commence soonish!

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Monday, 3 May 2004 13:04 (nineteen years ago) link

12-8 to pantsmonger. Start of the second half of the afternoon session. Would have been 11-9, if it weren't for a bit of atrocious luck in the last frame before the midsession break. Dott got a bad contact while belting a pivotal black, which then shuddered in the jaws, leapt out, travelled a good two feet along the top of the cushion and fell to the floor.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 14:50 (nineteen years ago) link

Yeh, that black was a bad mofunk-up-ah. And it wasn't, unfortunately, the only one of those crucial mistakes after which O'Mullivann came to the table and won the frame.

13-8 looks a bit grim for Dott.

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:09 (nineteen years ago) link

Dott really has to get this one, or he's looking at having to win 2/3rds of the remaining frames. O'Sullivan's just had a bastard kick, so Dott's got a chance.

Which he's fluffed.

Bugger.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:11 (nineteen years ago) link

Yep. Almost a pattern there.

Aargh... Dott didn't get that red now, either!

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:13 (nineteen years ago) link

He got THAT one though!

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:13 (nineteen years ago) link

Vow. Now that Dott-black was a goodie! :)

And then... ...

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:16 (nineteen years ago) link

... it's O'Mullivann time again.

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:18 (nineteen years ago) link

Dott's century to win his only frame of the day was heroic in the circumstances. 8-14, though...Hendry beat White from this position in '92. Worth a fiver, surely.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:23 (nineteen years ago) link

8-15 now. No way back, surely?

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:51 (nineteen years ago) link

Dott looks exhausted, like he just wants it to end.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:55 (nineteen years ago) link

Well, I'd rather dote on Dott, but it's the hairy one who plays damn well :(

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Monday, 3 May 2004 15:58 (nineteen years ago) link

8-16. It looks like we're in for a very short evening session.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 16:08 (nineteen years ago) link

: (

cozen (Cozen), Monday, 3 May 2004 17:08 (nineteen years ago) link

I like the Rocket because he wears a plastic tiara.

Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 3 May 2004 17:15 (nineteen years ago) link

What happened at 11-8 was unfortunate but even at 12-8 I thought that the mid-session came in at the right time, maybe he could have won that 3-1 but when he came out his safety game just fell to bits.

Hope to see Dott winning a few frames tonight.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 3 May 2004 17:33 (nineteen years ago) link

O'Sullivan in control of the 25th frame already.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 18:15 (nineteen years ago) link

Will someone PLEASE tell John Parrot he's not funny.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 18:19 (nineteen years ago) link

17-8. The end is nigh.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 18:20 (nineteen years ago) link

Dott's just missed. Here we go.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 18:22 (nineteen years ago) link

18-8. Ronnie's won.

Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 3 May 2004 18:38 (nineteen years ago) link

Deserved. Fair play to the underdog and all that, but nobody on the planet could have beaten O'Sullivan at that form.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 3 May 2004 18:57 (nineteen years ago) link

Yeah second that. I think Mark Williams at his best has the temperament and could've pushed him, could have pushed ronnie into making mistakes but given some of the stuff he played this week he deserved a second title.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 3 May 2004 19:58 (nineteen years ago) link

Hey, was that nudie episode, that occured just prior to the evening session, 'a first evah' for the Snooker World Championships?

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Monday, 3 May 2004 19:59 (nineteen years ago) link

Who'd have thought that Ray Reardon would have an impact on the Embassy in this day and age, though?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 3 May 2004 20:01 (nineteen years ago) link

There was a streaker at the Embassy before. Can't remember when.

And Ronnie... goodness me, but he was magic. You never believed he'd miss. Even when he did, you always felt he'd get back in. He's on an entirely different level to everyone.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 3 May 2004 20:07 (nineteen years ago) link

the pocket-rocket vs. the rocket indeed.

cozen (Cozen), Monday, 3 May 2004 21:34 (nineteen years ago) link

Who'd have thought that Ray Reardon would have an impact on the Embassy in this day and age, though?

i liked the fact that ronnie at the trophie ceremony described Ray Reardon as his "Plan B". Term used in some previous snooker tournaments to insinuate how paul hunter played better after the intervals having had sex with his bird in between. oh man.

ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 12:30 (nineteen years ago) link

If snooker was ambrosia, Ronnie was eating it all week. Untouchable. He's so hardcore, he wears an alice band. Take that you fuxors.

Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 14:44 (nineteen years ago) link

added bonus he has almost exactly the same voice as david beckham

ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 14:46 (nineteen years ago) link

As demonstrated rather smugly by Alistair McGowan.

Ally C (Ally C), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 15:38 (nineteen years ago) link

He's so hardcore, he wears an alice band

Egotistical Italian sportsman in wearing alice band non-shock.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 17:43 (nineteen years ago) link

In Italy, it is what you do; in snooker. v. hardcore.

Did i dream it, or did ronnie go through an Islamic phase recently? I have a memory that Prince Naseem Hamed instructed him in the ways of the prophet. This is either true, or the greatest slash story never told.

Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 20:44 (nineteen years ago) link

Yeah there was a story that he converted to Islam but I think a denial came a few days later. i think he had just visited a mosque.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 20:46 (nineteen years ago) link

eight months pass...
revive: hendry vs o'sullivan (3-1 at the break) at the welsh open final (on interactive).

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 23 January 2005 14:51 (nineteen years ago) link

three months pass...
And reviving for the '05, cos this year's set is looking kind of intriguing, i.e. Steve Davis is in the quarter-final having come from 8-2 down to win 13-10 against Michael Holt. Ronnie's there too but apparently not quite firing on all cylinders (I've not been watching as yet), cult hero Graham Dott got taken out 10-9 by Ian McCulloch, Mark Williams took his first round match 10-1, with a maximum break in the final frame, Alan McManus is playing well for the first time in, like, ever, and Stephen Lee is hopefully going to lose to Peter Ebdon. I really don't like Stephen Lee very much.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:22 (nineteen years ago) link

Oh, and for UK peeps, every single match is being broadcast on the internet. Only for the UK though. Dunno why.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:23 (nineteen years ago) link

Did anyone else have that "Hah, yes!" reaction when Paul Hunter got knocked out so early, only to be tempered with a "Oh, wait, he's dying of cancer isn't he?" moment?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:52 (nineteen years ago) link

Is Jimmy White still in it?

The Horse of Babylon's Butler (the pirate king), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:56 (nineteen years ago) link

I thought paul hunter was on 'playing it straight'.

cozen (Cozen), Saturday, 23 April 2005 19:00 (nineteen years ago) link

Stephen Lee is hopefully going to lose to Peter Ebdon. I really don't like Stephen Lee very much

Hmm, but wanting Stephen Lee to lose would mean wanting Crazy Eyes Edbon to win.

Alan McManus should have "nearly man" on his waistcoat. Umpteen years in the top 16 despite being Not Very Good.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 23 April 2005 19:05 (nineteen years ago) link

Jimmy's still in but 5-3 down against Matthew Stevens. Currently on the baize, Ken Doherty and Alan McManus are at 10-apiece, while John Higgins leads Shaun Murphy 4-2.

Hmm, but wanting Stephen Lee to lose would mean wanting Crazy Eyes Edbon to win.

Yeah, but I really, really don't like Stephen Lee very much. I'm not quite sure why, he just seems like such a stunningly joyless man. This impression may have been augmented by the 'Stephen Lee Snooker Skills Challenge' video on the BBC website, though.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 23 April 2005 19:09 (nineteen years ago) link

shaun murphy's hit some pretty beautiful pots tonight!!!

ken c (ken c), Saturday, 23 April 2005 19:23 (nineteen years ago) link

Oh, and for UK peeps, every single match is being broadcast on the internet. Only for the UK though. Dunno why.

This is pissing me off! I want to watch this! How do they determine UK users, by IP address?

Curious George (1/6 Scale Model) (Rock Hardy), Saturday, 23 April 2005 19:48 (nineteen years ago) link

I think it must be done by ip address. You could always fake it.

John Virgo just said that McManus has potted 26 out of 26 rest shots so far, which is very impressive. McManus 11-11 Doherty, Higgins 4-4 Murphy.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 23 April 2005 19:52 (nineteen years ago) link

Presumably the broadcast rights are sold outside the UK which is why they don't want live feeds available.

Failin Huxley (noodle vague), Saturday, 23 April 2005 19:57 (nineteen years ago) link

Probably the case - snooker's becoming very big in Asia, for instance, particularly China.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 23 April 2005 20:18 (nineteen years ago) link

If they could exclude non-UK ip addresses, they could include addresses from countries that don't broadcast the sport. (And if any US cable channels are carrying snooker, I'll eat my hat.)

How do I fake a UK ip address?

Curious George (1/6 Scale Model) (Rock Hardy), Saturday, 23 April 2005 20:22 (nineteen years ago) link

It's not so much that they could let countries where it isn't on TV see the streams, George, as that the BBC probably don't have the right to broadcast it outside of the UK and would be in trouble for doing so.

Failin Huxley (noodle vague), Saturday, 23 April 2005 20:24 (nineteen years ago) link

Nice couple of frames there from McManus to take it 13-11.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 23 April 2005 20:26 (nineteen years ago) link

There are loads of fake ip utilities around. I have no idea how good they are as I've never used one. Googling will give you a million hits.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 23 April 2005 20:27 (nineteen years ago) link

Steve Davis' mic is making a noise like a lightsaber.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 23 April 2005 20:28 (nineteen years ago) link

Couldn't believe how bad Ken was last night - such a complete contrast to his first round display.

some good matches so far but nothing quite close enough to the drama of ronnie vs maguire in the first round...

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:19 (nineteen years ago) link

Stephen Lee has had a sodding awful peroxide job done on his hair. He now looks like Lee Trundle except even fatter. That said, he's also 5-1 up on Ebdon.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 24 April 2005 15:20 (nineteen years ago) link

Lee leads Ebdon 6-2 in a match that the Beeb describes as 'desperately slow'. Williams 5-3 up on McCulloch.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 24 April 2005 17:16 (nineteen years ago) link

Ooh, it's all kicking off again. Shaun Murphy has disposed of John Higgins 13-8 and apparently looked very, very handy in the process. Matthew Stevens beat Jimmy 13-5. Ebdon and Lee are 9-9 and Mark Williams leads Ian McCulloch 11-9 having been 9-7 down.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 25 April 2005 18:47 (nineteen years ago) link

The last two spots in the quarters go to Peter Ebdon, who ground out a 13-9 win over Stephen Lee, and Ian McCulloch, who came back to beat Mark Williams 13-12. The Draw:

Ronnie O'Sullivan - Peter Ebdon
Shaun Murphy - Steve Davis
Stephen Hendry - Matthew Stevens
Alan McManus - Ian McCulloch

You suspect it's gonna be a Ronnie-Hendry final, but the way things have gone so far this does actually look a bit open...

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:28 (nineteen years ago) link

Steve Davis has been eating red meat. I think he could go all the way.

Failin Huxley (noodle vague), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:31 (nineteen years ago) link

Was a good show by Ian McCulloch... The rest of the Bunnymen must be proud. Maybe it will be a Joe Johnson-style year.

I would love it if Steve Davis went all the way, but I've been eating red meat too and I'm not likely to; however, Shaun Murphy looks pretty handy too. Could be quite exciting.

KeefW (kmw), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:34 (nineteen years ago) link

i'm totally supporting shaun murphy now, despite being a big fan of the nugget

ken c (ken c), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:37 (nineteen years ago) link

so yesterday wz the best day since the first -- mcculloch-williams being the pick.

hoping for a stevens-sullivan final: wouldn't know who I'd want to win if that happened.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 09:39 (eighteen years ago) link

That's a pretty good 1/4 final line up. I wouldn't bet against McCulloch at the moment - he looked excellent against Williams(some superb long pots under pressure).

Most of my heart is with Davis (for old times sake), but my head says O'Sullivan or Stevens.

Guilty Boksen (Bro_Danielson), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 11:49 (eighteen years ago) link

Yes, I'm gonna post the odds:

O'Sullivan: 4/5
Stevens: 5/1
Hendry: 9/1
Murphy: 11/1
McCulloch: 18/1
Ebdon: 25/1
McManus: 45/1
Davis: 200/1

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 11:54 (eighteen years ago) link

The Nugget is getting munched - Murphy 7-1 up after the first session. Stevens leads Hendry 5-3.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 12:28 (eighteen years ago) link

Watching McCulloch-McManus now - there's something very unsettling about Ian McCulloch. He looks like he's constantly on the verge of chinning someone. He leads 6-5, though, but this twelfth frame looks like continuing for bloody ages...

Elsewhere, Murphy beat Davis 13-4, and Stevens beat Hendry 13-11.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:23 (eighteen years ago) link

and as I say that, McCulloch takes it to lead 7-5 at the mid-session interval, coming back from 5-3 down at the start of play. McManus is reverting to type, it appears.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:25 (eighteen years ago) link

omg peter ebdon what a dick!

ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 20:03 (eighteen years ago) link

Too right...

KeefW (kmw), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 20:11 (eighteen years ago) link

What's he done?

Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:07 (eighteen years ago) link

He's only just knocked the rocket out.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:40 (eighteen years ago) link

And the crowd go mild.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:41 (eighteen years ago) link

And, yes, watching this interview, Peter Ebdon may be one of the biggest cunts in sport.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:42 (eighteen years ago) link

he kept taking minutes and minutes for shots and put ronnie off

ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:42 (eighteen years ago) link

Right, Stevens-Murphy for the final, I'm reckoning. Because Ebdon-McCulloch would be a bit much to bear.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:42 (eighteen years ago) link

he kept taking minutes and minutes for shots and put ronnie off

Five minutes for a break of 12.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:43 (eighteen years ago) link

i felt like i was taking dirty money - when ebdon got to 13-11 i put in £5 for ebdon to win. £1.30 isn't worth the guilt.

ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:44 (eighteen years ago) link

Predictions for what O'Sullivan's gonna do now? Retirement? Suicide bid? Some Bobby Fischer kinda ish?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:45 (eighteen years ago) link

he's going to start learning to play with his left leg

ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:46 (eighteen years ago) link

He's got to go through that awkward period of growing your barnet out after shaving it now, though. The "monkey hair" period.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:48 (eighteen years ago) link

he's taking a year off to grow his hair back

ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:53 (eighteen years ago) link

You notice the two cuts on his forehead?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:54 (eighteen years ago) link

yup! from his FINGERNAILS!

ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:54 (eighteen years ago) link

oh wait.. what i meant to say is

RONNIE'S BUSTED WIDE OPEN!

ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 21:54 (eighteen years ago) link

Bloody hell. Murphy's one frame away from the final (16-12 up), and is playing like... well, like Ronnie. he's just put away a 123 break, and he was just flowing. If the final involves him, my weekend plans have just been sorted.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 30 April 2005 14:07 (eighteen years ago) link

ronnie is bad for the game.

cozen (Cozen), Saturday, 30 April 2005 16:04 (eighteen years ago) link

i thought he's the only thing good about the game for years.

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 1 May 2005 08:00 (eighteen years ago) link

I didn't catch ebdon-o'sullivan. maybe that worked out ok...the thing with o'sullivan is that you never know when he's doing self-deprecation or playing mind-games, as I thought he was when talking to the BBC after the maguire match: an 'interview' that looked more like a counselling session. But after this something might not have been quite right and Ebdon, who has won the title by playing great snooker before, exploited a weakness when he saw it; that's what great match players do, and args like people weren't given the fast game that they want don't hold up. you do what you have to. and could the referee, by using the rules that effectively would've compelled him to tell ebdon to hurry up have saved him? If O'sullivan had kept his cool like Murphy it would have been a diff story but he may not have been in the right frame of mind. And I say this as someone who really likes o'sullivan and watched in awe as he killed stephen hendry in the UK final when he was what, 17? 19? all those years ago...

but anyway, I thought the last frame of the mcculloch-stevens semi-final is a gd indication as to how the final might go. stevens playing tight and forcing his opponent into mistakes, with stevens potting the long red offered, and potting every single time. Murphy is a great potter but his tactical game isn't quite good enough right now. Stevens has been a great match player and as long as his nerve holds he'll win.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 1 May 2005 08:30 (eighteen years ago) link

First frame of the final lasted over 30 minutes. Murphy thought he'd wrapped it up early, but Stevens chose to return to the table with two snookers required. Stevens duly got both snookers, which set up a very tense safety battle, which only ended when Murphy snookered Stevens back. Next frame Stevens cleaned up in a businesslike fashion. Currently 43-20 to Stevens in the third frame.

RickyT (RickyT), Sunday, 1 May 2005 14:01 (eighteen years ago) link

Have to agree with Clive Everton (for once) – tensest opening frame to a World Final I've seen. Murphy looks in good touch, but tactically I'd favour Stevens over a long match – he's just gone 2-1 up.

Tom B (Tom B), Sunday, 1 May 2005 14:10 (eighteen years ago) link

This is best of how many frames?

This is bringing back the only enjoyable part of high school, playing snooker every weekend at my friend David's house.

Curious George (Bat Chain Puller) (Rock Hardy), Sunday, 1 May 2005 14:15 (eighteen years ago) link

It's good to see that Murphy took to snooker so well after that trip to the chocolate factory ended so embarassingly for him.

http://www.codehappy.net/mimage/wonka006.jpg

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 1 May 2005 14:24 (eighteen years ago) link

Best of 35. Played over two days and four sessions.

Murphy is at least considerably more appealing than Stephen sodding Lee.

Tom B (Tom B), Sunday, 1 May 2005 14:26 (eighteen years ago) link

"considerably"

Venga (Venga), Sunday, 1 May 2005 15:36 (eighteen years ago) link

25 frames done, Murphy takes the lead for the first time since the opening frame (13-12 up). Stevens has conceded two free-ball fouls this match, Murphy's taken frames off them both. The Noise Next Door is starting to look edgy.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 18:07 (eighteen years ago) link

Obviously, this is the cue for Stevens to take the next with a break of 95.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 18:19 (eighteen years ago) link

the cue! :-D

ken c (ken c), Monday, 2 May 2005 18:38 (eighteen years ago) link

The Texan trickshot guy: classic or dud?

I'm saying dud.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 18:40 (eighteen years ago) link

Tony Drago: Classic. Quinten Hann: Dud.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 18:54 (eighteen years ago) link

Stevens clangs pink off the middle left jaws when 35 up, Murphy subsequently clears for 15-13.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 19:13 (eighteen years ago) link

Shaun has won 9 of the last 12.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 19:22 (eighteen years ago) link

Murphy's turn to miss - black off the spot lets Stevens in, Murphy's next chance comes with the white in the jaws and he can't do anything. 15-14.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 19:25 (eighteen years ago) link

We were due a tense one. Stevens looking cosy then drops a clanger on a soft red to bottom right. Murphy gets to the point where Stevens needs a snooker and misses the black. Cue snookering and counter-snookering, but Stevens can't take advantage and it's 16-14.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 19:50 (eighteen years ago) link

Stevens is pulling some interesting faces.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 19:51 (eighteen years ago) link

Stevens is not about making it look easy, but he's got his first century - 124 break, 16-15.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:01 (eighteen years ago) link

Tense opening, but Stevens eventually eases himself away, 16-16. Murphy's potted one ball in the past half-hour.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:23 (eighteen years ago) link

Great clearance from Stevens. Surely going down to a decider.

Tom B (Tom B), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:24 (eighteen years ago) link

Murphy's turn to pull a break out of a hat - gorgeous rest shot three shots or so in sets up a 97, and the world #48's one frame away.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:36 (eighteen years ago) link

Unbelievable play from Murphy!

Tom B (Tom B), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:37 (eighteen years ago) link

He's gonna win this 18-16.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:52 (eighteen years ago) link

He gets the cannon!

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:55 (eighteen years ago) link

28 ahead, 51 remaining.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:55 (eighteen years ago) link

poor ian mccolloch

ken c (ken c), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:56 (eighteen years ago) link

what a fucking great break to finish though

ken c (ken c), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:56 (eighteen years ago) link

HE'S DONE IT!

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:56 (eighteen years ago) link

STILL GOING

ken c (ken c), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:56 (eighteen years ago) link

ALL THE PARTY SHOTS NOW!

ken c (ken c), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:56 (eighteen years ago) link

DANIEL-SAN: CLEAN THE TABLE

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:57 (eighteen years ago) link

He's certainly dated-up with his girlfriend.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:57 (eighteen years ago) link

Bloody hell.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:58 (eighteen years ago) link

"he's rewritten murphy's law - everything that can go right, will go right if you believe in yourself"

omg i love hazel

ken c (ken c), Monday, 2 May 2005 20:59 (eighteen years ago) link

Shaun Murphy did a drive-by at Pontins!

http://www.gtascraper.com/content/sanan/driveby_800.jpg

Da Murphy and his pops in training.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 21:00 (eighteen years ago) link

Truly, a fitting representative for Northamptonshire.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 21:00 (eighteen years ago) link

aw matthew

ken c (ken c), Monday, 2 May 2005 21:04 (eighteen years ago) link

Dear me, Davis is on the verge of tears.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 21:08 (eighteen years ago) link

183 hours of broadcasting!

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 2 May 2005 21:08 (eighteen years ago) link

and here's the bastard who bastardised the snooker themetune

http://www.diffusiononline.net/tvthemes.htm

ken c (ken c), Monday, 2 May 2005 21:16 (eighteen years ago) link

Len Ganley.

Dr. C (Dr. C), Tuesday, 3 May 2005 09:05 (eighteen years ago) link

1. The £250,000 World Championship first prize is more than 16 times bigger than Murphy's previous best pay day.

2. The 22-year-old plans to spend some of the money on a Mercedes and on his forthcoming wedding.

3. He met his fiancee on the internet in a Christian chatroom.

4. Murphy was 150-1 to win the World Championship before the tournament started.

5. He turned professional when he was just 14.

6. Murphy was born in the same week that Dexy's Midnight Runners' smash hit Come On Eileen reached number one in the charts.

7. His dad bought him his first cue from a jumble sale when he was eight years old - by the age of ten he had knocked in a century break.

8. As a budding 13-year-old player, he picked up a £5,000-a-year sponsorship deal with the Doc Martens shoe company.

9. By then he had made two 147 breaks - and had beaten Jimmy White and Stephen Hendry in one-frame exhibition matches.

10. Even at that young age, his aim was to beat the record of Hendry who at 21, became the youngest-ever world champion. Murphy missed out by a year.

11. His run to the final earned him the nickname "Magician".

12. His father Tony is a World Snooker board member.

13. Murphy had never won a match at the Crucible until this year's World Championship.

14. He won using an adapted 1930s cue once owned by Ray Reardon. Cue maker Rodney Hinde fitted the new tip just two weeks before the tournament started.

15. Murphy is a single-figure handicap golfer.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 3 May 2005 15:24 (eighteen years ago) link

i'm totally supporting shaun murphy now, despite being a big fan of the nugget
-- ken c (pykachu10...), April 25th, 2005 10:37 PM. (ken c)

yay my predictions rock

ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 3 May 2005 15:57 (eighteen years ago) link

seven months pass...
wow what a great century from ding just then

meaningless but great

cozen (Cozen), Saturday, 17 December 2005 15:05 (eighteen years ago) link

Yeah ws gonna revive at some point - what a week! I'm quite happy for Davis.

Ding won 9-4 - this final will be quite interesting cuz Ding doesn't really have much of a tactical game and he'll need if he shows nerves or Davis is scoring heavy.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 17 December 2005 21:40 (eighteen years ago) link

(Also its been awesome how Davis has kept commentating on the other matches while competing professionally - can't remember this happening in any sport.)

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 17 December 2005 21:45 (eighteen years ago) link

He's quite a decent poker commentator too.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 17 December 2005 22:25 (eighteen years ago) link

It's going to be like a greyhound race the final: Davis needs to come bursting straight out of the traps and get a clear lead on Ding to hope that his later rally won't be enough to catch up.

It's gonna be a classic, either way.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 17 December 2005 22:42 (eighteen years ago) link

Well who's going to win, the old gaurd in Steve Davies or the upcoming whippersnapper Ding. Have you noticed since Ronnie got beat the UK has been wide open. I remember watching Steve in the 80's (showing my age) so I'll be rooting for him. Mind you, there'll probably be 100 million chinese rooting for Ding. I reckon there'll be a lot more competition from China in the future

Steve

www.snookerbilliardspool.co.uk

Steve Porter, Sunday, 18 December 2005 14:46 (eighteen years ago) link

Ding just needs one more frame to win. Davis just hasn't quite got going - he's never scored heavily as he has done throughout the week to get to this stage, and its not surprising its not like he gets into finals every week like he used to.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 18 December 2005 22:29 (eighteen years ago) link

Looks like Davis is going to pull one back here though. He doesn't look confident at all, I think momentum has helped him a _lot_ this week, and he's lost it now.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 18 December 2005 22:33 (eighteen years ago) link

The end of that frame just now was great. 9-6 - come on steve :)

Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 18 December 2005 22:43 (eighteen years ago) link

Thoughts on Ding- as darts players get thinner, snooker players get fatter. Why?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 18 December 2005 22:48 (eighteen years ago) link

"A star is born"?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 18 December 2005 23:22 (eighteen years ago) link

one month passes...
Higgins/O'Sullivan in the final - let's watch.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 22 January 2006 15:07 (eighteen years ago) link

I am watching - but it's the break right now. Higgins is winning 5-4, and gambling dude John Parrott wouldn't pick a winner.

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 20:37 (eighteen years ago) link

Sorry, I'm talking pish, it's 5-5. As you were...

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 20:37 (eighteen years ago) link

The tactical play has been just as remarkable as the miraculous breakbuling under pressure. Higgins comeback from 3-0 to 5-3 took immense nerve and skill. Ronnie winning the first two kind of the evening session suggests we're in for a last frame but we'll see.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 22 January 2006 20:49 (eighteen years ago) link

silly ronnie

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 21:19 (eighteen years ago) link

Do all tournaments have their own specific number of frames to be won in the final? Or is it always best of 19 except in the world championship? (where it's best of 35 (best of 19 = first round), right?)

StanM (StanM), Sunday, 22 January 2006 22:08 (eighteen years ago) link

Jeez! Ronnie had an outside chance to level at 8-8, missed the black, set it up for Higgins with a really easy shot, Higgins missed it and Ronnie levelled!

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:05 (eighteen years ago) link

silly john

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:06 (eighteen years ago) link

Sorry, that was the worst summary ever. Ronnie was out of the frame, but he pulled it back, clearing up to the black, then was left with an impossible angle to pot the black for the frame, he tried the safety, arsed it up, left the black on for John to pot, and John arsed it up.

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:07 (eighteen years ago) link

ronnie's throwing it away at the moment

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:09 (eighteen years ago) link

although he's in again after some flukiness

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:14 (eighteen years ago) link

9-8 to the sullivan

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:19 (eighteen years ago) link

great break with just the blues

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:19 (eighteen years ago) link

timefor a bit of higgins flukiness and he's now in

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:27 (eighteen years ago) link

but missed a black off the spot

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:28 (eighteen years ago) link

but ronnie couldn't capitalise and john back in

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:30 (eighteen years ago) link

ooh, nice double and now is a chance

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:30 (eighteen years ago) link

9-9

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:33 (eighteen years ago) link

This is fantastic.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:41 (eighteen years ago) link

I honestly don't think there's a more watchable sportsman on this planet than O'Sullivan.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:41 (eighteen years ago) link

Woah, missed a reasonably easy red to let Higgins back in...

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:43 (eighteen years ago) link

And Higgins chokes AGAIN! BEST! FINAL! EVER!

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:43 (eighteen years ago) link

And, yet, right back atcha! Higgins in again...

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:47 (eighteen years ago) link

omg.

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:51 (eighteen years ago) link

And he's done it! Wow, really, that was so exciting! Even with all the colours spotted, I sort of thought Higgins would still contrive to cock it up.

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:51 (eighteen years ago) link

i wish i placed my bet on higgins when he was 12-1 rather than 2.3-1 lol still, profit

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:51 (eighteen years ago) link

Incredible 64 clearance. That double! Was that better than his namesake Alex's 69 vs Jimmy White in '82 (the gold standard in awkward frame-winning clearances)? Maybe, maybe not.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:52 (eighteen years ago) link

I like how this is sponsored by Saga (insurance for old gits) yet at 33 I think I'm the oldest person on ILE watching this :)

(xpost, or maybe not!)

ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:53 (eighteen years ago) link

Poor Ronnie.

Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:54 (eighteen years ago) link

Ha, Ailsa! 37.

I actually only watched it from 0-60 in the last frame; this thread dragged me away from half-watching Bourne Identity on ITV2 with the missus. (Pam & I once spent three consecutive 65-hour weeks at work coordinating subtitles in 40+ languages for the 13 elements of the Supremacy DVD; it was so stressful we started to feel like we were Jason Bourne. So we've always meant to watch the original. But not at the expense of the snooker.)

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:57 (eighteen years ago) link

The thing about O'Sullivan is that you're not watching him play his opponent, you're watching him play himself. It's just one man's battles against his own mind, it's like sports psychology writ large.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 22 January 2006 23:58 (eighteen years ago) link

I was actually just waiting for MOTD2 (and avoiding Blade 2 on in the other room), and thought I would give the snooker a cursory glance, having paid no attention to the entire tournament thus far. I'm so glad I watched it though, it was top entertainment.

ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 23 January 2006 00:02 (eighteen years ago) link

er, no Dom, not in this game (though when he took that long comfort brake against Ebdon there was a 'will he come back' thought) - O'Sullivan is probably the best player ever but Higgins is up there too. Ronnie has to battle his own boredom but if he gets to the final of a tournament it takes a lot to beat him. You probably have to take certain chances and that double in the last just illustrated that perfectly.

wotta a game, easily up there w/some other masters finals over the years (hendry-williams finished on the black too, hendry-mcmanus a decade ago) - apparently these two will be scheduled to meet in the QFs of the world championships and that is a total shame.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 23 January 2006 11:34 (eighteen years ago) link

two months pass...
Dramatic exit for Hendry today. 9-9 with Bond, it went to the final frame, which dragged on for more than half an hour. Nobody could get a decent break going, loads of snookers and fouls. It went right to the final black. Bond potted it, the crowd cheered, he'd won it, and then the white trickled across the table and into the middle pocket. Doh. I thought that meant Hendry had won, but instead they had some kind of tense play-off with just the black.

Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 18:42 (eighteen years ago) link

Were the scores really level? bcz that is when a re-spotted black situation occurs. If Hendry went ahead by getting the 7 points would he have automatically won instead?

Anyway, awesome n'all - totally happy Hendry is gone.

Apart from Higgins going out its all been predictable and one-sided so it ws good to see a thriller that finally get this championship on the move, so to speak.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 19:28 (eighteen years ago) link

Ronnie off to a great start with the 10-4, I reiterate my desire to call my firstborn male Ronnie O'Sullivan Passantino. What a hero.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 19:29 (eighteen years ago) link

9-7 down against Day, who is playing some gd stuff and has really evil-looking eyes. Ronnie's long potting hasn't been as good as usual, however its made more of a diff more in the 1st session than in the 2nd. wonder what's going with his wrist, he is handshaking with his left hand - maybe its a new custom you just never know w/Ronnie.

The other really gd game is Doherty-Stevens (8-8), playing to a conclusion later on.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 24 April 2006 10:57 (eighteen years ago) link

Were the scores really level? bcz that is when a re-spotted black situation occurs. If Hendry went ahead by getting the 7 points would he have automatically won instead?

yeah but this is different because the white went in-off. so the black technically wasn't potted and hence it is respotted.


what i didn't get was another one, the ken doherty game last night(?) - it was 55-55 on points with a black to play. ken doherty missed the black altogether and the other guy was awarded the frame (matthew stevens?) and i didn't understand why.. or maybe ken conceded? surely they can still play for a re-spot.

ken c (ken c), Monday, 24 April 2006 11:05 (eighteen years ago) link

btw guys, it's not the final yet! there's a general snooker championships thread...

the rolling towards the pocket snooker championship thread

ken c (ken c), Monday, 24 April 2006 11:07 (eighteen years ago) link

Wasn't there once a "Ronnie is a Muslim" story when he befriended Prince Naseem Hamed? Maybe he's worked out that it's ruder to use your left hand.

(the in-off in the Hendry game resulted in level points, that's why it was respotted - otherwise the black can only be scored once, whether potted or fouled)

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 24 April 2006 11:09 (eighteen years ago) link

o rly i didn't know that! that makes sense then for both instances

ken c (ken c), Monday, 24 April 2006 11:15 (eighteen years ago) link

(oh well didn't see that other thread - even if this thread ws started in response to what ws happening in the final this has turned out to be the snooker thread with revivals for all sorts of matches in any tournaments.)

As for what happened last night: from the commentator's explanation its in the rules that if you don't hit the black in that situation the frame is automatically lost. xp = ok so yeah level points.

There ws a story a cpl of years that he converted but apparently he just went to a mosque and the story snowballed.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 24 April 2006 11:19 (eighteen years ago) link

The best thing about that rumour was that he was supposed to have converted in a kebab shop. You couldn't make it etc etc.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 24 April 2006 11:21 (eighteen years ago) link

Doherty smashed Stevens to win 13-8, he really played well, and might not play as well again.

Here we go: O'sullivan-Day final session..

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 24 April 2006 17:06 (eighteen years ago) link

I forgot this was available on the BBC web feed. John Virgo just said "It's a funny old game" - Ronnie doesn't seem to agree.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 24 April 2006 17:15 (eighteen years ago) link

Cracking yellow from Ronnie on the way to nicking that frame. Poor shot selection from Day cost him.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 24 April 2006 17:23 (eighteen years ago) link

what a first frame!! Day has a naive-ish tactical game, gave a free ball too easily.

love this game..xp

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 24 April 2006 17:24 (eighteen years ago) link

onto the next - Ronnie w/a 46 break but he missed position when potting the blue (apparently he replaced his tip just this week), Day is currently on and could steal..

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 24 April 2006 17:33 (eighteen years ago) link

omg...Day about to win, then fatally miscues and Ronnie clears up! 9-9.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 24 April 2006 17:41 (eighteen years ago) link

11-9 for Ronnie. Although if Day had taken his chance it could've been v different.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 24 April 2006 18:12 (eighteen years ago) link

Ronnie was 12-9 up, but Day has nicked it back to 12-10.

Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Monday, 24 April 2006 19:31 (eighteen years ago) link

Day seems to be having horrendous luck. Ronnie's playing well but it seems that Day gets a bad contact or an unfortunate kiss or something every time he gets a chance. With a bit of a run of the balls he could be at least even in this match. He needs to work on his shot selection, Ronnie's benn getting in too easily for the entire session.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 24 April 2006 19:39 (eighteen years ago) link

Ronnie wraps it up. Good match.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 24 April 2006 19:40 (eighteen years ago) link

yes, very tense..and that is how it is so far w/Williams 4-4 after the first sesh.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 17:12 (eighteen years ago) link

Chubby Boy got taken out 13-7 by Wellingborough's finest. Semi-finals see Ebdon vs Fu, and the champion elect vs Graham Dott. Ronnie = god.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 20:47 (seventeen years ago) link

walked through the square outside the crucible today and it was full of (mostly men) people watching the matches on a big outside screen! drinking beer having a bbq.... couldnt quite get it. do you go down the pub to watch the snooker, really>?

ambrose (ambrose), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 21:56 (seventeen years ago) link

fucking hell. neil robertson what were you thinking.

ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 April 2006 00:00 (seventeen years ago) link

do you go down the pub to watch the snooker, really?

Last night, in the pub, as soon as the Barcelona v AC Milan game was finished, some bloke was haranguing the bar staff to turn over to the BBC interactive service so he could watch the snooker. So I guess someone does.

ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 27 April 2006 06:23 (seventeen years ago) link

If it's on in the pub I'll watch. Then again I watch any sport if it's on in the pub. Pub + sport = good. Even horse racing.

Anyway, Graeme's off his dot early this morning and has opened up an 11-8 lead over the Rocket. Ronnie's missing sitters. his "change your tip every time you play a shot" strategy seems to be backfiring.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 09:18 (seventeen years ago) link

12-8. 5 frames in a row for Dott.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 09:40 (seventeen years ago) link

I'll watch *anything at all* if it's on in the pub. Rugby, bad R'n'B videos, horse-racing, rolling Sky News reports about the same thing over and over again. Pub TVs = magnets for the eyes.

ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 29 April 2006 09:44 (seventeen years ago) link

I got a 16 break last night.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 09:55 (seventeen years ago) link

I'd have watched that too, if it had been on the telly.

ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 29 April 2006 09:58 (seventeen years ago) link

13-8.

Ronnie's finally knocked a long red in, the comeback starts here maybe...

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:17 (seventeen years ago) link

Haha I'm the biggest jinx ever. He just missed the easiest pot of the tournament.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:18 (seventeen years ago) link

14-8. Ronnie's head's as bad as his cueing arm now. He refused an easy snooker to attempt a stupidly hard brown then conceded a frame when he only needed one snooker. I think he's given up (cue Ronnie knocking in 3 maxi breaks in a row).

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:28 (seventeen years ago) link

4 reds, 3 blacks, misses a black off the spot. I double jinxed it by jinxing my jinx.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:30 (seventeen years ago) link

Yeah - he's given up.

He's long potting has been somewhat lacking throughout the tournament and it was only a matter of time before that spread to the rest of his game. xp

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:31 (seventeen years ago) link

Commentator "We've witnessed something akin to a psychological collapse here" - what a cunt.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:32 (seventeen years ago) link

39 behind with a red on the table and he concedes again. I think he just wants out of there now.

8 frames in a row for Dott.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:40 (seventeen years ago) link

yeah...its a horror show but its not the first time this has happened and he has come back from it. xp

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:43 (seventeen years ago) link

When I say 'its only a matter of time..' what I meant was I thought he might've had a bad session but would keep enough of a focus to win at least a couple of frames to still have a chance of sorts.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:51 (seventeen years ago) link

16-8.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:57 (seventeen years ago) link

8-0 session.

I wonder how much it costs to go to a session, as there may only be 3 frames left to play today. They'll have to wheel out Dennis Taylor to do trick shots and tell jokes about simple minded Irishmen.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:58 (seventeen years ago) link

Interesting seeing Ronnie's pre-match comments about never having any confidence whatsoever. But, as he says, he's done alright.

Ally C (Ally C), Saturday, 29 April 2006 11:19 (seventeen years ago) link

4 in a row for Fu on the comeback trail, still trailing 15-13. I don't think anyone would have predicted a Dott v Fu final after last night but it's a definite possibilty now.

(onimo jinx, sorry Marcu)

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 14:33 (seventeen years ago) link

15-14. Very strange day so far, with neither of the favourites winning a frame yet.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 14:43 (seventeen years ago) link

15-15 - now the pressure shifts. This is a great match.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Saturday, 29 April 2006 15:02 (seventeen years ago) link

Ebdon looks like a thin version of my husband. It's somewhat disconcerting. (I haven't just noticed this, by the way)

ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 29 April 2006 15:08 (seventeen years ago) link

16-16!!!!!!

ken c (ken c), Saturday, 29 April 2006 15:47 (seventeen years ago) link

come on Hong Kong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ken c (ken c), Saturday, 29 April 2006 15:47 (seventeen years ago) link

Bah, I have to go out!!! oh noes!!!

ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 29 April 2006 15:49 (seventeen years ago) link

Ebdon constructed a fanstastic break to win.

Ronnie came out and put some big breaks to win the first 3 but it ended on the black 17-11. Gave his cue at the end to some kid.

----

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 29 April 2006 18:36 (seventeen years ago) link

got some good snooker at al c's today

sterling

cozen (Cozen), Saturday, 29 April 2006 19:50 (seventeen years ago) link

Gave his cue at the end to some kid

has that ever happened before? that was kinda cool.

Amazing final frame from Ebdon, can't wait for the final now.

Ste (Fuzzy), Saturday, 29 April 2006 20:47 (seventeen years ago) link

poor kid though. gonna end up with a cue with a crap tip!!!!

ken c (ken c), Saturday, 29 April 2006 21:32 (seventeen years ago) link

haha yeah i reckon that case is CURSED i tells ya! he'll never make it!!!

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 30 April 2006 12:32 (seventeen years ago) link

I didn't see all of it but that was some boring crap today.

I'd rather watch a 3rd place play-off with Marcu Fu and Ronnie (using a bent pub cue with a rattle and a shiny tip).

Onimo (GerryNemo), Sunday, 30 April 2006 17:02 (seventeen years ago) link

11:40pm and we've still got three frames to go tonight. It's like Harold Solomon and Eddie Dibbs playing 85-stroke rallies at Roland Garros in the '70s.

Someone just invoked the 3:51am finish between Thorburn and Griffiths in '83. Come on lads, beat that.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 30 April 2006 21:41 (seventeen years ago) link

yeah come on match of the day on the graveyard slot - not a bad result given that its bloody spurs getting OUR champions league place!!

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 30 April 2006 21:49 (seventeen years ago) link

Dott just cracked the most enormous yawn on camera. I know how he feels. Last frame of the day, only eighteen points on the board, reds clinging to the top cushion - this could go until 1:15am easily.

N-night.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 30 April 2006 22:33 (seventeen years ago) link

If it goes to the final frame then god knows what day it will finish. And I doubt as many people will stay up as what happened in the Davis V Taylor final. I think most people in my school stayed up for that.

Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Sunday, 30 April 2006 22:37 (seventeen years ago) link

That last frame resolved itself pretty quickly, as it happens :-) but yeah, lets have it less 'hardcore', plz!

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 1 May 2006 12:10 (seventeen years ago) link

Peter Ebdon will kill any chance of snooker ever getting 85-style rating figures ever again.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 1 May 2006 12:45 (seventeen years ago) link

I feel a bit sorry for Dott. He demolished Ronnie O'Sullivan and everyone talked about cue tips and mental breakdowns (despite him humping Ronnie 5-0 only a few weeks ago).

Now if he wins it'll be all "Well done Graeme, you won the worst final of the modern era. We didn't think it possible to bore Ebdon of all people into submission but you did it! Can you fuck off now?"

Ronnie's the only seat in town these days, and he's frankly not good enough. With his talent he should have dominated the last decade as Hendry and Davis did before him.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 12:56 (seventeen years ago) link

O'Sullivan _is_ good enough though, this is the point. I don't think I've seen a competitor who had a greater skill level than all his competitors since Jahangir Khan was holding it down in the squash world 20 years prior. The only problem is him, he's got so many problems I get the feeling we're gonna be dealing with this decade's Bobby Fischer.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 1 May 2006 13:08 (seventeen years ago) link

Having the skills doesn't make you good enough. Match winning is about mental strength as much as an ability to hit great shots. Ronnie's shown time and time again that he struggles when *anything* doesn't go according to plan. On a good day he can steamroller anyone in the game. His problem is that unlike Hendry and Davis, he can't win on a bad day.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 13:46 (seventeen years ago) link

Hahah crappy slow-mo shots with Dennis Taylor claiming they'd never realised until now that when you skelp a ball it bounces about a bit. Isn't technology wonderful?

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 13:51 (seventeen years ago) link

A 66 and a 78 in the first two frames today. Looking a bit more promising.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 13:52 (seventeen years ago) link

The trouble with snooker is that there are only about 4 personalities left, and they're all in Ronnie O'Sullivan's head.

Dave B (daveb), Monday, 1 May 2006 14:49 (seventeen years ago) link

true

:)

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 14:52 (seventeen years ago) link

The BBC frame-by-frame guy must be bored shitless:

Frame 20: Like a couple of chimps in London Zoo, Ebdon and Dott continue to scratch about as the match approaches the mid-session interval. Yet again, both men have chances. Dott breaks down after a 62 break before Ebdon misses a straight-forward yellow when overstretching. Dott then fluffs a snooker, leaving Ebdon to pot the yellow and lay a snooker of his own. Dott is unable to escape, but then flukes a snooker of his own and manages to flop over the line. A big psychological frame for Dott.
Ebdon 7-13 Dott

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 15:01 (seventeen years ago) link

Yeah, I support Ronnie by default these days, since I finally accepted that Jimmy White's never going to win the thing. Boreathon safety slugging, technical stuff, pah. Give me a maverick risk-taker any day of the week.

Ebdon and Dott can fuck off (except that I like when Scottish people win stuff, with the exception of Stephen Hendry)

xpost, that's brilliant. I wish he'd said "scratch their arses" though.

ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 May 2006 15:04 (seventeen years ago) link

Random ex-international cricketers painting in the studio!

ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 May 2006 15:06 (seventeen years ago) link

Three games in a row for Ebdon. There could be life in this yet. He was 15-7 down, now 15-10, with 18 needed to win it.

Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Monday, 1 May 2006 19:01 (seventeen years ago) link

27min/frame average yesterday so, if it does go all the way tonight (thanks to another truncated six-frame session this afternoon), we're looking at a 1:30am finish with viewing figures that make Nathan Barley look like The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show.

I don't think I've seen a competitor who had a greater skill level than all his competitors since Jahangir Khan was holding it down in the squash world 20 years prior

Hmm, odd comparison. I thought the thing about JK was his astonishing mental toughness; he wasn't the most audacious shot-maker, he just used to out-last his opponents. 555 consecutive wins, wasn't it? Ronnie can rarely manage 5. Perhaps a better comparison is with Roger Federer or - better - John McEnroe. McEnroe was more or less the best in the world for about four years but genuinely untouchable for a 15-month spell in the middle (i.e. what Federer's been doing to everyone for the last 2.5 years) - but then imploded. McEnroe annihilating Connors for the loss of four games in the '84 Wimbledon final and then shambling to a similarly humbling defeat vs Curren twelve months later was very Ronnie.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 19:21 (seventeen years ago) link

Unbiased and not-at-all-bored frame-by-frame dude on teh beeb about Ebdon:

He will fancy this now - and I might stick a bet on him to win.

ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 May 2006 19:47 (seventeen years ago) link

Hahaha. How can I get this job?

Frame eight: Peter Ebdon must have walked in front of several black cats, while smashing a mirror or two for good measure, during the interval. To say he is not getting the run of the balls would be an understatement.

ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 May 2006 19:49 (seventeen years ago) link

I am losing the will to live.

Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Monday, 1 May 2006 20:47 (seventeen years ago) link

You, me, the bloke doing the updates on the BBC website...(not that he's had anything to write since this frame's been going for about 18 years)

ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 May 2006 20:53 (seventeen years ago) link

I started pushing pins under my fingernails and pulling my teeth about 30 minutes ago.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:05 (seventeen years ago) link

Jesus Christ. An hour and fifteen minutes. And there could still be another seven frames or so.

Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:06 (seventeen years ago) link

Frame 27: The combatants go into the trenches for this one - an absolute 'grueller'. Dott moves 40 ahead but, once again, breaks down. A tense safety exchange commences, during which Ebdon misses a number of long reds. Dott then lays a snooker behind the brown which Ebdon misses twice. Dott, with the frame at his mercy, then misses opportunities to wrap up the frame, rattling the jaws with a couple of reds. Ebdon and Dott then take turns missing the green before Ebdon, heart bursting through his waist-coat, mops up. The frame, at 74 minutes, is the longest in Crucible history.
Ebdon 12-15 Dott

hahah i love this guy

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:06 (seventeen years ago) link

Peter wins the next in one visit!

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:17 (seventeen years ago) link

Despite its almost heroic dullness, this match has now taken on such epic proportions that it might be misremembered as some sort of classic in years to come. No-one remembers that the first 86min of Arsenal-ManU in '79 was crap or that McEnroe-Borg in '80 was a bit duff for the first two and a half hours.

15-13.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:18 (seventeen years ago) link

I can't stay up for this - I have to get up early in the morning! Perhaps they'll still be playing.

ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:28 (seventeen years ago) link

Peter Ebdon is bringing shame upon the town of Wellingborough.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:36 (seventeen years ago) link

As far as the whole O'sullivan thing I mean yeah, he has that much more skill than almost anybody, except from perharps Mark Williams and John Higgins being the only ones capable of running him close. And bcz of that it might've been harder to dominate the game than when Hendry was around (only Jimmy White and no-one else). The other thing is the kind of ppl that *dominate* really have a very ice-like personality; it ususally goes hand-in-hand, and the reason that O'sullivan is compelling is how his emotions are laid bare on the table - its probably just me but whenever someone is really too dominant (Sampras, Hendry) I'm always cheering on the opponent.

Dott has just won, amazingly enough - 16-13.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:40 (seventeen years ago) link

It has a momentum now, this match - a sort of slow accumulation of interest in its sheer sprawl. But its badness was summed up in the last frame when Ebdon cockily asked the ref what the highest break of the tournament was before missing a pink by several feet at 84.

Ebdon goes in off when threatening to overhaul a huge deficit in frame 29. Concedes. 16-13.

(Pam is asleep on the couch and has been for about two hours).

I worry just what Ebbo might do if he wins this, prone as he is to embarrassing outbursts. I can see the shirt coming off and some random punter getting punched out in his frenzy.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:43 (seventeen years ago) link

I'm crashing. This might go on past two in the morning at this rate.

Teh HoBBler (the pirate king), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:46 (seventeen years ago) link

I'm taking the laptop to bed and turning the portable telly on. I, too, have to be up early tomorrow but first day back after a bank holiday weekend is always a doddle, isn't it? Isn't it?

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:50 (seventeen years ago) link

the last sesh hasn't been so bad - Ebdon has looked is at his most fluent, it was just "funny" how, in this very same sesh, the longest of the match/tournament played out. xp - think'll beat the record for the longest finish to a final.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:50 (seventeen years ago) link

I think the only solution is to put all Chinese snooker players in evil-looking masks to give a kind of pro-wrestling razzmatazz appeal to the sport.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 1 May 2006 21:50 (seventeen years ago) link

I missed this one from earlier:

Ebdon, who usually wears the look of a man about to be blasted into outer space, does a nifty pirouette and mops up brown, blue and pink. Game on.
Ebdon 9-15 Dott

BC guy/gal is better than the match (which is admittedly picking up after the 75 minute marathon).

Dott looks shattered.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:02 (seventeen years ago) link

BC=BBC

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:02 (seventeen years ago) link

They need to up the piss-taking quotient if they're going to push past the Thorburn-Griffiths mark and into Tuesday daylight. 4am and they could deliver the trophy on a milk float.

16-14.

(I think the Beeb are copping the Guardian Unlimited style of irreverent reportage, which reached some kind of zenith with USA-Mexico in the 2002 World Cup..."top-bodied the sphere into the score bag" or somesuch).

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:07 (seventeen years ago) link

The match passes the thirteen hour mark. The people in the studio may well realise how much they're fighting a losing battle - Parrott just came out with "I don't mind watching snooker like this."

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:13 (seventeen years ago) link

Clive Everton comes up with quote of the championship:

"Dott resting his eyes - it's pretty bright under those lights."

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:14 (seventeen years ago) link

Helluva clearance from Dott. I think we may get a decent night's sleep after all. Or at least this will be over before my laptop battery gives out.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:23 (seventeen years ago) link

(17-14, btw)

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:24 (seventeen years ago) link

And here's a sports psychologist to offer virtually no insight whatsoever.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:24 (seventeen years ago) link

That was a fantastic frame. Dott looked fucked when he missed that black off the spot then he comes back with a ballsy clearance and gives it an old-skool Ebdon "COME ON!"

I'm starting to enjoy this.

17-14. Dormy.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:25 (seventeen years ago) link

There's something aesthetically displeasing about the b and the d in Ebdon.

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:26 (seventeen years ago) link

Now officially the latest finish to a Crucible final ever.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:31 (seventeen years ago) link

He's not "dormy"! You can't halve the world snooker final! That would be a fitting climax though.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:33 (seventeen years ago) link

The BBC site isn't updating. I think the guys finally fallen asleep.

Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:42 (seventeen years ago) link

Ebdon makes utter pie of the reds with the scores at 31-all. Dott is on, and this could be it.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:46 (seventeen years ago) link

Dott blows it!

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:47 (seventeen years ago) link

Well, sort of. He left nothing on for Ebdon = SAFETY BATTLE MCMXXXVIII

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:49 (seventeen years ago) link

Are people leaving the audience yet? I happen to know the last bus up Ecclesall Road left fifty minutes ago.

caek (caek), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:51 (seventeen years ago) link

EBDON LEAVES THE LAST RED IN THE JAWS!

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:52 (seventeen years ago) link

ebdon blows it!

ken c (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:52 (seventeen years ago) link

Dott gets it, gets on the black, nearly explodes with joy, and he pots that... it's over.

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:52 (seventeen years ago) link

dott has gone through the value of doubts and emerged the other side.

kisses the trophy before the game is finished. don't like that

ken c (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:53 (seventeen years ago) link

Dott's going dotty.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:53 (seventeen years ago) link

You've got to admire Dotts mental toughness at the end.

Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:53 (seventeen years ago) link

"2006 is the year Dott". Oh, good one, whatshername.

Good night.

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:54 (seventeen years ago) link

also: got to love that tobacco sponsorship is not allowed, so snooker gets sponsored by gambling instead! yay!

ken c (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:55 (seventeen years ago) link

And the second twee-est snooker player in the world is the champion (twee-est being Pinches, obv.)

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:55 (seventeen years ago) link

(Pam earlier tonight: "Can we move to wherever Dott is from so Ava can acquire that accent?")

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:56 (seventeen years ago) link

i thought david gray was a bit twee

ken c (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:57 (seventeen years ago) link

Congratulations to Graham Dott and all of his supporters on a tremendous achievement.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 1 May 2006 22:58 (seventeen years ago) link

It was worth staying up for in the end. Great comeback by Ebdon and great clearances at the end by Dott. Last session was fairly exciting as the game was always in the balance.

Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Monday, 1 May 2006 23:06 (seventeen years ago) link

Imagine how good he'll be when he grows up!

Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 1 May 2006 23:07 (seventeen years ago) link

I have now turned off the stream, so tragically I'll never know if they greeted the victory by showing highlights of his play intercut with the video to "Nothing Compares 2 U".

William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 1 May 2006 23:09 (seventeen years ago) link

Please don't give Ava that voice. Horrific. Well done, anyway, Graeme. After a Hearts fan and a Celtic fan, finally a Rangers fan wins the world championship.

Ally C (Ally C), Monday, 1 May 2006 23:11 (seventeen years ago) link

WBS, they cut straight to a Doug Mountjoy trick-shot comp soundtracked by a breakbeat-hampered version of Russ Conway's "Side Saddle".

Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Monday, 1 May 2006 23:16 (seventeen years ago) link

After a Hearts fan and a Celtic fan,

Two Celtic fans, if the publicity machine at Celtic Park is to be believed, i.e. drape a Celtic flag round Ken Doherty's neck, send him out to do the half-time raffle, hurrah, we have another celebrity fan.

I did stay up and watch it, but my laptop is knackered so I went off to bed and watched it on the portable. I never want to see an hour-plus frame of snooker again as long as I live (though the will to live may well desert me and leave me with little choice should that ever come up again). Well done Graeme. Not a bad first tournament to start your trophy haul with.

ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 2 May 2006 06:16 (seventeen years ago) link

eight months pass...
not quite the right thread but.. masters final. 8-3 to ronnie, ding looks to be giving up, shook ronnie's hand at the midsession interval looking like he's about to cry, ronnie puts arm around ding and they both went back to ronnie's dressing room.

this is surely staged to compete with big brother?

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:02 (seventeen years ago) link

:(

I thought Ding would be favourite. He's the new god of sport.

to scour or to pop? (Haberdager), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:04 (seventeen years ago) link

Poor little guy! I think he's having a right panic, and just needs a hug.

However, he can at least console himself with that £35,000 he got from making a 147.

Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:08 (seventeen years ago) link

Louis - your boy's got no heart.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:11 (seventeen years ago) link

that 147 was truly brilliant, and I saw it live! :D

hmm, this kinda thing was probably always going to happen eventually. he keeps his emotions so cooped up, so hidden, that such an outpouring was practically inevitable were things to go really, really badly.

to scour or to pop? (Haberdager), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:13 (seventeen years ago) link

apparently he may have got upset by something the crowd has said

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:14 (seventeen years ago) link

jade's in the crowd

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:14 (seventeen years ago) link

probably finally had enough of 'ding' puns.

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:15 (seventeen years ago) link

http://archive.gamespy.com/comics/ding/ding.jpg

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:18 (seventeen years ago) link

poor ding

ken c (ken c), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:30 (seventeen years ago) link

lol at ronnie's "If ya feelin' me MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!" hand gestures.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:37 (seventeen years ago) link

that was pretty comprehensive, then.

to scour or to pop? (Haberdager), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:39 (seventeen years ago) link

O'Sullivan's on another level, man. The only man that can beat him is himself. Unfortunately he does that quite a lot.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:41 (seventeen years ago) link

I reckon Ding will be at that level pretty soon, personally. He'll be, as Ronnie says, a World Champion, and probably within 3 or 4 years.

to scour or to pop? (Haberdager), Sunday, 21 January 2007 21:43 (seventeen years ago) link

O'Sullivan's on another level, man. The only man that can beat him is himself. Unfortunately he does that quite a lot.

that's how he practices his cue action innit, beating himself and that.

ken c (ken c), Monday, 22 January 2007 00:49 (seventeen years ago) link

three months pass...
IT'S HERE

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 11:21 (seventeen years ago) link

Graeme Dott (Sco) 7-10 Ian McCulloch (Eng)
Anthony Hamilton (Eng) v Marco Fu (HK)
Stephen Maguire (Sco) v Joe Perry (Eng)
Mark Williams (Wal) v Joe Swail (NI)
John Higgins (Sco) v Michael Holt (Eng)
Barry Hawkins (Eng) v Fergal O'Brien (Ire)
Neil Robertson (Aus) v Ryan Day (Wal)
Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) v Ding Junhui (Chn)
Ken Doherty (Ire) v Mark Allen (NI)
Matthew Stevens (Wal) v Joe Delaney (Ire)
Steve Davis (Eng) v John Parrott (Eng)
Shaun Murphy (Eng) v Judd Trump (Eng)
Peter Ebdon (Eng) v Nigel Bond (Eng)
Stephen Lee (Eng) v Mark Selby (Eng)
Ali Carter (Eng) v Andy Hicks (Eng)
Stephen Hendry (Sco) v David Gilbert (Eng)

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 11:21 (seventeen years ago) link

Anyway, Dott is out, so at least we're guaranteed a mildly interesting final. Although blah blah blah final in the first round blah blah blah. S'a shame L***s J****r is too busy trying to rebuild family bridges to post here anymore, it'd be nice to hear him try and defend his boy as O'Sullivan guts him again.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 11:23 (seventeen years ago) link

Can't wait for Ronnie-Ding re-match!

Hoping Hendry gets knocked out early..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 22 April 2007 11:30 (seventeen years ago) link

A decent run for Judd Trump would be interesting as well, considering he's snooker's great white hope.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 11:36 (seventeen years ago) link

Wow, this is an evenly matched and balanced encounter.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 15:14 (seventeen years ago) link

Great sense of timing ;-) Ding has just gone on to make a 100 break.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 22 April 2007 15:35 (seventeen years ago) link

I can't predict shit.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 15:36 (seventeen years ago) link

nah you were doing ok - looked like 5-2, but Ronnie got the last, I think he's moving in for the kill now.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:02 (seventeen years ago) link

Ding's not playing badly, but on form O'Sullivan is always gonna be >>> on form Ding.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:04 (seventeen years ago) link

I dunno I don't get the impression Ding ws up for this today...but now that O'Sullivan has got going that is probably that.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:07 (seventeen years ago) link

We saw this in December though, he's mentally weak. I suppose that's what happens when you're a superstar with 200 million cheering you on in your home country, and then you turn up as a stranger in a strange land and you're on your own.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:08 (seventeen years ago) link

Eight frames in, and O'Sullivan has a 98% pot percentage.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:09 (seventeen years ago) link

Not sure about that - he is really young, and has coped really well with the pressure so far, as in he has won a few tournaments and not disappeared.

I wonder how much the crucible venue plays into it.

I think at the Masters O'Sullivan gave an awesome display but also Ding doesn't appear to have a plan B if things are going wrong. The way he plays suits Ronnie just fine.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:13 (seventeen years ago) link

Davis vs Parrott, paradoxically, is a cracker of a match. More sports need old guys hanging around for ages refusing to retire.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:49 (seventeen years ago) link

How did that end-ah!? Davis vs Parrott?

t**t, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:03 (seventeen years ago) link

Parrot beat him 10-9

Dom Passantino, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:05 (seventeen years ago) link

Yeah, that ws a gd game.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:12 (seventeen years ago) link

10-9 !?
o'o'o-boy.

t**t, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:21 (seventeen years ago) link

A decent run for Judd Trump would be interesting as well, considering he's snooker's great white hope.

He lost 10-6 to Murphy in the 1st round.

I suppose he can go back to being in McFly.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42835000/jpg/_42835207_trump203gi.jpg

onimo, Monday, 23 April 2007 22:19 (seventeen years ago) link

my god, would you look at the state of that, Steady Eddie will be turning in his grave.

CarsmileSteve, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 09:47 (seventeen years ago) link

has anybody cried yet?

ken c, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 10:22 (seventeen years ago) link

I saw Trump/Murphy, I get the feeling that Trump didn't hang around with kids like Murphy at school. Still, now Hunter's dead we need a new pretty boy I suppose.

Dom Passantino, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 11:06 (seventeen years ago) link

Hendry is currently losing 5-1 to David Gilbert (who?).

Stephen Maguire brushed Joe Perry aside, maybe he'll finally reach the level I thought he was capable of a couple of years ago (i.e. Teh New Rocket).

onimo, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 16:21 (seventeen years ago) link

Hendry came back from 5-1 to win 10-7. Might be a good bet at 10/1 if Ronnie's going to blow up/retire/play with a tea towel on his head.

onimo, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 14:27 (seventeen years ago) link

Well done Carter on the nice demolition job: 12-4 against Hendry.

Higgins looking GOOD!! BAFFLING and WRONG to me how he's only won this thing once.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 29 April 2007 21:04 (sixteen years ago) link

OMG one of the referees is a female woman! What about tradition and stuff? Shocking!

StanM, Monday, 30 April 2007 12:59 (sixteen years ago) link

how can you understand and apply the miss rule if you don't even know how to drive?

ken c, Monday, 30 April 2007 14:09 (sixteen years ago) link

oh man i thought my <21.5 frame game bet for o'sullivan v robertson was safe except now it's 8-8.

bastards.

ken c, Monday, 30 April 2007 14:11 (sixteen years ago) link

Selby's three centuries in a row were v good.

Gukbe, Monday, 30 April 2007 14:24 (sixteen years ago) link

How awesome is Robertson - O' Sullivan? On the 20th frame, and some of the shots Ronnie played to get to 30 (made 80-odd) - just fantastic.

10-10 at the break.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 30 April 2007 19:01 (sixteen years ago) link

Robertson's comeback from 8-3 down was great.

Gukbe, Monday, 30 April 2007 19:25 (sixteen years ago) link

11-10 robertson vs the rocket and the commentators are making comments 'bout lucky aussies and the cricket- let it go people!

optimus, Monday, 30 April 2007 20:01 (sixteen years ago) link

Looks like its Ronnie after Robertson missed a straight pink.

Selby made six centuries to knock out Ebdon!!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 30 April 2007 20:11 (sixteen years ago) link

Ebdon's unwillingness to concede was great, even though he needed to pot all the balls AND get two snookers. The fact that he managed one was fantastic. Selby's excellent shot on the green was worthy of a winning pot.

Gukbe, Monday, 30 April 2007 20:13 (sixteen years ago) link

omg - I don't watch for one hour and Stevens is out? (also: come on Ronnie!)

StanM, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 13:23 (sixteen years ago) link

Stephen Maguire brushed Joe Perry aside, maybe he'll finally reach the level I thought he was capable of a couple of years ago (i.e. Teh New Rocket).

He's just won 6 out of 7 frames to breeze past Hamilton and into the semis. I should have got some cash on him early on.

onimo, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 15:05 (sixteen years ago) link

Drinking game suggestion: anytime the BBC commentators say "a little bit unlucky" or make a comment about how the Crucible crowd is knowledgeable: drink!

StanM, Thursday, 3 May 2007 18:59 (sixteen years ago) link

Also "In the modern game you need to win the frame at a single visit."

onimo, Thursday, 3 May 2007 19:20 (sixteen years ago) link

holy fucking shit @ maguire-Higgins! that 18th frame ws...just...

xyzzzz__, Friday, 4 May 2007 18:57 (sixteen years ago) link

k, Maguire has won the next - really kept himself together, terrific stuff!

xyzzzz__, Friday, 4 May 2007 19:06 (sixteen years ago) link

Quite a session, plenty of tactical with just enough breaks to aid the flow. Looks like Higgins is gonna miss out again; Maguire producing championship winning resilience to go 14-10 ahead.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 4 May 2007 21:26 (sixteen years ago) link

holy fucking shit @ maguire-Higgins! that 18th frame ws...just...

Aye, frame of the tourney.

onimo, Friday, 4 May 2007 22:06 (sixteen years ago) link

More terrific stuff today - Murphy-Selby are neck and neck, Murphy using the session break to re-compose - 12-12 as we go to the final session.

Maguire misses an easy pink and John capitalizes to win the first three frames - 14-13.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2007 14:40 (sixteen years ago) link

15-13. Maguire wisely went for safety on 42. might be the crucial frame if he goes on to win.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2007 15:03 (sixteen years ago) link

By the way, where are they going to hold the finals next year? And in 2009?

( The Crucible will be closing for a refurbishment between May 2008 and Autumn 2009. - and this new thing won't be ready yet: During the 2005 Championship it was announced that the Championship would remain at the Crucible for at least another five years. Plans to build a purpose-built billiardrome in the city are in their early stages. It is anticipated that the World Championships will be switched to the new venue once the current Crucible contract ends.)

StanM, Saturday, 5 May 2007 15:21 (sixteen years ago) link

Holy crap! Teh Wizard of Wishaw does it!

StanM, Saturday, 5 May 2007 16:56 (sixteen years ago) link

now all we need is for that murphy arsehole to win and i won't have anyone to support in the final :(

well, it'll have to be higgins, i guess.

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 16:59 (sixteen years ago) link

I want Selby to win, but I will go for Higgins if he doesn't make it. Higgins was really on fire this afternoon.

Gukbe, Saturday, 5 May 2007 17:04 (sixteen years ago) link

Like Higgins to win again - really played off his skin to get that.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2007 17:08 (sixteen years ago) link

15-14 and Murphy lets Selby back into the next frame. Extremely tense. C'mon Selby!

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 20:36 (sixteen years ago) link

Selby's really grabbed this frame by the knackers, I hope he wins it. Some excellent tactical play here.

(lol at really loud bloke who keeps saying "great shot" every time Selby does something)

ailsa, Saturday, 5 May 2007 20:39 (sixteen years ago) link

oh no! :(((

misses blue to far corner

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 20:45 (sixteen years ago) link

Poor soul, he really deserved that :-/

ailsa, Saturday, 5 May 2007 20:46 (sixteen years ago) link

it just shows how an initial positional error can snowball into disaster. he was a bit thin on the green, then even thinner on the brown, and finally too thin on the blue :(

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 20:48 (sixteen years ago) link

Why is Shaun Murphy so unlikable? I feel really bad about hating him, because I know he got bullied a lot as a child because of his appearance, but... it is quite an annoying appearance.

Dom Passantino, Saturday, 5 May 2007 20:56 (sixteen years ago) link

he comes across as quite arrogant and unapproachable. he doesn't seem to have a friendly rapport with the players or the referee, and he plays up the religious angle a touch too much for most people's liking.

selby gets a kick on (effectively) frame ball :(

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 20:58 (sixteen years ago) link

equally, one might ask: Why is Michaela Tabb so foxy?

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 21:01 (sixteen years ago) link

I don't like many snooker players, really. I have a ridiculous amount of affection for Jimmy White, and have a love-hate thing about Ronnie O'Sullivan. I actively dislike Stephen Hendry, Shaun Murphy and Mark Williams. I'm pretty meh about the rest of them. Oh, Peter Ebdon gets on my tits as well, the boring bastard even though he looks like my husband

ailsa, Saturday, 5 May 2007 21:02 (sixteen years ago) link

snooker? i hardly know her!

Wrinklepaws, Saturday, 5 May 2007 21:15 (sixteen years ago) link

mark selby that is a magnificent shot (yellow w/deep screw)

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 21:18 (sixteen years ago) link

Down to the final frame. First classic match of the tournament/year.

Dom Passantino, Saturday, 5 May 2007 21:38 (sixteen years ago) link

selby has won a nation's hearts etc.

if he wins this and the final, SPOTY? only phil nixon has seriously challenged him so far, and he lost his final.

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 21:41 (sixteen years ago) link

actually, calzaghe this year SURELY

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 21:42 (sixteen years ago) link

there have been some really good matches already. I would actually say murphy's comeback from a ludicrous amount down in the last round was very good. even though i don't like murphy.

Gukbe, Saturday, 5 May 2007 21:43 (sixteen years ago) link

I wonder if they ever do "Unlikable: The Shaun Murphy Story" whether they'll get David Mitchell to play him?

Dom Passantino, Saturday, 5 May 2007 22:00 (sixteen years ago) link

yes! (to match and Mitchell)

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 22:01 (sixteen years ago) link

Mark Selby is YOUR 888 World Snooker Championship finalist.

Dom Passantino, Saturday, 5 May 2007 22:01 (sixteen years ago) link

And he makes a joke about Parkinson's Disease in his post-match interview. WINNER.

Dom Passantino, Saturday, 5 May 2007 22:04 (sixteen years ago) link

suddenly (and especially after the warm hug for selby) i don't hate murphy that much any more...

the final already looks like another good'un, between two of the tournament's form players (i think they're 1 and 2 for most centuries, correct me if i'm wrong), but i'd like to add to the list of great games the 13-12 midnight thriller between selby and carter.

Just got offed, Saturday, 5 May 2007 22:05 (sixteen years ago) link

"And he makes a joke about Parkinson's Disease in his post-match interview. WINNER."

Thought you'd like that, Dom :-)

That hug ws great!! Two amazing semi-finals, though its the (at first) least promising of them that ws best in the end.

I've watched 10 hours of snooker today and have enjoyed every second of it!

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2007 22:15 (sixteen years ago) link

only shame about Selby getting through is we'll get the 'oh I've been so impressed w/him' guff from the commentators from now till monday night.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2007 22:33 (sixteen years ago) link

Right, 2 - 2. Reasonable, since they're both not quite awake yet.

But "Higgins is the more experienced player when it comes to world championship finals, he's been here three times before" sounds like a useful comment until you remember that he won his first final, winning over Ken Doherty, the reigning world champion! Du-uh.

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2007 16:08 (sixteen years ago) link

Selby's getting bitchslapped out there right now.

Dom Passantino, Sunday, 6 May 2007 20:59 (sixteen years ago) link

Will this all be over with a session to spare?

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 06:00 (sixteen years ago) link

Not that Higgins wouldn't deserve it, but it's nicer when there's actual competition - let's hope Selby slept well and can pull back a couple of frames.

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 06:06 (sixteen years ago) link

Thanks, guys! (they're reading our threads!)

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 15:22 (sixteen years ago) link

I'm not unconvinced that Selby can't actually do this.

ailsa, Monday, 7 May 2007 16:56 (sixteen years ago) link

Also, yeah, Parkinson's joke in his post-match interview on Saturday = guilty lolz.

I like him. I want him to win (this usually leads to kiss of death, so I apologise profusely in advance)

(re. SPOTY, surely Lewis Hamilton for teh win, regardless of what Selby achieves here, though best wait until Wimbledon out of the way just in case there's a surge of Andy MurrayMania befire tootling off to the bookies. Snooker players just don't register any more)

ailsa, Monday, 7 May 2007 17:03 (sixteen years ago) link

I'm not unconvinced that he could do it either. The amazing thing is that it wasn't Higgins' fault - just that Selby got a start and he played as incredibly as Higgins has for many years. Selby will be gutted by that kick on the last frame, putting an extra half an hour on it so that only six frames could be completed.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2007 17:57 (sixteen years ago) link

WOAH -- I thought Selby would go down this afternoon based on last night, or I would have stayed in to watch the tv, but blimey, tonight might be a cracker!

byebyepride, Monday, 7 May 2007 18:37 (sixteen years ago) link

I ws thinking of going to see a movie but going all fluey last night prevented me from (probably) repeating the v same mistake I talked about at the start of this thread.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2007 18:41 (sixteen years ago) link

I can't work out if Higgins was actually genuinely amused there or whether he was all "yeah, yeah, you're funny, now fuck off" at Selby. I'm enjoying this hugely anyway, though Higgins has been utterly rotten all day today.

ailsa, Monday, 7 May 2007 20:02 (sixteen years ago) link

So, only six frames this afternoon - what was all that about? Just ran out of time? I've never known a session to be truncated by two before.

13-11 at 9:15pm - it's gonna be a late one.

Michael Jones, Monday, 7 May 2007 20:15 (sixteen years ago) link

Yeah, they explained it during the last frame - the players need a chance to rest/refresh/compose themselves, and that's more important than the 8/8 thing. Especially after having played at this level for 16 days already.

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 20:18 (sixteen years ago) link

Won't they continue on Tuesday if it's still not over by, say, midnight?

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 20:19 (sixteen years ago) link

No, it'll be one of these epic "where were you when..." Dennis Taylor v Steve Davis in 1985 corkers with everyone sleeping in for work tomorrow morning.

They actually explained it away earlier on the BBC as due to other telly needing to be shown because I for one really REALLY needed to watch Eggheads and the Great British Menu rather than any more snooker, erm, hang on a sec...

ailsa, Monday, 7 May 2007 20:21 (sixteen years ago) link

LOL at 1 person clapping 1 time before realising they're the only one and stopping - "Great shot! ... oh, it wasn't, I R pwnd"

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 20:50 (sixteen years ago) link

Selby was 100-1 at the bookmakers after last night!

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 20:59 (sixteen years ago) link

go on mark

ken c, Monday, 7 May 2007 21:06 (sixteen years ago) link

Go on both of them! It's midnight over here and there's still a possible 9 frames to go (if it's going to be 17-18 or 18-17) - 9 x 45 minutes is going to finish, like, next week or something! OMG!

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:02 (sixteen years ago) link

I might have to revise my answer on the hours-of-sleep thread after this. Seriously, I might just nick off to bed and they'll proably still be playing this yellow when I get back up at 6.30.

ailsa, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:18 (sixteen years ago) link

This is insane - 21min on one ball. They've already cited the Griffiths-Thorburn match from '83 - the one that finished at 3:51am (see also: Pernfors-Wilander at the US Open) despite The Grinder knocking in a 147.

I'm going to say Higgins 18-15 around 2am. I know I won't see the end. Of this frame.

Michael Jones, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:27 (sixteen years ago) link

epic.

the misses on the brown, the flukey pot, then snookered on the blue...

Jarlrmai, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:32 (sixteen years ago) link

Aye, I'm loving this. Anything involving Griffiths/Thorburn/Charlton or whatever = yawnsville, not to mention that tedious Dott/Ebdon final last year. This, however = total stone cold classic. Expect to find me slumped over my desk in a big yawning heap some time tomorrow (if I'm not still watching this!)

ailsa, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:36 (sixteen years ago) link

Oh well, I'm off to bed. My bedside portable has a sleep function on it (which I used to great effect during the '94 World Cup), so I might just turn the sound right down and have it set for another three hours.

I think Higgins would streak away with frame 28 but it's another safety battle...

Michael Jones, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:44 (sixteen years ago) link

They're playing like they don't have to go to work tomorrow, these two.

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:45 (sixteen years ago) link

next frame, more safety..

i'd love a sleep function on my radio.

I need a new clock radio

I want DAB and Alarm and Sleep function.

Jarlrmai, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:46 (sixteen years ago) link

think > thought

I bet Ava comes into our bed if it gets to 17-17.

Michael Jones, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:47 (sixteen years ago) link

bugger, higgins goes 2 head again...

Jarlrmai, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:50 (sixteen years ago) link

maybe not...

Jarlrmai, Monday, 7 May 2007 22:51 (sixteen years ago) link

he has.

Jarlrmai, Monday, 7 May 2007 23:04 (sixteen years ago) link

cor century

ken c, Monday, 7 May 2007 23:39 (sixteen years ago) link

12 hours later

ken c, Monday, 7 May 2007 23:53 (sixteen years ago) link

After 12 hours and 3 minutes, stick a fork in it.

xp

Dom Passantino, Monday, 7 May 2007 23:53 (sixteen years ago) link

Poor Mark :-/

ailsa, Monday, 7 May 2007 23:56 (sixteen years ago) link

Let's not take away from Higgins though, eh?

ailsa, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:02 (sixteen years ago) link

Excellent stuff. Higgins showed class in those last few frames. Where did he pull that out from? I was so sure this was going to the final frame and a 3am finish.

Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:10 (sixteen years ago) link

Well played John Higgins. Poor bastard had to give up booze and Celtic to win it! Those last three clearances were astonishing under the circumstances. He's a class act and having only one world title was never a fair reflection on how good he's been for the last 10 or 12 years.

Selby looks like a future winner, but then so do half of these young scamps who keep knocking stupid shots in for fun. He needs to sort out all this 1min48sec thinking time shite though - unless it's a stupid bastard hard snooker every player knows what shot he has to play within seconds. If he keeps that up I'm going to call him Edbon II and hate him.

That yellow ball. Fucking hell someone just pot the fucking thing then play safe on the green for five weeks!

onimo, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:14 (sixteen years ago) link

yeah, that yellow was like watching arsenal. SOMEONE FUCKING SHOOT.

ken c, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:16 (sixteen years ago) link

Selby looks like a future winner, but then so do half of these young scamps who keep knocking stupid shots in for fun. He needs to sort out all this 1min48sec thinking time shite though - unless it's a stupid bastard hard snooker every player knows what shot he has to play within seconds.

That's because he's still basically a pool player trying to be a snooker player - does the daft/spectacular shots so well, but still learning on the tactics front. I think.

ailsa, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:22 (sixteen years ago) link

Yes, pool players are noted for fucking around all day picking shots out.

onimo, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:26 (sixteen years ago) link

No, that's not what I meant. I meant when he realises that the knocking-shots-in pool-player tactics aren't going to work in a a situation, and he actually has to think about the long game, he's not quite so good at that yet, because it's a different skill. I may be wrong. Hence the "I think" tagged on the end.

ailsa, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:30 (sixteen years ago) link

I think he was just trying to keep Higgins out of his stride. It's ok thinking about the odds shot but if you look at something like that yellow ball borefest I reckon Selby had >70% of the table time. On a lot of occasions I'd named his shot for him 2 minutes before he played it.

onimo, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:34 (sixteen years ago) link

give selby a break. he's 23 years old and had to qualify to get into the competition. he's never played a match like that in his life, and he had to come back from 12-4 down. I think there is something to breaking Higgins' stride, especially because I'm pretty sure that had they not stopped the afternoon session 2 frames early he would have gone into the final session 11-13 or maybe even 12-12.

Despite his love of the trick shot and his over-reliance on pulling shots off with the rest, I think he proved himself to be quite excellent in the tactical area.

I wanted him to win, but I was pleased with Higgins, especially those last few frames. Selby took the loss well and Higgins took the win well. I'm just mourning the loss of daily snooker. I'll have to do something else with my time now, seeing as I don't have the comfort of watching a green table with a bunch of balls rolling around. Le sigh.

Gukbe, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:45 (sixteen years ago) link

Maybe I'm just mourning the loss of snooker in my life in general. Is it shown (or heard of) in the U.S.?

Gukbe, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:46 (sixteen years ago) link

I am giving him a break - I just touted him as a future winner. I am also moaning about the time taken over his shots. It's a fair criticism, he did keep me up to stupid o'clock despite losing by 5 frames.

onimo, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 00:49 (sixteen years ago) link

Well done Johnny Higgins! A good Celtic man!

Tom D., Tuesday, 8 May 2007 09:31 (sixteen years ago) link

As one Leicester fellow to another - sigh. If only he'd won we could have added him to our statue...
http://www.sjncc.leicester.sch.uk/imageleicester_files/Images/ART/Sporting-Statue.jpg

Ned Trifle II, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 09:39 (sixteen years ago) link

Is it shown (or heard of) in the U.S.?

no.

Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 10:14 (sixteen years ago) link

No, they prefer pool there (snigger)

Tom D., Tuesday, 8 May 2007 10:15 (sixteen years ago) link

Selby is last year's pool world champion, hence his surprising plants sometimes.

StanM, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 10:19 (sixteen years ago) link

And that female referee who did the semi final between Murphy & Selby has been a well known pool referee for a while now too. So stop sniggering.

StanM, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 10:23 (sixteen years ago) link

No, I like pool but it's kids stuff really

Tom D., Tuesday, 8 May 2007 10:24 (sixteen years ago) link

I loved the yellow ball contest! Those safety exchanges were great! (and I say this when watching it with a fever last night).

I think Selby did the 1m40secs thinking time on his semi-final too.

He has adapted a bit of pool to snooker. I saw him make a century with 3 plants, then another with two. So his knowledge of pool plays a part.

This wz def one of my favourite finals. Hope that Selby does go on and win it but it remains to be seen, he could become another Matthew Stevens - does seem to be 'tougher', tho'.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:09 (sixteen years ago) link

Yes, 19 minutes on the yellow ball! Brilliant!

Tom D., Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:13 (sixteen years ago) link

Snooker players have been playing plants since forever, it's not a concept in any way exclusive to pool.

Also, Selby's been well known in snooker circles since his junior days, he's not some Johnny-Come-Lately pool player who thought he'd give snooker a bash.

onimo, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:16 (sixteen years ago) link

Why did they change his nickname for the final session? (all tournament, it had been "the jester from leicester" and for the final session of the final, it was "marvellous mark selby") Maybe changing nicknames is bad luck and that's why he lost!

StanM, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:25 (sixteen years ago) link

"Snooker players have been playing plants since forever, it's not a concept in any way exclusive to pool."

I know that! But there ws one or two that he picked out that other players might not have, I don't think. Don't remember a someone picking them out and getting that many plants in a championship. But yes obv I could be reading way too much into the pool connection (have only played pool on a computer :-)), how maybe a few maybe pick on the fact that Roger Fed played a lot of squash when younger.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:26 (sixteen years ago) link

I don't associate plants with pool anymore than snooker

Tom D., Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:29 (sixteen years ago) link

Why did they change his nickname for the final session? (all tournament, it had been "the jester from leicester" and for the final session of the final, it was "marvellous mark selby") Maybe changing nicknames is bad luck and that's why he lost!

-- StanM, Tuesday, May 8, 2007 11:25 AM (12 minutes ago)


Anti-Leicester bias.

Ned Trifle II, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:39 (sixteen years ago) link

Must have been tough for Willie Thorne to try stay impartial!

Tom D., Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:41 (sixteen years ago) link

The concept of being the most jester-like snooker player just makes me think of Lee and Herring's "Britain's Jauntiest Shepherd"

Dom Passantino, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:43 (sixteen years ago) link

"No, I like pool but it's kids stuff really

-- Tom D., Tuesday, 8 May 2007 10:24"

you say that to his face

http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/images/031007a.jpg

Frogman Henry, Tuesday, 8 May 2007 11:46 (sixteen years ago) link

five months pass...

It turns out that me bird's ma loves snooker. Or rather, she loves Ronnie O'Sullivan. Is snooker generally popular with older women?

The Real Dirty Vicar, Sunday, 21 October 2007 21:10 (sixteen years ago) link

Ronnie is.

Noodle Vague, Sunday, 21 October 2007 21:11 (sixteen years ago) link

well done marco! :)

Just got offed, Sunday, 21 October 2007 22:46 (sixteen years ago) link

As Oriental snooker talents go, though, I'm more excited by DING JUNHUI, FUTURE GOD OF SPORT. I think I started an ILX thread about him somewhere. With precisely those words.

Just got offed, Sunday, 21 October 2007 22:47 (sixteen years ago) link

I find it hard to care about sports where there are so many tournaments that include the same competitors. Ronnie O'Sullivan is looking old though.

Eyeball Kicks, Monday, 22 October 2007 00:02 (sixteen years ago) link

one year passes...

ah, fuck, snooker world championship RIP :-(

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2009 11:35 (fifteen years ago) link

i used to not know the rules and was sort of fascinated by it (daytime television) but now i know how it works and it's boring.

Ludo, Saturday, 25 April 2009 11:39 (fifteen years ago) link

Its OK, Ronnie's out :-(

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2009 11:43 (fifteen years ago) link

:( a sad day

sorry for british (country matters), Saturday, 25 April 2009 11:44 (fifteen years ago) link

damnit :-((

Gerard (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 25 April 2009 12:07 (fifteen years ago) link

awesome!!

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Saturday, 25 April 2009 12:55 (fifteen years ago) link

poor Marco, got a good beatin'

not_goodwin, Saturday, 25 April 2009 13:07 (fifteen years ago) link

Sadfaced about Ronnie :-(

ailsa, Saturday, 25 April 2009 13:08 (fifteen years ago) link

SERIOUSLY FUCK OFF HIGGINS

sorry for british (country matters), Monday, 27 April 2009 16:44 (fourteen years ago) link

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH WHY DID I WASTE MY AFTERNOON WATCHING THIS

sorry for british (country matters), Monday, 27 April 2009 16:44 (fourteen years ago) link

better than wasting the afternoon on ilx tbh

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Monday, 27 April 2009 17:20 (fourteen years ago) link

I quite like Higgins - way better than 'Hendry the 8th' (I really hope that never happens)

Like Selby or Higgins to win now.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 27 April 2009 21:21 (fourteen years ago) link

That was a terrific 147

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 12:21 (fourteen years ago) link

Is there such a thing as a bad 147?

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 13:02 (fourteen years ago) link

Ay, 147? (Damn, must switch on da telly!) Who dunnit then, the 147?

t**t, Tuesday, 28 April 2009 13:09 (fourteen years ago) link

wasn't ronnie

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 13:10 (fourteen years ago) link

hendry, it's on the bbc snooker page.
was ok as far as potting every ball in the right order to get the max break and look cool with the added bonus of a bonus in the shape of a check in your name with lots of money above it.

not_goodwin, Tuesday, 28 April 2009 13:32 (fourteen years ago) link

I went on the BBC site to watch this and spotted the video was only 4:28 long and thought "Quicker than Ronnie? WTF!" then pressed play and he was already on 89.

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 13:37 (fourteen years ago) link

now we just need someone to beat the score by a free ball + 147 break combo.

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 13:40 (fourteen years ago) link

cmon selbs

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 14:37 (fourteen years ago) link

oh fuck off higgins

go away

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 15:22 (fourteen years ago) link

go the fuck away

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 15:51 (fourteen years ago) link

louis seems to hate scottish snooker players

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 15:53 (fourteen years ago) link

nah just the dull uncharismatic ones

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 15:54 (fourteen years ago) link

oh wait

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 15:54 (fourteen years ago) link

I thought you preferred quality over charisma Mr J

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 15:55 (fourteen years ago) link

I prefer talent and inspiration to efficiency, at least on the snooker table...it's a game that ought to reward the sublime rather than the functional

...and besides, I prefer players with individual styles, with facets to their game which separate them from the cluster. Otherwise what is there to follow?

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 15:58 (fourteen years ago) link

It's not a game that "ought" to reward the sublime. I agree that Scottish snooker players tend to be on the nice-but-dull side though.

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:05 (fourteen years ago) link

I mean, if you're lucky it is, but that applies to any sport really.

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:06 (fourteen years ago) link

I think i understand why The Lex gets mad when people say they stopped watching tennis if Agassi* was knocked out.

*insert any peoples fave in there

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:09 (fourteen years ago) link

I prefer talent and inspiration to efficiency, at least on the snooker table...it's a game that ought to reward the sublime rather than the functional

if you're truly sublime then surely you'd beat the merely functional?

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:16 (fourteen years ago) link

Tennis is different; tennis openly and flagrantly rewards inspirational, dominant play because it places the two opponents in direct confrontation. Snooker places each opponent alone, and so they always have a choice as to what level of shot to play. I love the game, but I love it more when it's played by people who constantly reveal their personality, their talents, and their changing approach to the game depending on circumstances, i.e. Ronnie O'Sullivan or Neil Robertson or Mark Selby. Or players who play flat-out insane, occasionally self-destructive snooker in search of perfection, i.e. Ding Junhui. Or headcases, i.e. Peter Ebdon

Ken this is true but many players capable of the sublime are also capable of error, and also you can never fully legislate for the run of the balls

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:18 (fourteen years ago) link

Grinders and those who are very good safety players have traditionally dominated though: Davis, Reardon, Hendry etc. have won far more titles than the very best sublimely gifted players (O'Sullivan, Alex Higgins, Jimmy White etc.)

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:26 (fourteen years ago) link

Let me dream!

Am trying to work out where Shaun Murphy fits on the scale, and whether his extravagant and often inspiring talents are sufficient to resist the demerits of his occasionally somewhat offputting personality...I certainly dislike him less than I did circa 2005

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:29 (fourteen years ago) link

As much as I love Ronnie's sublime skills I'm getting really tired of these "I don't know if I can go on" bullshit interviews every time someone has the temerity to beat him.

I know what you mean about the attraction of the unexpected LJ but with Higgins I think it's simply that he always knows the "correct" shot to play and sees no reason to play what he sees in his head as the wrong shot. That doesn't mean he won't go for his shots, but it does mean he'll be less likely to scatter balls all over the table in a ridiculous attempt at an impossible red that he's convinced himself is a shot to nothing. Boring as that is (particularly if he's not scoring heavily) I still admire his resilience under pressure - he's won a fair few very tense close matches.

I've warmed to Ebdon over the years as his madness has grown, I can still picture the mad grin on his face as Hendry won something like 7 frames out of 8 against him in a world final - somewhere between "Ach I'll just try to enjoy myself" and "I'm gonna eat your children!"

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:30 (fourteen years ago) link

Grinders and those who are very good safety players have traditionally dominated though: Davis, Reardon, Hendry etc. have won far more titles than the very best sublimely gifted players (O'Sullivan, Alex Higgins, Jimmy White etc.)

Hendry doesn't belong in that list. Boring as he might be off the table be basically took the "go for everything" attitude of Higgins and White but did it properly (i.e. by not missing the balls). His safety game isn't great, he doesn't even like playing safety shots. I remember when he first came to prominence everyone was amazed at the shots he was taking on, particularly into middle pockets.

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:32 (fourteen years ago) link

before Ronnie, Hendry was regarded as the most natural potter anyone had seen.
He did have to develop a safety game though(not as good as steve davis safety game was), and it made him and even better player.
ffs the guy won a world championship with a fractured arm. You gotta admit that takes something special.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:39 (fourteen years ago) link

peter ebdon is about 10x more boring to watch than john higgins

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:40 (fourteen years ago) link

and as boring as those guys may be, they aren't in cliff thorburns league!

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:41 (fourteen years ago) link

funnily enough, Terry Griffiths was a boring slow player, but I did like him.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:42 (fourteen years ago) link

also, i don't see how potting stupidly ridiculous shots take more inspiration than a brilliant safety shot

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:42 (fourteen years ago) link

Ken OTM

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:43 (fourteen years ago) link

peter ebdon is about 10x more boring to watch than john higgins

yes but he is on the edge of complete nervous breakdown every time he misses a pot do you not see

and there's something to be said for his almost hypnotically self-denying style, especially in the context of the barely-suppressed wailing hair-tearing beast within...he is a man on the edge

WHOA

I got no problem with brilliant safety shots, amazing snookers etc...this is all part of the "inspiration" I referred to. I love 'em. What I was complaining about were functional potters who resort to good, often very good, "classic safety", when others might go for something inspirational or at least original.

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:46 (fourteen years ago) link

If only you could take Ken Doherty's personality and Stephen Hendry's game and fuse them into one...I do like Hendry, because he's great and plays the game in a superb manner, but he makes peak-era Davis look like Quinton Hann

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:49 (fourteen years ago) link

and miss and lose
xpost

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:49 (fourteen years ago) link

But the game is cruel upon the mentally mercurial. Take Matthew Stevens. Now a wreck, now on the scrapheap. Once within touching distance of greatness. Bright talent, burnt out. At least he list to Mark Williams, who is/was a truly brilliant player and a fine personality.

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:50 (fourteen years ago) link

*lost

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:51 (fourteen years ago) link

Not always, Kerr! Not always!

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:51 (fourteen years ago) link

i never rated mark williams. he can pot long balls and that seems to be the extent of his game

in other news
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7661707.stm

this is my favourite live feed so far. you just get to listen to 'drag racer' in a continuous loop

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:52 (fourteen years ago) link

omg Graeme Dott's voice

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 16:59 (fourteen years ago) link

stop hating on scottishes

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 17:06 (fourteen years ago) link

what is there to hate about his bonny lilt? even though it can probably only be heard properly by dogs

sorry for british (country matters), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 17:08 (fourteen years ago) link

btw

fuck off john higgins

sorry for british (country matters), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 22:44 (fourteen years ago) link

resilience

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 22:48 (fourteen years ago) link

resilience can fuck itself

sorry for british (country matters), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 22:50 (fourteen years ago) link

When Higgins wins a match 13-7, 13-5, by completely outplaying his opponent, rather than hanging in with his utterly, unspeakably efficient, charismaless game, maybe then I might root for him, but this is sheer unrelenting cuntery of the highest order and bad for the game

sorry for british (country matters), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 22:52 (fourteen years ago) link

(n.b. I am drunk but still, argh)

sorry for british (country matters), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 22:52 (fourteen years ago) link

maybe he should mouth "never in doubt" at the camera after every final frame clincher.

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 23:30 (fourteen years ago) link

andrei_higgins.jpg

sorry for british (country matters), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 23:31 (fourteen years ago) link

why bother watching any game if you just want to watch predictable 13-5 drubbings?

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Thursday, 30 April 2009 00:08 (fourteen years ago) link

I don't! I just don't want a game to be inevitably and heartbreakingly gritted out by a player I dislike...this sort of result was equally predictable, and more infuriating

sorry for british (country matters), Thursday, 30 April 2009 00:12 (fourteen years ago) link

I mean, if he's gonna go 2 down with 3 to play or 1 down with 2 to play, I wanna see some opponents NOT bending over and taking his "resilience" right where it hurts, and getting over the line themselves...if he gets to the winning line first then fair enough

sorry for british (country matters), Thursday, 30 April 2009 00:15 (fourteen years ago) link

but clearly this isn't the case because he hasn't won every single tournament there is to win..

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Thursday, 30 April 2009 00:40 (fourteen years ago) link

Hey you guys, am I the only one who remembers this?

ailsa, Thursday, 30 April 2009 00:50 (fourteen years ago) link

I have no recollection of that whatsoever.

In today's news, Higgins races into an excitingly racy early charismatic lead thanks to playing mostly shite and resiliently asking for new balls.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8027621.stm

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Thursday, 30 April 2009 17:23 (fourteen years ago) link

Mark Allen played *so badly* in that opening session. All Higgins had to do was wait for an opportunity; there was one in every frame. Even when Allen seemed in the balls, you knew he'd find a way to screw up. The two frames he won, he only did so because Higgins returned the compliment.

If there's any justice in the world, Neil Robertson will murk his way to the title

Instead, we'll have a Murphy-Higgins final, and I'll be sorely tempted to not watch it.

sorry for british (country matters), Thursday, 30 April 2009 17:27 (fourteen years ago) link

This match is more like it.

sorry for british (country matters), Thursday, 30 April 2009 19:39 (fourteen years ago) link

A pal of mine applied for a ticket on a whim about two weeks ago, was somehow successful, and is right now sitting in the front row two along from Robertson. It makes for disconcerting viewing to see him in every other low-level shot.

Ismael Klata, Thursday, 30 April 2009 19:47 (fourteen years ago) link

text him

not_goodwin, Thursday, 30 April 2009 20:16 (fourteen years ago) link

nah dial his number during an important shot

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Thursday, 30 April 2009 20:23 (fourteen years ago) link

Nice idea. I would get him to flick us the v's, but he's also the one person in Britain who doesn't have a mobile

Ismael Klata, Thursday, 30 April 2009 20:26 (fourteen years ago) link

Red button interactive TV my arse

Ismael Klata, Thursday, 30 April 2009 20:26 (fourteen years ago) link

tell him to keep making the buzzing noise

not_goodwin, Thursday, 30 April 2009 20:34 (fourteen years ago) link

The balls just made a perfect S shape!

sorry for british (country matters), Thursday, 30 April 2009 20:44 (fourteen years ago) link

ffs

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 1 May 2009 14:44 (fourteen years ago) link

I can't imagine getting so worked up about snooker LJ!

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Friday, 1 May 2009 14:49 (fourteen years ago) link

dude, the final that is looming is looming between the two players in the entire tournament i like the least

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 1 May 2009 14:54 (fourteen years ago) link

haha I haven't been following the scores today but I guessed 12-4 from that 'ffs' - so near!

At least it's not heading for one of those 16-16 nail-biting last frame Higgins wins you so detest (cue (sorry) Higgins collapse).

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Friday, 1 May 2009 14:56 (fourteen years ago) link

This is like me and my mate playing :-/

not_goodwin, Friday, 1 May 2009 14:58 (fourteen years ago) link

except less skilled

ken "save-a-finn" c (ken c), Friday, 1 May 2009 14:59 (fourteen years ago) link

actually that ffs was for robertson throwing a frame away when it was actually in both of his hands

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 1 May 2009 15:03 (fourteen years ago) link

The tourney could use at least one of the nu guys reaching the final. Murphy bores the tits off himself never mind anyone else.

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Friday, 1 May 2009 15:06 (fourteen years ago) link

So tempted to open this in a sneaky window at work but I'd likely get caught.

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Friday, 1 May 2009 15:07 (fourteen years ago) link

Murphy plays fairly charismatic snooker, but he truly is a manhole of likeability. Needs a Robertson win.

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 1 May 2009 15:16 (fourteen years ago) link

Why thnk you ken.
what happened to murphy wife coming in while he's playing and handing him divorce papers?

not_goodwin, Friday, 1 May 2009 15:16 (fourteen years ago) link

Wee Graeme Dott for the win of least interesting player IMO.

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Friday, 1 May 2009 15:24 (fourteen years ago) link

But he has the voice of an angel (whose balls are being squeezed)

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 1 May 2009 15:28 (fourteen years ago) link

omg neil robertson just did the arshavin pose on his way out of the arena

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 1 May 2009 17:09 (fourteen years ago) link

qeu (get it) PS

not_goodwin, Friday, 1 May 2009 17:11 (fourteen years ago) link

Allen's still in it, innit?

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 1 May 2009 20:54 (fourteen years ago) link

if Allen wins I will throw some sort of party, and you're all invited

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 1 May 2009 20:56 (fourteen years ago) link

Sweet. Still, winning tomorrow's session 6-2 won't even be enough will it? Tough stuff.

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 1 May 2009 20:57 (fourteen years ago) link

i can't believe you guys get to watch snooker on TV over there--so awesome

Mr. Que, Friday, 1 May 2009 20:58 (fourteen years ago) link

Well, I'm rather annoyed by the BBC cutting coverage into these very short pieces. I somehow have this memory of the BBC showing games in this stage for hours on end. I had to switch from the Beeb to Eurosport to catch the end of tonight's session. It was totally worth it though, what that last frame being like 45 minutes, with some brilliant safety play.

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 1 May 2009 21:00 (fourteen years ago) link

mr que you are a man of fine taste, if only you could be made to understand good british pizza

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 1 May 2009 21:01 (fourteen years ago) link

i'm going to need you to think carefully about those two separate statements lj

Mr. Que, Friday, 1 May 2009 21:02 (fourteen years ago) link

I had to switch from the Beeb to Eurosport to catch the end of tonight's session.

Red button on satellite or cable to watch the full session on the bbc.

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Friday, 1 May 2009 21:31 (fourteen years ago) link

Joining in late into this mess, but Higgins is fantastic - pretty unique, I think Nadal is a good recent-ish example of the kind of rare sports person that is able to simply do the right thing (decisions, shots, whatever) EVERY SINGLE TIME at a very young age, and in a way that is pretty fucking scary. Except that John couldn't enjoy any dominance as Williams, O'Sullivan and a bunch of other talents were also around at the same time. So it somehow took him 10 years to win a 2nd world title...that 100 break to finally knock the stuffing out of Selby in the final two years ago is what I get up to watch this game for.

This year he has been way stronger as it gotten to the wire - I'm a Selby fan, but it was disappointing how his game fell off at the end.

Higgins winning three, maybe four, world titles...would turn out to be a good reflection of how good I think he is/was.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2009 22:04 (fourteen years ago) link

Red button on satellite or cable to watch the full session on the bbc.

― the innermost wee guy (onimo), Friday, May 1, 2009 9:31 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark

Yeah, I get that red button stuff, but I'm not in the UK, so it's worthless for me.

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 1 May 2009 23:33 (fourteen years ago) link

The 'nicer' haircuts have failed pretty badly in their semi-finals, huh? I mean I know its their first, but Allen and Robertson have shown zilch..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2009 12:14 (fourteen years ago) link

apart from the ability to storm back when all looks lost

sorry for british (country matters), Saturday, 2 May 2009 12:22 (fourteen years ago) link

Oh he's got a better chance than Allen has -- although World Championsip snooker has usually provided some amazing comebacks -- but a four frame lead is fine for Murphy.

Still, not much so far, they've both managed to look badly spent.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2009 12:35 (fourteen years ago) link

I know Michaela Tabb is going to referee the final tomorrow & Monday, but where's Hazel? :-(

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:35 (fourteen years ago) link

(don't get me wrong, I don't only watch snooker for the women ;-) )

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:36 (fourteen years ago) link

Lol @ teen final identical terrible hairstyles

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 13:37 (fourteen years ago) link

I miss Hazel as well!

Allen really hanging in here!

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 2 May 2009 14:58 (fourteen years ago) link

Not anymore... But what a semi final!

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 15:57 (fourteen years ago) link

How many of these expressions they keep repeating every ten minutes are actually official snooker terms?

A shot to nothing?

A little bit unlucky?

The knowledgeable Crucible crowd?

:-)

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 18:18 (fourteen years ago) link

That's probably all John Virgo, StanM. The man cannot give commentary without using every cliché in the book.

Robertson is playing absolutely brilliant right now. I really, really hope he beats Murphy tonight. 'Top quality stuff, StanM, top quality stuff' ;-)

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 2 May 2009 18:52 (fourteen years ago) link

I want to see him do the Arshavin pose again

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 2 May 2009 18:57 (fourteen years ago) link

He also uses that strange inversion thing, does John Virgo.

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 18:58 (fourteen years ago) link

I don't know who I want to win here, Robertson has some of the most awesome WTF shots sometimes, but he misses some easy ones as well. Murphy's the more consistent player. Great but boring, a bit like John Higgins I suppose.

I don't like the shape of Murphy's head, so that's it, I'm rooting for Robertson. (not the Ozzy meaning of rooting)

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 19:06 (fourteen years ago) link

Aren't they allowed to say "Hawk-eye" anymore? I seem to remember they couldn't shut up about it last time and now I haven't heard it once.

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 19:09 (fourteen years ago) link

What's Robertson up to here?

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 2 May 2009 19:22 (fourteen years ago) link

this is great

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 2 May 2009 19:55 (fourteen years ago) link

o
m
g

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 19:55 (fourteen years ago) link

I don't like the shape of Murphy's head

otm

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 2 May 2009 19:57 (fourteen years ago) link

Robertson is on fire! I'm particularly impressed by his safety game. I knew he was a great, daring attacker, but his safety play, the choices he made, is so great tonight. It's what got him to this tie again, as far as I'm concerned. I want him to wrap this up and then send Higgins' poor ass home.

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 2 May 2009 20:02 (fourteen years ago) link

I'm liking this artist guy, but he obviously can't do eyes

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 2 May 2009 20:14 (fourteen years ago) link

Ach, this is slipping away now.

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 2 May 2009 20:53 (fourteen years ago) link

Murphy is a jammy bastid.

Trust (a hoy hoy), Saturday, 2 May 2009 20:58 (fourteen years ago) link

Murphy's quite personable, to be fair

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 2 May 2009 21:09 (fourteen years ago) link

reminds me a bit of Adrian Chiles

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 2 May 2009 21:10 (fourteen years ago) link

Still, my dream of Higgins' being beaten by Bizarro Higgins is in shatters :-(

xp

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 2 May 2009 21:11 (fourteen years ago) link

I expect the final is going to be great but boring.

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2009 21:12 (fourteen years ago) link

"I know Michaela Tabb is going to referee the final tomorrow & Monday, but where's Hazel? :-("

She's had a kid. Hazel look ok but she never asks v interesting questions really.

Was just wondering whether Michaela would referee the final...

Well done Murphy - fair play to both Robertson and Allen for pushing them all the way. That red that started Murphy's break in the penultimate frame was classic semi-final stuff. xxp = there is not going to be a lot of contrast in the final, true.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2009 21:15 (fourteen years ago) link

Murphy's quite personable, to be fair

Oh no I hate all that I'm just an ordinary blokey snooker fan who got lucky faux humility bullshit.

the innermost wee guy (onimo), Sunday, 3 May 2009 10:03 (fourteen years ago) link

He also uses that strange inversion thing, does John Virgo.

― StanM, Saturday, May 2, 2009 8:58 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark

But not as much as Dennis Taylor. :-/

StanM, Sunday, 3 May 2009 14:02 (fourteen years ago) link

no chat on tonights session?

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 3 May 2009 22:08 (fourteen years ago) link

Can't see someone as solid as Higgins losing this, he wasn't even at his best tonight and still won the session 7 - 1 and got a couple of centuries.

StanM, Sunday, 3 May 2009 22:21 (fourteen years ago) link

It was watchable, but then snooker is always watchable - both looked shattered tho', it might have easily slided into Dott-Ebdon levels. As it didn't go to that extreme there wasn't a great deal to talk about. No final has been lost from 11-5 but Murphy could mount the ultimate comeback...the comebacks are what makes for a really great snooker final.

Michaela has been the star! :-)

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2009 08:19 (fourteen years ago) link

Michaela has been the star! :-)

― xyzzzz__, Monday, May 4, 2009 10:19 AM (6 hours ago) Bookmark

I'm not so sure about today's miniskirt...

StanM, Monday, 4 May 2009 14:25 (fourteen years ago) link

I really wish Dennis Taylor would stop going on about how "professional" Shaun Murphy is.

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Monday, 4 May 2009 15:57 (fourteen years ago) link

OTM. Anyone who doesn't completely surrender and concede the match is "courageous" and "professional" , I guess.

StanM, Monday, 4 May 2009 16:23 (fourteen years ago) link

"I'm not so sure about today's miniskirt..."

Oh no I missed this afternoon's session - went to see a film instead!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2009 18:36 (fourteen years ago) link

worst world championship ever

sorry for british (country matters), Monday, 4 May 2009 19:13 (fourteen years ago) link

This is just like the finals the last couple of finals involving Ronnie where he walked it...

I actually didn't watch as much of this tournament as I wanted to (no 8 hour session for me unfortunately) but it has had the most centuries ever (80-something, obliterating the prev records of 68) plus Michaela in the final so I can't complain too much.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2009 19:31 (fourteen years ago) link

does louis like snooker or just ronnie?

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Monday, 4 May 2009 19:32 (fourteen years ago) link

well done Higgins for his 3rd world title.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Monday, 4 May 2009 19:51 (fourteen years ago) link

at 34 he's the oldest world champion ever.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Monday, 4 May 2009 19:52 (fourteen years ago) link

Totally, yeah - thing is, two of his three titles actually came when he arguably wasn't playing at his very (late 90s) best (in terms of sheer break building). A couple of his wins this year came down to the wire. Total strength of mind to get stronger at the very end of those matches.

Also, in the most centuries ever championship, the player who does show the best tactical play won.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2009 19:57 (fourteen years ago) link

2009: STAT-ATTACK - Higgins has a 92% success rate for his potting for the whole tournament.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Monday, 4 May 2009 20:10 (fourteen years ago) link

When did they get rid of those blown-up fake prize-money cardboards? Whoever's behind that deserves the Nobel prize.

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 4 May 2009 20:15 (fourteen years ago) link

Miniskirt was just a joke, sorry. :-)

Murphy never played like he did in earlier matches, but still, you have to admire Higgins for the way he mercilessly punished him for every mistake.

Also, a ridiculous amount of commentator jinxing all through the match: "so this is it, the first shot of his thousandth frame at the Cruci-and he misses!" / "He's improved so much over the last couple of - and he misses!" :-)

StanM, Monday, 4 May 2009 20:42 (fourteen years ago) link

:-) A comeback of Murphy would've been great alone because of the commentary.

"Could this be his final time at the table?"
"Is this miss his last bid in this final?"

I must say though that I've been without a tv set for three years, and finally was able to catch up this year on the BBC snooker coverage. I think Doherty is a valuable addition to the commentary team. My only hope now is that Virgo quits the bizz, can't stand the guy.

Krapp's lesser-known First Tape (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 4 May 2009 20:59 (fourteen years ago) link

bbc changed it

But he had done more than enough and is now the oldest Crucible champion since Dennis Taylor triumphed at the age of 36 in 1985 against Steve Davis, with Higgins turning 34 on 18 May.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Monday, 4 May 2009 21:03 (fourteen years ago) link

i once walked by Higgins on Sauchiehall street outside Greggs.

Suggesteban Cambiasso (jim), Monday, 4 May 2009 21:06 (fourteen years ago) link

Better than Paddy McGuinness I suppose

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 5 May 2009 16:02 (fourteen years ago) link

Good Celtic fan, the Higgins

Sacco, Vanzetti, Passantino... (Tom D.), Tuesday, 5 May 2009 16:06 (fourteen years ago) link

so the bbc stats guy kept reminding everyone.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 5 May 2009 16:16 (fourteen years ago) link

do you think Paddy McGuinness might like Celtic?

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 5 May 2009 16:16 (fourteen years ago) link

Hazel's on maternity leave, btw.

Venga, Tuesday, 5 May 2009 17:45 (fourteen years ago) link

IN-CRUCIBLE
ILX mole bHigs up live snooker experience

not using capitals in email for some reason

1. it was an excellent experience. i loved it. it was amazing to see people doing something they are really good at up close. one gets a great view of the table from the front 3 rows. the last frame i attended on friday night i went up the back before sneaking out to get my train and the view was fine from there too/ id say the front was better though. id definitely be up for going back next year - this time for the final

2. i had headphones with bbc commentary. that's the reason why the commentators always say that "the crowd here at the crucible are so knowledgeable" when they are clapping as they are all following the same expert commentary the crowd at home are!

3. the only time i was distracted was in the afternoon and evening sessions on the friday when an absolute beauty of a girl was in my line of vision. it must have been very distracting for allen - that's probably why he crumbled as the girl was also in his line of vision.

Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 5 May 2009 22:20 (fourteen years ago) link

ah, that's nice reporting there - its actually the one sporting venue (apart from Wimbledon, which I went to a couple of years ago) that I would really really love to visit. Must try to do it next year.

As to point 2. - actually having watched loads of snooker pre-headphone era the crowd would applaud and recognize 95% of what the commentary did recognize as great tactical shots. What has changed is that now, if the commentators say something funny the crowd will laugh and this can provoke the ref to tell the crowd to 'settle down'.

3. So that's how Higgins did it! That's also one of the delights of watching snooker, the same cute girl coming up again and again in a particular line of vision/angle.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 6 May 2009 22:49 (fourteen years ago) link

World Series Of Snooker (Portugal) :

Jimmy White just lost to Luca Brecel (14 years old)

http://www.theworldseriesofsnooker.com/default.asp

Jimmy White 3 Luca Brecel 4

StanM, Friday, 8 May 2009 20:29 (fourteen years ago) link

waht

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 8 May 2009 20:31 (fourteen years ago) link

White'll still win his "Group 2" probably, next round he's playing Ken Doherty (I think. Don't quite understand this tournament yet)

StanM, Friday, 8 May 2009 20:33 (fourteen years ago) link

One of the BBC pundits had Brecel in his "who'll be in the top 10 in 5 years" prediction too, IIRC

StanM, Friday, 8 May 2009 20:35 (fourteen years ago) link

(it's on Eurosport, but I can't bear to watch it, their main camera position has the table looking like a perfect square instead of a snooker table)

StanM, Friday, 8 May 2009 20:37 (fourteen years ago) link

o_O

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 8 May 2009 20:46 (fourteen years ago) link

He'll be disappointed about that, Louis. I just looked up the lad, and google rewarded me with the magnificent sentence: 'Belgisch forum voor snookerfreaks'

Ismael Klata, Friday, 8 May 2009 21:00 (fourteen years ago) link

He's the current under 19 European champion, but that's not on his Wikipedia page yet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Brecel

StanM, Friday, 8 May 2009 21:02 (fourteen years ago) link

LOL @ link to "Belgian Snooker Players" - but he's not on that list of 2

StanM, Friday, 8 May 2009 21:03 (fourteen years ago) link

obvious choker imo

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 8 May 2009 21:03 (fourteen years ago) link

Yeah, this is just until he discovers girls. :-)

StanM, Friday, 8 May 2009 21:07 (fourteen years ago) link

Alain Robidoux slid rapidly down the rankings in subsequent years, partly as a result of losing his favourite cue, which he referred to as the "Eel"; he returned it to its maker - an elderly craftsman in Canada - for repairs, but the craftsman smashed the cue into pieces and sent the remains back to Robidoux, reportedly taking offence because both the cue and the cue-case had a logo for 'Riley', a leading UK cue manufacturer

Ismael Klata, Friday, 8 May 2009 21:11 (fourteen years ago) link

looooooooooool thats some kill bill shit

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 8 May 2009 21:16 (fourteen years ago) link

also, the fukin sauce of it:

sorry for british (country matters), Friday, 8 May 2009 21:18 (fourteen years ago) link

Luca Brecel just beat Ken Doherty, to play against Graeme Dott next

StanM, Saturday, 9 May 2009 12:47 (fourteen years ago) link

"just" = yesterday (don't know where to get real time info about this, only found out from a Belgian news site)

StanM, Saturday, 9 May 2009 12:50 (fourteen years ago) link

Lost to Dott 5-4

StanM, Saturday, 9 May 2009 19:23 (fourteen years ago) link

The Crusher of Dreams

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 9 May 2009 19:57 (fourteen years ago) link

i bet his voice is lower-pitched than dott's

sorry for british (country matters), Saturday, 9 May 2009 19:59 (fourteen years ago) link

eleven months pass...

watching the nugget hold on.

Times New Excels At (jim in glasgow), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 13:52 (thirteen years ago) link

robertson will win this whole thing. i hope.

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 13:54 (thirteen years ago) link

pourquoi?

Times New Excels At (jim in glasgow), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 13:56 (thirteen years ago) link

i like the way he plays! plus to have beaten gould the way he did...the winner of that match needs to win, to placate me

o'sullivan-selby is a great match, by the looks of it. two other players i wouldn't begrudge this year's title.

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 13:57 (thirteen years ago) link

yeah idk why i'm watching steve davis tbh. well other than it will probably end soon and i can change over.

Times New Excels At (jim in glasgow), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:00 (thirteen years ago) link

robertson used to be fat

naglian dialectics 101 (cozen), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:00 (thirteen years ago) link

ronnie doing a bit of referee-bullying

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:33 (thirteen years ago) link

nagl but still <3 him

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:33 (thirteen years ago) link

I quite want Mark "the Jester" Selby to win, because he's the only snooker player with anything approaching O'Sullivan's charisma levels.

Neil S, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 15:30 (thirteen years ago) link

Ronnie - Mark: 11 - 13

StanM, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 21:06 (thirteen years ago) link

selby-carter final would be nice.

not_goodwin, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 22:11 (thirteen years ago) link

Selby got stronger and stronger. Ronnie's shot selection was non-existent at the end. Sometimes it amazes me as to how he has managed to win a hat-trick of world titles.

I think Dott might provide a tougher test but I reckon it'll be Robertson - Selby in the final.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 29 April 2010 08:06 (thirteen years ago) link

^^^^^yes please

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Thursday, 29 April 2010 11:47 (thirteen years ago) link

I want dott to win

g.w.f.nagl (cozen), Thursday, 29 April 2010 12:34 (thirteen years ago) link

not again! cmon let a flashy first-timer win it

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Thursday, 29 April 2010 12:34 (thirteen years ago) link

Wouldn't mind if Dott won -- great to see him back, and I reckon he is playing better than he has ever done.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 29 April 2010 14:10 (thirteen years ago) link

given the quality of this second semi so far, robertson is gonna walk this

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Thursday, 29 April 2010 20:40 (thirteen years ago) link

selby to win please

not_goodwin, Thursday, 29 April 2010 21:22 (thirteen years ago) link

lol carter is one boring wee dude

the poster below this is an A-voter (cozen), Saturday, 1 May 2010 14:20 (thirteen years ago) link

lol carter will make me a few quid if he keeps this up

tomofthenest, Saturday, 1 May 2010 14:54 (thirteen years ago) link

blimey

a fucking stove just fell on my foot. (Colonel Poo), Sunday, 2 May 2010 00:03 (thirteen years ago) link

but even then, i'm kinda lost for words now

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Sunday, 2 May 2010 00:06 (thirteen years ago) link

hes been the one banging the drum for barry hearn to takeover so he can earn more money.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 2 May 2010 00:07 (thirteen years ago) link

I have somehow avoided watching a single Dott match so far.

a fucking stove just fell on my foot. (Colonel Poo), Sunday, 2 May 2010 00:12 (thirteen years ago) link

Was rooting for Selby tbh.

a fucking stove just fell on my foot. (Colonel Poo), Sunday, 2 May 2010 00:14 (thirteen years ago) link

dott is a local lad (so is higgins i suppose)

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 2 May 2010 00:29 (thirteen years ago) link

I enjoyed the last frame of the dott match, some good snooker in that.

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 2 May 2010 00:29 (thirteen years ago) link

graeme dott's 47 break was incredible

the poster below this is an A-voter (cozen), Sunday, 2 May 2010 08:31 (thirteen years ago) link

LOL @ Paul's comment:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article7113896.ece

paul lynch wrote:
Extraordinary story. Does it ever get around to naming the sport?

StanM, Sunday, 2 May 2010 08:58 (thirteen years ago) link

A collision of two tough players, each with a remarkable story, will take place today and tomorrow in the final of the world snooker championship.

the poster below this is an A-voter (cozen), Sunday, 2 May 2010 09:01 (thirteen years ago) link

Indeed!

StanM, Sunday, 2 May 2010 09:03 (thirteen years ago) link

ok what have i always said about this guy

Didn't you always say he was boring? Well, now he isn't - just like Tiger Woods.

That 47 break was phenomenal. Exhibition snooker on acid or what? For two of the three frames that he needed to win it was until the 40 break on the final one that had any control of the cue ball for the basic bread-and-butter shots.

Anyone see Robertson's interview yesterday after the game...got all tearful after saying that on what might have been his final go at the sport he arrived in the UK and was down to his last 500 quid.

Can see Robertson leading after the first day but Dott coming back and this being quite close...we'll see.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 May 2010 10:40 (thirteen years ago) link

BBC News breaking news ticker: "Suspended snooker champion John Higgins denies being involved in match-fixing"

StanM, Sunday, 2 May 2010 14:49 (thirteen years ago) link

He said he was scared and just went along with it.
"I'm 100% guilt free" he said in statement just before snooker started.

not_goodwin, Sunday, 2 May 2010 15:20 (thirteen years ago) link

9-7 will be an amazing feat for dott

cozen, Sunday, 2 May 2010 21:50 (thirteen years ago) link

... and he gets it. What a scrappy affair, this match. Exciting, but let's hope they both get a good night's sleep, eh?

StanM, Sunday, 2 May 2010 22:40 (thirteen years ago) link

Never seen someone looking so exhausted as Dott in that second session.

Here is hoping for more fluidity today.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 09:20 (thirteen years ago) link

who has the more embarrassing hair here. dott with the plugs or the feathered bondi barnet of robbo?

Times New Excels At (jim in glasgow), Monday, 3 May 2010 14:23 (thirteen years ago) link

are they plugs?

Michael B, Monday, 3 May 2010 15:35 (thirteen years ago) link

At this pace they're not going to have a very long break between the sessions, if there's going to be one at all.

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 16:18 (thirteen years ago) link

are they plugs?

don't think so.

nice century there by dott.

Times New Excels At (jim in glasgow), Monday, 3 May 2010 17:10 (thirteen years ago) link

not plugs, just thinning hair with gel.

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 17:13 (thirteen years ago) link

Er, only 6 frames in this session then?

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 17:20 (thirteen years ago) link

Yeah, originally eight frames but last session has to start by 8pm so it can be cut short to allow enough for a break.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 17:43 (thirteen years ago) link

Ah. Thanks, did not know that.

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 17:44 (thirteen years ago) link

Didn't really want these 2 in the final, but if Dott's had a mini siesta, it could be interesting.
Will go with bed-head to win though.
Whoever wins, will cry i'm guessing?

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 18:56 (thirteen years ago) link

Dott's crying already (I know, I know, it's just his face, he can't help it)

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:05 (thirteen years ago) link

Robertson's got another three gears, so I kinda expect him to cruise the rest. Dodgy positional play will always be his weak-spot, though...

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:06 (thirteen years ago) link

Think 60-40 chance on Robertson winning...but I thought Selby would beat Dott and he didn't.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:08 (thirteen years ago) link

who's actually supporting Dott

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:13 (thirteen years ago) link

We need a new boring resilient dogged Scotsman now that Higgins is mildly interesting.

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:14 (thirteen years ago) link

we definitely don't

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:15 (thirteen years ago) link

especially not one who's already boringed his way to one world title

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:16 (thirteen years ago) link

Wonder how many titles Higgins threw at O'Sullivan for cash pounds...

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:16 (thirteen years ago) link

Also wonder if Steve Davis is questioning the value of his recent giant killing...

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:17 (thirteen years ago) link

who's actually supporting Dott
he's getting a few cheers and c'mons!

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:17 (thirteen years ago) link

from british nationalists

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:18 (thirteen years ago) link

I was just going to hint at how suspicious the lack of centuries was in the final, as if they didn't dare score one because they knew the world's mafia was betting on it and the snooker police was watching their every move, and then Dott made one. :-/

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:19 (thirteen years ago) link

also, no lady ref for final?
too busy pissing about with silly quiz's with old snooker players.

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:19 (thirteen years ago) link

awesome self-snooker there from the dottster

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:20 (thirteen years ago) link

i wish!

also
i like Robertsons foundation, really brings his eyes out ;)

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:22 (thirteen years ago) link

What a RILF, eh?

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:23 (thirteen years ago) link

She's no Len Ganley.

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Monday, 3 May 2010 19:26 (thirteen years ago) link

Cozen is supporting Dott..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:27 (thirteen years ago) link

also, no lady ref for final?

Very disappointed Michaela only refereed the SF.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:30 (thirteen years ago) link

RILF indeed :)
She has had a bit of favouritism, tis unfair to the guys who were here before her.

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:46 (thirteen years ago) link

So far it looks like the match carries on in a similar pattern: neither play really putting on any sustained fluency.

Looks like all is going to depend on how well Robertson can hold himself together in the final frames.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 19:54 (thirteen years ago) link

What a strange succession of great and then terrible moments from both of them, all throughout this final.

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:03 (thirteen years ago) link

Funnily enough I think if Dott was not going for almost everything and playing more tactical stuff he'd get this. In the last frame he went for this stupid red instead of playing safe.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:13 (thirteen years ago) link

Just out of interest, how many of you actually play the game?
I do and love it!

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:15 (thirteen years ago) link

I dabble now and then. Want to get back into it. My friend's a new convert so who knows...

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 20:19 (thirteen years ago) link

Never touched a snookerbat in my life.

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:20 (thirteen years ago) link

These guys make it look pretty easy though.

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:21 (thirteen years ago) link

Dabbler too (snooker and pool), would def like to get more into it..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:22 (thirteen years ago) link

I'm actually supporting dott

the other dude's a haircut

cozen, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:23 (thirteen years ago) link

I wish Dott'd be a little more stoic and stop making faces at his fans. :-/

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:24 (thirteen years ago) link

british nationalists lmbo

robertson used to be fat

cozen, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:24 (thirteen years ago) link

how plush was snooker world championship finalist neil robertson's dressing room lmbo

cozen, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:28 (thirteen years ago) link

Snookerbat?

I think you'll find it's a stick!

I play about 6-8 hours a week, wish it was more.

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:29 (thirteen years ago) link

I enjoy knocking balls around from time to time, but any time I find myself on a full-length table always turns into a very disheartening experience

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:35 (thirteen years ago) link

best break, 38 :(

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:35 (thirteen years ago) link

I play almost never and mine's 32 :P

Played a LOT of pool at uni mind

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 20:36 (thirteen years ago) link

Ah, that's okay, mine's in the twenties - you were setting yourself up as some kind of hustler there

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:38 (thirteen years ago) link

Do you think they're deliberately not talking/official embargo about Robbo's baby that was due yesterday?

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:39 (thirteen years ago) link

i shit it, when i get near 20, the pressure's too much :-/
these guys on tv have it easy.

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:39 (thirteen years ago) link

What is up with Robertson?

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:42 (thirteen years ago) link

to my defence, there were no black or pinks involved.
used to play on pub pool team, got ridiculous with rules, so i quit. was told i'd get a smack in the face if i didn't come to next game.
never happened :)

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:43 (thirteen years ago) link

Do you all have snooker nicknames? Not "the wizard" Goodwin?

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:44 (thirteen years ago) link

i'm getting that on a t-shirt :)

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:47 (thirteen years ago) link

Incredible couple of shots here from Dotty

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:48 (thirteen years ago) link

sweet snooker from dotty

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:49 (thirteen years ago) link

if Dott wins this thread I'm putting my fist through the screen

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 20:50 (thirteen years ago) link

lucky there's a vacancy for a 'wizard' at the top level at the moment too xp

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:50 (thirteen years ago) link

you know you've been on ILX too long when

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 20:51 (thirteen years ago) link

not noticed any of dotts comments on thread yet ;)

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:52 (thirteen years ago) link

Ding Junhui's wikipedia says: "A 26-episode cartoon series Dragon Ball No.1 by Beijing-based D5 Studio, based on Ding's growth from a shy boy to a snooker star, is expected to be broadcast on TV in 2010"

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 20:55 (thirteen years ago) link

Hope it's more uplifting than John Parrott's effort

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:00 (thirteen years ago) link

Was this John Parrott film directed by Terence Davies?

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:04 (thirteen years ago) link

Jeez, how depressing, this.

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:04 (thirteen years ago) link

Ding Junhui's wikipedia says: "A 26-episode cartoon series Dragon Ball No.1 by Beijing-based D5 Studio, based on Ding's growth from a shy boy to a snooker star, is expected to be broadcast on TV in 2010"

I am not going to let this pass w/out comment so I'll just press *submit post* button now

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:05 (thirteen years ago) link

he's 8 years older than me & he's basically said he may as well be dead :(

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:06 (thirteen years ago) link

Yeah, that Parrott thing was some bleak shit.

ailsa, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:09 (thirteen years ago) link

Dotts got some fun bags to keep him happy if he loses.

i bet he's really rough in the sack but still has 11 year old voice!

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:12 (thirteen years ago) link

"it's great to see you're getting on so well" (graeme's wife and Neil's mother) - yeah, well, you put them next to each other on a couch on live tv, what did you think was going to happen?

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:17 (thirteen years ago) link

you know the snooker's shit when people start speculating about the players' shagging prowess.

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Monday, 3 May 2010 21:18 (thirteen years ago) link

and his son's got trendy specs!

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:19 (thirteen years ago) link

About that short compilation they just showed: were Maguire and Lee here this year? I thought they were suspected of match fixing and irregular betting, respectively?

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:25 (thirteen years ago) link

I can't take much more of this. Dott will still be inching his way to the title when I get up tomorrow morning.

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:46 (thirteen years ago) link

Yeah, I'm giving up too. Nearly midnight here, there's still at least a couple of hours in this. Good luck everyone!

StanM, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:52 (thirteen years ago) link

Dott's playing quite well but Robertson is playing terrible

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:54 (thirteen years ago) link

I guess it's nerves, his 1st final and all?

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:57 (thirteen years ago) link

i thought StanM was english?

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:57 (thirteen years ago) link

Belgisch snookerfreak I believe - don't know if he's from Blighty originally

Ismael Klata, Monday, 3 May 2010 21:59 (thirteen years ago) link

Belgian iirc

Helluva long frame there followed by lots of crappy 'COME ON' air punching.

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:02 (thirteen years ago) link

tht whole frame was excruciating

lmbo slice (cozen), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:04 (thirteen years ago) link

^^^^

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:04 (thirteen years ago) link

Ahhh Belgian, was wondering where his nearly midnight come from.

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 22:08 (thirteen years ago) link

this fucking match

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:24 (thirteen years ago) link

i know, i may retire, keep checking iplayer while watching the road.

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 22:25 (thirteen years ago) link

Like the great champion he is, Ray Reardon has spotted that Rishi is tiring and is proceeding to grind him down.

William Bloody Swygart, Monday, 3 May 2010 22:26 (thirteen years ago) link

not_goodwin are you driving while watching the snooker world championship final and posting to ilx

lmbo slice (cozen), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:29 (thirteen years ago) link

They should do a retro tournament special where these new young players drink pints and smoke while playing 30 odd frames.

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 22:31 (thirteen years ago) link

xpost, ha!

no, the film "the road"

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 22:31 (thirteen years ago) link

looooooool

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:33 (thirteen years ago) link

Tactfully avoiding mentioning Quinten Hann there, well done Dennis.

William Bloody Swygart, Monday, 3 May 2010 22:44 (thirteen years ago) link

When did the Ebdon-Dott nightmare finish? Cos I think that was later than 1985's final, and as such the latest ever. But this will surely go roaring past that...

William Bloody Swygart, Monday, 3 May 2010 22:51 (thirteen years ago) link

guh

lmbo slice (cozen), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:55 (thirteen years ago) link

on for a 6am finish at this rate

lmbo slice (cozen), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:55 (thirteen years ago) link

dott's just chanking them now

cba by the looks of it

lmbo slice (cozen), Monday, 3 May 2010 22:59 (thirteen years ago) link

This could finally be the cure for my ongoing insomnia...

ailsa, Monday, 3 May 2010 22:59 (thirteen years ago) link

"Whose game is affected most under the pressure?" = my new favourite euphemism for "Whose fault is this?"

William Bloody Swygart, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:00 (thirteen years ago) link

This could finally be the cure for my ongoing insomnia...

i know what you mean, the soothing sound of virgo and the clunk of the balls is kinda hypnotic

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:02 (thirteen years ago) link

xpost
even the clapping sounds tired

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:03 (thirteen years ago) link

I actually feel I could go to sleep for an hour or so, and wake up and they'd still be on this frame.

ailsa, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:11 (thirteen years ago) link

does anyone think dott can still win this?

lmbo slice (cozen), Monday, 3 May 2010 23:14 (thirteen years ago) link

no

Dastardly & Müttley Crüe (Herman G. Neuname), Monday, 3 May 2010 23:15 (thirteen years ago) link

When did the Ebdon-Dott nightmare finish? Cos I think that was later than 1985's final, and as such the latest ever. But this will surely go roaring past that...

Latest one was Selby v Higgins in 2007, according to the bloke propping his eyes open with matchsticks on the Beeb's text commentary site.

ailsa, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:17 (thirteen years ago) link

Cliff Thorburn's moustache - still got it.

William Bloody Swygart, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:18 (thirteen years ago) link

Mistakes galore!

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:19 (thirteen years ago) link

Cliff look damn sharp, bet he's got some stories to tell?

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:19 (thirteen years ago) link

this will not go on much longer - the extra gear has been found

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 23:29 (thirteen years ago) link

gd is tiring a little?

he's fucked

totally out of this w/no way back in

bobby vajazzler (cozen), Monday, 3 May 2010 23:33 (thirteen years ago) link

Come on, slow down or this won't even be the latest finish ever!

ailsa, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:52 (thirteen years ago) link

well done sir

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Monday, 3 May 2010 23:54 (thirteen years ago) link

kinda feel sorry for dott, he looked real sad then :(

not_goodwin, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:55 (thirteen years ago) link

weird trophy presentation there :/

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Monday, 3 May 2010 23:55 (thirteen years ago) link

well played big fat neil robertson

what an actually garbage final

bobby vajazzler (cozen), Monday, 3 May 2010 23:56 (thirteen years ago) link

Oh noes, they have burst out "Down Under" at the Crucible :-/

ailsa, Monday, 3 May 2010 23:59 (thirteen years ago) link

dott 'the pride of scotland' - good higgins zing

sausage s4rgent (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:00 (thirteen years ago) link

fucking Men at Work what a soundtrack to realising your dreams

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:00 (thirteen years ago) link

is he gay?

not_goodwin, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:01 (thirteen years ago) link

oh they've given him his trophy properly now, think the first guy fucked up just handing it to him before the interviews.

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:01 (thirteen years ago) link

His girlfriend is duty to give birth any day

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:02 (thirteen years ago) link

(Robertson's that is, so probably not gay)

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:03 (thirteen years ago) link

how much did he win?

not_goodwin, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:03 (thirteen years ago) link

Quarter of a million. Nice.

ailsa, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:04 (thirteen years ago) link

JP pointed out he should use some of it to reimburse his mum's airfare, in case he hadn't thought of it himself, and to make him sound like a right bastard if he didn't do it.

ailsa, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:05 (thirteen years ago) link

Very nice indeed!

not_goodwin, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:06 (thirteen years ago) link

£700 tops she paid, i'm sure he can manage that!

not_goodwin, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:08 (thirteen years ago) link

David Icke o_O

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:10 (thirteen years ago) link

Ted Lowe is 90!!

ailsa, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:14 (thirteen years ago) link

wish i'd bet on robertson before the semis :( making a cool tenner from a fiver bet isn't the best.

Times New Excels At (jim in glasgow), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 01:24 (thirteen years ago) link

Well done, Australia!

Re: me: yes, I'm in and from belgium. I try not to miss the top matches on tv but don't actively follow it much otherwise.

StanM, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 06:43 (thirteen years ago) link

Fabrique Belgique!

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 14:09 (thirteen years ago) link

(some random wiki-ing later) - Alex Higgins isn't dead? Well blow me down.

FC Tom Tomsk Club (Merdeyeux), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 22:38 (thirteen years ago) link

He was in one of the papers the other week, in a sorry state. His teeth all fell out (as a result of his chemo or something iirc) and he can't eat properly and weighs something like 6st. He's living on benefits and is trying to somehow raise £20k to get his mouth fixed.

mierda defensa ... no impedir ... espectador (onimo), Tuesday, 4 May 2010 23:20 (thirteen years ago) link

I have him in my dead pool, which tends to bestow immortality on folk (except last year's lot)

ailsa, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 23:58 (thirteen years ago) link

two weeks pass...

Wasn't this big investigation into John Higgins and co supposed to be over in "weeks not months" about 3 weeks ago so the whole of Snooker's name could be cleared once and for all?
What's the latest news re: that?

StanM, Thursday, 20 May 2010 16:09 (thirteen years ago) link

3 weeks = weeks, not months

this skit is ba-na-nas (onimo), Thursday, 20 May 2010 19:18 (thirteen years ago) link

*impatient*

StanM, Thursday, 20 May 2010 19:21 (thirteen years ago) link

:-)

StanM, Thursday, 20 May 2010 19:25 (thirteen years ago) link

Luca Brecel, 15, is the youngest Belgian national champion ever (not the under-16 championship, the adult thing)

http://img.vandaag.be/tmp/450/350/r/articles/201005241811-1_luca-brecel-15-belgisch-kampioen-snooker.jpg

StanM, Monday, 24 May 2010 17:06 (thirteen years ago) link

Always more talent if John Higgins is banned.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 24 May 2010 17:15 (thirteen years ago) link

that Brecel guy thrills and scares me. Check out his Youtube videos; dude's legit poised to take the fuck over

acoleuthic, Monday, 24 May 2010 18:02 (thirteen years ago) link

Your chance to get in on the ground floor by updating his wikipedia entry. Typically, the one defeat mentioned is to Graeme Dott. Peter Ebdon's probably limbering up to piss on his world championship dreams.

Ismael Klata, Monday, 24 May 2010 21:51 (thirteen years ago) link

2010 ILE poetry CONTEST! unleash the narwhals

acoleuthic, Tuesday, 25 May 2010 03:13 (thirteen years ago) link

15 year old Brecel just won the final of the european championship (the adult competition, he won the -19 championship last year). I don't think any British players competed (no prize money and rivalling organisations like in boxing, I guess).

Another Belgian, Wendy Jans, is the european women's champion again (I believe it's her fifth title) as well.

StanM, Saturday, 5 June 2010 12:43 (thirteen years ago) link

How DOES this whole snooker world work re: rivalling organisations, btw? Nothing about this on the BBC's news-sport-snooker site.

StanM, Saturday, 5 June 2010 12:49 (thirteen years ago) link

there was a picture of the nugget with will arnett and david cross on that will arnett tweeted the other day, major lols. Haud on and I shall find it ...

http://tweetphoto.com/25520717

No disre but maryanne hobbs is peng trust me (jim in glasgow), Saturday, 5 June 2010 12:52 (thirteen years ago) link

on?

No disre but maryanne hobbs is peng trust me (jim in glasgow), Saturday, 5 June 2010 12:52 (thirteen years ago) link

ten months pass...

Are the BBC interviews in a greenhouse? Strange.

Also, Ronnie O' wanted to pull out and then changed his mind a day later :-/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/9457992.stm

StanM, Sunday, 17 April 2011 15:38 (thirteen years ago) link

So yeah, it's on again! Sheffield! Crucible! That bloke who fuzzily talks through his beard going "lidl bit unlucky" all the time! etc etc! Woohoo!

StanM, Sunday, 17 April 2011 15:39 (thirteen years ago) link

They make it look so easy.

not_goodwin, Sunday, 17 April 2011 16:09 (thirteen years ago) link

Wow, were those posts about Ding upthread really six years ago already?

StanM, Sunday, 17 April 2011 16:49 (thirteen years ago) link

Ronnie not doing too badly against Tommy Cooper there

StanM, Monday, 18 April 2011 15:58 (thirteen years ago) link

He looked good in the three frames I saw, though it looked as if his opponent was doing his best to set him up for a maxi at the start of every frame.

Maguire having a 'mare. Proper wasted talent that guy.

THE MAN (onimo), Monday, 18 April 2011 19:37 (thirteen years ago) link

9-9 Higgins - O'Sullivan. This is great. Guess everyone is gonna watch Barca - Madrid

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2011 18:44 (twelve years ago) link

Expecting Judd Trump to falter at some point. Not happening so far.

7-4 ahead of Ding.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2011 10:07 (twelve years ago) link

Only half watching - I keep seeing Ding in winning positions then go back to find he's lost another frame. Both players look to be struggling to find form

every day I'm (onimo), Friday, 29 April 2011 12:20 (twelve years ago) link

Both were not morning persons. The evening session was blow-for-blow high breaks.

Now Higgins - Williams is also a tad scrappy this morning, but they share the first four frames: 11-9 Williams

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 10:20 (twelve years ago) link

11-11. Incredible fight back by John - on yesterday's session Mark was so good but John is so resilient.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 11:10 (twelve years ago) link

lol

btw

fuck off john higgins

― sorry for british (country matters), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 23:44 Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

resilience

― the innermost wee guy (onimo), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 23:48 Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

resilience can fuck itself

― sorry for british (country matters), Wednesday, 29 April 2009 23:50 Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

every day I'm (onimo), Saturday, 30 April 2011 11:33 (twelve years ago) link

That's crazy. Williams launched an assault yesterday - the tables can turn but he needed to steal a frame or two. Now its Williams who is taking on tough pots instead of playing safe when required.

12-11 John. Betting this will go all the way. Won't bet against World title no4 for Higgins.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 11:38 (twelve years ago) link

Higgins about to steal the final frame of the session..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 11:47 (twelve years ago) link

No doubts about that: 13-11

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 11:50 (twelve years ago) link

Who's this Trump kid, he's doing well.

not_goodwin, Saturday, 30 April 2011 14:17 (twelve years ago) link

Judd's done it!

StanM, Saturday, 30 April 2011 16:25 (twelve years ago) link

Poor Ding

StanM, Saturday, 30 April 2011 16:27 (twelve years ago) link

Yeah,wanted ding to win.
All in all, great snooker from the both of them.

not_goodwin, Saturday, 30 April 2011 17:15 (twelve years ago) link

Trump is great. People mentioned Jimmy White because of some of the huge cue power (and exuberance by putting it on show often) and I'd agree.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 19:24 (twelve years ago) link

i liked that he couldn't quite keep from smiling towards the end of the colours on the final frame. and then saying in the interview afterwards that his legs were giving way on him. i hope he can ride the wave to the title.

nultybutnice (whatever), Saturday, 30 April 2011 19:42 (twelve years ago) link

Higgins through after a cagey final session.

Love Trump to do this but Higgins is a killer of dreams -- can see him getting Trump into tactical battles and sinking him. Its just whether Trump could find the big breaks from 14 - 9 down.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 20:33 (twelve years ago) link

I missed the heckler - apparently the guy shouted "How did you swallow that £300,000 John? You're a disgrace to snooker!"

Higgins was lucky to stay in the match yesterday. He played much better today and Williams just kept letting him in. I think if Trump maintains his form he'll be strong enough to win. Higgins has had three long gruelling matches in a row and I think he'll run out of steam. I think I'll have a flutter on Trump to win by 3 or more frames.

every day I'm (onimo), Saturday, 30 April 2011 20:37 (twelve years ago) link

They will both have a bad session is all I predict.

StanM, Saturday, 30 April 2011 20:41 (twelve years ago) link

I didn't catch what the heckler said. Was wondering why the commentators weren't saying anything...and why was Williams smiling to himself after he was evicted?

I was also gonna say that Higgins has got a lot to prove after all that has happened. He has been through many tough matches but Trump has never been to this stage. xp

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 20:44 (twelve years ago) link

Scrappy stuff, but I can't see either of them suddenly taking off - I predict a decider

StanM, Sunday, 1 May 2011 18:50 (twelve years ago) link

Rapidly becoming a fan of Trump's spectacular style, though.

StanM, Sunday, 1 May 2011 19:19 (twelve years ago) link

Yeah, he's good, but a little too cocky.

not_goodwin, Sunday, 1 May 2011 20:48 (twelve years ago) link

So this Trump guy...

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2011 11:57 (twelve years ago) link

Onimo otm based on last night's session - Higgins looks spent really.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2011 11:58 (twelve years ago) link

First time I've watched more than 10 minutes of snooker for about 10 years.

Chewshabadoo, Monday, 2 May 2011 12:19 (twelve years ago) link

Watched a bit of this last night, I was struck by how many of Trump's ridic long pots go right into the centre of the pockets. I ended up just betting Trump to win as my bookie didn't have a "more than 3 frames" thing, only had correct score books.

Higgins is twitching on long pots - beginning of the end of his career.

abbottabadass (onimo), Monday, 2 May 2011 13:00 (twelve years ago) link

BBC filler guy being sent to knock the players' dressing room doors wtf. This "let's get the boys on the baize" thing is no "ready to rumble" is it?

abbottabadass (onimo), Monday, 2 May 2011 13:07 (twelve years ago) link

BBC filler guy manages to be more inane than Hazel's 'what is going through your mind' - type questions.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2011 13:25 (twelve years ago) link

Oh for fuck's sake don't resurrect this Snooker Loopy shite!

abbottabadass (onimo), Monday, 2 May 2011 14:00 (twelve years ago) link

Don't want to use the dreaded r-word again but it's frankly amazing that Higgins has levelled this match. I've never seen him miss so many balls but he keeps coming back with these frame winning breaks. Trump's giving him lots of chances, of course - if he could tighten his safety up and resist at least some of the higher risk shots I think he'd be out of sight.

abbottabadass (onimo), Monday, 2 May 2011 15:08 (twelve years ago) link

yeah, trump needs to try to curb something he's not had to curb before in this situation.

that blue in an early frame this afternoon, he thought for 3 minutes what to do, and he still went with the high risk shot. sounds like it's been downhill since then.

if he can play percentages then he'll have higgins working a lot harder to win.

nultybutnice (whatever), Monday, 2 May 2011 15:56 (twelve years ago) link

What a roaring crowd! Amazing!

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 18:10 (twelve years ago) link

C'mon Higgins :)

not_goodwin, Monday, 2 May 2011 18:57 (twelve years ago) link

If Trump loses this it'll be by his own doing but if he plays his cards right next year he'll be sure to get there eventually.

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 20:06 (twelve years ago) link

He's too busy whacking them in (which he does well), he's not focusing on the longer game.

not_goodwin, Monday, 2 May 2011 20:11 (twelve years ago) link

up the trump

nultybutnice (whatever), Monday, 2 May 2011 20:17 (twelve years ago) link

It's slipping away for the youngster.

not_goodwin, Monday, 2 May 2011 20:34 (twelve years ago) link

needs to turn the adrenaline tap down

nultybutnice (whatever), Monday, 2 May 2011 20:40 (twelve years ago) link

Yeah, he's not a great safety player yet by a long way. Great pots are great, but this is the world championship final, you need to be the best at multiple things at once.

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 20:42 (twelve years ago) link

Yeah, he's smacking shots all over.
to be fair, he is only 21 and he is handling it pretty well considering.

When he calms down and learns more safety play, maybe over the next couple of years, he'll be untouchable.

not_goodwin, Monday, 2 May 2011 20:44 (twelve years ago) link

Higgins' steady perfection can be boring compared to the Trumps and Ronnies of this world, but boy does it get him frames you'd think were long gone

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 20:57 (twelve years ago) link

Not often you see Higgins pick the wrong shot - wtf was he thinking with that cut? He's been watching too much of that Trump fella.

abbottabadass (onimo), Monday, 2 May 2011 20:58 (twelve years ago) link

I don't see Higgins losing this now, not anymore.

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:00 (twelve years ago) link

No pressure at all here for Higgins!

not_goodwin, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:01 (twelve years ago) link

From BBC i player

From Russell, on text: "You probably won't publish this as it's not pro-Trump, but he's anti-snooker. He's a glorified pool player going for every shot without a thought for positioning. It's just thump thump thump in the hope the balls go in. Comparisons to O'Sullivan are an insult given his cue control. Unsurprisingly I'm very much in Higgins' camp."

not_goodwin, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:03 (twelve years ago) link

What a finish! Cost me a few quid but well done John Higgins.

abbottabadass (onimo), Monday, 2 May 2011 21:04 (twelve years ago) link

Worthy winner, but the end of a generation, possibly? That Ding/Trump match was some taster of what's to come, imho.

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:06 (twelve years ago) link

Fuvk you, Hazel. You got him to cry by dragging his dad into this again. Hope you're happy.

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:09 (twelve years ago) link

What poor sod has to hoover all that up :(

not_goodwin, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:12 (twelve years ago) link

Fuvk you, Hazel.

Seriously.

abbottabadass (onimo), Monday, 2 May 2011 21:14 (twelve years ago) link

The Crewcible cru will. Xpost

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:15 (twelve years ago) link

lol typo, but you know what I mean. This whole "tears = zoom in = emotion = good TV" formula pisses me off every damn time.

StanM, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:18 (twelve years ago) link

cheat came good, we're all happy.

nultybutnice (whatever), Monday, 2 May 2011 21:20 (twelve years ago) link

That Hazel Irvine shit was some shameless tear-chasing bullshit.

ailsa, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:22 (twelve years ago) link

Awesome finish! It was really nice of John to say that Judd was the better player (in a convincing manner n'all). He knows that this victory was due in a large part to more complete matchplay and experience to get him over the line.

Wouldn't say 'glorified pool player' but his cue control gets rough at points (why he needs those long pots!), which lapses into pressure that lead to that pink missed off the spot. But Judd's cue control, shot selection and safety (cause they all need 'em) will get better.

I'd say Murphy's run of potting to win the title unexpectedly a few years ago was far more underrated just as Judd's run to become runner-up is overrated. And to just compare to past players he is certainly not as exciting as Ronnie or Mark. The former had amazing cue control (and was just so fast! and then we found out he could play left handed!), the latter was just a revelation as a long potter (and had an even better temperament). And when John first arrived, his shot selection and safety were incredible, too.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2011 21:26 (twelve years ago) link

300k pays for a lot of tears

nultybutnice (whatever), Monday, 2 May 2011 21:26 (twelve years ago) link

twat bastard bollocks twat bastard

bell hops (Noodle Vague), Monday, 2 May 2011 23:08 (twelve years ago) link

ten months pass...

Lu Ning looks like a possible One To Watch. The 18-year-old wildcard entry to China Open just knocked in back to back centuries vs Murphy to lead 4-2.

A BIG JOE JORDAN TYPE OF POSTER (onimo), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 13:27 (twelve years ago) link

He's "Lu Ning" ("learning") the game fast!

good luck in your pyramid (Neil S), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 13:46 (twelve years ago) link

two weeks pass...

Luca Brecel just beat Mark King 10-8 and has now qualified for the final. He will be the youngest player ever at 17 and one and a half months old (Hendry was 17 and three months) - and the first Belgian ever too, obv.

StanM, Sunday, 15 April 2012 18:30 (twelve years ago) link

Heard of Brecel before Trump.

Can't wait to see him.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 15 April 2012 18:35 (twelve years ago) link

so yeah, here's some infographics to explain snooker to Belgians: http://www.standaard.be/extra/snooker

StanM, Sunday, 22 April 2012 09:26 (twelve years ago) link

Is Hendry suddenly back to his best?

Don't want.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 22 April 2012 09:43 (twelve years ago) link

John Higgins must have made a fortune this week eh?

we are not bemused (onimo), Saturday, 28 April 2012 18:51 (eleven years ago) link

Not even as joke please - you'd send Steve Davis on suicide watch.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 28 April 2012 21:10 (eleven years ago) link

Beyond seeds crashing the erm, 'culture clash' has been of interest.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 28 April 2012 21:12 (eleven years ago) link

I liked Hearn's quote about Mark Allen's "cheating Chinese" tweets:

"Now is a very good time to be a snooker player, it's not a good time to be an idiot."

we are not bemused (onimo), Saturday, 28 April 2012 21:25 (eleven years ago) link

Terry Griffiths has been a bit mental in his commentary - he said something yesterday about a player (either Higgins or Cao, can't remember) losing confidence after a run of needlessly lost frames that went something like "you lose faith in yourself... you question your value... you feel utterly worthless inside... and that's being kind..."

He also said a player should "open the doors in his mind to positive thoughts".

we are not bemused (onimo), Saturday, 28 April 2012 21:29 (eleven years ago) link

I wish John Virgo would stop going WHERE'S THE CUE BALL GOING all the time when it's clearly not going to go in.

StanM, Monday, 30 April 2012 15:01 (eleven years ago) link

Anyone watching this Trump/Carter final frame nailbiter stuff? I think I'm gonna just look at something else now, this isn't healthy

StanM, Monday, 30 April 2012 15:49 (eleven years ago) link

Actually thought Trump was going to, er, trump Carter there with all those snookers. Carter v lucky not to give a free ball away.

I know people love an underdog but it kind of annoys me when guys who can't win the tournament beat guys who can - especially when it's someone like Trump who goes for all sorts of shots.

Carter seems a good guy though, bit of a geezer in' 'e

we are not bemused (onimo), Monday, 30 April 2012 16:17 (eleven years ago) link

I don't think we'll ever see him do a fist pump like that again until he's 120% certain it's really really REALLY in the bag.

StanM, Monday, 30 April 2012 16:24 (eleven years ago) link

Man. This sport. First that Carter/Trump stuff, now THIS from Ronnio:

Foul and a miss, Mark Williams four.

StanM, Monday, 30 April 2012 18:52 (eleven years ago) link

I wish John Virgo would stop going WHERE'S THE CUE BALL GOING all the time when it's clearly not going to go in.

― StanM, Monday, 30 April 2012 16:01 Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Ronnie just went in-off to the echoes of that very phrase.

we are not bemused (onimo), Tuesday, 1 May 2012 14:04 (eleven years ago) link

A couple of years ago I visited an old aunt and, noting his portrait on her mantelpiece, asked her why she was such a big fan of John Virgo.

It turned out to be Padre Pio
http://www.padrepio.org.uk/images/@image_padre_pio_photo01.jpg

we are not bemused (onimo), Tuesday, 1 May 2012 14:07 (eleven years ago) link

What's his maximum break like?

Mark G, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 14:10 (eleven years ago) link

dunno but he was known to take advantage of the stigmata when faced with an awkward bridge

we are not bemused (onimo), Tuesday, 1 May 2012 14:14 (eleven years ago) link

Hendry just lost 13-2 to Maguire and according to the Eurosport guys he told the press conference he's retiring.

StanM, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 20:10 (eleven years ago) link

snooker players can be so over-dramatic

GoT SPOILER ALERT (Gukbe), Tuesday, 1 May 2012 20:20 (eleven years ago) link

Good way to go I suppose - knock in a 147 and beat the World Champion before giving a fellow Scot a bye into the semis.

we are not bemused (onimo), Tuesday, 1 May 2012 20:24 (eleven years ago) link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17917326 <- just a short bit at the mo, with "more to follow"

StanM, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 20:26 (eleven years ago) link

"I am officially retired now from tournament snooker," he said. "I made the decision about three months ago."

StanM, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 20:37 (eleven years ago) link

Hearn: it was the wrong decision. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17923450

StanM, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 10:28 (eleven years ago) link

Have they always had this subtle wave effect thingy in the yellow score boxes on BBC TV? I suddenly noticed and now it's, well, almost distracting I suppose.

StanM, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 14:06 (eleven years ago) link

I noticed it last year and it annoyed me (and made me wonder how long they'd had it).

we are not bemused (onimo), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 14:39 (eleven years ago) link

I wish I hadn't noticed it. Can't unsee. Grrrrrrrrrrrr

StanM, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 15:55 (eleven years ago) link

Eurosport guys killin' it at the moment - about a missed red that was replayed a couple of times on screen: "I can't believe he missed it three times"

StanM, Thursday, 3 May 2012 20:28 (eleven years ago) link

Didn't the Beeb show all of the one table matches live, completely? I don't remember having to swotch to eurosport for live coverage previously.

StanM, Thursday, 3 May 2012 20:30 (eleven years ago) link

swItch, too

StanM, Thursday, 3 May 2012 20:31 (eleven years ago) link

BBC live for much of the day or available on the red button - dunno if you get that in your part of Blighty. Final should be shown live in full.

Keith pissed on my chips (onimo), Thursday, 3 May 2012 22:35 (eleven years ago) link

No red button, only bbc 1, 2, entertainment and HD here in belgium.

StanM, Friday, 4 May 2012 05:25 (eleven years ago) link

Ronnie killing it this afternoon - breaks of 61, 62, 110, 98 and 90 in five successive frames.

Keith pissed on my chips (onimo), Friday, 4 May 2012 15:37 (eleven years ago) link

Every time he's in the zone like this, it's almost unbelievable he's only the world number 12 at the moment and he's not in the final of every tournament he competes in.

StanM, Friday, 4 May 2012 16:19 (eleven years ago) link

Fuck work for missing this - but yeah, little like it in all sport when he's like this. Not too surprised he is no12. The WC is IT as far as snooker is concerned (now more than ever). Shame its against Stevens, who I'd love it if he won.

Unless Maguire gets through and is at his absolute attacking best I can't see anyone beating him -- bar himself, that is.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 4 May 2012 18:53 (eleven years ago) link

Fantastic entertainment, these two semi finals. Maybe no sustained brilliance from anyone, but great to watch.

StanM, Saturday, 5 May 2012 12:16 (eleven years ago) link

Ronnie was awesome again last night -- its the most controlled and relaxed I've seen from him since he won in '08. Matthews came out, made a century break in the first frame and Ronnie blew him off anyway.

Reckon four world titles would suit him - quite a way below the somewhat (and this is not a diss) mechanical perfectionism of a Davis or Hendry, not less than Higgins (who he came through with at roughly the same time). More successful than a maverick should be - and, from what I can see, he's worked hard to try and combat the bouts of depression and the expectations placed on him for controlling the cue ball in a way only he can.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 6 May 2012 09:33 (eleven years ago) link

Fear Ali will play slow bullshit - and his potting is better than Edbon's, who is now advising him - to try and get Ronnie off his game. Hope it doesn't work.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 6 May 2012 09:34 (eleven years ago) link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17972505

Not this again :-/ (although, Come Dancing? Is he just having a laugh?)

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2012 12:07 (eleven years ago) link

Carter's conservative containing shit against Maguire was painful to watch. Turning into Peter Ebdon is not a price worth paying.

Keith pissed on my chips (onimo), Sunday, 6 May 2012 13:38 (eleven years ago) link

Next to O'Sullivan, everyone looks slow - Carter's still a way off Ebdon's slowest period (that was over 3 minutes for every shot)

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2012 14:10 (eleven years ago) link

It's not his speed, it's his consistent refusal of mildly risky pots. He had a red to the middle there that every other top player would have rolled in but chose to play safe. He and Ebdon would point out that he won the frame and therefore made the correct decision, I would point out that they're a pair of boring cunts.

Keith pissed on my chips (onimo), Sunday, 6 May 2012 14:12 (eleven years ago) link

:-)

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2012 14:14 (eleven years ago) link

Ali is trying his best to slow and bog the match down but Ronnie coming up with the answers so far - that 90+ break to go 4-3 was **unbelievable**.

He then followed up with a 141.

Expecting something special tonight.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 6 May 2012 17:12 (eleven years ago) link

Onimo OTM though. This passive/parasitic gameplan of Carter's is pretty shitty - ok, he looks like he's clinging on, but not because of chances he has created himself.

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2012 20:24 (eleven years ago) link

Would anyone WANT to win like that? Where's the pride in winning only because your opponent let you in a couple of times? Meh.

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2012 20:26 (eleven years ago) link

Ronnie 10 - 7 at the end of a scrappy session, it could have been quite worse for Ali.

Mind winning ugly? Ronnie is so good but you also know that ppl have gotten into his head so you need to come up with ways to throw his timing off. Its about being World champion only, nothing else.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 6 May 2012 21:56 (eleven years ago) link

OK, that's true, but I want to see either a close match or a total walkover, not this let's-try-and-frustrate-the-other-one-into-mistakes kinda stuff.

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2012 22:23 (eleven years ago) link

As it is, whatever plan Carter has is not being executed to any degree.

12-7.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2012 14:09 (eleven years ago) link

It's all smoke and mirrors. He's letting Ronnie have a couple of frames, but then... BAM!

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2012 14:30 (eleven years ago) link

Could be going home a session early - its that bad: 13-7

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2012 14:31 (eleven years ago) link

So sick of these cuts away to Peter Ebdon sitting in the dark stroking a cat.

Keith pissed on my chips (onimo), Monday, 7 May 2012 15:52 (eleven years ago) link

LOL'ing at this bit they've been showing now and then:

- bombastic orchestral music
- heroic slo-mo shots of players descending the stairs
- monumental shots of the Crucible
- Ronnie: "meh, it's not that great a venue"

Reminds me of
"camelot! Camelot! CAMELOT!"
"it's only a model"

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2012 16:29 (eleven years ago) link

17 - 11, time for gameplan B

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2012 19:27 (eleven years ago) link

Today, news sites over here mentioned Ronnie O'Sullivan's win over Allister Carter and I was like, wait, who? But apparently that IS his name. (if only they'd said Ronald O'Sullivan as well)

StanM, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 18:48 (eleven years ago) link

eleven months pass...

Dear mr. Virgo, please stop shouting WHERE'S THE CUE BALL GOING between the whispering bits all the time. Thanks!

StanM, Sunday, 5 May 2013 13:43 (ten years ago) link

eleven months pass...

Moved by Ken Doherty's return...

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 19 April 2014 10:30 (ten years ago) link

damn you, why did you have to draw my attention to the fact the snooker was on? going to be tough getting out of this armchair now.

Fizzles, Saturday, 19 April 2014 11:10 (ten years ago) link

^

imago, Saturday, 19 April 2014 11:22 (ten years ago) link

mind you, while o'sullivan is around every opportunity should be taken to watch him go about his work

imago, Saturday, 19 April 2014 11:23 (ten years ago) link

Trying not to think about going back to work Tues - I don't want to move from my sofa for the next two weeks.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 19 April 2014 11:26 (ten years ago) link

are doherty and bingham both trying to throw the match?

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Sunday, 20 April 2014 09:30 (ten years ago) link

not sure who is going to succeed

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Sunday, 20 April 2014 09:31 (ten years ago) link

That was horrible but looks like Ken is getting a grip on this match.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 20 April 2014 10:24 (ten years ago) link

yeah while I've been watching (last two frames) he's been nothing short of excellent

imago, Sunday, 20 April 2014 10:41 (ten years ago) link

two simultaneous last-framers. and some casual sexism from one of the commentators :/ think it might have been Thorne

imago, Sunday, 20 April 2014 21:32 (ten years ago) link

"so nice to see so many women here! of course many of the men will be excellent snooker-players themselves"

imago, Sunday, 20 April 2014 21:32 (ten years ago) link

absolutely breathtaking final frame between wasley and ding there. ding hideously unlucky, almost clawed it back with some phenomenal snookers (three with pink and black only balls remaining)

imago, Monday, 21 April 2014 23:05 (ten years ago) link

david gray, ian mcculloch, and now robbie williams! (and of course neil robertson)

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Thursday, 24 April 2014 07:26 (ten years ago) link

100 * 100 = no handshake from Trump

StanM, Wednesday, 30 April 2014 21:34 (nine years ago) link

Robertson has been terrific. Trump has hardly breathed from leading 11-9 onwards

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 30 April 2014 21:35 (nine years ago) link

Looked like Trump would force a decider after Robertson gets a bad white but he could only force a 35 break.

Robertson makes no mistake -- terrific green to brown -- and dumps Trump out of WC, 13-11

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 30 April 2014 21:54 (nine years ago) link

Robertson - Ronnie would be a terrific final. The former is the only that could touch Ronnie.

I said could.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 30 April 2014 21:55 (nine years ago) link

playing like that, definitely could

imago, Wednesday, 30 April 2014 22:00 (nine years ago) link

Nobody expects Hawkins or Selby in the final? (I don't either, but they are in the semi final,the can't be that bad)

StanM, Wednesday, 30 April 2014 22:12 (nine years ago) link

Selby has a minor chance against Robertson. The latter is in very good form and can be unstoppable when he gets going. That comeback was v similar to the way Ronnie shifted gears against Joe Perry.

Glad Trump is out - the hype around him when he first 'broke through' was embarrassing.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 1 May 2014 09:22 (nine years ago) link

but they are in the semi final,the can't be that bad)

i dunno have watched a lot of the matches leading to the semi final they've all been pretty shit

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Thursday, 1 May 2014 11:10 (nine years ago) link

neil robertson probably the only one on good form.

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Thursday, 1 May 2014 11:10 (nine years ago) link

Man, I still totally hate that "let's get the boys... on the baize!" guy.

StanM, Thursday, 1 May 2014 12:11 (nine years ago) link

It's like the Sean Murphy game: Ronnio isn't playing at his best, not by a very very long way, but he's 6-2 in front...

StanM, Thursday, 1 May 2014 15:14 (nine years ago) link

lol, Ronnio typo

StanM, Thursday, 1 May 2014 15:15 (nine years ago) link

Man, I still totally hate that "let's get the boys... on the baize!" guy.

I think he's personally responsible for half of these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_snooker_player_nicknames

pick it up for ripple laser (onimo), Thursday, 1 May 2014 15:50 (nine years ago) link

"barry hawkins to break" - he already has, I'd say.

StanM, Friday, 2 May 2014 09:44 (nine years ago) link

Hilarious, he has basically annihilated anybody bar Joe Perry...no traces of a tortured soul at all. He has actually become efficient and frightening to play in the last couple of years, virtually no 'incidents'.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 10:32 (nine years ago) link

Oh, and another thing: headset wearing punters laughing because the BBC pundits are cracking jokes: dud.

StanM, Friday, 2 May 2014 12:27 (nine years ago) link

Snooker player nicknames are the worst. Did we poll some of them once? We should.

ailsa, Friday, 2 May 2014 12:42 (nine years ago) link

Robbo is The Centurion now? Groan.

StanM, Friday, 2 May 2014 13:37 (nine years ago) link

Robertson has lost his way in the match - long potting gone astray.

Selby on the way to 10-6. No biggie, plenty of time to pull it back.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 16:51 (nine years ago) link

Selby has broken down on 53, great chance for Robertson!!

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 16:56 (nine years ago) link

Pinches it: 9-7!

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 16:58 (nine years ago) link

glad Robertson won that; Selby couldn't win 4 frames in a row playing that badly without offending some divine guardian of the game

imago, Friday, 2 May 2014 16:59 (nine years ago) link

How many kicks has Hawkins got in this match? About five?

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 18:13 (nine years ago) link

Smoking hot long shots from Ronnie: 13 - 6.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 18:57 (nine years ago) link

jesus mode time.

Century and now "black tied up/pink tied up". 30 secs after and its a frame winning chance

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 19:55 (nine years ago) link

Ronnie when he's in the zone = zen

StanM, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:00 (nine years ago) link

Barry losing heart.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:01 (nine years ago) link

Who can blame him?

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:02 (nine years ago) link

How is O'Sullivan only placed 33rd in the world ranking? Does he only play the tournaments with the highest prize money?

StanM, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:16 (nine years ago) link

I think he selects a few tournaments.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:22 (nine years ago) link

Anyway, into the final and a session early again.

His long potting is razor-sharp now.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:22 (nine years ago) link

Poor Barry. Still, he did get 7 frames this time.

StanM, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:24 (nine years ago) link

I think the question is will Robertson or Selby be too knackered to play? It seems that Robertson takes a session to warm up and that might not be good enough if he gets through..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:30 (nine years ago) link

The long, scrappy, tactical battle frames in their match are probably doubly exhausting as well+ this one could very easily end in 16-17.

StanM, Friday, 2 May 2014 20:39 (nine years ago) link

How does the ticketing work for snooker tournaments? There'll be people with tickets for the last session of the Ronnie semi I guess. Some disclaimer? We reserve the right to make alteration to the advertised details for the performance and you may get some John Virgo trick shots instead. It must happen all the time.

Eyeball Kicks, Friday, 2 May 2014 23:25 (nine years ago) link

Said with the most bored & serious expression ever: "my nickname is The Jester from Leicester"

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 09:04 (nine years ago) link

lol - lets if he has slept off that opportunity to go four up.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 09:13 (nine years ago) link

"he always plays with a smile on his face, that's why we call him the jester" : no, he bloody doesn't, it's just the only thing you could think of that rhymed with Leicester, you knobhead.

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 09:19 (nine years ago) link

Blow for blow at the min: 10-8

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 09:41 (nine years ago) link

Happy? No!

lol

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 10:08 (nine years ago) link

Epic frame - this is the type that Selby would win.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 10:40 (nine years ago) link

ok ok, he is pretty funny, I take back what I said.

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 10:58 (nine years ago) link

In the final against John Higgins Selby did do funny faces and the like, think that's where it comes from.

Another epic - Neil should've won this but missed a blue off the spot.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 11:06 (nine years ago) link

Some fantastic safety play here from both of them.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 11:09 (nine years ago) link

All square at the mid-session.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 11:24 (nine years ago) link

wow, a wewack!

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 11:51 (nine years ago) link

Trump was run over once Robertson got going - not Selby, 70+ break to regain the lead.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 12:06 (nine years ago) link

Are referees paid by the hour?

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 13:01 (nine years ago) link

12 all. Not stellar, but entertaining.

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 13:28 (nine years ago) link

LOL, just rewound a little because I thought I heard it and Willie Thorn actually really just said "it's going to be a real battle of nutrition"

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 18:10 (nine years ago) link

(it's been pointed out to him and he's now corrected himself btw)

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 18:14 (nine years ago) link

This evening session is A+++

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 20:25 (nine years ago) link

Selby is producing some really great form - should be within one off the final in a few moments..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 20:31 (nine years ago) link

More like 15 mins later (Ronnie must be loving this). Robertson needs to win the remaining frames.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 20:49 (nine years ago) link

On the ropes and Robertson makes a century!

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 21:07 (nine years ago) link

It's like they're doing this on purpose. Are they sponsored by a heart attack clinic?

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 21:11 (nine years ago) link

What a match!

StanM, Saturday, 3 May 2014 21:24 (nine years ago) link

Selby gets through with a 74. Just got stronger at the right time.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 21:26 (nine years ago) link

Selby does play the game that could bog Ronnie down but that was an epic and its just whether he gets a chance to recover. Suspect not.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 3 May 2014 21:28 (nine years ago) link

Missed the start, checked the score online one hour in and it's 3-0 already!?

StanM, Sunday, 4 May 2014 14:11 (nine years ago) link

Selby ws terrific - toughing it out to 5-3 at the end of the first sesh.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 4 May 2014 16:34 (nine years ago) link

oh this is vintage stuff

imago, Sunday, 4 May 2014 21:08 (nine years ago) link

Ronnie only started pushing the gas pedal once he knew he'll be in the lead overnight.

StanM, Sunday, 4 May 2014 21:18 (nine years ago) link

Three reracks in one session? Crazy.

StanM, Sunday, 4 May 2014 21:48 (nine years ago) link

10-10! omg!

StanM, Monday, 5 May 2014 14:42 (nine years ago) link

world class match-fixing by ronnie and mark there at frame 22

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Monday, 5 May 2014 15:33 (nine years ago) link

I've switched over to EuroSport, can't stand JV's endless "where's the cue ball going" anymore

StanM, Monday, 5 May 2014 15:55 (nine years ago) link

They're both knackered, can't they just split the title and go and have a pint?

StanM, Monday, 5 May 2014 16:20 (nine years ago) link

These frames 22 and 23 are the worst but most exciting I've ever seen I think.

StanM, Monday, 5 May 2014 16:21 (nine years ago) link

agreed.
right until the last ball, you could not call frame 23.
brilliant stuff.

mark e, Monday, 5 May 2014 16:43 (nine years ago) link

jesus christ that pink.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 16:52 (nine years ago) link

100 break from Ronnie: 12-12

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 18:16 (nine years ago) link

nicko mcbrain rah rah

damien hirst boo boo

Ward Fowler, Monday, 5 May 2014 18:47 (nine years ago) link

Selby takes the lead again with a couple of 30 breaks.

It might help he breaks down now and again. Gets Ronnie into these tactical battles. The commentators seem to think otherwise -- how much in the tank will he have -- but he is mentally strong, cuts both ways.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 18:49 (nine years ago) link

Stephen bluddy Fry.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 18:50 (nine years ago) link

in frame 23 though he seemed to have lost every single safety exchange but then somehow gets jammy with a snooker and then ronnie fucks up that last pink

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Monday, 5 May 2014 18:56 (nine years ago) link

another exhausting tactical battles in frame 26..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 19:01 (nine years ago) link

Selby 14-12. By far the biggest test Ronnie has ever faced in all of his finals here.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 19:11 (nine years ago) link

Selby is just eeking them out. He does break down but his tactical play is so good he gets another chance. Not seen anything like it in a while.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 19:26 (nine years ago) link

And Ronnie is out of sorts with all of this, not his rhythm - think Selby will grind it out now.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 19:29 (nine years ago) link

15-12.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 19:33 (nine years ago) link

I'd prefer having someone win by making spectacular points and high breaks, but we've had that forever, this is just harder to admire.

StanM, Monday, 5 May 2014 19:47 (nine years ago) link

I have a ton of admiration for it, he is doing it with far more flair than Graeme Dott. Really getting Ronnie in all sorts of bother.

You also know Selby is capable of scoring real heavy, but he hasn't been able to so he has a very strong plan B. Almost as good as a plan A.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 19:50 (nine years ago) link

Ronnie tried bullying him, century in the first frame of the session and Selby just came back at him real hard. Faultless match play and Ronnie looks defeated already.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 19:52 (nine years ago) link

Quick frame, to Ronnie's tastes: 15 - 13.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 20:03 (nine years ago) link

what a fkn break: 15 - 14

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 20:27 (nine years ago) link

He made up for that missed pink with a top yellow.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 20:27 (nine years ago) link

this is gr8 stuff now

imago, Monday, 5 May 2014 20:29 (nine years ago) link

yeah really enjoying this, I think it will go to the wire

Angkor Waht (Neil S), Monday, 5 May 2014 20:31 (nine years ago) link

Great response from Selby: wins it in one visit. 16 - 14.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 20:36 (nine years ago) link

He's getting stronger: 17 - 14. Incredible!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 20:52 (nine years ago) link

so much for it going to the wire, Ronnie is looking shot

Angkor Waht (Neil S), Monday, 5 May 2014 20:53 (nine years ago) link

He has since before the break. Just saw that, thought it lost then.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 20:54 (nine years ago) link

Stunning long red from Ronnie, feels like a last hurrah!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 20:55 (nine years ago) link

Ronnie is getting down quick - terrific 57 break, some genius in despair.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:05 (nine years ago) link

where is that cue ball
WHERE IS THAT CUE BALL
WHERE IS THAT CUE BALL

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Monday, 5 May 2014 21:09 (nine years ago) link

jesus shut up

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Monday, 5 May 2014 21:09 (nine years ago) link

it's all over

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Monday, 5 May 2014 21:11 (nine years ago) link

Selby now: yellow to green

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:15 (nine years ago) link

Green to brown.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:15 (nine years ago) link

Terrific!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:15 (nine years ago) link

Now its blue to pink w/the rest

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:16 (nine years ago) link

Settle down now, thank you!

StanM, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:16 (nine years ago) link

wow

Angkor Waht (Neil S), Monday, 5 May 2014 21:17 (nine years ago) link

Awesome clearance.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:17 (nine years ago) link

hendry's record's safe

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Monday, 5 May 2014 21:18 (nine years ago) link

It was going to be safe even after today, didn't think he'd ever get near it (thought he'd win four...)

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:21 (nine years ago) link

Anyway, he probably should've won this by now. Only Higgins was more 'granite' to deny him, and that clearance was the best to win the final since I think Higgins himself since Trump, but I might be recalling it wrong..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:25 (nine years ago) link

Looking back, match of the tournament, imho: Robertson v Selby

StanM, Monday, 5 May 2014 21:26 (nine years ago) link

eleven months pass...

Some good tight stuff already: Selby taken to the brink on day one.

Now Ronnie, first frame on a max..

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 21 April 2015 13:55 (nine years ago) link

That was a tough chance, gets a century instead.

Asked the ref what the money was..;-)

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 21 April 2015 13:58 (nine years ago) link

The guys in the studio are amazed that Ronnie is playing in his socks.

Eyeball Kicks, Tuesday, 21 April 2015 15:54 (nine years ago) link

"the socket"

StanM, Tuesday, 21 April 2015 16:37 (nine years ago) link

Had forgotten how much I love watching this when I'm in the right mood.

Alan McManus looks like a dude with some dark secrets.

Ron Paul's Drag Race (Mr Andy M), Tuesday, 21 April 2015 16:56 (nine years ago) link

Scottish players in general aren't to be messed with apart from Maguire, his record is appalling.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 21 April 2015 19:32 (nine years ago) link

LOL @ Ding forgetting he was on a 147.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 21 April 2015 19:33 (nine years ago) link

Stevens has just annihilated Williams 10-2.

Can't wait for the match w/Ronnie.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 22 April 2015 14:35 (nine years ago) link

saw some of mcgill earlier, serious serious player

carrington too but maybe a little less so

carles the jekyll (imago), Friday, 24 April 2015 20:32 (nine years ago) link

Ding started badly in both of his first two matches. as turned one around and now another, except this is against Higgins. One away.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2015 10:43 (nine years ago) link

Higgins just holding on here

Keith Moom (Neil S), Saturday, 25 April 2015 11:06 (nine years ago) link

wtf @ this frame. Ding had the match at his mercy then a bad contact. Higgins wins on the last black - still 12-9 down.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2015 11:07 (nine years ago) link

ok Ding has missed a fkn sitter...

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2015 11:10 (nine years ago) link

one more chance Ding - keeping nerves steady time, talking about myself here

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2015 11:13 (nine years ago) link

ok that was good torture on sat morning.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2015 11:35 (nine years ago) link

classic stuff on sat night from both ronnie and stevens.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2015 19:10 (nine years ago) link

2-0 down, now 3-2 up - great response by Ronnie.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 April 2015 19:51 (nine years ago) link

mcgill - murphy is a classic in the making

carles the jekyll (imago), Tuesday, 28 April 2015 11:27 (eight years ago) link

bingham on the verge

carles the jekyll (imago), Wednesday, 29 April 2015 19:36 (eight years ago) link

https://www.facebook.com/wheresthecueballgoing?fref=ts

huge lols at this

bureau belfast model (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 29 April 2015 22:35 (eight years ago) link

Should've been done years ago. tick.jpg

Saw highlights only - Bingham was excellent. Ronnie looked totally under the cosh.

Anyone but Trump. Would've fancied Robertson to beat him but he's out after a tight match last night.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 30 April 2015 09:06 (eight years ago) link

Hawkins scores really well for someone who runs out of position every three shots.

who writes compassionately about poor people for the Guardian (onimo), Thursday, 30 April 2015 09:43 (eight years ago) link

loving that facebook page.

the other day there were a bunch of fans in the audience wearing t-shirts with a caricature, and the phrase itself.

mark e, Thursday, 30 April 2015 13:13 (eight years ago) link

Anyone but Trump

ahh .. my young'un is a fan of trump (he is a local lad - relatively), so, he is rather excited at the moment ..

mark e, Thursday, 30 April 2015 13:15 (eight years ago) link

Hawkins scores really well for someone who runs out of position every three shots.

Bingham at this now - just went from 50 to 74 on a break and was out of position for every shot but one.

mea nulta (onimo), Thursday, 30 April 2015 19:34 (eight years ago) link

bingham's position better than hawkins'

murphy has the best position game of the remaining players by miles

carles the jekyll (imago), Thursday, 30 April 2015 19:36 (eight years ago) link

scoring seems to have held up for years despite positional play going backwards to an extent

modern players seem to play 3/4 table recovery shots with ease - shots that many pre-Hendry players would refuse

mea nulta (onimo), Thursday, 30 April 2015 19:51 (eight years ago) link

don't like trump for some reason

carles the jekyll (imago), Thursday, 30 April 2015 20:10 (eight years ago) link

£2000 spiky shoes

mea nulta (onimo), Thursday, 30 April 2015 20:13 (eight years ago) link

ha.
i hate the shoe thing.
but mk2 is too young to care re such frivolities.
trump is a local boy, so therein lies a reason for his passion.
personally, i would love it if bingham trashed his groove as we share the same hairstyle.

mark e, Thursday, 30 April 2015 20:22 (eight years ago) link

Oh, Barrypaws.

StanM, Friday, 1 May 2015 12:39 (eight years ago) link

Assuming he's got nothing left..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 12:51 (eight years ago) link

Yeah, he's the world number 5. Maybe it's a trap - let Murphy get to 16 and then...

StanM, Friday, 1 May 2015 12:57 (eight years ago) link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/32537371

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 13:17 (eight years ago) link

Don't care abot the shoes or Burger King badge. First frame of new session: Trump with some aggressive play but again shit safety and Bingham clears up. 6-4.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 14:05 (eight years ago) link

Great response, century for 6-5

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 14:16 (eight years ago) link

At the next Bingham should've punished some terrible play from trump (the early attacking split of the pack from the Brown) but he has missed one - key clerance coming up.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 14:31 (eight years ago) link

Let off: 6-5

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 14:35 (eight years ago) link

at the next Trump attacks rather than play safe when he breaks down: 7-5 Bingham.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 14:56 (eight years ago) link

Incredible positional shot from Judd from pink to get to the red. Really has to be seen to be believed, but then he misses the tough red.

Bingham clears for 8-5.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 15:34 (eight years ago) link

I don't care about shoes or fast food endorsements either, just don't like either his playing style or demeanour

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Friday, 1 May 2015 15:35 (eight years ago) link

8-6 Bingham, nice enough break from Trump.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 16:00 (eight years ago) link

I don't see the Bingman winning tbh - even though he's good and in front

StanM, Friday, 1 May 2015 16:02 (eight years ago) link

At the next greta little shot from Trump on the red but he often doesn't close out the deal - misses the green.

Getting tense all round now..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 16:04 (eight years ago) link

I can see it going to the last frame.

Conclusion from the day's proceedings = its Murphy's title to lose.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 16:05 (eight years ago) link

Murphy's trousers/waistcoat combo >>>>>

Ron Paul's Drag Race (Mr Andy M), Friday, 1 May 2015 17:47 (eight years ago) link

Murphy gone to sleep.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 19:08 (eight years ago) link

He's not wearing his lucky waistcoat tonight.

StanM, Friday, 1 May 2015 19:21 (eight years ago) link

14-7. Three frames left.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 19:34 (eight years ago) link

To see Doherty commentating as well (he of course made that amazing comeback against Paul Hunter in the SF a few years ago)

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 19:35 (eight years ago) link

Murphy waking up again, should win here for 15-7

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 19:42 (eight years ago) link

90+ and century from Murphy - one away.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 19:57 (eight years ago) link

10 min session tomorrow then.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 May 2015 20:10 (eight years ago) link

Trump has begun well, v unfortunate for Bingham to get a red accidentally into the pocket after potting a black. Wins the next too.

9-9.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 09:35 (eight years ago) link

Excellent break by Bingham, some tricky shots in that in the first real opportunity he had. 10-9

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 10:04 (eight years ago) link

lol I wonder if the drummer from Iron Maiden is present this morning.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 10:24 (eight years ago) link

11-9. Bingham is very resilient, Trump playing a clueless safety. Respect him more if he just went for everything.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 10:27 (eight years ago) link

Quite a nervy frame there. Agree that Bingham looks more resilient at this stage.

hey jude, what the fuck is wrong with you? (Mr Andy M), Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:10 (eight years ago) link

I didn't think this match could be won or lost at this session but actually its 12-9 and Bingham is on 32 and kicking on here. Key shots now..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:19 (eight years ago) link

huge frame, i don't fancy Judd to get two snookers.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:28 (eight years ago) link

how lame is Judd: 13-9 Bingham!!

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:30 (eight years ago) link

how the fuck did that not go in??

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:32 (eight years ago) link

lol Judd crashed into the pack with four loose reds - nearly fucked it.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:33 (eight years ago) link

Judd's safety is almost non-existent. Laughable.

But Bingham is now getting in on the act. Trump left with a long pot.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:44 (eight years ago) link

and gets that - snooker behind the black, even Judd could manage that.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:45 (eight years ago) link

haha that is one of the great escapes from Bingham, please win match k tx

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:46 (eight years ago) link

any more of this and its Trump winning the frame.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:51 (eight years ago) link

This is an incredible frame of snooker.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:52 (eight years ago) link

Bingham has given 32 points in snookers..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:53 (eight years ago) link

shit safety Judd - tricky clearance..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 11:55 (eight years ago) link

Incredible - Judd gets out of jail. 13-10

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 12:03 (eight years ago) link

Foul and a miss
Foul and a miss
Foul and a miss
Foul and a miss

hey jude, what the fuck is wrong with you? (Mr Andy M), Saturday, 2 May 2015 12:06 (eight years ago) link

Please stop saying "a JT special" kthxbye.

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2015 18:45 (eight years ago) link

Frame 30. Judd started with a break of 11, had the 3-4 craziest shots you'd ever see.

Bingham is on now with the first chance in the frame.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:10 (eight years ago) link

Bingham made 106 to go 15-13 up, and now 102 for 16-14, one away.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:16 (eight years ago) link

terrible attempt by Judd, easy opener - time to see what Stuart Bingham is made of.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:20 (eight years ago) link

a fraction off when breaking the pack. has to play the safety.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:22 (eight years ago) link

Incredible, Stuart totally miscued that shot on the red and hit the pink - now Judd has a great chance.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:24 (eight years ago) link

Takes it with a century. 16-15

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:31 (eight years ago) link

Really want Trump to win this.

Eyeball Kicks, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:40 (eight years ago) link

Well he has pulled some terrific stuff in the next. now a black with the spider...should win the frame now.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:41 (eight years ago) link

Ridic blue to make sure - into a decider we go.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:45 (eight years ago) link

& then the plant, ffs jfc

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:47 (eight years ago) link

back-to-back centuries. four in five.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:47 (eight years ago) link

Scoring tonight is nuts.

mea nulta (onimo), Saturday, 2 May 2015 20:48 (eight years ago) link

give Bingham a break snooker godz

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:01 (eight years ago) link

fkn plant!

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:02 (eight years ago) link

plant!! cmon bingham

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:02 (eight years ago) link

jesus christ man.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:04 (eight years ago) link

now judd has his chance.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:04 (eight years ago) link

had

meisenfek, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:06 (eight years ago) link

gets a kick, unlucky - stuart still has work to do.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:06 (eight years ago) link

is doing the work..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:08 (eight years ago) link

Stuart outdoing Judd here, a couple of cuts. that fkn yellow..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:11 (eight years ago) link

man this is an insane break.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:11 (eight years ago) link

evil safe

meisenfek, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:13 (eight years ago) link

Can't they just do penalties or something

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:15 (eight years ago) link

unbelievable plant...

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:20 (eight years ago) link

that ws shocking, will never forget that.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:21 (eight years ago) link

nuts

mea nulta (onimo), Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:21 (eight years ago) link

one of the best shots ever

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:23 (eight years ago) link

maybe

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:24 (eight years ago) link

I can't believe how composed and clear the thinking was there..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:25 (eight years ago) link

Wow. This championship, man.

StanM, Saturday, 2 May 2015 21:32 (eight years ago) link

great opening frame, this. hopefully a super final

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Sunday, 3 May 2015 13:35 (eight years ago) link

http://fs1.directupload.net/images/150503/temp/ogo9u4nf.jpg

meisenfek, Sunday, 3 May 2015 13:36 (eight years ago) link

oh fuck offfff, bingham fucked it there

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Sunday, 3 May 2015 14:04 (eight years ago) link

impressive last couple, final's on now

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Sunday, 3 May 2015 15:15 (eight years ago) link

its getting sloppy

meisenfek, Sunday, 3 May 2015 15:26 (eight years ago) link

Stuart 57 - breaks down and Shaun is in. Could be a steal here..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:18 (eight years ago) link

Does so with a break of 74.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:23 (eight years ago) link

on his way to another..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:34 (eight years ago) link

that plant wasn't so good, he is not playing the situation..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:47 (eight years ago) link

quite tempted to stop watching this

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:48 (eight years ago) link

stop whining if you keep watching.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:49 (eight years ago) link

74, 106, 121 = its called putting the knife in.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:56 (eight years ago) link

This is quite painful to watch at the moment - I'd started to warm to Bingham quite a lot.

hey jude, what the fuck is wrong with you? (Mr Andy M), Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:58 (eight years ago) link

Murphy is a don though no doubt.

hey jude, what the fuck is wrong with you? (Mr Andy M), Sunday, 3 May 2015 18:58 (eight years ago) link

this is tough.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:01 (eight years ago) link

what a red by Bingham..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:01 (eight years ago) link

good he played the safety there, just try and get another chance if you can..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:03 (eight years ago) link

Shaun is back on, twisting that knife.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:11 (eight years ago) link

v unlucky for the red to run on like that off the split. still alive..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:15 (eight years ago) link

just kidding!

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:17 (eight years ago) link

Murphy's incredible right now

tayto fan (Michael B), Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:17 (eight years ago) link

8-4, awesome.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:19 (eight years ago) link

I know I was wrong the previous time I said it, but I don't see Bingham winning this one. He's good and all, but if Moiphy keeps playing like this...

StanM, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:22 (eight years ago) link

Actually like the idea that Murphy and Alex Higgins are the ones to win World titles ten years apart. Quite a pair.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:22 (eight years ago) link

must win frame from Bingham now..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:45 (eight years ago) link

got there in the end..8-5

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 19:51 (eight years ago) link

Shaun has missed a couple of long pots - Bingham in with a great chance.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:00 (eight years ago) link

boom

willem, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:06 (eight years ago) link

Century for 8-6.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:07 (eight years ago) link

fkn unbelievable pot by Bingham in the middle, cue stuck to the cushion.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:16 (eight years ago) link

fkn hell this is a game of two halves.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:18 (eight years ago) link

I take everything I said back. It's going to be 17-17 and a respotted black to decide.

StanM, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:19 (eight years ago) link

last frame might turn scrappy..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:37 (eight years ago) link

watching again now btw

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:47 (eight years ago) link

LOL @ that fluke for 9-8

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:51 (eight years ago) link

Can't wait for tomorrow.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:52 (eight years ago) link

Well well well...
Still fancy Murphy to win but at least Bingham is making him fight for it at the moment.

hey jude, what the fuck is wrong with you? (Mr Andy M), Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:55 (eight years ago) link

Last fluke on the red was p ridic.

hey jude, what the fuck is wrong with you? (Mr Andy M), Sunday, 3 May 2015 20:55 (eight years ago) link

what a turnaround from Bingham!! playing great to win all four frames and a near max too.

Shaun also hurrying on the shot, looking lost but the mid-session has arrived.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 14:29 (eight years ago) link

As yesterday when Bingham got a chance from 8-4 down this is must win for Murphy now.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 14:45 (eight years ago) link

He did win but Bingham has been on top, sharing the last mini-sesh 2-2.

In the mid-break they were talking about Barry Hearn's first five years and a Bingham victory is almost the culmination of that. This nowhere guy at the right place, gets the matches and tournaments he needs, plays in all of them (unlike Ronnie and some of the others he doesn't whine about commitments/traveling away), improves into a match player that is good enough and hungry enough to knock out Ronnie and Judd and absolutely beat the shit out of Murphy this afternoon.

Only thing that can stop him is this break between sessions/thinking out too loud.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 16:28 (eight years ago) link

Murphy has been awfully pleasant throughout the tournament. Makes it impossible to hate him or wish him ill, really. Probably much better that way. Been an amazing final.

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 18:19 (eight years ago) link

A wtf frame: 37 break from Murphy and now back to a safety exchange.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 18:20 (eight years ago) link

Should win it now.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 18:21 (eight years ago) link

Bet Hendry is getting twitchy @ this stuff.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 18:29 (eight years ago) link

14-12. Makes sure we have a final mini-session.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 18:32 (eight years ago) link

Getting his mojo back.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 18:34 (eight years ago) link

Finest break of the match. Black on brown spot, pink tied up for the most part. Bingham wasn't timing it right either, just kept potting them.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 18:48 (eight years ago) link

103 break: 15-12.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 18:49 (eight years ago) link

wish I was watching this rather than standing in the rain in Leicester Square. Will see the final mini-session I guess

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 18:52 (eight years ago) link

Couple of nervous shots from Bingham - Murphy has got to make him earn it here.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:02 (eight years ago) link

now, yellow for the red

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:05 (eight years ago) link

tough pot on the red..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:06 (eight years ago) link

Brilliant shot, amazing clearance..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:06 (eight years ago) link

Two of the best breaks you'll see...first time where you think this is going all the way.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:10 (eight years ago) link

Reaching a point in the final where we'll see quite a lot of safety and more drama.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:19 (eight years ago) link

Bingham freezing up.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:24 (eight years ago) link

15-14. As Hendry is saying Murphy has just become favourite so this mid-session has come just in time for Bingham.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:36 (eight years ago) link

mid-sesh interval.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 19:36 (eight years ago) link

might have to stop watching this again :/

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 20:06 (eight years ago) link

Gotta man up.

More misses in this frame than in the entire match.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:09 (eight years ago) link

Its gonna be 15-15. Jimmy White needed in the commentary box.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:11 (eight years ago) link

Guy can't buy a 20 break.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:18 (eight years ago) link

12.30am finish at this rate - be there or be square.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:43 (eight years ago) link

genuinely fuck that

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 20:51 (eight years ago) link

man it was horrible to get the white in the pocket from the red like that. Shaun to go in front from here..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:51 (eight years ago) link

unbelievable miss on the yellow. all the drama from now on.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:53 (eight years ago) link

great snooker there from bingham

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 20:55 (eight years ago) link

Wtf

willem, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:56 (eight years ago) link

:D

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 20:57 (eight years ago) link

best final in living memory obv

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 20:58 (eight years ago) link

(for a whippersnapper like me)

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 20:58 (eight years ago) link

*bingham does face of grimacing toad*

'There's that smile back again'

Blandford Forum, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:59 (eight years ago) link

got it safe, amazing.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 20:59 (eight years ago) link

holy shit, this yellow is epic

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 21:07 (eight years ago) link

finally fkn left this yellow on for B

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 21:08 (eight years ago) link

LOL

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 21:14 (eight years ago) link

:D

You have tried to insert a duplicate message.

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 21:15 (eight years ago) link

happy Bingham has won that, think it would've killed him.

Murphy has a considerable amount of matchplay experience. Still a blow but he can come back.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 21:21 (eight years ago) link

that frame was better than most films

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 21:21 (eight years ago) link

LOL at pitched-down 'get in' from the crowd on the slo-mo replay there.

hey jude, what the fuck is wrong with you? (Mr Andy M), Monday, 4 May 2015 21:29 (eight years ago) link

loved that.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 21:30 (eight years ago) link

that last frame seems to have gotten him into some of his earlier form..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 21:32 (eight years ago) link

by hook or by crook - one way.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 21:47 (eight years ago) link

one away - by many ways.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 21:47 (eight years ago) link

can't lose it now (please)

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 21:49 (eight years ago) link

i know Jools wants a final frame decider tho, and good luck to him

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 21:49 (eight years ago) link

Great break to finish up.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 22:02 (eight years ago) link

YES BINGHAM

hey jude, what the fuck is wrong with you? (Mr Andy M), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:02 (eight years ago) link

yay :)

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:03 (eight years ago) link

clutch

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:03 (eight years ago) link

nice from smurphy too, think i will choose to like him from now on

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:03 (eight years ago) link

nearly in tears watching him

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:03 (eight years ago) link

murphy grammar fail

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:05 (eight years ago) link

jimmy white looking sad in the background during winner's speech :(

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:07 (eight years ago) link

Phew, nerves in shreds tbh.

Cram Session in Goniometry (Tom D.), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:08 (eight years ago) link

I wasn't enjoying the final that much. I like some mixes of tactical and heavy scoring so the first 25 frames or so had little contrast.

But that 65 min thriller of a frame was great, glad Stuart kept coming and battling back. #exampletousall

xyzzzz__, Monday, 4 May 2015 22:12 (eight years ago) link

final was too heavy-scoring for this one^ ;)

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:14 (eight years ago) link

one thing bugs me

when he said 'great to beat the second best player in the final', murphy did a shocked face - this was all vaudeville, right?

an absolute feast of hardcore fanboy LOLs surrounding (imago), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:15 (eight years ago) link

yes

tayto fan (Michael B), Monday, 4 May 2015 22:19 (eight years ago) link

eight months pass...

man fkn clearance by Ronnie to win the match and get into the Masters final.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 16 January 2016 21:41 (eight years ago) link

three months pass...

RIP Steve Davis' career (he just announced he's retiring)

StanM, Sunday, 17 April 2016 13:33 (eight years ago) link

Alan McManus - thank you.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:05 (seven years ago) link

it was brilliant, was thinking of bumping this thread. that closing run of fifty breaks was magnificent, although his first won frame of the match was even better - one of the best centuries i've seen. who knew he could play like that?

meanwhile choker fu is choking

And the cry rang out all o'er the town / Good Heavens! Tay is down (imago), Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:07 (seven years ago) link

Gotta a tough-ish chance now.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:11 (seven years ago) link

my word, this is unlike him

And the cry rang out all o'er the town / Good Heavens! Tay is down (imago), Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:13 (seven years ago) link

On the colours now

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:13 (seven years ago) link

Awesome

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:15 (seven years ago) link

love these semi-finalists. ANYONE BUT SELBY

And the cry rang out all o'er the town / Good Heavens! Tay is down (imago), Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:15 (seven years ago) link

He has reached the SF before - two Asian players in the SFs for the first time

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:16 (seven years ago) link

altho it'd keep this year's leicester theme going i spose xp

And the cry rang out all o'er the town / Good Heavens! Tay is down (imago), Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:17 (seven years ago) link

would loooooove a ding/fu final altho mcmanus has played so well it'd be a shame if he lost

And the cry rang out all o'er the town / Good Heavens! Tay is down (imago), Wednesday, 27 April 2016 21:17 (seven years ago) link

McManus!

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2016 12:31 (seven years ago) link

wow @ 8 centuries in 16 frames (Ding 5, McManus 3 at the moment)

StanM, Friday, 29 April 2016 13:36 (seven years ago) link

Now Marco's only gone and rubbed his tip off :(

StanM, Friday, 29 April 2016 16:11 (seven years ago) link

Shame really, its 8-8, back tomorrow so hope he can improvise in some way

McManus has got Ding in long safety battles: 9-8

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2016 18:45 (seven years ago) link

stops the rot

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2016 18:58 (seven years ago) link

that frame was quite a scrap and Ding just got the break. Ding was under a lot of pressure.

Now motoring on and on a 147 to make it three frames in a row.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2016 19:29 (seven years ago) link

Fails on the last black.

9th century in a SF - that's a record.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2016 19:34 (seven years ago) link

man alive, Alan won't let go although Ding has been reckless a couple of times since the break

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2016 20:42 (seven years ago) link

black missed off the spot: 13-10, one more come back needed tonight

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2016 20:48 (seven years ago) link

That is the worst safety ever

And the cry rang out all o'er the town / Good Heavens! Tay is down (imago), Friday, 29 April 2016 21:20 (seven years ago) link

Four frame adv. You'd think Ding will get over the line but I've seen more unlikely comebacks.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2016 21:21 (seven years ago) link

no wonder theres been so many centuries if the pockets are oversized!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/36174937

Odysseus, Friday, 29 April 2016 21:36 (seven years ago) link

ding has to win it now. has to.

And the cry rang out all o'er the town / Good Heavens! Tay is down (imago), Saturday, 30 April 2016 16:03 (seven years ago) link

if it's Ding v. Fu, deciding frame, that could be 35 x TON UP!

StanM, Saturday, 30 April 2016 17:07 (seven years ago) link

Expect Selby to win - a better break builder than McManus with as good a safety game.

Ding is a great break builder but not as complete match player as Selby - Selby would need to severely under perform for Ding to win this.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2016 09:40 (seven years ago) link

Wonder what the worldwide (i.e. China) viewing figures for Ding v. Fu would have been?

(Henry) Green container bin with face (Tom D.), Sunday, 1 May 2016 10:59 (seven years ago) link

Solid comeback by Ding

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2016 21:18 (seven years ago) link

Such a quality frame - Ding was 71 ahead, failed to put away a red that would've meant the end of it.

Selby then gets a sweet long red. Now 35 points and one snooker later, one snooker to go - very much on.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2016 21:44 (seven years ago) link

Nearly 70 mins in the end for Ding to get the blue and pink.

Selby didn't win it but this is top match play snooker from Selby. Ding was on a run of heavy scoring so we'll see what that has done to Ding. Two frames left tonight.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2016 22:11 (seven years ago) link

This was incredible safety play.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2016 22:11 (seven years ago) link

Its totally paid off - Ding looks shot.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2016 22:54 (seven years ago) link

10-7. Very weird end last night - everyone rather be in bed. That's the players, audience - both in there and at home.

Selby's brill match play drained us all, gets him a three frame lead which Ding will have to muster seven-century snooker to overcome.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2016 09:11 (seven years ago) link

Since when did they start playing 9-frame evening sessions in the final? Actually, I can remember them doing 7+9 (wasn't Taylor 0-7 vs Davis in '85 after the afternoon?), but not 8+9. Seems a bit harsh on Ding who could have had a night's rest at 7-9.

Michael Jones, Monday, 2 May 2016 10:01 (seven years ago) link

I was wondering about that - last session is usually too long so maybe reducing it might be a good idea.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2016 10:13 (seven years ago) link

I hate Selby's attritional play more than Ebdon's or Higgins' or any other "scrape him off the table" grinding wanker.

punnerist spoon here (onimo), Monday, 2 May 2016 10:29 (seven years ago) link

^^^

disspiriting match so far

some men just want to watch the world Bern (Noodle Vague), Monday, 2 May 2016 10:40 (seven years ago) link

worse than Ebdon?! That's cold!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2016 10:51 (seven years ago) link

why is he so fucking sad???!?!??!

has he just realised that life is meaningless or something

eleven months pass...

2017, from what I've seen so far:

- Higgins looks like he's BACK BABY and in the easier half of the draw (that 58 break, taking adv of a kick when Allen was about to make it 10-9 gave flashbacks from before the time he got corrupt). LOL it was funny Parrott talking up any strength in that half for Hendry to basically go 'u mad'. Doesn't mince words and he never talks anything up.
- Ronnie is looking good, enjoyed how he despatched that piece of thrash Murphy yesterday.
- That upper half is tough tho'. You'd say Selby or O'Sullivan to come through.
- I can't see O'Sullivan beating either Selby or Higgins in a final, they are the two players who play the kind of game that throws Ronnie off (as I might have discussed this over the years).

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 23 April 2017 14:01 (seven years ago) link

:-(

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 25 April 2017 20:07 (seven years ago) link

a strong ding is a strong championship, every legend fades

imago, Tuesday, 25 April 2017 20:20 (seven years ago) link

Ding-Selby is a terrific match, maybe better than their final...Ding is scoring heavier but unfortunately can't quite close the two-frame gap. He was about to square but missed the opportunity and Selby nailed him to the cross: 12-10

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2017 21:03 (six years ago) link

12-12. This is a great, great response by Ding. Could be the making of a World Champion.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2017 21:31 (six years ago) link

His 13th century of the tournament, his nearest is on six.

Can't see the final session tomorrow afternoon :-(

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2017 21:33 (six years ago) link

boo @ bbc's foreigner-excluding red button thing though. i hate having to watch via eurosport.

StanM, Saturday, 29 April 2017 00:46 (six years ago) link

This final is going to be 17-17, isn't it?

StanM, Sunday, 30 April 2017 15:05 (six years ago) link

Those fuckin intros

virginity simple (darraghmac), Sunday, 30 April 2017 18:13 (six years ago) link

selby vs higgins will kill the sport

imago, Sunday, 30 April 2017 18:16 (six years ago) link

actually nah, not if selby fuckin thrashes him

imago, Sunday, 30 April 2017 18:16 (six years ago) link

Has Gary Barlow come along to support his mate DJ Steve

virginity simple (darraghmac), Sunday, 30 April 2017 18:42 (six years ago) link

Hendry's theory -- that he had too much respect for "The Master" -- on Higgins' lead was utter bollocks. It seemed pretty clear that Selby was feeling the after-effects of a marathon against Ding. It usually happens that one or both arrive at the final fatigued. That usually goes by Day 2 of the final but its then all about how big the gap is and how strong your mind is. Its a supreme test and there is v little like it in most other sports.

Higgins isn't quite in that break-building class these days and that missed pink at 10-4 up finally switched Selby on and he was utterly dominant to win the last three frames and session. I agree with Hendry that Selby is slight favourite.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2017 08:50 (six years ago) link

I really wish the final was available to stream in the US.

20-lol pileup (WilliamC), Monday, 1 May 2017 11:37 (six years ago) link

This Selby dude is annoyingly persistent and also quite good, isn't he?

StanM, Monday, 1 May 2017 20:04 (six years ago) link

unless he's playing higgins in which case may he slay, may he rend

imago, Monday, 1 May 2017 20:13 (six years ago) link

oh why won't he fuck off

imago, Monday, 1 May 2017 20:59 (six years ago) link

that feels a bit mean-spirited of me now, especially how he was kicking himself over his various misses when ahead. aw but not wanting higgins to win is a national pastime by now

imago, Monday, 1 May 2017 22:16 (six years ago) link

there is something about selby that is very unlikeable. I don't know what it is though

^ 諷刺 (ken c), Tuesday, 2 May 2017 12:53 (six years ago) link

hes a professional snooker player

virginity simple (darraghmac), Tuesday, 2 May 2017 13:28 (six years ago) link

seven months pass...

Ronnie one away from equalling Davis' six UK titles.

Puts so much pressure on Murphy. Break after break. Relentless.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 10 December 2017 20:49 (six years ago) link

Also to be playing like this in his early 40s. That's what's most impressive. Davis and Hendry were pretty much through by then.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 10 December 2017 20:50 (six years ago) link

We'll miss when he is gone, y'all.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 10 December 2017 21:02 (six years ago) link

otm

imago, Sunday, 10 December 2017 22:00 (six years ago) link

four months pass...

and they're off!

StanM, Saturday, 21 April 2018 15:29 (six years ago) link

Yes, Selby out and Ronnie through!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 23 April 2018 22:13 (six years ago) link

a thing we can agree on

imago, Monday, 23 April 2018 22:22 (six years ago) link

G'wan Ronnie

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 23 April 2018 22:26 (six years ago) link

Shaun Murphy is out too thank fuck

xyzzzz__, Monday, 23 April 2018 22:35 (six years ago) link

i feel softer towards him as he's a good sport, but yeah

imago, Monday, 23 April 2018 22:36 (six years ago) link

back to disagreeing then. 100% joy at seeing this fucker go just now.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 23 April 2018 22:41 (six years ago) link

Agreed. xp

In 2018 snooker is in dire need of a new Alex Higgins or Jimmy White, though. Ronnie alone can't save us from the dullness. It'd be too much to ask.

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 23 April 2018 22:42 (six years ago) link

#lololdpeople

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 23 April 2018 22:42 (six years ago) link

kyren wilson is...something. luca brecel hasn't rly happened

imago, Monday, 23 April 2018 22:44 (six years ago) link

I don't think we need a new Jimmy White or Alex Higgins (esp the former, I don't want any maverick briliance without a world title). I do miss the period of time when O'Sullivan/Hendry/Williams/Higgins were at their peak (roughly from '96 - '04). No real grouping like that has emerged.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 08:35 (six years ago) link

And only Selby (whom I do like but wanted to go as I knew he was the only one capable of beating peak O'Sullivan) has managed to be consistent enough to capture multiple world titles and dominate the stage for a significant period since then.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 08:38 (six years ago) link

I don't want any maverick briliance without a world title

This is true, I must concede. Still breaks my heart. Also agreed on the '96-'04 period. It's much more scattered these days.

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 24 April 2018 08:43 (six years ago) link

just let them smoke and drink again, then we'll start to see the characters

thomasintrouble, Tuesday, 24 April 2018 20:33 (six years ago) link

Ali Carter is really holding up against Ronnie: 9-7 up.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 28 April 2018 11:15 (five years ago) link

Ronnie did win the last two frames last night in about fifteen minutes

imago, Saturday, 28 April 2018 12:51 (five years ago) link

so... Higgins for the win now?

StanM, Saturday, 28 April 2018 16:04 (five years ago) link

literally anyone but him pls

imago, Saturday, 28 April 2018 16:22 (five years ago) link

Anyone but Judd Trump. Thankfully Higgins should beat him.

Got a feeling Mark Allen could come through in that top half.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 28 April 2018 20:23 (five years ago) link

ding ftw

judd trump is an irritant too though yes

imago, Sunday, 29 April 2018 09:24 (five years ago) link

Higgins is two ahead as he goes to the final session of his SF against Wilson. He does look good, and he has a habit of crushing young people's dreams. Judd Trump had him on the ropes and the comeback once Judd made the error (great breakbuilder but he still misses the key shot) in that QF was maginificent.

Barry Hawkins has just gone 11-10 up. If he wins I can't see him beating Higgins, should he get to the final. Its a big ask as he has yet to overcome the SF stage and Williams will punce on any hesitation.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2018 11:22 (five years ago) link

? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_World_Snooker_Championship : Hawkins lost the final to O'Sullivan in 2013

StanM, Saturday, 5 May 2018 11:38 (five years ago) link

lol, totally forgot that.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2018 11:42 (five years ago) link

Hawkins re-establishing a two frame lead with solid snooker.

Terrific break from Williams - just willing a one-visit winning break (included a plant and a tough red with the cue against the cushion, ton of pressure there)

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2018 11:45 (five years ago) link

fucking hell Mark Williams man

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2018 11:59 (five years ago) link

Pulling it out of the fire with that 50 break. Fantastic red to the middle and then misses a black off the spot! Time to punish now.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2018 12:01 (five years ago) link

Hawkins punishes with a 73: 13-11. It feels like 15-11 but Williams is great at putting this kind of thing out of his mind.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 5 May 2018 12:08 (five years ago) link

Higgins - Williams!

StanM, Saturday, 5 May 2018 22:51 (five years ago) link

that was fairly brutal to watch by the end

illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 5 May 2018 22:53 (five years ago) link

🎱🙌 No exaggeration - this is an unbelievable shot from Mark Williams!

And to think it comes in the pressure cooker of a gripping #Crucible semi-final

👏 @markwil147

📽@WorldSnooker1 pic.twitter.com/cyTdLWGFlP

— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) May 5, 2018

StanM, Saturday, 5 May 2018 23:30 (five years ago) link

Higgins - Williams!

What century are we in again?

Kanye O'er Frae France? (Tom D.), Sunday, 6 May 2018 00:12 (five years ago) link

More like the wrong decade but they are two of the greatest players to have played the game and both have played some great stuff.

That shot is unbelievable. Thanks for posting it StanM, missed last night's action.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 6 May 2018 10:29 (five years ago) link

You'd think Higgins the favourite even before Williams' marathon last session last night. But its a two day final so as long as Williams isn't more than four frames behind by this evening I'd like to think it will be a good contest.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 6 May 2018 10:32 (five years ago) link

What's going on? Williams is eating sweets, potting a middle distance pink with his eyes closed and he's 4-0 in front!?

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2018 14:38 (five years ago) link

ok, match on. 5 - 3

StanM, Sunday, 6 May 2018 15:55 (five years ago) link

much as i hate that higgins is here, this has the feel of a classic final already

imago, Sunday, 6 May 2018 20:00 (five years ago) link

Great red in the middle from Williams to kill the opening frame off. Really raced off the blocks for 11-7.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 13:26 (five years ago) link

Astonishing two ball plant from Williams

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 13:42 (five years ago) link

12-7. Ruthless atm, this could be over quick.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 13:47 (five years ago) link

At the next Higgins had a decent chance of a red but he misses by a bit, understandably under pressure.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 13:53 (five years ago) link

What a red along the cushion from Williams to keep that break going

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 13:57 (five years ago) link

13-7

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 13:58 (five years ago) link

Williams is tearing it up rn

well bissogled trotters (Michael B), Monday, 7 May 2018 14:00 (five years ago) link

His timing is totally off rn. Higgins missing another after an unforced error from Williams.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 14:12 (five years ago) link

This is a break of 35 but he has a couple of such terrific pots to keep it going.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 14:16 (five years ago) link

14-7. Higgins needs to get one frame to get to a final session.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 14:19 (five years ago) link

Higgins won the first after the mid-session.

In the next Williams went careless as he was about to win it. Now Higgins - after a stunning red - is favourite to steal this.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 15:06 (five years ago) link

Great clearance at the last chance saloon: 14-9

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 15:09 (five years ago) link

Higgins just made a double to keep a frame winning break going. Now he is on a maximum!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 15:22 (five years ago) link

Missed the next: 14-10! Match is back on!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 15:24 (five years ago) link

Can anyone point me to a stream where I can watch this?

WilliamC, Monday, 7 May 2018 15:27 (five years ago) link

Not sure re: streams - just watching it on TV.

Williams wins the last frame for 15-10. Still, there is just about a match on tonight.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 15:44 (five years ago) link

Final session then.

Williams pots a beautiful opening red to the middle but its a tough angle on the black which is missed. Higgins currently on 29 and a strong favourite.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:19 (five years ago) link

This is going to be a long session, isn't it?

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:25 (five years ago) link

Clears up with a century: 15-11. xp = the last session was very quick, hardly any tactical stuff. I'd expect that to crop in if Higgins can get close.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:27 (five years ago) link

Only action I'll be able to see from this tournament, but bring it on you senior citizens.

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 18:31 (five years ago) link

Williams found a plant to get the break going lol.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:32 (five years ago) link

(still Williams-Higgins feels like I'm watching a forgettable 2008 semis or something. Except they're even uglier)

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 18:33 (five years ago) link

well well that was frame ball, tough red to the middle. I'd fancy John to clear up from here.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:34 (five years ago) link

Terrific Brown to yellow from John, forcing position there.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:38 (five years ago) link

You are John fucking Virgo and I claim my 5 quid

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 18:39 (five years ago) link

Fantastic clearance - this could still be a classic final: 15-12

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:40 (five years ago) link

Mark Williams looks like he's going to have a cardiac arrest tonight.

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 18:40 (five years ago) link

LOL why are you attacking me :-)

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:40 (five years ago) link

Sorry, just banter :) Love your commentary, am watching meself

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 18:41 (five years ago) link

cool, promise I won't go "where is the cue ball going?" in CAPS as if I'm shouting.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:43 (five years ago) link

what a pink to the middle from Williams, just pulled it out of the fire to try and make something happen for him tonight.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:44 (five years ago) link

47 break, didn't get anything from the split - good safety...he'll need more of that to get to the finish line.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:47 (five years ago) link

Higgins has left a tough red

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:48 (five years ago) link

misses it!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:48 (five years ago) link

not floating in atm. Feeling for Williams, he is playing quite well and not doing a lot wrong.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:49 (five years ago) link

great shot from green to the bunch of reds - should clear up, again.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:53 (five years ago) link

great recovery shot from green to the final red.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:57 (five years ago) link

Astonishing: 15-13

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 18:59 (five years ago) link

Terrific (3-ball) plant from Higgins, now behind the green. On top of this safety exchange

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:04 (five years ago) link

51 break from Higgins and puts the brown safe.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:13 (five years ago) link

god this is a tough red - and misses it. Higgins now to win this

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:15 (five years ago) link

This is more impressive than Williams winning the first four frames in the afternoon session. Williams had actually a good couple of breaks.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:16 (five years ago) link

Mid-session often stops this so we'll see. Should be good.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:17 (five years ago) link

Such a classic crucible comeback, its what you get in this sport you don't get anywhere else. So many SF and Fs where there was no way back and then...the hunter often becomes the hunted.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:19 (five years ago) link

higgins comeback on a human face forever

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:48 (five years ago) link

This is huge now..Williams on 40, pack split, should win.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:49 (five years ago) link

oh dear..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:49 (five years ago) link

Terrific opener from John, just fearing the worst now.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:50 (five years ago) link

15-15

I think that's such a key frame. When Williams allowed John in the prev times there were awkward positions or not quite right splits. That chance was really, really good.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:58 (five years ago) link

Not quite the cue ball control under the severest of pressures.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 19:58 (five years ago) link

At the next another good chance for Williams. Its just heartbreaking to watch, can he break this cycle of defeat?

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:00 (five years ago) link

Another 41 break, he is not over the line..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:01 (five years ago) link

We haven't had much safety at all so far

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:04 (five years ago) link

fucking hell man get over the line.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:06 (five years ago) link

finally! Williams back in front

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:08 (five years ago) link

Terrific long pot at the next from Williams

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:15 (five years ago) link

damn

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:16 (five years ago) link

Another terrific long pot but now its a tough pink

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:19 (five years ago) link

lots of cold blooded potting here

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:20 (five years ago) link

had to play it cool after that - this is so good. One frame away now.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:26 (five years ago) link

fuck me that pink

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:36 (five years ago) link

one pot from the fucking world title - and John has no obstacles to the clearance.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:37 (five years ago) link

holy fuck

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:39 (five years ago) link

blimey

Thomas NAGL (Neil S), Monday, 7 May 2018 20:41 (five years ago) link

FUCK OFF

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:41 (five years ago) link

Unbelievable

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:49 (five years ago) link

this fucking break

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:50 (five years ago) link

Meh

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 20:52 (five years ago) link

lol

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:53 (five years ago) link

it WAS a classic final - one of the best of recent times surely

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:53 (five years ago) link

Had a crush on Hazel some 15 years ago, I dare to admit

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 20:53 (five years ago) link

boo

( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) (jim in vancouver), Monday, 7 May 2018 20:53 (five years ago) link

Great final; shame it was between two dinosaurs tho.

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 20:54 (five years ago) link

aw higgins is a nice person actually. such a weird disconnect from his playing style where he is the biggest bastard ever

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:55 (five years ago) link

other than peter ebdon

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:55 (five years ago) link

I feel for Williams and his cheque of 500,000 or whatever and his three chins. This is hauntology in real-life action. He shouldn't be here, yet he is, haunting us all, ghost of future past.

Hazel tho.

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 20:56 (five years ago) link

Fuck Ebdon ffs

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 20:57 (five years ago) link

Hazel tho :-) Crash of shame - her questions are terrible.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:58 (five years ago) link

Her questions are terrible, by tradition. But she's Hazel, man. Hazel. :)

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 20:59 (five years ago) link

tbf I doubt anyone can explain how you miss a pink like that and then go on and win it in one visit as if nothing has happened in the next frame.

I'll never forget that. One of the great crucible final moments.

xp = I know!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 20:59 (five years ago) link

:D

I feel sore having missed pretty much of this tournament - Ronnie knocked out didn't help - but this final night was quite alright. 18-16 ain't half bad. I just had no-one to root for.

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 21:05 (five years ago) link

if anyone can find that picture of higgins drunk riding in a transit van can you please share it

( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) (jim in vancouver), Monday, 7 May 2018 21:05 (five years ago) link

how could you not have rooted for williams???

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 21:06 (five years ago) link

especially with higgins to overcome. it's the best test he could have had short of selby

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 21:07 (five years ago) link

how could you not have rooted for williams???

― imago, Monday, May 7, 2018 11:06 PM (six minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Yes fuck you for pressuring me but fuck yes, Williams over Higgins. By a negligible margin tho. Higgins is grim death. But: they're both utter shite. Williams and his three chins and saggy skin draped around his dead bones has been a pest all his career. And an irritant, snooker-wise, all his career. He's dullness distilled and cut into even more dullness, the way you try and cut cocaine with your bank card like you've seen in a Tarantino movie but it doesn't work like that and it's a crying mess and you blow your nose and blow the coke away and you end up with nowt. That's fucking Mark Wiliams. He's a pain. A nuisance. Yet Higgins otoh is way more of pain: he's done, he should be done, he should be dead tbf, but he's not.

How am I expected to root for any one of these people?

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 7 May 2018 21:28 (five years ago) link

<3 higgins

( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) (jim in vancouver), Monday, 7 May 2018 21:34 (five years ago) link

Apart from Ronnie few snooker players have compelling personalities - but those two have given us a hell of a match, and really I don't think I have ever seen anything like those last 3/4 frames - nothing will ever explain it. Snooker just played at its highest (possible?) level by two people who are re-defining how long its possible to go on for. The level of playing is a replacement for personality.

It was always strange that Williams won this twice. Too many wasted years. Three is pretty good.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 21:36 (five years ago) link

Higgins I took a real hatred for because of the match-fixing bullshit. But he is a great, and so dismissive of Trump and Kyren Wilson. Took another all-time great to beat him.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 7 May 2018 21:37 (five years ago) link

Williams did the press conference naked as promised btw

StanM, Monday, 7 May 2018 21:38 (five years ago) link

Apart from Ronnie few snooker players have compelling personalities - but those two have given us a hell of a match, and really I don't think I have ever seen anything like those last 3/4 frames - nothing will ever explain it. Snooker just played at its highest (possible?) level by two people who are re-defining how long its possible to go on for. The level of playing is a replacement for personality.

It was always strange that Williams won this twice. Too many wasted years. Three is pretty good.

― xyzzzz__, Monday, May 7, 2018 9:36 PM (seventeen minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

taking a little break from our ongoing political contretemps to fully agree with this tbh

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 21:55 (five years ago) link

there's the wrong kind of leftie, and there's mark williams ;)

imago, Monday, 7 May 2018 21:56 (five years ago) link

there's a Mr Snooker Extra on youtube who's got the whole thing up there in 50fps HD (with beeb commentary but footage from inside hall between frames) and it's just as exciting as it was the night itself :)

StanM, Thursday, 10 May 2018 18:36 (five years ago) link

six months pass...

Been enjoying the UK Champs this year. Ronnie's been taking it easy this year but he's playing well this final against Mark Allen. Lots of scrappy frames but he manages to find solutions to most puzzles on the table.

'Questions asked' seems this years snooker commentary term. Ronnie's not been asked any questions this tournament year, Mark's being asked a lot of questions etc. Otherwise it's same as it ever was: Ronnie wants to haul over the snooker calendar with some champions league tournament, others call it a foolish plan, Steven Hendry still looking very uncomfortable in front of a camera etc etc.

Guessing it will be over p soon tonight.

lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 9 December 2018 16:48 (five years ago) link

four months pass...

So, not Ronnie's 6th yet, then.

StanM, Tuesday, 23 April 2019 12:12 (five years ago) link

Let me die lord

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 23 April 2019 12:17 (five years ago) link

Socialism is cancelled for another year

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 23 April 2019 12:19 (five years ago) link

That aside there have been a few close finishes so far?

xyzzzz__, Friday, 26 April 2019 11:33 (four years ago) link

There have. I particularly enjoyed the frame w/ the respotted black in the Carter vs Lisowski match. Every time I watch they serve up scrappy, tense frames, instead of the big breaks. I'm not complaining.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 26 April 2019 11:44 (four years ago) link

Bet you Barry Hearn is.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 26 April 2019 13:14 (four years ago) link

Selby gone. Williams trailing by two going into the final sesh tonight.

This Ding-Judd trump match looks good. Starts tonight.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 27 April 2019 15:56 (four years ago) link

Off the players left I kinda want Ding to do this.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 27 April 2019 15:57 (four years ago) link

everyone does, but he always chokes. but yeah

imago, Saturday, 27 April 2019 16:00 (four years ago) link

If not Ding, then Zhou, surely.

Was glad to see Selby go. Hawkins was impressive this morning.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 28 April 2019 14:57 (four years ago) link

Trump had Ding on the ropes last night. 5-1 and it should've been 6-2 if not 7-1. Trump let him in for 5-3.

It's now 6-6.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 28 April 2019 15:10 (four years ago) link

Bingham-Higgins also tight

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 28 April 2019 15:10 (four years ago) link

Another Carter respot in his match against Zhou. What a frame! And today he turned it around, just like Kyren vs. Hawkins! Sadly can't watch any matches until the weekend

willem, Monday, 29 April 2019 18:04 (four years ago) link

Carter would be a good winner as well.

Meantime the last sesh from Ding-Trump. Ding is 9-7 up.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 29 April 2019 18:15 (four years ago) link

^^ that escalated quickly... Ding sunk like a stone. Zhou did too, but you can forgive the young lad. Missed the respot!

I like Ali Carter though, he's in good form. Shame Bingham seems unable to rough up Higgins.

I'll be going to my very first live snooker tournament in November, in Coventry. As a spectator, not a player :) Am already trying to think of what shirt to wear to that televised event. I do know this: it will not be that 'Neanderthal morphs into snooker player' one that's all over the screen this tournament. Nor will it be 'Keep calm and watch snooker', ugh. Recommendations are welcome though.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 29 April 2019 20:42 (four years ago) link

Ding, choking? Never

imago, Monday, 29 April 2019 20:43 (four years ago) link

Ikr? He wasn't even awful awful, just... choking's the word.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 29 April 2019 20:44 (four years ago) link

My analysis of why Kyren the Warrior will never be the best: he often lands too straight on a pot when he should err in the other direction. This means he is often forcing angles or really deep screws and ultimately breaking down. A bad angle is always better than no angle.

Non, je ned raggette rien (onimo), Wednesday, 1 May 2019 10:55 (four years ago) link

Sadly can't watch this now, stuck at work. Gilbert had some crazy good pots last night.

Kyren has the most melancholy expression of the bunch. Even when he's winning his face is just stuck in this 'nothing matters we're all gonna die' despair.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 1 May 2019 10:58 (four years ago) link

make your own shirt! (I don't know, think of something. "Snooker? I don't even know her!")

StanM, Wednesday, 1 May 2019 11:20 (four years ago) link

lol, I might!

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 1 May 2019 11:31 (four years ago) link

You have to have a T-shirt made with...

snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you, snookering you

... on it.

Ned Caligari (Tom D.), Wednesday, 1 May 2019 14:09 (four years ago) link

man, this match between Higgins & Gilbert

StanM, Saturday, 4 May 2019 16:58 (four years ago) link

time to get rid of that shouty guy on the BBC though (WHERE'S THE CUE BALL GOING? (nowhere near the pocket, shut up) - RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE POCKET! (no it wasnt, shut up))

StanM, Saturday, 4 May 2019 17:25 (four years ago) link

JV has memes himself to death with that shit.

Higgins is all time third in ranking titles, centuries and maximums. Imagine if he didn't throw games for Russian money.

Non, je ned raggette rien (onimo), Saturday, 4 May 2019 18:03 (four years ago) link

resilience
can
fuck
itself

vote trump '19

imago, Saturday, 4 May 2019 20:27 (four years ago) link

not all Trumps can be the best in the world

StanM, Saturday, 4 May 2019 20:51 (four years ago) link

Worst possible outcome of the two semis. But yeah it will have to be Trump now. Dull as ditch water but eh.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 5 May 2019 10:07 (four years ago) link

In the past, Higgins being a mad keen Celtic fan might have prompted me to support him, not now though.

Ned Caligari (Tom D.), Sunday, 5 May 2019 10:28 (four years ago) link

gilbert higgins semi was tense but higgins was fairly clinical in the last session. gilbert had a chance in the last but must be tough to clutch it out at that level w/out experience

||||||||, Sunday, 5 May 2019 10:41 (four years ago) link

Probably the worst final line-up ever. I don't want anyone to win but I reckon it will be Trump, although I probably want the cheating Scot. He was a really great player, once.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 5 May 2019 10:49 (four years ago) link

is trump an arsehole or just a boring bastard? don't know much about him

||||||||, Sunday, 5 May 2019 10:56 (four years ago) link

he exudes uncharisma

imago, Sunday, 5 May 2019 11:08 (four years ago) link

also has worst name etc

imago, Sunday, 5 May 2019 11:08 (four years ago) link

you know when you can tell someone would be hellish to hang out with

imago, Sunday, 5 May 2019 11:09 (four years ago) link

I kind of think that there are levels of cheating: throwing matches for money is vv bad obv, but he's not getting to 3 consecutive world championship finals by cheating, is he?

StanM, Sunday, 5 May 2019 11:12 (four years ago) link

i was uncharacteristically hating on his opponent just then!

higgins, i reckon, does disproportionately well in long matches, because he is a gritty fucker

imago, Sunday, 5 May 2019 11:25 (four years ago) link

Nobody cares about Trump's lack of charisma - when he arrived he was just a really heavy scorer with a lot of flair at times, but crucially he had no safety game and little maturity. Its why he has never won this.

Higgins is a top 5 all-time match player. He can beat Trump because of the way he plays disrupts the flow of Trump's game. It is going to be a fucking test to see where Trump's game is really at. The only thing is Higgins has had a terrible season so Trump might get away with it, the examination of his game may not be as severe.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 5 May 2019 12:25 (four years ago) link

'Terrible season' doesn't really say anything, just like 'had a great season' saw most of those bow out early. Agree Higgins is one of the best at sinking his teeth into a game and not letting go.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 5 May 2019 12:28 (four years ago) link

Sometimes you can win the WC by not having that much form going into it but usually you win a title or two or you bring in a strong record, especially these days with so many more tournaments.

Higgins made a lot of errors in his SF. He will need to be a lot of sharper.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 5 May 2019 12:32 (four years ago) link

Didn't take long to get so sick of John fucking Virgo that I had to turn it off. He's beyond parody with his barfing of 'ONE UP! ONE UP!' Total embarrassment.

Decided to support the only actual human being in this final after all. Give me a cheating cunt over Trumpbot any day of the week.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 5 May 2019 15:00 (four years ago) link

*Ton up, even

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 5 May 2019 15:00 (four years ago) link

4 centuries in 8 frames

StanM, Sunday, 5 May 2019 15:44 (four years ago) link

I kind of think that there are levels of cheating: throwing matches for money is vv bad obv, but he's not getting to 3 consecutive world championship finals by cheating, is he?

― StanM, Sunday, 5 May 2019 12:12 (four hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I was just taking an easy cheap shot. He's shown repeatedly he has the game and the temperament to beat and be the very best but he'll ultimately end his career a bit Andy Murray to O'Sullivan's and Hendry's Nadal/Federer. Is that because he lacked drive or because he took bribes?

Non, je ned raggette rien (onimo), Sunday, 5 May 2019 15:45 (four years ago) link

Higgins winning this year will tie him with O'Sullivan..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 5 May 2019 16:14 (four years ago) link

good start

||||||||, Sunday, 5 May 2019 18:24 (four years ago) link

the centuries are flying by

StanM, Sunday, 5 May 2019 18:54 (four years ago) link

Fuck the haters, I loved that frame

willem, Sunday, 5 May 2019 18:58 (four years ago) link

It's good stuff.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 5 May 2019 19:12 (four years ago) link

another century

||||||||, Sunday, 5 May 2019 20:11 (four years ago) link

is it called a millennium when they do 10 centuries?

StanM, Sunday, 5 May 2019 20:26 (four years ago) link

... is it over?

StanM, Sunday, 5 May 2019 21:05 (four years ago) link

Looks like this is the session where uncharismatic-no-fun-on-a-night-out Trump wins this

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 5 May 2019 21:07 (four years ago) link

he’s playing some good snooker tbf

||||||||, Sunday, 5 May 2019 21:14 (four years ago) link

good for the game, that it is played like this in the world final

imago, Sunday, 5 May 2019 21:15 (four years ago) link

his personality doesn't really matter

imago, Sunday, 5 May 2019 21:15 (four years ago) link

can’t believe higgins has thrown so many frames

||||||||, Sunday, 5 May 2019 21:35 (four years ago) link

he's probably just tired this time

StanM, Sunday, 5 May 2019 21:38 (four years ago) link

Does look that way: although I want Higgins to start grinding away, get Trump into an hour's worth of scrap and get his rhythm off, really test him out.

I don't believe he is enough of a safety/tactical player even now but you only meet who is put in front of you and at the place where they are at. In frame 2 or 3 he got two snookers out of Trump and nearly stole it.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 6 May 2019 10:17 (four years ago) link

Higgins was very near a 147 with an incredible double to pot the last red

xyzzzz__, Monday, 6 May 2019 13:30 (four years ago) link

Terrific yellow under pressure from Trump, and he goes on to a century: 13-7

xyzzzz__, Monday, 6 May 2019 13:59 (four years ago) link

Terrific shot with his right hand to keep that break going

xyzzzz__, Monday, 6 May 2019 14:02 (four years ago) link

Sheesh, this could be over with a session to spare (which would mean no live snooker for me after work). Last time that happened was Hendry-White (18-5) in '93.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 6 May 2019 14:16 (four years ago) link

Imagine having to take two weeks off to see the final of 1952, which ended in 94-49 o_O

Lindrum and McConachy met in the 145-frame match.[8] The score was 6–6 after the first day[8] but Lindrum pulled ahead, leading 14–10 after the second day and[9] 22–14 after three days.[10] The 12 frames were shared on day 4 but Lindrum still led 28–20,[11] extending his lead to 38–22 after day 5.[12] Lindrum led 44–28 after the first week after another level day.[13]

Lindrum won eight frames on the second Monday, to lead 52–32[14] and then nine frames on the second Tuesday to leave him 61–35 ahead.[15] After another good day, in which he won 10 frames, Lindrum led 71–37, needing just 2 of the remaining 37 for victory.[16] On the Thursday, Lindrum won the first two frames to reach a winning 73–37 position.[2][17] The remaining 35 "dead" frames were due to be played, although in the end only a total of 143 frames were played, Lindrum winning 94–49.[2] Lindrum became the first non-British player to win the World Championship.[18]

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 6 May 2019 14:20 (four years ago) link

Fuck, Trump on a 147 now and it would be the best one I've seen if he makes it

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 6 May 2019 15:31 (four years ago) link

Ah well

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 6 May 2019 15:32 (four years ago) link

it's centurific

StanM, Monday, 6 May 2019 16:51 (four years ago) link

I'm betting on a final frame decider at 5 AM tomorrow morning :-)

StanM, Monday, 6 May 2019 18:02 (four years ago) link

ok, maybe not

StanM, Monday, 6 May 2019 18:32 (four years ago) link

five months pass...

I'll be going to my very first live snooker tournament in November, in Coventry. As a spectator, not a player :) Am already trying to think of what shirt to wear to that televised event. I do know this: it will not be that 'Neanderthal morphs into snooker player' one that's all over the screen this tournament. Nor will it be 'Keep calm and watch snooker', ugh. Recommendations are welcome though.

― Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, April 29, 2019 10:42 PM (six months ago) bookmarkflaglink

http://www.championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ManBetX-Champion-of-Champions-Draw.jpg

IT. IS. TIME.

We got tickets for the semi-final Saturday night, and the draw is somewhat unlucky; would've loved to see Ronnie, or Jimmy, obv. But it's all good.

The tournament means precisely nothing but it's my first and likely only live snooker match ✓
First televised tournament with a woman playing against men ✓
Outrageously expensive train tickets (London-Coventry 55 quid wtf) ✓
The tournament is broadcast by ITV4 ✓
I'll be the guy wearing the ... shirt (undecided) ✓

Stoked for the madness.

Le Bateau Ivre, Tuesday, 5 November 2019 20:20 (four years ago) link

(semi-final draw is winner group 2 vs winner group 3)

Le Bateau Ivre, Tuesday, 5 November 2019 20:21 (four years ago) link

:D keep us all updated!

imago, Tuesday, 5 November 2019 20:21 (four years ago) link

Selby vs Trump, you have to pick one lol

imago, Tuesday, 5 November 2019 20:22 (four years ago) link

Sad, sad lol :D

I'm rooting for Thepchaiya, actually!

I've no idea about the atmosphere (if any!) around such an event. My dream is Steve Davis being there, spinning obscure, scratched Les Rallizes Denudes or V/Vm 7"s to get the crowd going and failing spectacularly. But more likely it will mostly be a cesspool of nerds with acne lacking social skills and a penchant for crazy stats of yore. Which, also, is totally ok with me. Will keep you posted :)

Le Bateau Ivre, Tuesday, 5 November 2019 20:32 (four years ago) link

Lol yes do :) (and yeah Rail prices are ridiculous, hoping the thing will be thoroughly nationalised by this time next year)

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 5 November 2019 22:56 (four years ago) link

You're not kidding, Comrade! We decided on rail this time, a first, going to England. It felt like somewhat of an experiment? Instead of flying to Brum or Leeds/Bradford or what have you, we quite consciously decided on Eurostar, zipping through the tunnel, not adding to our footprint. The train was great btw, but it's disappointing being back. In terms of costs, most def (pls to elect Jebedia Cromwryn as PM now and nationalise the rails ffs! these hyper-capitalist prices are in.sane.), train tickets are priced outrageously (I have lived in Todmorden for a year, five years ago, which does not represent England, nor Yorkshire, I know, but man... have prices risen since then), and also just the in-your-face aura/nazism of 'Englishness'. Union Jacks hanging behind windows even more than before... Idk...

BUT. This is a snooker thread. So WHERE'S THE CUE BALL GOINGGGG? (had second thoughts abt packing a cd-r of my first "album", something me and my brother threw together when we were young, a terrible demo that only had the title going for it: 'The Day John Virgo Killed The Game'. I didn't pack it, and doubt that fuckface will be there anyway. Canb always throw a usb-stick at him).

Once in a lifetime! :)

Le Bateau Ivre, Wednesday, 6 November 2019 00:11 (four years ago) link

https://i.imgur.com/xBk5HL4.jpg

Were we unlucky for not booking the Friday night (a Ronnie vs Neil R. cracker) vs the Saturday semi of Allen vs Trump? Nah. It was truly a "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" experience. A shambles and fantastic rolled into one.

The snooker was mediocre, at best. The spectacle around it made it completely worth while though. Even if it involved several way too drunk and loud and obnoxious lads and m8s. I realize there is no point in banging on about the sheer number of drunk English attendees embarrassing themselves, but I was still taken aback. The bald guy lower right in the picture, seated before us, earned himself a stern look of the ref because he had a loud lager hiccup during play. He kept telling people around him he expected Trump to make a second century, in that drunk "I am trying to whisper but don't realize I'm failing miserably"-voice: 'Back to back centuries m8', 'back to back centuries', 'back to back centuries telling ya', 'this'll be back to back centuries!'. Obviously we didn't pay the shambolic 10 quid for the commentary earpiece, but the narrator of duty, Stephen Hendry would've narrated the scene as thus: "There were no back to back centuries". Guy left after frame three, threw up in the lounge of the Ricoh Arena, returned and was then removed from the audience when Trump had just made it 4-4, when they played 'Rebel Rebel' during the 2 mins ITV gambling commercial break in between frames, because he had shouted "Shot!" after break-off and after the frame was shouting 'Gmon Ronnie! Gmonn ya fuck! Back to back centuries!"

An older couple - she in her seventies and completely with it, him 85 and struck by severe Parkinsons - sat opposite of us on our bench before play where we were enjoying a beer. We struck a conversation. She told us her husband had been watching snooker on the telly all his life, and it was his wish to once see it live. For his 85th birthday she arranged tickets for this semi-final. She had arranged with the venue that they'd enter through a backdoor, as a surprise, so he'd not realize what the surprise was, or where he was, basically. Surrounded by MASSIVE Ronnie posters and a snooker table in the lobby and a merch stand w/ godawful t-shirts with "snooker players do it with one feet off the floor", she put a plastic straw in his Guinness and said: "We're sitting here now, and he *still* doesn't know what his surprise birthday gift is." He just looked at us, staring, and indeed did not have a clue where he was. When he wheeled his walker to the toilet, 15 mins before showtime, he ignored or forgot the specific and thrice repeated instructions of his wife to use the disabled toilet. Ten mins later I was in the mens - there was a huge line just before the game started - and he was standing there, trousers and underpants at his ankles, in front of a urinoir, lost in himself. Later, when we seated, and just before the start, I saw him and her and they were seated front row. I hope he finally then understood where he was, what his surprise gift was. And that he remembered it, or *knew it*, if only for a short while.

This is turning out to be way more of a Real England post than a snooker post, but such is life.

Tl;dr the snooker was fine, even more in awe of the players keeping composure in these circumstances (the buzzing drone of camera's and lights is something else in itself), four days in Coventry was neat (though I'd recommend Coventry to others for two days at most). The Herbert museum was nice. It had an exhibition on about Coventry of yore (yore seemingly meaning anything beyond the '00s. There were DOS pc's and Amiga's and Specials 7"'s on display). They also had this, which I could not interpret in any other way as a 'Vote Labour' appeal. Good on them:

https://i.imgur.com/ekF7Ein.jpg

Finally, the snooker merch stand. Saddest. Merch. Stand. Ever.

https://i.imgur.com/AZL5zB6.jpg

35 quid for a snooker ball SIGNED by KYREN WILSON to sock a drunk lad in the face? Don't mind if I do Clive, don't mind if I do.

Best trip ever.

Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 11 November 2019 19:53 (four years ago) link

content this quality cannot go ignored

top, top work

never been to Coventry but when in Stroud recently enough I met the owner of Beer Gonzo, the region's foremost craft beer Mecca - did you end up there at any point?

imago, Monday, 11 November 2019 21:08 (four years ago) link

Bless you, my friend :) Truth be told it always felt like I was writing an email to you here instead of a post on a public forum. <3

We did not end up there. Which is a shame, I now wish we did! We stayed at the Ramada, just outside of the ring road, and focused on the center mostly. On Coventry: the ruines of the bombed to shatters cathedral, the Herbert museum, the university district and the hipster 'Fargo' (Far Gosford) village, with vintage and antiques and 2nd hand book shops and stuff are nice and worth your while.

We were really curious - having wiki'd up our knowledge about Coventry: city heavily bombed during WW2 and rebuilt after - if the center was anything like Rotterdam (obliterated in the war and therefor pressed to reinvent itself, reborn into a futuristic, modern architectural miracle). Alas, it was not. Most of the center is made up of godawful white plastered mall alleys and streets, giving you no sense of direction, with half of the shops closed down; bricky and soulless, melancholy. We piously followed the guides and signs to Spon Street, a medieval street all of the city desperately pushes you towards, but it was a laughable, nigh on offensive, 'attraction'. Yes, there were some old buildings, but those buildings were closed and derelict and. Pubs with proud "this is the oldest pub in the city" signs while in a haunted, decaying state. Take better care of what you promote or declare heritage ffs.

You'll be spoiled for choice on restaurants though: loads of great, esp Asian (and beyond) restaurants. We had great grub three nights in a row: at a Lebanese, Bangladeshi and Indian restaurant. As always in England, nigh on achingly humble and friendly service, fantastic food.

So where's that cue ball going? ;)

Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 11 November 2019 21:41 (four years ago) link

I've been to that museum, it's great. The cathedral is also great. Not a mega fan of Cov in general tho.

Joe Kulak 😎 (Noodle Vague), Monday, 11 November 2019 21:59 (four years ago) link

Those were some fine posts btw LBI

Joe Kulak 😎 (Noodle Vague), Monday, 11 November 2019 22:04 (four years ago) link

I know there’s a second post but I can’t stop giggling at the centuries guy getting fucked out

gyac, Monday, 11 November 2019 22:05 (four years ago) link

As always in England, nigh on achingly humble and friendly service

wait this is Dutch irony right

gyac, Monday, 11 November 2019 22:06 (four years ago) link

I dunno you generally get decent service in a curry house tbf. And there are some ace ones in the West Mids in general

Joe Kulak 😎 (Noodle Vague), Monday, 11 November 2019 22:10 (four years ago) link

NV <3

Gyac, I specifically meant the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Lebanese *in England* - my admittedly thoroughly flawed catch-all phrase was Asian - restaurants and their staff. They are so welcoming and great, almost embarrassingly so, while working their behinds off. No irony at all. "Centuries guy getting fucked out" is more akin to English pub and rests staff tbf :)

Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 11 November 2019 22:30 (four years ago) link

Yeah fair enough! I genuinely enjoy authentically surly service tbf, rather that than forced-sunshineyness of Pret staff

gyac, Monday, 11 November 2019 22:32 (four years ago) link

I dunno you generally get decent service in a curry house tbf. And there are some ace ones in the West Mids in general


recommendations? have never been to a anywhere besides Solihull v briefly, but vaguely interested in Worcester (if that counts) - it has a racecourse!

gyac, Monday, 11 November 2019 22:33 (four years ago) link

I don't know Worcester tbh, have only ever driven through/by it as far as I remember. Pretty sure there's at least one ilxor who's Worcester-adjacent tho?

Joe Kulak 😎 (Noodle Vague), Monday, 11 November 2019 22:36 (four years ago) link

there is 1 who still lives there iirc. I haven't really lived there since I left for uni which was 25 years ago, so any curry houses I used to frequent probably no longer exist (just checked, the one I had the best idea of the address is now a pizzeria)

iirc the racecourse is currently underwater. this is a fairly common occurrence

Colonel Poo, Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:48 (four years ago) link

"This is turning out to be way more of a Real England post than a snooker post, but such is life."

Lol, yes well done :)

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:58 (four years ago) link

two weeks pass...

Mr. Bond just trumped Mr. Trump 6-3 in the UK Champs. Bad night to be a Trump. #crossesfingers

Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 2 December 2019 16:50 (four years ago) link

Oh no Ronnio :(

StanM, Thursday, 5 December 2019 17:53 (four years ago) link

Ha! Was juuust gonna post about this thinking I'm the only one rambling here anyway. Yeah, Ronnio out but Ding's deserved it! I'm wholly team Ding this tournament. Every single interview he states how much pressure there is on him from his homeland and you kinda feel for the guy? But he's getting better w/ every match this tournament, after a dreadful season start. Good on him.

Also, you simply love too see Gary Wilson - hampered by a badger's tail on the back of his skull, granted - being fucked up by Nigel Bond 6-5 after being 5-2 up.

Le Bateau Ivre, Thursday, 5 December 2019 18:05 (four years ago) link

Yes, for the uninitiated, the Nigel Bond. Partying like it's '99.

Le Bateau Ivre, Thursday, 5 December 2019 18:06 (four years ago) link

Amazing @ Bond!!

Also interesting how three Chinese players have made it to the quarters. First time this has happened?

xyzzzz__, Friday, 6 December 2019 13:25 (four years ago) link

Yes, for the uninitiated, the Nigel Bond. Partying like it's '99.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELCeu6MWwAAi0hC.jpg:large

willem, Friday, 6 December 2019 13:54 (four years ago) link

hampered by a badger's tail on the back of his skull

Had to look this up - wtf

willem, Friday, 6 December 2019 13:55 (four years ago) link

lol xp

Tbf it was endearing to see how he barely held himself together in the final frame, he's 54 and seen it all but he was shaking like a leaf.

Le Bateau Ivre, Friday, 6 December 2019 14:12 (four years ago) link

xyzzz I def think this is the first time three Chinese players made it this far in a triple crown tournament.

Le Bateau Ivre, Friday, 6 December 2019 14:13 (four years ago) link

There was an embarrassing - bordering on thinly veiled racist - segment Saturday night on the beeb with Alan McManus and Steve Davis discussing Ding's qualities but mostly pitfalls. They questioned whether Ding had 'fire in his belly', because he "wasn't strutting around the table like a peacock" like many Western (=UK) players. The two men noted that it was often Chinese players who showed "a lack of passion and emotion". "Does he really want to win this?" Mind, Ding had already qualified for the final at this point.

When he was easing past Maguire yesterday, predictably the commentariat (including the above) couldn't say otherwise than that Ding was relentless, "a machine". Turns out he wanted it enough after all! Fuck that shit, and I'm glad Ding punished their dumb meanderings.

Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 9 December 2019 09:03 (four years ago) link

Don't we all remember the exuberant strutting 'round the table like a peacock of Bond, Williams, Higgins etc etc. C'mon.

Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 9 December 2019 09:04 (four years ago) link

Commentary on sports is 'root canal without anaesthetic' levels of horror, with plenty of racism. Real ticking time bomb as more Chinese players get into the latter stages of main events.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 9 December 2019 09:13 (four years ago) link

Well done Ding (and Maguire for getting into a final, he must be on his way back after a fairly blistering start to his career iirc). Really should win a world title now.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 9 December 2019 09:15 (four years ago) link

Commentary on sports is 'root canal without anaesthetic' levels of horror, with plenty of racism. Real ticking time bomb as more Chinese players get into the latter stages of main events.

― xyzzzz__, Monday, December 9, 2019 10:13 AM (eight hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

Otm on all accounts. For all the wrong reasons I expected better from Steve Davis though.

Hazel's "we've just received breaking news*" about this new Saudi Arabia tournament deal was ominous, as she left it at a "this will cause some varying opinions" type of remark. No word on if women can even visit this new tournament, for one.

* ten minutes later they aired a pre-recorded interview w/ snooker's boss about it

Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 9 December 2019 18:14 (four years ago) link

one month passes...

catching up on old bookmarks and on the saudi arabia thing it’s worth reading hazel southwell on formula e in riyadh.

Fizzles, Friday, 10 January 2020 09:22 (four years ago) link

Though at times grating (and ridiculously long), that was an interesting read, thanks.

Le Bateau Ivre, Friday, 10 January 2020 11:55 (four years ago) link

What's been your favourite moment of 2020 so far? 💭

Ours: Stephen Maguire defying the laws of physics #DafabetMasterspic.twitter.com/Fpm97SgRlR

— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) January 13, 2020

Le Bateau Ivre, Tuesday, 14 January 2020 16:46 (four years ago) link

three months pass...

Just seen this desperately painful image. pic.twitter.com/lHD2UP91y9

— Tre Vorba-Stard III (@TreborRhurbarb) May 7, 2020

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 7 May 2020 18:11 (three years ago) link

two months pass...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/53485482

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 23 July 2020 13:54 (three years ago) link

"Maybe they have to start doing a test on crowds at some point and I've heard people say they're treating the snooker event a little bit like lab rats - you've got to start somewhere, start with snooker players.

"Less insurance to pay out for Anthony Hamilton than there is for Lewis Hamilton."

chonky floof (groovypanda), Thursday, 30 July 2020 07:43 (three years ago) link

No audiences after all! Poor Hamilton.

Scampidocio (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 31 July 2020 13:44 (three years ago) link

Saw Higgins get a 147 earlier today - the first at the Crucible for eight years! Had no idea it had been so long...

Ward Fowler, Thursday, 6 August 2020 14:32 (three years ago) link

Yeah I was surprised at that stat.

Loathe the tinned applause. Yesterday I saw a match where tinned applause sounded from the other table! Beckettian madness.

Scampidocio (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 6 August 2020 14:54 (three years ago) link

He lost tho'. Not seen a min so far but looks like there are some new faces coming through

xyzzzz__, Friday, 7 August 2020 08:41 (three years ago) link

Lol

I love him pic.twitter.com/tqvupRr5UV

— Your Mum says Black Lives Matter (@judeinlondon2) August 9, 2020

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 August 2020 21:37 (three years ago) link

ha, that's great

imago, Sunday, 9 August 2020 21:58 (three years ago) link

gf roled off the sofa laughing when we caught that yesterday :D

he's not even wrong, mind.

Scampidocio (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 10 August 2020 07:01 (three years ago) link

I think you could draw an analogy to men's tennis in that the trio of Higgins, O'Sullivan, Williams were really special with Selby the only one who has shaken things up, he is younger by a few years.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 10 August 2020 08:50 (three years ago) link

If you're generous you could say Selby, Trump, Ding and Robertson have shown they can produce snooker as good as the original trio. But there's a lot of second or even third tier players. Yesterday's McGill vs Clarke match a case in point. It should not be possible to have that as a second round WC match, and yet.

Scampidocio (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 10 August 2020 08:56 (three years ago) link

Selby, Trump, Ding and Robertson are all in their 30s? Selby and Ding pushing 40? Trump might be late 20a

imago, Monday, 10 August 2020 09:35 (three years ago) link

I mean I could look each one up lol

imago, Monday, 10 August 2020 09:35 (three years ago) link

You're right, mixed up the age thing w/ players stinking at snooker.

That Gould guy I did look up. He's 38, while looking 55!

Scampidocio (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 10 August 2020 09:44 (three years ago) link

enters the arena to The Ace of Spades so he's not all bad

Neil S, Monday, 10 August 2020 09:58 (three years ago) link

the arena... of snooker

Neil S, Monday, 10 August 2020 09:59 (three years ago) link

True. Can't believe the trite garbage they choose as entering music. Can't believe not even Ronnie ever fucked w/ that by blasting the Duck Total Toilet music or whatever.

Scampidocio (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 10 August 2020 10:01 (three years ago) link

Of that quartet only Selby has really looked like pushing that trio out of it (in my tennis analogy he is a bit like Wawrinka). Robertson didn't push on.

Judd is 30 and Ding is 33. I think the latter might get one world title at most. The former could benefit from the gap between retirements and guys in their 20s not coming through.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 10 August 2020 10:07 (three years ago) link

130 from Williams to finish the first sesh 6-2 against Ronnie.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 10 August 2020 15:39 (three years ago) link

Wilson is looking good.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 10 August 2020 20:17 (three years ago) link

he is the one 'kid' who seems like he has the moxie to disprove ronnie tbh

imago, Monday, 10 August 2020 20:25 (three years ago) link

remember luca brecel? that star didn't shine long

imago, Monday, 10 August 2020 20:25 (three years ago) link

This Trump does look done.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 10 August 2020 21:29 (three years ago) link

Enjoyed seeing Wilson play yesterday, I'd be happy if the dullard in the pack loses.

O'Sullivan predictably not up to speed when the competition gets a bit better. He excuse himself w/ "just here for a laff" but his heart's not in it, really.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 06:51 (three years ago) link

Well, Ronnie beat Ding (whom he lost to a couple of years ago?) Williams is a three time champion who might have won another couple if he didn't go off the rails after his second win.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 08:23 (three years ago) link

Ronnie vs Ding was the highest quality match so far. Not saying Ronnie should be expected to breeze past Williams, but he lacks consistency, and has done so for years now.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 08:31 (three years ago) link

In a two-day match you hope things will turn up but it looks like Ronnie is also done.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 14:04 (three years ago) link

Trump has closed to 11-9 as we go into the final session. Hate both but Trump is worse, so come on Wilson.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 14:32 (three years ago) link

Ronnie made two visits for two frames but Williams looks good at the last here. Fluke from Williams helped but still..

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 14:33 (three years ago) link

Ronnie is working really hard here, closing the gap to two with two left.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:27 (three years ago) link

Wilson strangling the life out of this match with some hard as nails matchplay snooker. Please finish this cunt off.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:28 (three years ago) link

Get fucked Trump, yes!

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:33 (three years ago) link

Very pleasing to see Trump get fucked. Now, could there be a real Ronnie comeback on?

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:38 (three years ago) link

Ronnie within one, one to go. Can't wait for tonight.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:38 (three years ago) link

i do not love trump at all but what is the specific beef again

imago, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:39 (three years ago) link

For me, it's not beef. He's just spectacularly boring.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:40 (three years ago) link

Wouldn't like to see him stabbed though.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:41 (three years ago) link

lol at this progression

Trump is great. People mentioned Jimmy White because of some of the huge cue power (and exuberance by putting it on show often) and I'd agree.

― xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2011 19:24 (nine years ago) bookmarkflaglink

Glad Trump is out - the hype around him when he first 'broke through' was embarrassing.

― xyzzzz__, Thursday, 1 May 2014 09:22 (six years ago) bookmarkflaglink

Anyone but Trump.

― xyzzzz__, Thursday, 30 April 2015 09:06 (five years ago) bookmarkflaglink

there then followed something of a begrudging gesture towards support last year when 'anyone but Higgins' had to trump 'anyone but Trump'

imago, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:44 (three years ago) link

lol

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:49 (three years ago) link

You are reaching from those posts, it's pretty much negative all the way through lol

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:49 (three years ago) link

Ronnie makes it 8-8 I see on the live score ticker? Sweet, looking forward to tonight.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:50 (three years ago) link

8-8 after a nervous frame from both.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:50 (three years ago) link

lockdown and covid makes this feel like a selby year ngl

imago, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 15:53 (three years ago) link

Ronnie a tad unlucky but Williams took his chance well

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 18:23 (three years ago) link

Fucking fucked at the next. Loads of easy missed chances but Ronnie wins out

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 18:35 (three years ago) link

What a costly miss by Ronnie..

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 18:50 (three years ago) link

Ronnie recovered well for a century break. All square.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 19:06 (three years ago) link

Ronnie is ahead...just terrific safety after a 60 break to get another chance

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 19:38 (three years ago) link

How far behind was Ronnie this afternoon? Looks comfortable now.

Eyeball Kicks, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 19:39 (three years ago) link

Maybe not.

Eyeball Kicks, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 19:40 (three years ago) link

Genius century, within one

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 19:45 (three years ago) link

He worked out a plant in the middle of that 👌👌👌

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 19:46 (three years ago) link

should be that then

||||||||, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 19:59 (three years ago) link

fucked it

||||||||, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:01 (three years ago) link

making hard work of this

||||||||, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:11 (three years ago) link

Lol re-spotted black

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:17 (three years ago) link

Fuck me this frame

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:17 (three years ago) link

haha what

I turned it off after he put the green in, thinking that's that

||||||||, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:18 (three years ago) link

Nah missed the blue

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:19 (three years ago) link

Ronnie does it

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:20 (three years ago) link

That was great fun

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:22 (three years ago) link

good

imago, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 20:41 (three years ago) link

goo

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 21:17 (three years ago) link

See Selby has yet to make a century and while he can do a lot with his tactical game he'll also need to score heavy if Ronnie is on his game.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 11 August 2020 21:18 (three years ago) link

Selby can't get going rn.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 12 August 2020 18:54 (three years ago) link

I missed most of the first two frames. Commentators are talking about the number of kicks. Selby got a nasty one just now

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 12 August 2020 18:58 (three years ago) link

Ronnie gets one too..it might need looking at.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 12 August 2020 19:01 (three years ago) link

Kick after kick after kick. Selby esp looks nervous though, even before those

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 12 August 2020 19:04 (three years ago) link

Yup. Ronnie has been frustrated too but has managed more of a rhythm. 3-1

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 12 August 2020 19:26 (three years ago) link

That's the story. Selby had some really bad misses without a kick, too. He looks really on edge.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 12 August 2020 19:28 (three years ago) link

4-1. Selby missed a green off the spot, Ronnie made two 50+ breaks. A dangerous moment here.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 12 August 2020 19:57 (three years ago) link

Selby played one good frame, the last one, yet is only two down.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 12 August 2020 21:20 (three years ago) link

Good to see Wilson got his mojo back

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 13 August 2020 11:46 (three years ago) link

I think Selby got into the match in the penultimate frame last night. That was also good but yes he should've been 6-2 down.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 11:55 (three years ago) link

Ronnie got the mother of all kicks. Didn't leave anything tho'.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 13:52 (three years ago) link

Am not watching now, but any thoughts on the reason for all these kicks? I don't buy the 'humidity' thing, hasn't there been a heatwave all week in Sheffield? Why are there kicks only last night and now?

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:03 (three years ago) link

Well there was a change of balls between the first and second session and tbh that was the only kick in the frame.

It led to a half hour frame, Selby eventually strangles out a win and that's just how he likes it.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:07 (three years ago) link

At the next Selby plays an attacking safety. Selby now in and the question is on his scoring, should win the frame in one visit.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:12 (three years ago) link

Yup does it. 97 break, 5-5.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:20 (three years ago) link

the narrative requires this to be an o'sullivan-wilson final

imago, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:35 (three years ago) link

Awesome long pot from Selby to get the lead. O'Sullivan all over the shop, he had the first chance but tried to force it on a first visit.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:36 (three years ago) link

Selby is strangling Ronnie's game.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:37 (three years ago) link

the narrative requires this to be an o'sullivan-wilson final

― imago, Thursday, 13 August 2020 bookmarkflaglink

This is goo

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:38 (three years ago) link

Good starter from Ronnie, but he then kisses the blue after the green, the misses the red. His timing is gone.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:40 (three years ago) link

Selby has won the last five frames.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:49 (three years ago) link

Damage limitation is the name of the game. 2-2 would be good but just from the first few exchanges that's looking optimistic, let's see.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 15:14 (three years ago) link

Selby made a bad, bad error. Ronnie finally takes a chance to win the frame.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 15:20 (three years ago) link

They share the next two, well done Ronnie. Last frame not that important.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 15:53 (three years ago) link

Selby plays snooker with a massive Tory vibe sorry

— Your Mum says Black Lives Matter (@judeinlondon2) August 13, 2020

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 15:54 (three years ago) link

Huge slice of fortune from Selby who totally screwed up, should've left the frame

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 15:58 (three years ago) link

This semi is really pretty bad, but I can enjoy bad snooker

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 13 August 2020 16:02 (three years ago) link

Haven't had a century yet, so it's Selby's to lose.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 16:11 (three years ago) link

Has a qualifier ever reached the final in the modern era?

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 13 August 2020 18:36 (three years ago) link

Don't know myself. As I switch Wilson has just gone ahead with a century.

Three left this evening

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 20:24 (three years ago) link

13-11. Two centuries and a 50. McGill had a good chance but let that go. Looks like it's going one way.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 21:21 (three years ago) link

Sorry 13-10

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 21:22 (three years ago) link

McGill answered with one session snooker at the end. 13-11

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 21:30 (three years ago) link

just realised, are they piping in the applause from the 'knowledgable crucible crowd'(TM)

||||||||, Thursday, 13 August 2020 21:33 (three years ago) link

They sure are 😂😂😂

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 August 2020 22:07 (three years ago) link

I'd like to know who presses the button. Like Jimmy White said, lots of applause at the 'wrong' moments.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 06:15 (three years ago) link

So much to say about this button seriously. I've been constantly laughing at it.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 09:05 (three years ago) link

So a lot has been said about the kick Ronnie got yesterday but it's just bollocks. In the first session his long potting was just on. That's what he needs today.

If he does that then he has a better chance than he might've against Selby, who isn't scoring heavy enough.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 09:10 (three years ago) link

Ronnie almost got his long pot. Left it. Frame over, first time he has convincingly scored I think 😬

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 09:17 (three years ago) link

Incredible miss by Selby at the next.

Selby needs 3x 4 point snookers. Good for Selby to play on, tests O'Sullivan's patience and it's possibly therapeutic for Selby too. A disgusting miss from him.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 09:45 (three years ago) link

That was 20 mins longer than it should've been

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 09:51 (three years ago) link

alan mcmanus' command of the english language is quite loose

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 09:53 (three years ago) link

Selby wins the next. Ronnie can't buy a long pot rn but that also affirms the tactic of elongating frames.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 10:11 (three years ago) link

That was an incredible miss on the brown from Selby. He is favourite unless Ronnie can get his long potting back to his best.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 10:22 (three years ago) link

the way he was cueing for that one gave me hope tbh

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 10:33 (three years ago) link

A kick from Ronnie there, allows Selby in..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 10:48 (three years ago) link

Appreciate the live commentary itt Clive, being stuck at work.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 10:52 (three years ago) link

Selby has cleared up well. Depends on Ronnie's reaction but this could be it tbh.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 10:55 (three years ago) link

13-9. Ronnie has got to win these next two and share the session otherwise won't bother tonight.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:06 (three years ago) link

Ronnie's toast, then.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 11:08 (three years ago) link

Nearly, yeah. Selby left a regulation long red. Ronnie would sink 9/10. Guess what?

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:09 (three years ago) link

Sinks a red but misses the yellow after. Fucked rn.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:14 (three years ago) link

Holy fuck lol

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:31 (three years ago) link

Big frame now

crisp, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:31 (three years ago) link

Selby had Ronnie on the ropes, missed an easy red. So many turns later and Ronnie steals it!! 13-10

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:32 (three years ago) link

Holy fuck lol

― xyzzzz__, Friday, August 14, 2020 1:31 PM (one minute ago) bookmarkflaglink

ok this is TERRIBLE live commentary!

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 11:32 (three years ago) link

Ah there we are, sorry, I'm cranky for having to miss it ;)

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 11:32 (three years ago) link

Gotta say even if Selby gets through and it's Wilson I'd say the latter has a great chance anyway Selby just isn't scoring heavily enough.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:34 (three years ago) link

XP lol LBI.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:34 (three years ago) link

wilson beating ronnie in the final is the goo Narrative but i'd also take him beating selby

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:35 (three years ago) link

13-11. Well done Ronnie.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:40 (three years ago) link

we almost lost alphie there

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:41 (three years ago) link

Break has come at the right time for Selby, Ronnie potted a very nice long red at the end there.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 11:43 (three years ago) link

xp more’s the pity

Not watching this due to working (“working”), but love to see Ronnie do well.

caută tu singur (gyac), Friday, 14 August 2020 11:48 (three years ago) link

McGill came back from 14-11 to draw level.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:06 (three years ago) link

Perfect pack split from McGill and then the red has gone in.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:20 (three years ago) link

Wilson goes onto clear up and then McGill plays an incredible long red at the next, has to be one of the shots of the championship.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:31 (three years ago) link

15-15

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:39 (three years ago) link

McGill looks the better now. Rooting for droopy Wilson tbh

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 15:51 (three years ago) link

McGill has been unfuckingreal. He's one away.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:52 (three years ago) link

If it wasn't for that pack split sinking a red in he'd be in the final. He has scored so heavy.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:53 (three years ago) link

Graeme Dott was the last qualifier to reach the final 10 years ago

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:57 (three years ago) link

It was Ding apparently. TV lied to me

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 16:09 (three years ago) link

Can I get a re-rack?

Remember when the semis were best of 31? Game went when they moved to 33.

Michael Jones, Friday, 14 August 2020 16:11 (three years ago) link

Wilson crawled but that was a top red along the cushion for a decider.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 16:33 (three years ago) link

McGill has the first chance

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 16:43 (three years ago) link

What a shot with the rest there for Wilson. He is favourite..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 16:50 (three years ago) link

Down to a fight for the last red

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 16:58 (three years ago) link

This is an an incredible end to the match

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:11 (three years ago) link

This is brutal

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:12 (three years ago) link

Fk me..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:14 (three years ago) link

Never in my life

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:14 (three years ago) link

lmao wtf

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:14 (three years ago) link

Lol Wilson again

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:15 (three years ago) link

omg!!

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:16 (three years ago) link

Going to have grandchildren to tell them about this frame

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:17 (three years ago) link

Hgdyhhgduijjhdssffdffgggg

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 17:18 (three years ago) link

What an attempt at a red!!

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:19 (three years ago) link

jesus fucking christ

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:20 (three years ago) link

mcgill has to play the double kiss pot surely

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:20 (three years ago) link

Rerack imo

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 17:21 (three years ago) link

Hgdyhhgduijjhdssffdffgggg

― Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 17:18 (two minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:21 (three years ago) link

Imagine what this would be like with a crowd

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:22 (three years ago) link

McGill from yellow to green

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:23 (three years ago) link

i cannot even

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:23 (three years ago) link

Wilson going 'mad' at the camera

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:24 (three years ago) link

Wow

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:34 (three years ago) link

How how

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:34 (three years ago) link

:(

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:34 (three years ago) link

I can't believe that McGill shot on the pink

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:39 (three years ago) link

They seven shake hands at the end

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:40 (three years ago) link

must be one of the highest aggregate frame scores ever too

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:43 (three years ago) link

That was ridiculous. Watching it with a 15yo who couldn’t understand why they were “so crap” and “kept missing”.

Michael Jones, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:49 (three years ago) link

Astounding reaction from Wilson

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:50 (three years ago) link

hope he gets it back together for the final

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 17:58 (three years ago) link

that was insane

chonky floof (groovypanda), Friday, 14 August 2020 18:01 (three years ago) link

Ronnie has come out all guns blazing

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 18:15 (three years ago) link

1st century of the semi

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 18:16 (three years ago) link

Yep. Back to one frame in it

chonky floof (groovypanda), Friday, 14 August 2020 18:17 (three years ago) link

Ronnie has come out all guns blazing

John Parrott agrees with you

chonky floof (groovypanda), Friday, 14 August 2020 18:18 (three years ago) link

But at the next Ronnie doesn't clear it in one. Selby brilliantly gets out of the snooker and lays one back.

Now he's got to score heavy

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 18:27 (three years ago) link

I’m still baffled by what I just saw before Selby vs Ronnie. Utter madness. When after 7 snookers Wilson fluked his white... man

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 18:34 (three years ago) link

Ronnie is hitting that shit sweet man.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 18:36 (three years ago) link

Mark has got to get this in one visit

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 18:51 (three years ago) link

Good break of 45, great response

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 18:54 (three years ago) link

Excellent by Selby, taking all his experience and digging deep to get himself over the line

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 19:01 (three years ago) link

A bit rushed with that plant. Reckon Selby will win from now on. At his best, Ronnie display graceful fluency with a clarity of thought and that was there for a frame or two..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 19:35 (three years ago) link

i guess this way there's no doubting support for wilson in the final

that said i can't hate selby, he's like if higgins was somehow not loathsome

imago, Friday, 14 August 2020 19:38 (three years ago) link

trim ur sidies ronald

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 19:42 (three years ago) link

Ronnie played an amazing shot to make that red. But he is going full blooded.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 19:42 (three years ago) link

Ronnie is hilarious, he has to go down. A great red, and such a silly blue tho'

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 19:45 (three years ago) link

Atrocious

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 19:47 (three years ago) link

The weird thing is Selby has been for the taking...weirdly painful to watch

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 19:56 (three years ago) link

Ok O'Sullivan sinks a gorgeous red and wins the frame in 5 mins...

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:19 (three years ago) link

Lol

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:19 (three years ago) link

Still lol

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:21 (three years ago) link

Self-sabotaging Ronnie is one of the worst things, but then he produces a 138 within 5 mins again

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:24 (three years ago) link

This is unbelievable

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:28 (three years ago) link

That red for the 71 is just...I'm shell-shocked

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:29 (three years ago) link

16-16

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:29 (three years ago) link

scenes

Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:29 (three years ago) link

nice

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:30 (three years ago) link

Selby has his chance. He is 64 points behind tho:

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:46 (three years ago) link

fucked it

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:51 (three years ago) link

Exactly like the last semi. Coming down to the last red

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:51 (three years ago) link

ooft

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:54 (three years ago) link

meant it

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:54 (three years ago) link

hit the button virgo u wee fuck

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:54 (three years ago) link

that is the most mental sequence of three safeties i’ve ever seen

Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:55 (three years ago) link

What a tactical battle here

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:55 (three years ago) link

jesus

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:55 (three years ago) link

this is brilliant

calzino, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:56 (three years ago) link

What a red!

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:56 (three years ago) link

i have never ever seen anything like today’s snooker before. extraordinary.

Fizzles, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:57 (three years ago) link

I don't know

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:57 (three years ago) link

knew he'd pot that difficult pressure red

calzino, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:58 (three years ago) link

I just don't know anymore

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 20:58 (three years ago) link

what a pot that was for the final red. just got down and hit it too

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 20:59 (three years ago) link

In the fucking heart of the pocket

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 21:00 (three years ago) link

4d chess is overused but that's what some of that was in them last few shots of that frame

calzino, Friday, 14 August 2020 21:02 (three years ago) link

The questions in that interview were not asked

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 21:05 (three years ago) link

oh shit

Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 14 August 2020 21:07 (three years ago) link

fuck up selby

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Friday, 14 August 2020 21:07 (three years ago) link

oh dear the grapes are sour

calzino, Friday, 14 August 2020 21:07 (three years ago) link

tory looking cunt

calzino, Friday, 14 August 2020 21:08 (three years ago) link

Ronnie interview at Eurosport was hilarious and oddly moving.

Man, what a day.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 14 August 2020 21:18 (three years ago) link

Selby interview was fascinating. There is a degree of truth (that the commentary in the studio weren't acknowledging after, even though they were saying something like this when Ronnie was 2 down with 3 to play) to the way that Ronnie seemed to be chucking the game in. But Selby was really gonna clear that on one visit after being frozen out for 2.5 frames? And Ronnie's safety against Selby on those exchanges were utterly measured (as were the many exchanges at the beginning of the frame too).

Going to spend a long, long time processing what happened out there.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 21:48 (three years ago) link

I just love Ronnie O'Sullivan. I always loved him, but the day he came to canvass in Chingford against Iain Duncan Smith was the day my love and respect reached new highs!#ItsAllAboutTheCueAction ♥️ https://t.co/VUJcPKciuA

— Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen) August 14, 2020

xyzzzz__, Friday, 14 August 2020 22:50 (three years ago) link

he's been disrespectful to IDS there

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 07:10 (three years ago) link

Think it's telling Selby calls Ronnie's Russian roulette shots "disrespectful". Selby's good snookers are what got Ronnie in that state of mind, where he was annoyed and almost threw the match. That's Selby's achievement, he should've seen it as a compliment and gotten down and dirty even more (he did once, when taking like 2 mins of "thinking" before finally deciding, yes, replace the white for Ronnie plz, it was just to annoy his opponent). All part of it imo.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 15 August 2020 09:23 (three years ago) link

agreed

Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 15 August 2020 09:37 (three years ago) link

otm

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 15 August 2020 12:06 (three years ago) link

Warmed to Wilson but hoping Ronnie can close it out.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 15 August 2020 12:07 (three years ago) link

Gutsy clearance from Wilson: 1-1

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 15 August 2020 13:12 (three years ago) link

dreadful cue action

Covfefe and TV (ken c), Saturday, 15 August 2020 13:25 (three years ago) link

3-1 Ronnie. Very fluent amongst them. Wilson missed a shot with the rest to allow Ronnie and he made a 70+ break.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 15 August 2020 13:41 (three years ago) link

Break is one I'm adding to the movies to avoid list

calzino, Saturday, 15 August 2020 13:46 (three years ago) link

Haha yeah that looks dire

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 15 August 2020 13:52 (three years ago) link

This will be a tough affair for Kyren I reckon

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 15 August 2020 13:53 (three years ago) link

They share the next two.

People wondering about the slow start to the final are reaching for stuff to say.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 15 August 2020 14:45 (three years ago) link

Ronnie makes the first century of the final. Beautiful, as always when he's like this.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 15 August 2020 14:55 (three years ago) link

Bollox, just when I need to go out I miss the 100

calzino, Saturday, 15 August 2020 14:56 (three years ago) link

Ronnie really picking the scraps off to go 6-2

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 15 August 2020 15:37 (three years ago) link

these youngsters eh

imago, Saturday, 15 August 2020 19:21 (three years ago) link

as soon as i post that, one-visit snooker from wilson & a probable century

imago, Saturday, 15 August 2020 19:33 (three years ago) link

what's ronnie playing at here

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 20:07 (three years ago) link

mind games

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 20:07 (three years ago) link

well played, KW, grinding it out

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 20:46 (three years ago) link

ronnie stop being a massive baby challenge

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:07 (three years ago) link

that is the only way o'sullivan was winning that frame

imago, Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:16 (three years ago) link

this guy's pish. ronnie should be steamrollering him

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:33 (three years ago) link

It's curiously fascinating to watch.

djh, Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:40 (three years ago) link

whoah what a shot!

calzino, Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:43 (three years ago) link

from ron

calzino, Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:43 (three years ago) link

.. and omg as well!

calzino, Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:46 (three years ago) link

tf was up with the path on that red

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:48 (three years ago) link

need to be putting them in if you want to win the world champs lad

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:50 (three years ago) link

lol wilson ya wee shitehead

Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:51 (three years ago) link

"interesting first day's play"

imago, Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:55 (three years ago) link

me when I see kyren wilson play snooker

Ronnie O’Sullivan with probably the best post-match interview of any sportsman ever. Never change @ronnieo147 🚀
pic.twitter.com/9RkX6gYyhA

— Andrew Bloch (@AndrewBloch) August 10, 2020

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:56 (three years ago) link

big BDO energy

aw naw no bolingoli anaw noo (||||||||), Saturday, 15 August 2020 21:57 (three years ago) link

Someone found his form back

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 16 August 2020 13:41 (three years ago) link

It's still mediocre but Ronnie finally made a longpot, some nice ones, and leads 13-8.

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 16 August 2020 13:42 (three years ago) link

^^ got ahead of myself there, still 12-8, but c'mon right ?:)

Monte Scampino (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 16 August 2020 13:42 (three years ago) link

Looks like Ronnie's going into tonight's session needing just one frame to win

chonky floof (groovypanda), Sunday, 16 August 2020 15:12 (three years ago) link

6th world title

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 16 August 2020 18:45 (three years ago) link

he has truly backed his chat

imago, Sunday, 16 August 2020 18:46 (three years ago) link

Doubted Ronnie would ever win this again. And if it is the last time I don't think I'll ever forget his three frames against Selby. Felt like a last gift.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 16 August 2020 19:52 (three years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eJM1NMLmiQ

imago, Monday, 17 August 2020 20:35 (three years ago) link

five months pass...

Yan looks great, just saw an unreal plant at 5-5

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 17 January 2021 20:07 (three years ago) link

Higgins knocks a really good plant back and clears up

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 17 January 2021 20:21 (three years ago) link

Fuck knows what Higgins was thinking of with that double

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 17 January 2021 21:36 (three years ago) link

little more exciting than turning on the snooker and seeing higgins miss frame ball

imago, Sunday, 17 January 2021 22:18 (three years ago) link

Steve Davis using T-1000 analogies, also citing "Terminator versus Predator".

— RESPECT MY ART THEN I'LL RESPECT YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS (@TreborRhurbarb) January 17, 2021

calzino, Sunday, 17 January 2021 22:41 (three years ago) link

I know just utter garbage

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 17 January 2021 22:47 (three years ago) link

steve davis is my homeboy leave 'im alone

imago, Sunday, 17 January 2021 22:57 (three years ago) link

mind you i am streaming eurosport

imago, Sunday, 17 January 2021 22:58 (three years ago) link

absolutely refuse to watch this any more after that miss, night all, fuck higgins

imago, Sunday, 17 January 2021 23:16 (three years ago) link

oh he won, sick :D

imago, Sunday, 17 January 2021 23:59 (three years ago) link

I'm too old to be watching these finals into the night #sadlol but I had to keep watching.

Delighted Yan won obv. His comeback from 67 down and winning on the re-spotted black is one for the books. So was Higgins' lol in-off off the black.

I'll rep for Steve Magma Davis any day of the week, but he looked more off than he sounded last night. He just didn't look well.

A Scampo Darkly (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 18 January 2021 08:15 (three years ago) link

It was odd watching Yan, he actually reminded me of a young John Higgins in terms of maturity for his age. Virgo talked about him learning shot selection but actually all of his game was in good working order apart from some of the long pots but I'm assuming that was just some final fatigue.

Only thing is seeing what his match play might be like over those long crucible sessions but he could be the first Chinese world champion.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 18 January 2021 12:12 (three years ago) link

yeah his safety play was accurate and his choices usually very pragmatic, definitely gonna be that sort of player, but hopefully without higgins' whole vibe

imago, Monday, 18 January 2021 13:32 (three years ago) link

A lot of sport is just seeing really young ppl be dead good at something with 'no fear' clichés, it's rare to see someone young express what could be described as maturity at a young age. Need to watch more of Yan, but looks like that's what he does have.

I was totally happy with Higgins when he came on the scene because of that quality, plus Hendry was dominating so seeing him, O'Sullivan, Williams was really good. Then got pissed off at him for taking cash and beating some challengers, and being on top of O'Sullivan more than I'd like.

The weird thing is Higgins lost more than Yan won. Made some old man errors that caught up with him.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 18 January 2021 13:44 (three years ago) link

Virgo is way past his expiration date, veering into self-caricature territory.

I think Yan's shot selection was, overall, excellent. And for a 20-year old I was amazed how well he read the game. Several examples of Virgo, but also Taylor and Doherty questioning if he'd seen that the pink wouldn't go back on it's spot, surely he wouldn't try that ridiculous plant etc. He proved them wrong time and again. (there was the one error, if you can call it that, where Yan left the cue ball around the blue, from which Higgins made an outrageous four ball plant)

He let Higgins in several times after attempting, and failing, a long pot; he was brash/bold/aggressive in those. But he's 20 ffs, you're supposed to be like that. If anything I was amazed at how cool and patient he was when it came down to the final black two times.

A Scampo Darkly (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 18 January 2021 13:51 (three years ago) link

The weird thing is Higgins lost more than Yan won. Made some old man errors that caught up with him.

This is correct. Higgins made more old man errors than Yan made rising star errors.

A Scampo Darkly (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 18 January 2021 13:53 (three years ago) link

Higgins should have won by miles.

I enjoyed watching Yan all week but that was an error strewn performance that you'd normally expect to be punished.

Good job Higgins doesn't have form for throwing matches...

new variant (onimo), Monday, 18 January 2021 18:16 (three years ago) link

two months pass...

Lol. Hendry v White in the qualifiers

groovypanda, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 15:10 (three years ago) link

Haha, that's lovely

willem, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 15:55 (three years ago) link

one month passes...

Lol @ Robertson's hair

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 27 April 2021 21:02 (two years ago) link

Started watching this year (and only on and off) from the end of the quarters. Disappointing how Wilson folded, not sure I can give a shit.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 1 May 2021 20:25 (two years ago) link

Though Bingham has tried his heart out there. Made a brilliant chance, needs to take it otherwise this one-off 5th session will not go all the way

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 1 May 2021 20:34 (two years ago) link

He should be banned from world sport for that outfit he's wearing this evening, that is criminal.

Authoritarian Steaks (Tom D.), Saturday, 1 May 2021 20:38 (two years ago) link

black shirt .. white collars ? wtf!

calzino, Saturday, 1 May 2021 21:00 (two years ago) link

... grey bowtie.

Authoritarian Steaks (Tom D.), Saturday, 1 May 2021 23:51 (two years ago) link

Can just see Selby being public enemy no 1 if he wins this by boring Murphy off the table. Commentators uncharacteristically getting pissy and it's just the 1st session.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 May 2021 14:56 (two years ago) link

Murphy good so far: 4-3 with one more frame to come

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 May 2021 14:57 (two years ago) link

They're good mates aren't they? Funny how everyone hated Murphy ten years ago and now he's one of the better-liked players.

imago, Sunday, 2 May 2021 15:12 (two years ago) link

7-7, just rumbling along..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 May 2021 20:33 (two years ago) link

Tied Murphy in knots here, nothing controversial, should be 10-7 up overnight and well on his way to a 4th world title

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 May 2021 21:52 (two years ago) link

Doherty and Hendry otm re: Murphy. You are not going to get 3/4 sbookers off Selby. It's also a pretty laughable sight. What Murphy can do is outscore.

Very hard to see this going any other way.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 May 2021 22:26 (two years ago) link

Shared session. A glimpse that Murphy could get on a run but seeing is believing.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2021 15:41 (two years ago) link

Murphy keeping the hope alive!

calzino, Monday, 3 May 2021 20:53 (two years ago) link

oh fuck he takes some real gambler type decisions that go wrong does Murphy

calzino, Monday, 3 May 2021 21:11 (two years ago) link

Would've been an incredible, all-time red.

Selby had loads of insurance by the time his long potting went to shit. It was terrific how he chose a safety instead of the red to the middle. Just that pinch of conservatism to get him over the line.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 May 2021 21:37 (two years ago) link

six months pass...

Shaun Murphy lol

Shaun Murphy in 2013 vs Shaun Murphy in 2021 pic.twitter.com/zedDKy8FoI

— Zac (@thelonepony) November 24, 2021

groovypanda, Wednesday, 24 November 2021 11:15 (two years ago) link

Lol, a professional should almost always beat an amateur.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 24 November 2021 11:24 (two years ago) link

four months pass...

Selby is on his way out. Yan is a really top player though, that shot to pot the brown to go 11-7 up was a bit of magic. Just willed that in.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 23 April 2022 19:17 (two years ago) link

Lol @ Selby losing the longest frames (including the longest in crucible history). He is one away from going home.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 23 April 2022 21:46 (two years ago) link

goodbye xunt

im zelenky (||||||||), Saturday, 23 April 2022 21:56 (two years ago) link

Yan ends Selby's defence of the title with a century.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 23 April 2022 21:59 (two years ago) link

wilson bingham shaping up into a humdinger

im zelenky (||||||||), Sunday, 24 April 2022 21:30 (two years ago) link

Yeah Bingham should've closed it out actually but he made a stupid error on 8-5. Wilson then grabbed the rest of the session.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 25 April 2022 08:30 (two years ago) link

if i was Neil Robertson i would simply ask my barber not to make me look like a twat

Number One shlong in Devon (Noodle Vague), Monday, 25 April 2022 08:44 (two years ago) link

he should have stuck with the curly perm

Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Monday, 25 April 2022 08:58 (two years ago) link

The haircut's match is going to a decider.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 25 April 2022 21:02 (two years ago) link

Incredible clearance from Lisowski there

Number One shlong in Devon (Noodle Vague), Monday, 25 April 2022 21:03 (two years ago) link

Yeah really good. And he wins at the next.

Don't think he's that good on the safety game but I am glad Robertson is out.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 25 April 2022 21:31 (two years ago) link

pro-english posting is it ? you'll be arrested and thrown in jail (rightly so)

im zelenky (||||||||), Monday, 25 April 2022 21:33 (two years ago) link

xp

same. great last frame that, nerves and all

Number One shlong in Devon (Noodle Vague), Monday, 25 April 2022 21:34 (two years ago) link

Saengkham's shoes are extremely cool

calzino, Tuesday, 26 April 2022 00:10 (one year ago) link

O'Sullivan is pretty much in the semis. Totally undisturbed run.

Yan has been brilliant tonight. 6-2 down now 7-7. This breaks started with a double.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 26 April 2022 21:11 (one year ago) link

Another beautiful century by O'Sullivan to reach his 13th century SF. He wins it 50% of the time from here you know.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 09:34 (one year ago) link

I introduced snooker to my in-laws over in Poland over Easter! They all got hooked on it. We were watching on Eurosport. It was annoying how when Radzi Chinyanganya was talking to pundits Jimmy and Ronnie* who were pundits in what looked like a basement their voices were immediately overlaid with the Lektor translation, but that's Polish TV for you! For some reason Poles have never got into subtitles.

* playing and pundit-ing. Bit unusual, I thought.

Grandpont Genie, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 11:08 (one year ago) link

Danger signs for Mark Williams. 9-8 down then on a 28 break and an easy miss on a red..

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 13:58 (one year ago) link

Made a century at the next chance he got.

Haven't seen a young player this together in all areas of the game at a World Championship since Selby.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 14:14 (one year ago) link

some vintage stuff being played in that rn

im zelenky (||||||||), Wednesday, 27 April 2022 14:18 (one year ago) link

10-10 at the mid session. Excellent response by Mark.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 14:58 (one year ago) link

Incredible clearance by Williams, he is one away..

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 16:24 (one year ago) link

filth from williams in the final frame

im zelenky (||||||||), Wednesday, 27 April 2022 16:35 (one year ago) link

clutch from higgins

im zelenky (||||||||), Wednesday, 27 April 2022 21:56 (one year ago) link

Jack choked.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 21:58 (one year ago) link

Trump is red hot so far. 3-0 against Williams.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 28 April 2022 13:16 (one year ago) link

Judd is playing ok but Williams is not at the races. On the way to losing the session 7-1

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 28 April 2022 15:35 (one year ago) link

Trump Higgins would be the nightmare final

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 28 April 2022 15:35 (one year ago) link

nothing to do but grit teeth and hope judd does it again in that case tbh

imago, Thursday, 28 April 2022 15:46 (one year ago) link

Higgins 3-0 up and you are back posting on the thread. Perfect combo of shit.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 28 April 2022 19:30 (one year ago) link

Just like the afternoon both Judd and Higgins are helping themselves. Awful set of SFs so far.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 28 April 2022 19:32 (one year ago) link

Ok Ronnie is going now, great 70 break

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 28 April 2022 19:51 (one year ago) link

Century for 3-3, he's been great

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 28 April 2022 20:46 (one year ago) link

Just saw the last 5 mins but it looks like that was special from Ronnie to steal it at the last, 10-6

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2022 16:42 (one year ago) link

Williams has won the last four frames..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2022 19:53 (one year ago) link

Five, he is two behind..

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2022 20:03 (one year ago) link

6-2 Williams, two behind. The two frames Trump won were centuries, but Williams' long potting was incredible throughout, he was so dominant for the rest of the time.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 29 April 2022 20:43 (one year ago) link

Incredible break from Ronnie. 80 from v little available. 11-7.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 10:31 (one year ago) link

Fantastic century from Ronnie and now John. 12-9. Quietly impressive for John to have won 8 frames with a highest break of 58 but he needs to score heavier if he is going to push Ronnie.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 11:42 (one year ago) link

Ruthlessly punishes an error by John for another Ronnie century. The 100th of the championship.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 11:58 (one year ago) link

That error broke Higgins. Ronnie wins the next two, with a century at the last. 15-9.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 12:31 (one year ago) link

Disappointing from Williams, just went for a bit too much when there was a safety shot on. Trump went onto win 14-11.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 13:53 (one year ago) link

Williams was going to lose the next but Judd got unlucky and then Williams pulled a couple of gorgeous long pots on the yellow and green to keep himself in the match.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 14:16 (one year ago) link

14-13.

Williams is not winning in one visit, it's getting nervy but Williams is killing it with his long potting. Judd will win if he scores heavy under pressure, but its getting scrappy and Williams will win if it shapes up like that.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 14:37 (one year ago) link

At the next Williams pots a beautiful long red bridging over the green.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 14:37 (one year ago) link

Went on to clear up, 14-14.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 14:45 (one year ago) link

15-15. Williams has shot his 16th century, equalling Hendry's record (from 2002) in a WC.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 15:44 (one year ago) link

this match fs

im zelenky (||||||||), Saturday, 30 April 2022 16:15 (one year ago) link

Got scrappy. Williams in front for the first time, he's one away.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 16:18 (one year ago) link

V poor safety from Judd. He is better at his tactical game these days but I think he'll be found out with a great great player putting on the pressure.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 16:21 (one year ago) link

Judd wins a scrappy frame! We are on to a decider.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 16:51 (one year ago) link

After a testy safety battle it's Trump with the first chance..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 17:10 (one year ago) link

Judd missed it but I don't know how Williams wins from here..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 17:14 (one year ago) link

I've watched more this year than I have in ages. The semis have been brilliant. That O'Sullivan 80 clearance (minus the black because Ronnie) was something else. I think Williams looked knackered at various points. Think that eventually caught up with him.

Vanishing Point (Chinaski), Saturday, 30 April 2022 19:21 (one year ago) link

Ronnie Vs Trump. Ronnie has outclassed every opponent since the 2nd round and Trump hasn't felt as confident all season and hard a much harder path to the final.

Has to be Ronnie but there is that pressure of a 7th world title. Really looking forward to it.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 19:48 (one year ago) link

3-1 O'Sullivan. Judd lost on a re-spotted black and showed weakness, especially on a green.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2022 14:02 (one year ago) link

what happened there

im zelenky (||||||||), Sunday, 1 May 2022 15:13 (one year ago) link

Looks like Ronnie blurted out something rude, words were said etc.

Judd did really well to pot that long yellow and win the frame from there. 5-3.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2022 15:29 (one year ago) link

7th world title on the way!

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 1 May 2022 21:23 (one year ago) link

Game on.

Vanishing Point (Chinaski), Monday, 2 May 2022 13:06 (one year ago) link

excited for the memes of what he was saying into trump's ear at the end

imago, Monday, 2 May 2022 20:02 (one year ago) link

Ronnie more than kept it together at the end. Well done Judd on stretching it to the last session.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2022 20:11 (one year ago) link

Of his world titles that was maybe one of his easiest. No one really gave him a game. John Higgins and Judd came into the matches slightly drained or not in tip top shape, and Ronnie was utterly ruthless.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 2 May 2022 20:16 (one year ago) link

eleven months pass...

Stop all snooker till we stop using oil I don't care.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 18 April 2023 10:10 (one year ago) link

snooker balls are plastic = oil, let's go back to ivory

StanM, Tuesday, 18 April 2023 11:29 (one year ago) link

That's right

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 18 April 2023 12:00 (one year ago) link

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_snooker_player_nicknames much to enjoy here

Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Thursday, 20 April 2023 12:56 (one year ago) link

John Parrott can remember Betamax videos

Ward Fowler, Thursday, 20 April 2023 14:35 (one year ago) link

They don't call him SatNav Selby for nothing

Ward Fowler, Thursday, 20 April 2023 15:13 (one year ago) link

"The Rhett Butler of the Green Baize" is my favourite

Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Thursday, 20 April 2023 15:15 (one year ago) link

Emperor of Pot

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 20 April 2023 15:24 (one year ago) link

pot noodle jfc

crisp, Thursday, 20 April 2023 16:30 (one year ago) link

excellent final two frames from Brecel :)

imago, Friday, 21 April 2023 20:51 (one year ago) link

Really pity Vafaei. If you are going to be an arsehole be actually good at what you do.

Ronnie is just an animal out there man: 10-2.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 22 April 2023 14:37 (one year ago) link

there was that astonishing missed pink in the opening frame, but I could see he meant business and was going to clean up today

calzino, Saturday, 22 April 2023 14:51 (one year ago) link

another century for Ron, he's not fucking about.

calzino, Saturday, 22 April 2023 15:15 (one year ago) link

and another!

calzino, Saturday, 22 April 2023 15:25 (one year ago) link

If I was playing Ron I would simply not trash-talk him and then spend 12 frames being a spectator to his brilliance.

calzino, Saturday, 22 April 2023 15:30 (one year ago) link

Yup, ruthless.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 22 April 2023 15:34 (one year ago) link

Robertson picking some funny options here

Ár an broc a mhic (darraghmac), Saturday, 22 April 2023 15:53 (one year ago) link

Two first time debuts in the QFs as well as Ronnie, Higgins, Selby.

Quite like to see Mark Allen win it.

xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 25 April 2023 08:54 (one year ago) link

Jones - Allen is a hell of a match

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 09:53 (eleven months ago) link

10-10, final session to come

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 10:35 (eleven months ago) link

Jones made a couple of errors but he hit back with a century.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 10:36 (eleven months ago) link

Allen pulled off a nice little clearance there, 11-10

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 11:35 (eleven months ago) link

Allen used his experience to get through 13-10.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 13:11 (eleven months ago) link

Si McGill looks like a cracker. 8-8.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 13:17 (eleven months ago) link

Ronnie played crappy last night but Brecel isn't that good and couldn't capitalise on it so they shared

Ronnie hasn't got going today either and Brecel has caught up and won four in a row: 10-10.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 14:36 (eleven months ago) link

Ronnie has shown nothing. Brecel is a brilliant break builder but is facing no opposition. One away from the SF.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 15:12 (eleven months ago) link

And Brecel takes it 13-10, after winning seven the last seven frames in a row.

Portsmouth Bubblejet, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 15:22 (eleven months ago) link

He's hilarious btw. Talking about how much he's been partying and all.

He won't win it but he is a hell of a break builder. Hendry was pretty excited in the commentary box, and you can see it because there's no safety there. Brecel pulls off the hardest shots, pretty exciting to watch! Remarkable he has come so far.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 15:37 (eleven months ago) link

Selby so dominant. 11-6.

Allen has a lot of form going into that semi. Selby a huge favourite for a 5th world title

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 19:44 (eleven months ago) link

watched 20 mins of frame 16 of selby-higgins. Selby just a masterclass in safety play never giving Higgins a look at a reasonably make able pot.

oscar bravo, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 19:58 (eleven months ago) link

Si McGill 12-12. It's been attritional stuff but the last two frames have yielded fluent snooker from both of them.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 22:11 (eleven months ago) link

Si is at the SF, at 20 years of age.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 22:50 (eleven months ago) link

China Vs Belgium semi is the first time the game is really shifting from the British dominance.

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 26 April 2023 22:52 (eleven months ago) link

This Si chap looking pretty handy so far

imago, Thursday, 27 April 2023 13:05 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel just not playing any safeties whatsoever, I like it but it surely can't sustain him

imago, Thursday, 27 April 2023 13:15 (eleven months ago) link

1st frame: 11 minute safety battle then century from Selby.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 27 April 2023 18:38 (eleven months ago) link

Lovely stuff from Allen. Selby is throwing stuff but Allen is a very experienced match player, and he is able to capitalise. Now 2-1 ahead.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 27 April 2023 19:42 (eleven months ago) link

Allen played great stuff for 5-3. Long way to go.

xyzzzz__, Thursday, 27 April 2023 22:06 (eleven months ago) link

Si is looking very, very strong. Luca showing frustration...he was prodigy, has more experience but it's not counting rn. 6-3.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 09:31 (eleven months ago) link

Next two frames shared. Si with a century

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 09:57 (eleven months ago) link

Si is unplayable at the moment.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 10:09 (eleven months ago) link

he's an attacking player like Brecel but there's more to his game overall maybe

(fingers all crossed)

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Friday, 28 April 2023 10:18 (eleven months ago) link

11-5, Si in complete control. Let's see if a final makes him flinch. That's all Brecel has I think.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 11:41 (eleven months ago) link

Si's game is a bit more mature than Brecel. His long potting is a marvel. Everything in the middle. What you watch this game for.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 11:42 (eleven months ago) link

40 min frame but Allen came out on top: 6-3.

Allen is marginally better on the long game at the moment.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 14:16 (eleven months ago) link

6-4. Gruelling near hour long frame. Allen had a couple of long pots but Selby often eeks these out, more often than not.

Allen is ahead but it's dangerous times for him.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 15:16 (eleven months ago) link

Right enough, 90+ break at the next. 6-5.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 15:32 (eleven months ago) link

6-6. A master.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 15:48 (eleven months ago) link

Session ends early at 7-6 Selby. Allen needs a good night's sleep; Selby has done what he has many times before.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 16:55 (eleven months ago) link

This guy

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 18:42 (eleven months ago) link

What a shellacking this is.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 18:57 (eleven months ago) link

watched the 18th frame of si match and his century was a thing of beauty. just so pure. dennis taylor on coms was near purring.

oscar bravo, Friday, 28 April 2023 19:43 (eleven months ago) link

Win the next too! Do like Brecel, don't think I've seen anything quite like him

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 19:51 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel is now giving it some. Si is now sweating a bit.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 20:07 (eleven months ago) link

si what happened

ledge, Friday, 28 April 2023 20:15 (eleven months ago) link

The most outrageous plant I've ever seen from Si.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 20:20 (eleven months ago) link

this match fixing is a bit blatant

Covfefe and TV (ken c), Friday, 28 April 2023 20:33 (eleven months ago) link

One of the astonishing sessions of snooker.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 20:35 (eleven months ago) link

Just...speechless. Brecel's fluency at 14-6 down was something else. It got into Si which I wasn't expecting.

xyzzzz__, Friday, 28 April 2023 20:40 (eleven months ago) link

yeah but what t shirt was steve davis wearing?

ledge, Friday, 28 April 2023 20:42 (eleven months ago) link

was wondering that as well. couldn’t work out whether it was a snooker design, some sort of prog metal thing or the perfect intersection of both.

Fizzles, Friday, 28 April 2023 21:16 (eleven months ago) link

if it was a music shirt there's a very good chance I'd have known, link?

imago, Friday, 28 April 2023 21:17 (eleven months ago) link

prog metal? prog electronic surely...

https://imgur.io/gallery/EoLt2Bo

ledge, Saturday, 29 April 2023 05:46 (eleven months ago) link

yeah that's just the shirt of his own band lol, they're quite good

imago, Saturday, 29 April 2023 06:13 (eleven months ago) link

https://theutopiastrong.bandcamp.com/album/international-treasure

imago, Saturday, 29 April 2023 06:17 (eleven months ago) link

sufferin' self promotion!

ledge, Saturday, 29 April 2023 06:20 (eleven months ago) link

I'll check em out later.

ledge, Saturday, 29 April 2023 06:21 (eleven months ago) link

interesting for music quiz fans: woodwinds & bagpipes in The Utopia Strong: Michael J. York (Mike York) - who played with Coil 2002-2005.

StanM, Saturday, 29 April 2023 08:05 (eleven months ago) link

musick to play out of baulk

imago, Saturday, 29 April 2023 09:31 (eleven months ago) link

wait until you find out what band the third guy was in amirite!!

imago, Saturday, 29 April 2023 09:32 (eleven months ago) link

Selby grinding it out: 10-7.

Whether Si or Brecel get through at least they will just go for their shots, or die trying.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 11:12 (eleven months ago) link

Allen just won there. Nice clearance but unless he can find fluency with the long potting he will be beaten.

This is where Si or Brecel can win the title. Either of them can really just win things in one visit.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 11:43 (eleven months ago) link

Selby has now decided to make lots of errors...

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 11:57 (eleven months ago) link

Selby made a 65 and broke down. Refused a pot into the middle for safety. BBC commentary went crazy at his refusal but they aren't playing with the level of fluency of Brecel or Si where you could see them both clearing up.

Right enough Allen got his chance and missed a tough-ish black. 11-9

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 12:31 (eleven months ago) link

A shock: a frame won in a single visit. 92 break by Allen, 11-10 Selby.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 13:01 (eleven months ago) link

Si had the first chance, didn't take it. Brecel gets the next chance and wins. 14-11.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 13:47 (eleven months ago) link

Seven frames in a row

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 14:16 (eleven months ago) link

i feel bad cos i've been rooting for Si since he beat Murphy but this is impressive as fuck

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 14:26 (eleven months ago) link

Beautiful 81 break from Brecel. 14-13.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 14:27 (eleven months ago) link

This safety battle is huge for Si.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 14:49 (eleven months ago) link

Loses it. 14-14.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 15:07 (eleven months ago) link

Feeling a bit for Si. Brecel is just mixing it up well. Not taking too many risks, and putting a safety in.

15-14 Brecel. Ten in a row

Has Si got anything left?

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 15:40 (eleven months ago) link

Si is in there. Poor break off from Brecel. Pots the red, nearly goes in off. Then off his position from the next red and misses a slightly difficult black...

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 15:47 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel missed a fairly easy black. Sure he'll be feeling it too.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 15:48 (eleven months ago) link

Si missed the blue off the spot. Brecel went on to clear up. He's one away.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 15:57 (eleven months ago) link

this is the opposite of what I was watching yesterday.

ledge, Saturday, 29 April 2023 15:57 (eleven months ago) link

Poor shot from Brecel allowed Si with an easy red. He is about to win here..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:06 (eleven months ago) link

Lol I was literally typing "majestic" and the commentator beat me to the punch

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:08 (eleven months ago) link

91 break!!

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:09 (eleven months ago) link

Feel like we deserve a final frame finish now

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:10 (eleven months ago) link

But sadly looking unlikely

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:18 (eleven months ago) link

OH SHI

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:23 (eleven months ago) link

Fuck

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:24 (eleven months ago) link

Bad decision from Si taking that red on, must be done this time

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:31 (eleven months ago) link

Amazing match, rooting for Brecel in the final obv

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:32 (eleven months ago) link

That red was just insane

imago, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:33 (eleven months ago) link

astonishing comeback from brecel, really feel for si but hopefully he has a long career ahead of him.

ledge, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:34 (eleven months ago) link

Yup, same. Think Brecel showed some good safety as well xxp

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:34 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel, last night

2010 ILE poetry CONTEST! unleash the narwhals

imago, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:39 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel is too exhausted to party tonight

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:42 (eleven months ago) link

Is Brecel the first finalist from mainland Europe?

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 16:54 (eleven months ago) link

Bit of background on Si.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker/si-jiahui-world-snooker-championship-china-b2328812.html

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 17:00 (eleven months ago) link

Interesting to see the bits of infrastructure put up for Chinese players in England.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 17:01 (eleven months ago) link

funnest thing i found out about Si was this classless rant from Shaun Murphy from 2021, made his first round victory even sweeter in retrospect

"I'm going to sound like a grumpy old man but that young man shouldn't be in the tournament," Murphy, known as the Magician, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It's not fair, it's not right... I don't know why we as a sport allow amateurs to compete in professional tournaments. This is our livelihood. This is our living. We're self-employed individuals and not contracted sportsmen. We don't play for a team."

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 17:43 (eleven months ago) link

(that first round match was played in a really good spirit tbf)

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 29 April 2023 17:44 (eleven months ago) link

Murphy did apologise for that rant btw. He got a lot of flack for it, deservedly so.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 18:32 (eleven months ago) link

Neither Allen or Selby are playing fluently at all. Brecel might be a slight favourite against either.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 18:33 (eleven months ago) link

Selby is playing badly; Allen is worse. Fuck both of them.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 19:05 (eleven months ago) link

yes saw the 23rd frame of this and it was dire. Selby missed a red to the corner by at least 5" , Allen failed to capitalise, played a good snooker got this miss from Selby then flubbed an easy red to the centre pocket. appalling standard for a semi final.

oscar bravo, Saturday, 29 April 2023 20:11 (eleven months ago) link

Selby managed to clear for a century to be one away.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 20:51 (eleven months ago) link

Allen has relaxed a bit and has won the last three frames. Nothing fiery but just more fluent. 16-13.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 22:08 (eleven months ago) link

this is still going lol

imago, Saturday, 29 April 2023 22:26 (eleven months ago) link

why does Selby take two minutes on every shot, never been quite established has it

imago, Saturday, 29 April 2023 22:33 (eleven months ago) link

Can see Selby getting the better of this exchange to win..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 22:52 (eleven months ago) link

Chance for the match..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 22:55 (eleven months ago) link

What a brown from Allen..16-14, it's midnight, we go on.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 22:57 (eleven months ago) link

For two of these frames Selby had a good chance. He is just not scoring heavy enough..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 22:59 (eleven months ago) link

Allen had a cracking pot but he missed a tough red. Now Selby has a chance..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:09 (eleven months ago) link

Fucking hell..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:11 (eleven months ago) link

Lots of missing now from Allen again. Reckon this is his best chance.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:14 (eleven months ago) link

Surely now..

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:24 (eleven months ago) link

Fucking speechless

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:26 (eleven months ago) link

Wow

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:27 (eleven months ago) link

I will never forget that yellow...he surely did not mean to mishit it like that.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:28 (eleven months ago) link

16-15.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:29 (eleven months ago) link

At the next, first chance Selby

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:33 (eleven months ago) link

Selby on a 60 break. Tough bastard.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 29 April 2023 23:39 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel has talked about being 'bored' of longer matchplay but I assume that's bcz he couldn't get past the 1st round.

I'd make him a slight favourite as I don't think Selby is in really great scoring form, and he has always scored heavy to win his world titles.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 11:23 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel has never beaten Selby in three matches.

Usually I'd prefer a tight encounter but that would favour Selby, so Brecel to drub this guy as my hope.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 11:25 (eleven months ago) link

maybe, just maybe

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 30 April 2023 14:30 (eleven months ago) link

Please

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 14:34 (eleven months ago) link

A frame off one visit from Selby. That's the heavy scoring he needs.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 18:26 (eleven months ago) link

and Brecel replies with a sick, fluid 99

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 30 April 2023 18:41 (eleven months ago) link

Selby has won the mini-session 3-1 there. He is definitely scoring heavier now and taking his chances.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 19:25 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel made an incredible 70 break. Just some beautiful shots to somehow keep that going.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 19:57 (eleven months ago) link

Amazing break from Brecel. The power he gets on the cue ball is astonishing.

Also, he really reminds me of Joe Cole.

Stars of the Lidl (Chinaski), Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:12 (eleven months ago) link

Follows with a beautiful 67. Just awesome.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:20 (eleven months ago) link

That red from Brecel was insane! Is this how you bully your opponent on the snooker table?

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:28 (eleven months ago) link

But Selby gets the next opportunity. It's kinda regulation, except him to get it

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:34 (eleven months ago) link

Selby has won the next too, on a 147..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:50 (eleven months ago) link

The final red is stuck to the cushion so..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:52 (eleven months ago) link

He's going to do it lol

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:53 (eleven months ago) link

That's incredible

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:55 (eleven months ago) link

absolutely incredible

set my anxiety off something rotten ffs

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:55 (eleven months ago) link

Insane

Stars of the Lidl (Chinaski), Sunday, 30 April 2023 20:56 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel made a 48. Broke down..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 21:03 (eleven months ago) link

This could be huge now, Selby in after a safety battle.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 21:09 (eleven months ago) link

What a clearance this is so far..

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 21:13 (eleven months ago) link

Excellent safety from Selby. Has another chance

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 21:15 (eleven months ago) link

9-8. Selby is favourite I'd say. He is scoring heavy enough. Should have the experience to see Brecel off.

xyzzzz__, Sunday, 30 April 2023 21:21 (eleven months ago) link

that is a fucking unbelievable break

imago, Monday, 1 May 2023 12:59 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel has won the first three frames with some ruthless snooker.

Selby was in at the last but he broke down on 35. Brecel made a great century.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 12:59 (eleven months ago) link

And one more after. If Brecel closes this off then this is the session.

13-8

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 13:10 (eleven months ago) link

This is wild.

Eyeball Kicks, Monday, 1 May 2023 13:12 (eleven months ago) link

mic drop

imago, Monday, 1 May 2023 13:12 (eleven months ago) link

Woah. I think Virgo just shat himself live on air.

Stars of the Lidl (Chinaski), Monday, 1 May 2023 13:12 (eleven months ago) link

that doesn't sound like the kind of follow through viewers will be wanting to see

calzino, Monday, 1 May 2023 13:19 (eleven months ago) link

yeah should have potted that particular brown

Covfefe and TV (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2023 13:21 (eleven months ago) link

Selby should get back to this. Can't believe he won't.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 13:29 (eleven months ago) link

need to do some mind games

Covfefe and TV (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2023 13:30 (eleven months ago) link

I'm missing all the action, prefer when it's on during working hours!

ledge, Monday, 1 May 2023 13:35 (eleven months ago) link

No mind games from Selby needed. Eventually wins the frame after a 63 break, which included a great red to the middle. 13-9.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 13:57 (eleven months ago) link

now selby's safety shots are off

Covfefe and TV (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2023 14:24 (eleven months ago) link

on enough though

Covfefe and TV (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2023 14:31 (eleven months ago) link

and brecel's pots are off

Covfefe and TV (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2023 14:32 (eleven months ago) link

He eventually grinds it out. Brecel began with a 41 break and didn't convert it. 13-10

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 14:33 (eleven months ago) link

Beautiful long red from Brecel. And then some shots to keep the break going when he needed to.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 14:45 (eleven months ago) link

Another century

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 14:46 (eleven months ago) link

Lots of errors from both of them at the last

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 14:56 (eleven months ago) link

What a masterful clearance Brecel

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 15:08 (eleven months ago) link

15-10...just in awe at sown of these shots.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 15:09 (eleven months ago) link

been at work so haven't watched, but what mental strength from Brecel to come out and do this after being pegged back last night

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Monday, 1 May 2023 15:31 (eleven months ago) link

he must prevail. three measly frames. don't give him a sniff

imago, Monday, 1 May 2023 15:32 (eleven months ago) link

Excellent response from Selby after another excellent break by Brecel. He had to make it with balk colours at the beginning.

Two frames shared.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 18:42 (eleven months ago) link

they've both got the jitters.

ledge, Monday, 1 May 2023 19:15 (eleven months ago) link

Great clearance from Selby..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 19:20 (eleven months ago) link

Beautiful opening shot from Selby, nothing but net

crisp, Monday, 1 May 2023 19:24 (eleven months ago) link

If he gets another 147 does he get 2/3rds of the prize money?

crisp, Monday, 1 May 2023 19:26 (eleven months ago) link

Boo

crisp, Monday, 1 May 2023 19:27 (eleven months ago) link

Shaun Murphy is so annoying

Eyeball Kicks, Monday, 1 May 2023 19:31 (eleven months ago) link

One visit snooker from Selby. 16-13 at the interval.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 19:32 (eleven months ago) link

Glad Murphy is off, do prefer Hendry.

OTOH Virgo is on for Dennis Taylor.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 19:57 (eleven months ago) link

Selby is getting stronger

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:06 (eleven months ago) link

16-14..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:14 (eleven months ago) link

flukey bastard!

this is why I hate sport.

ledge, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:17 (eleven months ago) link

He wasn't going to leave anything tbh. It happens!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:20 (eleven months ago) link

Just had to check that Jean van de Velde wasn't also Belgian (he was French).

Maggot Bairn (Tom D.), Monday, 1 May 2023 20:24 (eleven months ago) link

Lol that wouldn't be the same thing anyway.

Brecel is in trouble. Did say if this goes close I think it's Selby and it's sadly proving to be the case.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:28 (eleven months ago) link

is he worse than Higgins? nobody is but

imago, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:31 (eleven months ago) link

Selby and Higgins are both all time greats lol

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:33 (eleven months ago) link

give up on the long pots ffs

ledge, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:33 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel's game is looking very shabby at the moment. He said he doesn't use a B game but I don't think he has one.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:34 (eleven months ago) link

Now..

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:34 (eleven months ago) link

Ok that 50 break could be what Brecel needs.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:42 (eleven months ago) link

blimey, a lot going on here. It's Brecel's to lose now

calzino, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:47 (eleven months ago) link

Selby flukes that red then misses the brown...snookers required

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:48 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel one away

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:50 (eleven months ago) link

Brecel played some really good safety in that one

imago, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:51 (eleven months ago) link

I meant worse than Higgins in terms of their ineluctable grit, their monstrosity

imago, Monday, 1 May 2023 20:52 (eleven months ago) link

supoib

contrapuntal aversion (Noodle Vague), Monday, 1 May 2023 21:07 (eleven months ago) link

Awesome!

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:07 (eleven months ago) link

you love to see it.

Fizzles, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:07 (eleven months ago) link

Great tournament

nxd, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:09 (eleven months ago) link

heartwarming stuff

ledge, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:10 (eleven months ago) link

Fantastic!

Another one I can't stand is Hazel Irvine. Imagine going through all that and then you've got this idiot to deal with.

Eyeball Kicks, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:13 (eleven months ago) link

what a nice chap

imago, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:15 (eleven months ago) link

he didn't get Selbied, so now he's getting Hazeled.

StanM, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:16 (eleven months ago) link

What's the Selby and Vicky thing?

Covfefe and TV (ken c), Monday, 1 May 2023 21:18 (eleven months ago) link

That was weird. I know Selby has spoken of mental health issues.

xyzzzz__, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:19 (eleven months ago) link

I recall one year when Selby won it and was visibly depressed throughout the whole post-match, he clearly has his demons, but it feels like this is physical health maybe

Here's to more snooker like how Brecel and Si play it

imago, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:25 (eleven months ago) link

he bounced back from a serious burnout iirc

StanM, Monday, 1 May 2023 21:25 (eleven months ago) link

seven months pass...

I watched the Ronnie Amazon documentary, *The Edge of Everything*. I have an instinctive emotional response to Ronnie at the best of times and found this moving - particularly as the whole thing is inevitably organised around the central wound of his dad's imprisonment. Curious to note how similar Ronnie's story is to Beckham's (whose name is on the credits as an executive producer) - how driven they both are by strong father figures and how both seem to seek father figures in their lives, albeit in Ronnie's case, the father figures seem generally more benevolent (Ronnie Wood, Damien Hirst, Jimmy White and his psychologist Steve Peters).

On the downside, it doesn't need to be the best part of two hours, and the snooker on show is oddly neutered. There's lots of Ronnie self-analysing in hotel rooms. I liked the use of the close mic during in the 2022 World Championships; there are times when you can hear the squeak of his shoes amid the muttering and cursing.

I would prefer not to. (Chinaski), Saturday, 9 December 2023 15:14 (four months ago) link


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