snooker world championship final

Yes, for the uninitiated, the Nigel Bond. Partying like it's '99.

hampered by a badger's tail on the back of his skull

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.

xyzzz I def think this is the first time three Chinese players made it this far in a triple crown tournament.

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.

Don't we all remember the exuberant strutting 'round the table like a peacock of Bond, Williams, Higgins etc etc. C'mon.

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.

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.

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

catching up on old bookmarks and on the saudi arabia thing it’s worth reading hazel southwell on formula e in riyadh.

Though at times grating (and ridiculously long), that was an interesting read, thanks.

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

Just seen this desperately painful image. pic.twitter.com/lHD2UP91y9

— Tre Vorba-Stard III (@TreborRhurbarb) May 7, 2020

:'-(

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/53485482

"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."

No audiences after all! Poor Hamilton.

Saw Higgins get a 147 earlier today - the first at the Crucible for eight years! Had no idea it had been so long...

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.

He lost tho'. Not seen a min so far but looks like there are some new faces coming through

Lol

I love him pic.twitter.com/tqvupRr5UV

— Your Mum says Black Lives Matter (@judeinlondon2) August 9, 2020

ha, that's great

gf roled off the sofa laughing when we caught that yesterday :D

he's not even wrong, mind.

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.

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.

Selby, Trump, Ding and Robertson are all in their 30s? Selby and Ding pushing 40? Trump might be late 20a

I mean I could look each one up lol

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!

enters the arena to The Ace of Spades so he's not all bad

the arena... of snooker

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.

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.

130 from Williams to finish the first sesh 6-2 against Ronnie.

Wilson is looking good.

he is the one 'kid' who seems like he has the moxie to disprove ronnie tbh

remember luca brecel? that star didn't shine long

This Trump does look done.

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.

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.

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.

In a two-day match you hope things will turn up but it looks like Ronnie is also done.

Trump has closed to 11-9 as we go into the final session. Hate both but Trump is worse, so come on Wilson.

Ronnie made two visits for two frames but Williams looks good at the last here. Fluke from Williams helped but still..

Ronnie is working really hard here, closing the gap to two with two left.

Wilson strangling the life out of this match with some hard as nails matchplay snooker. Please finish this cunt off.

Get fucked Trump, yes!

Very pleasing to see Trump get fucked. Now, could there be a real Ronnie comeback on?

Ronnie within one, one to go. Can't wait for tonight.

i do not love trump at all but what is the specific beef again

For me, it's not beef. He's just spectacularly boring.