After holding off a comeback from four-time champion Mark Selby to win the World Championship of Snooker on Monday, Luca Brecel of Belgium became the first player from continental Europe to do so. Brecel’s triumph also made him the fourth world champion from outside the United Kingdom to compete at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in the modern era, joining Australian Neil Robertson (2010), Canadian Cliff Thorburn (1980), and Irishman Ken Doherty (1997).
Brecel maintained his composure after Selby had reduced his lead
Brecel maintained his composure after Selby had reduced his lead. Brecel has previously overcome significant deficits to defeat Si Jiahui and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarter- and semi-final stages, respectively. Prior to this year’s World Championship, the 28-year-old had never won a match there, and he led Monday’s final session 15-10. Selby, though, took control of the following six frames and won five of them, pulling even with his deficit of 16–15.
Brecel took advantage of the Englishman’s subsequent black off-spot error to pull within one frame of victory at 17-15. Brecel entered first in the following frame and then displayed outstanding cue-ball control near the black in a break of 112 that won the match.
“It was great to make a 147 at the Crucible, never thought I would do it in a final”
“It’s amazing, I can’t see anymore, I don’t know why,” Brecel told the BBC. “So tough, he (Selby) is the worst opponent to have in a final, he just keeps coming back, he’s such a fighter when it was 16-15 I didn’t fancy winning at all, I was missing balls by a mile but then I made a good break.” Asked what his win would mean for European snooker, former child prodigy Brecel replied: “It’s going to explode, I was so nervous because I wanted it to happen for Belgium and Europe and now I can’t wait to see what it brings, I’m so happy I did it.”
Something of a throwback, the crowd-pleasing Brecel’s path to the final was notable for his unconventional approach to match preparation. “It’s been a crazy week, no practice just partying, it shouldn’t be legal! “Selby, who on Sunday became the first player to make a maximum 147 break in a World Championship final, paid tribute to the new champion by saying: “Congratulations to Luca, he’s a great talent and a great lad, a great family. Enjoy the year, you deserve it, mate, you played fantastic. “It was great to make a 147 at the Crucible, never thought I would do it in a final, the atmosphere was amazing and something I will remember for the rest of my life.” The 39-year-old, however, added: “But it’s not about me today, Luca played fantastic. “Every time he potted a ball I fancied him to clear up but I battled — but every credit to Luca he deserves it. (https://www.genusinnovation.com/) ”