Snooker
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I grew up watching snooker with my dad, it used to be hugely popular in the UK but not so much these days. The hay days of Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor and Alex Higgins (my favourite) seem a long time ago now. I still watch Ronnie O'Sullivan play when he's on as he is capable of special moments, but not an avid fan any more.
Now Darts…..there's a old school English sport for which my love has grown over the years.
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I used to play quite a bit of darts when I was younger. I even set up a competition level board in my room to practice. I'm sadly out of practice now.
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An encouraging first wave of reactions, great!
As it happens, I just three days ago got shown a video of Alex Higgins, who must have been extremely popular in his day, a famous game where he potted an "impossible" blue.
Style and pace of the game has quite changed over the years, but the fascination is still there, at least for me.We just had the German Masters here in Berlin earlier this month, described as the most important tournament on the "continent", and it was a ball (pun sort of intended) to get to watch the current greats up close.
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Yeah Alex "Hurricane" Higgins. I had a pool cue with his name on it….good old days.
Stephen Hendry is another guy I can remember. That dude (Dennis Taylor) with the "upside down" glasses always cracks me up. -
Oh yes, Stephen Hendry. I followed him closely during his glory years, he was close to unbeatable for some time. And the weird glasses of Dennis Taylor are unforgettable as well, I believe cracking up the audience was one of his specialities, plus of course he won the very closest world title ever, on the very last black after an epic match against Steve Davis.
But to step away from reminiscing for a moment, my fave players now are Ali Carter and Barry Hawkins, both of whom I believe are real great guys on top of being pros of the game.
And the two finalists here at Berlin a short time ago, Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy, I briefly got to see in denim instead of their arena finery, after all was played and over. -
As the world championships have started at the Crucible in Sheffield, this shall get a little bump back to the top.
Anyone else following it? Day One already offered high drama as defending champion Mark Selby just merely escaped the famous curse, according to which first time champions never successfully can defend their title. Selby had his neck already in a tightening noose, but got his game back in the deciding frame to end the hopes of Norwegian Crucible novice Kurt Maflin. A thriller! -
So the first round at the Crucible is history. Any followers here, any favourites to win? I think it's very hard to estimate. My best liked players, Barry Hawkins and Ali Carter, will have no easy task in the next round with Mark Allen and Neil Robertson. Judd Trump left a strong impression in his first match. Will stay tuned!
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Tonight the curse of the Crucible struck again. Mark Selby lost in the second round, yet another first time champion who didn't even come close to defending his title.
What a brilliant performance by Anthony McGill. Awesome. -
My solo coverage of the World Championships for this forum continues…
Hard fought final so far, with Murphy first seemingly taking it away, only then for Bingham to doggedly fight back. 9:8 after the first day.
The semi-final Bingham ./. Trump was epic! -
Better late than never!
Ronnie's defeat in the quarter-finals naturally was a huge surprise. I think he was angry at himself and generally just not in the mood (know that feel so well…) and at the end even did not put up much resistance anymore.
Am really anxiously anticipating today's conclusion! -
Stuart Bingham just became a very deserving world champion 2015, with Shaun Murphy about the most gallant and gentleman-like runner-up in my recollection.
A great final ending an exciting tournament.Now the gents can put their jeans back on…
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T'was a cracking final and Bingham a worthy winner having put out Trump & O'Sullivan in the earlier rounds.
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To my delight, Ali Carter won the Paul Hunter Classics yesterday in Fürth, Bavaria. It was the first major success for the Captain after he rejoined proceedings having had a cancer problem that, as far as I know, has been successfully cured.
To achieve this at a star-studded tournament dedicated to a revered player whom we lost to cancer is fitting, in fact it couldn't have been scripted any better.
Carter is one of my best liked players, I believe one of the most decent guys on the tour. I'm really happy for him…and just a bit mad I couldn't see it, happening in my own country, not even on TV. -
Anybody followed the German Masters at the Tempodrom in Berlin? I found it awesome!!!
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The yearly High Mass of snooker has begun, I observe it with some British food on our German dinner table, and enjoy watching Bingham v. Carter.
Any other followers around here?
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I'll be following it as much as possible. Not seen too much so far other than highlights of some incredible escapes from snookers. Ronnie already seems to be 'acting up' by refusing to do any of the press obligations post-match….such a rebel.
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Sweet to know @Winchy that we both follow it.
Two astonishing big name exits so far in the first round. Murphy and Robertson….expected as far as the semis, and neither one would have been a sensation as the champion. Now first round defeats instead.
Today Ding Junhui enters the stage...exited to see how he'll fare against German Masters champion Martin Gould. -
Early shocks indeed, and both players that I enjoy watching too. Good for the tournament to have some different players in the mix though.
