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Love the snooker me. Was just chatting to a mate telling him how the players used to drink and smoke during the match. He doesn't believe me and I'm now doubting my own memory. That did happen right? When did it stop?
Big Bill among others loved a few pints and cigs during matches!
I've watched bits of this years championship, but Selby's "go slow" antics are not spectator friendly for me at least.
Can't stand watching Selby, it's tedious,unspectacular and at times borderline gamesmanship. Hope Murphy stuffs him.
Bring back White and Hurricane 😁
I love snooker and am watching avidly, although I detest Selby and his anti snooker style of play.
C'mon Shaun. Jester my ****ing arse.
I think "the jester from Leicester" is tongue in cheek- let's face it, there's nothing funny about him or Leicester🙈
Have to disagree about Selby - I love him. A player who has made absolutely everything of his natural talent, who never gives up and plays every shot like his life depends upon it. The epitome of grit, steel and determination.
The Bingham match was compelling viewing for me. Selby clinging on and then turning the match in his favour by sheer force of will was awesome to see.
Give me the Jester over the whinger O'Sullivan any day of the week!
Will be watching tonight - love the Crucible!
Sounds like he's well named....have you ever been to Selby the place!!
i'll just leave this here for everyone saying selby is too slow.
Have to disagree about Selby – I love him. A player who has made absolutely everything of his natural talent, who never gives up and plays every shot like his life depends upon it. The epitome of grit, steel and determination.
The Bingham match was compelling viewing for me. Selby clinging on and then turning the match in his favour by sheer force of will was awesome to see.
Give me the Jester over the whinger O’Sullivan any day of the week!
This. Don't understand the Selby hate. Love his tenacity. The Bingham match was indeed awesome. Must disagree with you on Ronnie though. Love the rocket.
I saw Alex Higgins play at the Crucible back around '79/80. The crowd couldn't smoke in the auditorium but the players could; Alex sparks one up and does half the cig in his first toke then exhales a huge cloud up into the rooflights with all the nicotine fiends in the audience leaning forward to get a sniff.
Went to the bar at the interval. Higgins rocks up to the players hatch at the back of the bar; he ordered 3 triple vodkas, downed one then took two back to the table.
Hahaha. Brilliant!
I went a few years ago. Saw John Higgins. There was none of that malarkey. Still good though.
He was probably too busy making some side bets
Saw the talk about trying to sex it up, changing what they wear n stuff.. hilarious! it’ll still be snooker!
It worked for the darts but I hope they leave the snooker, particularly the world championships, well alone.
It's like test cricket - not for everyone but for the enthusiasts it represents sport in its perfect form. Drama allowed to play out over time, rewarding the patient viewer and in the best examples building to a crescendo of tension unlike anything else.
I was never usually able to see much of it but this year working at home I have seen loads and really enjoyed it.
I don’t get all the Selby hate either. Big fan of Judd Trump and Jack Lisowski
I remember similar hate for Hendry in the 90's, and, so I'm told, Davis in the 80's. Labelled as boring just because they were so good. Laser-like focus; Hendry in particular was like The Terminator. If Selby can get ahead by relentlessly grinding it out, then good for him. It's not like he's deliberately trolling his opponent like Ebdon taking 45 minutes over a shot etc.
There is a facet of the British psyche that seems to favour the plucky but ultimately unsuccessful loser above the steely and relentless winner. We love our Jimmy Whites, Tim Henmans and Frank Brunos over and above the likes of Murray, Hamilton and Hendry.
^ that doesn't explain why we all love watching Ronnie, the most successful and exciting player to pick up a cue.
Used to practice at Spencer's in Stirling now and again back in the day, when Hendry and a few others played out of there, always loved the game, just wish i could have played better but it really is a game of skill in the main, fair few mates were almost making it pro, but for one thing or another they never quite made it, couple of them probably as good as most pro's in terms of skill, but temperament and mental toughness also come into it, hence why Ebdon plays so slow, like chess you're trying to draw your opponent into making mistakes as much as counting on your shot taking ability.
Sc-xc fair point and I don't suggest my argument is all encompassing, although we can possibly agree that if Ronnie had Selby's temperament he'd have probably won 15 World titles by now and we'd all hate him!
Yeah mrb you're probably right. Fwiw I watched Davis in the 80s and Henrdry in the 90s,i much prefer them as commentators 😂
Anyway, back to the final. Feels to me like Murphy will want a lead after today. Selby's emotional investment in that match yesterday must have been enormous. Hard to think he's not going to be better tomorrow than today.
Fresh start needed for Big Shaun today as that was a walloping last night. Total jesterification, didn't pot a ball for an hour.
He's too good a player to say he's out of it, but needs to assert his game asap today.
Yeah, that was brutal from Selby last night. Credit to Murphy, he tried absolutely everything in that final frame but still couldn't break him down. Feel like Murphy needs at least 5-3 in his favour this afternoon.
Not a classic final but still entertaining, particularly with Murphy hitting back at the end there and Selby losing his long potting.
Ultimately the session last night was crucial - Selby managed to maintain that 3 frame advantage all through today give or take a frame either side.
Aye, I think the semi's were the highlight of this year.
Yes last night did the damage. Murphy looked great in the balls, so smooth, but usually a mistake around the corner. Selby was definitely wobbling but never really in doubt.
Another few titles in him I reckon, don't know how it goes in the shorter events but his game is dominant at the crucible. No weaknesses.