Ronnie O’Sullivan, who jetted in to Berlin to take up German Masters TV studio duties on Friday night, caused a stir this week with some strong views about the world championship format.
Read More'THOSE' O'SULLIVAN CRUCIBLE VIEWS...AND REACTION
FINAL FOUR PREPARE TO DO BATTLE IN BERLIN
This year’s German Masters quarter-finals would have had to go some to beat last year’s for drama and entertainment – but they have certainly thrown up a fascinating semi-final line-up.
Read MoreWHIRLWIND STILL BLOWING STRONG
The racier elements of the snooker entourage hit the town big-style on Thursday night, ending up in top Berlin club The Pearl. Unsubstantiated rumour and wild speculation have it that ‘Whirlwind’ Jimmy White, 53 years young and taking brief time out from his Eurosport duties, ended up being shown how to drink a Jagerbomb by the graphics team. Or maybe it was the Matchroom events team (our source was hazy on this point). It was though by all accounts not an evening that finished early.
DAY GRABS BANANAS AND SPLITS
Ryan Day knew his day was not done despite securing a big last-16 win over reigning world champion Stuart Bingham at the German Masters on Friday afternoon. The format at the Tempodrom sees the quartet of afternoon winners having to go straight out again for their quarter-finals in the evening, while Thursday’s winners were able to prepare in more relaxed fashion.
After doing his interviews in the media centre the Welshman made a grab for some of the fresh fruit on the table. When challenged about this ‘theft’ in good-natured fashion, the world No18 protested that there were no energy-boosting bananas laid on in the players’ room. Kyren Wilson could probably have done with a couple too to aid his recovery. The Shanghai Masters champion’s last-16 game against Michael Holt was late in finishing, around 6.25pm, giving him just an hour and a half to get ready to play for a semi-final spot against Day.
BURDEN SUPPORTS SON LENE CHASING ARSENAL DREAM
Alfie Burden’s snooker career may be nearer the end than the beginning, but the 39-year-old Londoner is now proudly supporting son Lene on his journey with Arsenal’s academy teams.
Read MoreHANDBALL CLEANING UP IN GERMANY
Snooker has made great strides in Germany, as we know, and has a loyal following of viewers on Eurosport but it still has a long way to go to catch up with football…and handball. The recent handball European Championships in Poland saw the Germany men’s team emerge victorious and their success was watched by a staggering 15million on free-to-air television. There was then a day of celebration in Berlin last Monday, which saw 8,000 turn out just to welcome the team home and hail their achievements. Rolf Kalb, eat your heart out.
BURNS TABLE RUINED IN FLOODS
There was nationwide sympathy for victims of the recent UK flooding that devastated many parts of the country, and snooker professional Ian Burns, in action against Michael Holt in the first round in Berlin, was just one of those affected.
Burns had a table at his parents’ house in Croston, near Preston, and as the rains came down it was feared the building would once again be affected as with previous occasions that there had been a deluge and flood alerts.
The expected water level was just a few inches, but almost as an afterthought Burns’ cue, lying on top of the table, was moved upstairs for safety. This proved an invaluable intervention, as the entire table was soon submerged and ruined.
Happily the insurance company, themselves up to their eyes in claims, made sure they did their bit by providing a Star table as a replacement.
ALLEN FINDS LOSING IS JUST PANTS
An early ‘engaging with fans’ award for this week goes to Mark Allen, who might have surprisingly lost a match to Mark Joyce blowing that quarter of the draw wide open, but not his sense of humour.
Taking questions on Twitter before his flight home, the Northern Irishman was asked: “Do you ever worry that your pants might split when bending down for a shot?”
Unfazed, the two-time ranking event winner replied: “Coming from a plus-sized gentleman, it is always on my mind.”
WILSON NOW ONE OF THE BIG BOYS
Shanghai Masters champion Kyren Wilson already has a reputation for being more than capable of holding his own with the media, and there was another good example before his first-round match against Rory McLeod.
Speaking to him in the corridor, I asked him if he felt opportunity might be knocking this week with a few of the big guns not making it through qualifying, and others tumbling out in the first 24 hours of the tournament. With a big smile, Wilson replied: “I am one the big guns!” No arrogance, just humour and plenty of self-belief. That was me told.
MY KINGDOM FOR A GLASS...
The plush Crowne Plaza hotel in Berlin, adjacent to the Tempodrom venue and a favourite for players, officials and media, has changed hands since last year’s German Masters, formerly known as the Wyndham Grand.
And the new management were left in little doubt as to some serious shortcomings in the very busy bar area on opening Wednesday night.
Amazingly the 423-room hotel ran out of glasses in the bar, which must be the equivalent of the Munich Beer Festival running out of beer on the first day.
An early casualty was former world champion Shaun Murphy, who arrived having lost a decider to Ben Woollaston and was frankly in need of a drink. A suitable haranguing from World Snooker director Brandon Parker should ensure no repeat for the rest of the event.
EUROSPORT'S PRESENTER DILEMMA
Matt Smith will be the face of the German Masters for Eurosport’s UK viewers, as the issue of who leads the snooker coverage for the broadcaster continues to throw up difficulties.
Read MoreBERLIN AND THE TEMPODROM TAKE CENTRE STAGE
Opportunity knocks for the 32 players heading to Berlin this week for the 918.com German Masters at the Tempodrom, one of the more iconic venues currently used on the circuit.
Read MoreBEATING THE BEST MAKES TITLES EVEN SWEETER
All titles are sweet – but there is something about beating the best around either in the final or during the tournament that makes them taste even sweeter.
Read MoreFRANK CALLAN LEAVES HUGE COACHING LEGACY
As demonstrated by the number and source of so many glowing tributes, snooker lost one of its greatest ever coaches last week in Frank Callan.
Read MoreOPINION: PUT SENIORS ENTRY AGE BACK UP TO 45
The World Seniors Championship takes later in January with some doubt hanging over the event as to what its intended purpose is.
Read MoreO'SULLIVAN RAISES THE BAR YET AGAIN
Ronnie O’Sullivan was in the history-making mood at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night as he equalled Stephen Hendry’s record of six Dafabet Masters titles.
Read MoreA SEMI-FINALS DAY TO SAVOUR AT THE MASTERS
The line-up is strong, intriguing and contains various sub-plots as the remaining quartet vies for glory and the £200,000 first prize.
Read MoreTHE RACK PACK: A NOSTALGIC TREAT FROM THE BBC
The first thing to say about The Rack Pack, a BBC drama charting the rivalry between Alex Higgins and Steve Davis, is that if you are an aficionado of the sport you are going to love it.
Read MoreCELTIC CAPTAIN BROWN ENJOYS MASTERS TREAT
The Dafabet Masters usually attracts a sprinkling of celebrities and other sportsmen and women, and Celtic captain Scott Brown pitched up at Alexandra Palace this week.
Read MoreRETURNING O'SULLIVAN ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS
Ronnie O’Sullivan was keen to play things down after his first-round Masters win over Mark Williams, but he has already answered some questions after his latest sabbatical.
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