The latest event in the World Series takes place in Prague in the Czech Republic this weekend.
Clive Everton will be joining the Eurosport commentary team for the two days.
The four professionals involved are world champion John Higgins, world no.2 Stephen Maguire, 2006 world champion Graeme Dott and perennial fans’ favourite Jimmy White.
They are pitted against four local wildcards on the opening day.
This is the strength as well as the weakness of the whole concept. It’s is, of course, admirable to involve local players but none of them will be anywhere near the standard of the professionals and so a day of walkovers beckons.
What an opportunity, though, for Lukas Krenek, Michael Krystof, Sishuo Wang and Osip Zusmanovic who will each play one of snooker’s biggest names live on television.
Snooker is growing in popularity in the Czech Republic as a result of Eurosport’s coverage of the main tour.
To have the reigning world champion playing in a televised tournament in the capital city means a red letter day – or two days – for those Czech fans who have been glued to the action on their TV sets these last few years.
Eurosport coverage (all times UK):
Saturday, October 17
12-2pm, 6-10pm
Sunday, October 18
2-6pm, 7-10pm
21 comments:
Exciting times for Czech snooker as Ronnie O'Sullivan will be in Prague as well for an exhibition event on November 8.
are you sure that isnt cancelled eric?
Fair play to John Higgins, top bloke and doing a lot for the game but I have to question his choice of fellow professionals in these events. Maguire and Dott? Jimmy White? Again????
I can only assume other top players have turned down the chance to play.
Many happy return go to TERRY GRIFFITHS
Great news to hear Clive Everton will be commentating. It'll make the event that much better.
Here,Here Chris, Clive Everton, back in the commentary box. Fantastic news.
i dont think one specific commentator makes an event "better"
each to their own though...
to Eric - exhibition has been unfortunately cancelled :-(( big sorry to all
thats why i replied 2nd, to the first post asking him to check, dana ;)
Does Michael wear the black glove when hes playing with the lesbians??
krenek is terrible and i am not thinking he should be up to pro standard, but local guys in good snooker clubs with a match table would be as good as this, even with all the pressure of tv etc
to Anonymous 10:11- I know,I just wanted to confirm it as organiser
@ anon 12:18 & dana:
Thanks for the info. Obviously I wasn't aware of the cancellation as the event was still being announced on Ronnie's official website when I first posted.
The format of the World Series clearly needs a rethink after yesterday.
Sport needs to be competitive otherwise it's a turn off.
The concept is still good but I'm afraid a series of mismatches is doing nothing for snooker.
What I'd do:
Launch each event on Friday night with an exhibition match between John Higgins and one local player.
Saturday, start the event with four seeds and four other players, one of whom has won a qualifying competition open to everyone who pays the entry fee. One other is a 'golden oldie' and the other two are drawn from lower down the rankings and pikced for their flair, youth or whatever they could bring to the tournamnet - Judd Trump, jamie Cope, Liang Wenbo etc.
And play 15 red snooker throughout.
eric, your comment is not accurate.
i was the one who replied to your first post.
i had gained the information about it not going ahead on the official ron forum days earlier, so it wasnt still being advertised as on, when you first posted.
Just heard Mike Hallet telling our own David H that Graeme Dott was on a 147 when it was visible on screen that Dott had taken a green and a blue in the break.
David alerted Mike to this and he then said "my apologies, 139 then".
Also wrong Mike.
A classic.
Is it my picture i'm receiving or as Jimmy put on a few extra pound's?
We all make mistakes. I make plenty.
How were the crowds? And when's the next one?
Before Pat Mooney preaches to anyone he should have a look at his own events. he needs to spend more than eight quid on promotion - and I'm sure there has to be a better venue than the local BMW dealership.
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