Having watched a fair amount of the German Masters I am happy to eat my hat regarding the Eurosport choice of "anchor" (sorry terrible American word that one) for their studio coverage. i was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed Colin Murray's presentation, and as has been said, Ronnie O'Sullivan was also good value - a refreshingly forthright pundit.
Now, I am going to commit a cardinal sin; given the enthusiasm of the crowds in Berlin, and the shear size and quality of the Tempodrom, surely it is an idea venue for the World Championships. Centrally situated in Europe, reasonably easy to access from UK, and a doddle to get to from across central Europe where enthusiasm for the game is really mushrooming. Snooker is too UK-centric and a move such as this would surely do no harm to the game - though it would probably p** off the BBC.
I would love to think that the crowds throughout the Welsh Open next week will be a enthusiastic, yet generally well behaved, as those in Berlin. I fear that in comparison it may be akin to playing in a morgue.
It could certainly host another event but not the worlds. The beauty of the worlds and the Crucible is the smaller crowd, the claustrophobic space and the cosy atmosphere.
Plus you would never get the Tempodrom free for 17 days in a row
I was reading that for all the love of the German Masters it actually struggles to make a profit. Which is surprising given the size of the crowds. So even if they condensed the Worlds down to say 10 days it wouldn't be economically viable to hold it at the Tempodrome even if it could be booked for that length of time.
So if it can't host the Worlds I can't see what other event would be the point. It already hosts its own unique ranker, leave it at that but try and bump up the prize fund...
I think it certainly has the potential to be the major non-UK based ranking event, its already my favourite event apart from the big three.
shame its struggling to make a profit, I would hate this event to be lessened in any way. lower prize money would mean high profile players may not play etc...
It is a bit random.
Ben Woollaston is a player to watch, I feel.
I thought that a few years ago. He won a couple of big matches and claimed a players championship but he hasn't moved on enough yet. I actually think his ranking has gone down of late. But lets hope this Championship League kick starts his career again
Ali Carter has won his Indian Open qualifier tonight beating Lee Page 4-1, good to see his comeback still going strong. Interesting scheduling for poor Dominic Dale got beat 4-2 by Lyu Haotian tonight and then plays at 10am tomorrow morning his China Open Qualifier (v Ian Glover) !
Well Dominic coped very well this morning - he beat Ian Glover 5-2. Robbo also won this morning (5-3 Lyu Haotian), as did Mark Williams (5-1 Lee Walker) . This afternoon saw wins for Ronnie (5-1 Luca Brecel) and Smurf (5-1 Igor Figueiredo) and the afternoon session has just ended with Ashley Carty beating Jimmy Whte 5-4.
Also on BBC2 Wales (Sky, Channel 971) from 13:00 for the afternoon session and for an hour at 19:00 each evening. Same coverage as the RB I'm sure, but perhaps without the studio analysis / comment.
Personally, I'll stick with Eurosport who cover it properly, from 10:30 this morning.
Also on BBC2 Wales (Sky, Channel 971) from 13:00 for the afternoon session and for an hour at 19:00 each evening. Same coverage as the RB I'm sure, but perhaps without the studio analysis / comment.
Personally, I'll stick with Eurosport who cover it properly, from 10:30 this morning.
Yeah I was answering the question "other than BBC Wales."
I think the afternoon Red Button stuff may have the analysis as its the same time as BBC Wales. However in an evening I am guessing its just table coverage.
I am guessing Willie Thorne, Darren Morgan and Dominic Dale in the box for BBC Wales
I don't know why I get so irked about the mispronunciation of these Chinese players' names. But it drives me potty whoever is saying "Howshan" on Eurosport now.
Love watching Mark Williams play. He's so laid back and has a real "couldn't give a monkeys" attitude. He is funny. Played wrll enough too. Through 4-0. Easy win for Mark Selby too
Comments
It could certainly host another event but not the worlds. The beauty of the worlds and the Crucible is the smaller crowd, the claustrophobic space and the cosy atmosphere.
Plus you would never get the Tempodrom free for 17 days in a row
So if it can't host the Worlds I can't see what other event would be the point. It already hosts its own unique ranker, leave it at that but try and bump up the prize fund...
shame its struggling to make a profit, I would hate this event to be lessened in any way. lower prize money would mean high profile players may not play etc...
It is a bit random.
Ben Woollaston is a player to watch, I feel.
I thought that a few years ago. He won a couple of big matches and claimed a players championship but he hasn't moved on enough yet. I actually think his ranking has gone down of late. But lets hope this Championship League kick starts his career again
http://www.wba147.com/en/article_list_123.html
I'd like to see Joe Johnson work his way around 史蒂芬·李
Not sure about the BBC website but Eurosport seem to be having extensive live coverage beginning at 10.30am through to 5pm and again 7pm to 10pm.
Its on the red button from 1pm
Cheers Darren.
Peter Ebdon v Tony Drago. Classic!
Also on BBC2 Wales (Sky, Channel 971) from 13:00 for the afternoon session and for an hour at 19:00 each evening. Same coverage as the RB I'm sure, but perhaps without the studio analysis / comment.
Personally, I'll stick with Eurosport who cover it properly, from 10:30 this morning.
Yeah I was answering the question "other than BBC Wales."
I think the afternoon Red Button stuff may have the analysis as its the same time as BBC Wales. However in an evening I am guessing its just table coverage.
I am guessing Willie Thorne, Darren Morgan and Dominic Dale in the box for BBC Wales
Monday 16 February
Welsh Open, 13:00-16:45 & 19:00-20:00, BBC Red Button
Tuesday 17 February
Welsh Open, 13:00-16:45 & 19:00-20:00, BBC Red Button
Wednesday 18 February
Welsh Open, 13:00-16:45, BBC Red Button
Friday 20 February
Welsh Open, 13:00-16:45 & 21:30-22:30, BBC Red Button
Sunday 22 February
Welsh Open, 13:00-16:30 & 19:00-22:00, BBC Red Button
And Ding Jun-wee, I need to strangle someone.
Ronnie v Vinnie this afternoon