Отправлено: 02.02.06 18:53. Заголовок: ПРЕСС-ЦЕНТР - 2

Продолжаем делиться новостями

Здесь вывешивать только сами статьи. Никаких комментариев.

 Отправлено: 18.04.06 02:23. Заголовок: Re:

Doherty defeats debutant Hawkins


Robertson holds on against Hunter

 Отправлено: 18.04.06 05:38. Заголовок: Re:

Hunter admits to playing in pain

 Отправлено: 18.04.06 08:31. Заголовок: Re:

Прошу пардону, что опять статья целиком....
ROBERTSON 10 HUNTER 5
17 Apr 2006 23:07:00
Post-match press conference quotes from Neil Robertson's defeat of Paul Hunter...

Neil Robertson quotes

Q Was it a difficult match for you because of Paul’s situation?
A I said pre-match that it was likely to be hardest match I’d ever have to play. And it was. There was no joy in any click or bit of run I had, for obvious reasons.

Q But you must be pleased with the result
A I’m just happy to get the result and to be in the last 16 for the first time. And if my top 16 place wasn’t guaranteed before, it is now and I’m very proud to do that. It was a match I just had to get through. I’ve been building myself up to try and block out any emotions I’d have during the match, but it was extremely difficult and there were a lot of things running through my head. I could see Paul was struggling a bit round the table, and it wasn’t nice to see. He’s a really nice guy and I’m just wishing him well and hoping he can get through this.

Q How do you rate your chances in the tournament?
A If I play as well as I can I don’t fear anyone and I think the longer matches suit my style of game. I do take on the odd lunatic shot here and there which in a short match you get punished for, but in the longer match you can get away with it a bit. I am trying to cut out the more ridiculous shots but sometimes I see a long red and say don’t go for it, don’t go for it, but I do, and then say oh what have I done!

Paul Hunter quotes

Q How hard was it for you to play today?
A It has been tough for me. I haven’t really enjoyed playing when I’ve been ill, when I’ve had pain. And I’ve had to try and give it a go to try and keep my ranking. But I haven’t done that. I suppose I’ll be back next year, trying to get back up where I should be.

Q Did you think the match could have been a lot closer?
A This morning’s session, at 7-2 down, I thought maybe it would have been fair to have been 5-4. At 7-2 I had a mountain to climb tonight. It could have been a bit different, but like I always do I come out and give it my best. Maybe if I’d gone 8-5, then if I’d won the next to go 8-6 I’d have felt a lot better, but 9-4 was a lot tougher. I enjoy it here at the Crucible, and I only live down the road, so I can just pop down.

Q How difficult was it for you physically?
A It was pretty tough. To be honest, yesterday I didn’t think I’d be here. I was in a pretty bad way yesterday. I managed to sweat a bit out of me and got here. The pain in my side is just 24-7 now, I just obviously have to get on with it. I get stiff and get light-headed as well. It was pretty warm out there so I put a wet towel on my head. I had to try and come and win a few matches to try and keep my ranking. Obviously I didn’t expect to win tournaments or anything, but I had to try to tough it out.

Q What’s next for you?
A I start back on chemo on Wednesday for another 16 weeks. I’m probably worse off than I was this time last year. They’re going to give me chemo, not to try to get rid of the tumors, but to try to stop them growing. After 16 weeks if it’s stopped growing, then they’ll put me on to more treatment to try and shrink it. So who knows?

Q How is your daughter?
A My baby is fine. She’s got a bit of a cold at the moment. She’s 16 weeks old today. She’s fantastic. She’s the best thing that’s happened this year. I’ve always got a smile on my face because of her.

 Отправлено: 18.04.06 20:51. Заголовок: Re:

WELSH DRAGON BREATHES AGAIN
18 Apr 2006 17:41:00

A relieved Matthew Stevens has reached the second round of the 888.com World Snooker Champion - and in doing so took a huge step towards keeping his top 16 status.
Last year’s runner-up Stevens avoided any slip-ups as he eased his way to a 10-5 first-round victory over Belfast’s Joe Swail at the Crucible.
Stevens won the Northern Ireland Trophy at the start of the season but has had a disappointing campaign in ranking events and came in to the tournament at No 19 on the provisional list.

But victory today is likely to ensure his place among the elite for another season.

World No 4 see Stevens, who lost 18-16 to Shaun Murphy in last year’s showcase final, led 6-3 overnight, but Swail made the Carmarthen potter sweat by winning the opening two frames of the concluding session to reduce his arrears.

But Stevens hit back with an excellent 112 break - his second century of the match - to edge 7-5 ahead.

Two-times semi-finalist Swail looked set to pull one back when he led 49-19 in the next and trapped his opponent in snooker on the last red. But former UK and Masters champion Stevens enjoyed an outrageous fluke on the red and cleared the table.

He won the 14th frame with a 44 and came from 64-0 down to win the next with a 39 clearance to seal victory.

"I missed a couple of balls and let Joe back into the match," admitted Stevens. "But I thought I played the better snooker over the two days. It was always going to be tough, so I’m just glad to be in the next round."

And Stevens is looking forward to playing 1997 world champion Ken Doherty in the next round, with the pair due to begin their best-of-25 frame match on Saturday night.

He added: "It’s been a tough season, but I’m in the tournament now. Anyone can win it. I’m looking forward to playing Ken.

"He’s one of the most experienced players in the tournament. You get no easy matches here!"

A defeated and deflated Swail admitted he had been beaten by the better man.

"It was very, very frustrating out there," admitted Swail. "I’m not taking anything away from Matthew because he played well, but I got a lot of kicks and couldn’t find any rhythm.

"Generally, all the way through the match, I felt I played pretty well, but Matthew was the better player."

Two-times winner Ronnie O’Sullivan has taken a commanding 7-2 lead over Stoke potter Dave Harold in their first round clash.

World No 1 O’Sullivan was in sparkling form and won seven frames on the bounce with some classy break-building.

Two century breaks - 106 and a tournament high 139 - and runs of 67, 43 and 70 saw the Rocket surge ahead and threaten the second whitewash in Crucible history.

But Harold, who defeated last season’s beaten Crucible semi-finalist Ian McCulloch in the final round of qualifying for this year’s tournament, won the last two frames of the session.

Harold had an 80 break in the eighth frame to help stop the history books being re-written, before winning the final frame of the session by potting brown to pink.

 Отправлено: 18.04.06 22:47. Заголовок: Re:

Swail Upset At Crucible Table

Stevens and Williams pocket comfortable wins




Dominant O'Sullivan leads Harold

 Отправлено: 20.04.06 05:27. Заголовок: Re:

Ebdon clings on to see off Holt




Last-frame drama sends Hendry out

 Отправлено: 21.04.06 05:46. Заголовок: Re:

Gray ends White's Crucible hopes

Murphy spoils Davis anniversary

 Отправлено: 22.04.06 20:47. Заголовок: Re:

Maguire hits wrong note against Fu fighter
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=208039345&p=zx8x4xy6x&n=208040231
Snooker: Ryan books his big Day with Rocket
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0700sports/tm_objectid=16973281&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=snooker--ryan-books-his-big-day-with-rocket-name_page.html

Williams edges towards quarters

Robertson reaches quarter-finals

 Отправлено: 22.04.06 22:01. Заголовок: Re:

SHAUN MURPHY 13 STEVE DAVIS 7
22 Apr 2006 14:38:00
Post match press conference comments as the defending champion wins his seventh consecutive match at the Crucible.
Shaun Murphy quotes

Q Did you feel there was more expectation on you playing Steve this year?
A Not really because I think everyone still regards Steve very highly and I don’t expect everyone to be on my side when I’m playing him as he is a legend. He walks out, gets a great reception and everyone wants to see him to play well and that includes me! He’s still the bloke I look up to and it’s nice to watch him fizz the white round the table and do things that are very clever. They look innocuous but they are actually really clever and it’s nice to watch him up close. Fortunately for me he doesn’t finish frames off like he used to and I’m thought other quarter-finals.

Q Are you over your virus now Shaun?
A Just about. My throat is really sore but it is not giving me as much trouble as it was doing. Through the first match it was a real struggle but after a few early nights and some medication and hopefully by the quarters I’ll be fully recovered.

Q Will the cloth change allow you to build a rhythm?
A The cloth will be changed on Saturday for the quarter-finals and then all the tables will be dismantled and a new one put it for the semi-finals. It won’t give anyone an advantage, as it will be the same for everyone. A new cloth will won’t make much difference to how players are throughout the tournament, it’ll just mean that maybe it’ll be a little bit like we’re used to at most other events. I have been amazed at how much has been said about the cloth. I don’t know whether players have forgotten how to adapt but maybe if the cloth’s a bit slower, they should hit the ball a bit harder. However, the pockets are small so if you hit the ball a bit harder you have to be more accurate and some shots don’t go in like they would do normally. I can’t believe how many players have complained about table speeds when we all grew up playing on different club tables and some tables I’ve played on around the world have been horrific but you just have to adapt.

Q You’ve not made many breaks over 60 this year.
A I’m just not playing quite as well as I was last year. Having said that my tactical game has really come on this season. I’ve outmanoeuvred James Wattana and Steve Davis, so I’m pleased with my first two rounds work. No one beats the Nugget without knowing their way round the table. We’ve both put each other in difficult positions and if I can get someone like him in trouble then eventually I’ll find my potting boots. I think I’ve lost them at home somewhere! Sooner or later I will find them and when I do, if I keep playing safe this well then the other players could be in trouble.

Q Do you think some of the other players have used the table as an excuse?
A I find it so strange that snooker players seem to think that when turning up at an event the tables should be the same every time. I don’t where that comes from – it doesn’t happen in any other sport. When you grow up playing on tables in junior tournaments they change from week to week and learning to adapt to a slower or faster table is a skill like screwing the white back. The hand marks people refer to were there in the past. Its not a problem, it just highlights the players who can adapt but I don’t tend to roll many shots anyway – they all seem to crack in the back of the pocket. If they start making the pockets of glass then I’m in trouble!

Steve Davis quotes

Q You won a few more frames against Shaun than you did last year
A He played astonishingly well last year and it would be unfair to judge him against that performance. The conditions are quite difficult. I think they’re going to change the cloth. It was dampish as well and that’s not the cloth’s fault, it’s been raining for a few days. It’s unusual for the Crucible to be damp. If there’s moisture in the air, that gets into the cloth and makes the pockets smaller. I was disappointed in the way I started off the first two sessions, and especially disappointed in the way I lost the fifth frame, I threw it away and that hurt me quite a lot. From looking like 3-2, it was 4-1. I wouldn’t say I didn’t recover but I struggled after that. I came out for the second session and for the first two frames played like a dog, and it was uphill from that point. But I enjoyed it.

Q How do you rate Murphy’s chances?
A You can’t predict what’s going to happen. I can’t believe some of the results. It’s just on the day. On his day he’s a brilliant player so he can win it. He’s struggling with a bit of a cold so he’s not 100 per cent. If they put another cloth on then you’ll start to see who’s playing well, if they adapt quickly to the conditions. He’s not without a chance. But don’t write anyone off. I commentated on Marco Fu’s match against Alan McManus and he didn’t seem to be playing that well and I thought there’s no way he’ll beat Stephen Maguire. But now he’s 12-4 up. You just can’t say who’s going to play well. It’s very open. There are players who would have more of a problem winning it than others, but if you get on a roll in a tournament the buoyancy of it all can push a player to greater things.

Q You’re guaranteed to be back here next season
A yes, I’ve had a good season. It’s not been a great one but it’s been productive, especially getting to the final of the UK. I shall go out tonight and celebrate my season because I’ve not gone down the rungs. In fact I’ve gone up a few rungs. Other players have struggled so I’m in good company. I might even hang on in the top 16 until I’m 50. I haven’t got many ambitions left so I found that one in the bottom of the box! It’s nice to be playing ok, I’ve had my moments and I’m enjoying it more. I’m looking forward to next season. I’d like to get off to a good start in the matches a bit more, that’s one thing that gets harder as you get older. Jimmy White was saying the same thing. You just have to accept those type of things, maybe you have to be fitter so I’ll be on the cycling machine.

 Отправлено: 23.04.06 22:11. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 24.04.06 05:30. Заголовок: Re:

Dott homes in on last eight place

Deadlock for Stevens and Doherty

 Отправлено: 25.04.06 05:36. Заголовок: Re:

Ebdon through as O'Sullivan struggles

Ebdon polishes off hapless Gray



Superb Doherty overcomes Stevens

Rocket revival stuns unlucky Day
Snooker: O'Sullivan record break evens it up

 Отправлено: 26.04.06 07:10. Заголовок: Re:

O'Sullivan & Williams all square

Ebdon opens big lead over Murphy

Doherty & Fu set up tense climax

 Отправлено: 27.04.06 05:28. Заголовок: Re:

Classy Fu sends Doherty crashing




Ruthless Ebdon dethrones Murphy




Dogged O'Sullivan dumps Williams

 Отправлено: 27.04.06 07:05. Заголовок: Re:

PETER EBDON 13 SHAUN MURPHY 7
26 Apr 2006 23:57:00
Post match press conference reaction as Ebdon knocks out the defending champion...
Shaun Murphy quotes

Q It must have been nice to leave the arena to a great round of applause
A Yes it was. It was nice that they cheered me out. Being the local lad I think they got behind me. I’ve had great support all year, especially here. I’ll be back.

Q How do you feel?
A I’m absolutely gutted, I came here to win the tournament. I’ve not done that and I’m very disappointed. It’s quite an emotional day, not all in a bad way. Being world champion is not the easiest job in the world, there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with it and next year that will be someone else’s job. I think I’m going to finish the season in the top 5 and next season I’ll have a great opportunity to come in with very little on my shoulders and hopefully I’ll be able to go about my business under the radar.

Q Why do you think it’s so hard to defend the title?
A I can speak from experience now. Everything that goes with being world champion, everything you have to do and the commitments that come your way which you’d be silly not to fulfil – you spend a lot of time away from the table. All my life I’ve spend five or six hours at the snooker table working on my game. I came to Sheffield trying to be as sharp as I can but I’ve not been able to be as sharp as I was last year. It’s ironic that my last shot wasn’t a bad safety or a tactical mistake as it has been in previous matches but a missed pot. That’s not really one of my weaknesses but all through this tournament I’ve not scored and today it’s cost me.

Q You just couldn’t get going yesterday
A No. If you take the first seven frames out of the equation it’s a different match. But you can’t take the first seven frames out. It’s over three sessions and they all count. Those seven frames will haunt me for a few weeks because without that I could have gone through. I just went out there and tried to do the same things I’d done in the first two matches. Against Peter that just wasn’t good enough. Against James Wattana and Steve Davis I got through quite easily, my mistakes weren’t punished. But Ebdon is my tip out of the last four because he’s playing very good snooker. His safety is exemplary and he doesn’t miss any easy balls. For my money he’d be the winner. He’s at the top of his game and mine just wasn’t good enough. It got better today but I started too badly and at this level you can’t afford to do that.

Q Your potting won you the title this year but it wasn’t there this time
A Last year I potted everyone off the table but this time I only made two centuries in three long matches. That’s unheard of for me. I don’t have any answers as to why that is. My safety game has been really good, I’ve worked hard on that. That got me through to the quarters but it wasn’t enough.

Q Will you watch the rest of the tournament?
A Definitely, it’s the World Championship. It’s our biggest festival of snooker and I love snooker to bits. I only live 15 minutes away so I’ll probably come and watch, I’ll take advantage of my player’s pass! I’ll be here for the semis and probably for the final as well.

Peter Ebdon quotes

Q It was a very sporting gesture to clap Shaun out of the arena
A He’s been a brilliant world champion and I just said to him at the end that I really appreciate everything he’s done for snooker over the past year. The efforts that he’s gone to, to promote snooker over the past year have been exceptional so I just wanted to thank him for doing an outstanding job.

Q Will that be an inspiration to you if you win it?
A Well it would be lovely. One match at a time

Q It was hard going today
A Yes it was tough. I knew this morning that Shaun was going to throw everything at me, including the kitchen sink. It was a performance you would expect from the world champion. I won a massive frame to go 10-6 and held myself together under pressure. To be 9-7, I would still have had a lead but he would have been fancying it a bit. I did all the damage in the first session which is unusual for me. It makes a nice change. At 9-7 he would still have had a good chance. I don’t know any other top player who goes for as many balls as he does and that makes him exciting to watch, that’s what made him world champion last year. He was here for 17 days, he beat the top players and blew everybody away. He plays very entertaining and exciting snooker.

Q How do you mean when he you say he has promoted the game?
A He’s put himself around, he’s been on radio programmes, cookery programmes, promoting snooker. Not many people would have gone out of their way to do that. He’s obviously enjoyed it and he deserves that because he’s earned it. He’s been an outstanding world champion.

Q What about your 147 attempt?
A What a nightmare. The red that I missed into the green pocket – I was trying to swing the white around the angles with a touch of left hand side but the blue and the brown were in the way. I had to play the shot in a manner I wouldn’t normally play it. I played it a bit quickly which I wouldn’t normally do and missed it thick. It was a bad miss really but there you go.

Q Were you starting to think about the money?
A No I was thinking about potting the red!

Q Was that your best performance since you won the World Championship?
A I was solid. I’m better prepared for this tournament than any other tournament in my career. I really have worked hard. It’s been really tough being away from Deborah and the children but that’s what I felt I needed to do. I’ve had great practice at the Academy with James Wattana, Ken Doherty and Ronnie O’Sullivan. I’d like to give a special mention to Lewis Roberts whose father is a cue maker and came to practise with me when I had no one else to practise with. I think I made a maximum against him! It’s really helped sharpen me up. I’ve worked really hard on my fitness too and I’m enjoying my snooker. I wanted to leave something for Sheffield because the in-form players don’t necessarily come through. They may have taken a lot out of themselves during the season. I deliberately try to peak at Sheffield and hopefully I’m coming into form at the right time.

Q Do you believe you can win it?
A That’s a pre-requisite, the belief has got to come first. I believe I deserve it because I’ve worked hard enough. It would be lovely but I’ve got a very tough semi-final. Marco has played really well to beat Ken and Ken’s one of the best match-players we’ve ever seen. He must be on top form.

Q Why is it so hard to defend this title?
A It’s tough! You’ve got to beat top class players. If Shaun had beaten me he would have had another tough match and then another one in the final. It takes a lot out of you which is why we place so much importance on fitness. Ronnie looks like a greyhound. He’s a great inspiration to me. He’s so dedicated, I wish I could be that fit.

Q How hard is the travelling?
A It’s very tough. We moved to Dubai because we thought it was the right thing for the family and we live a fabulous lifestyle. Most of my training is at the Academy, I practice 6 to 8 hours a day, swim a mile a day and I’m careful about what I eat. I’m just trying to be as professional as I can.

 Отправлено: 27.04.06 07:09. Заголовок: Re:

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN 13 MARK WILLIAMS 1127 Apr 2006 01:16:00
Post match press conference comments as the Rocket gathers pace...
Mark Williams quotes
Q What did you say to him afterwards?
A I just said well played. I came back at him and put him under loads of pressure. At 11-11 I had a chance to go 12-11 up. I was a bit unlucky to leave him a red but he made an excellent clearance. You’ve got to take your hat off for that break. I don’t think there’s any other player who could have made that break because I kept him off the table for a long time. That’s why he’s world No 1 because he can make clearances like that. I think I had him on the rack tonight but that break was superb.

Q Is your return to form a consolation?
A I can’t grumble about that match. It was an excellent match, there were a lot of breaks. He played really well throughout and I still could have had him in the end. It was a fantastic match to be involved in. I came out on the wrong side but I can’t grumble because I played well myself. I tried my best and with a bit more run of the ball it could have gone my way.

Q Is he the favourite now?
A Yes, I think I’ve just lost to the winner. No disrespect to anyone else but once he gets among the balls he looks so confident. Even when he’s potting them and you are sitting down you enjoy watching him play because he’s so fluent and smooth. You can’t do much about it. He doesn’t look like missing when he gets in. If he plays anything like that you can’t see him being beaten.

Ronnie O’Sullivan quotes

Q You were really tested
A He’s the hardest opponent I’ve ever faced. With other players there are major weaknesses but where it matters in bottle and character, Mark has that in abundance. He never once let up on me. At 10-6 I made a mistake and it affected me. I lost my way and I started jabbing at the white and I couldn’t make 10. I knew I had to hang in there and to nick one of those frames was massive. Mentally and physically my game had gone. At the interval I got on the practice table and spoke to Ray Reardon and I was able to get it right. From 11-9 I did very little wrong. I might have missed a couple of pots but nothing easy. I was kept off the table so much, he put so much pressure on me. Every time I left him a long ball, no matter how hard it was I knew he was going to get it. Then he either rolled me up or made 60. He looked so comfortable out there, he was taking me out of my space and that’s what he’s good at. I didn’t expect to win. I’m surprised.

Q He said it was a pleasure to watch you play
A There’s a mutual respect there. For character and self-belief and toughness under pressure, he’s a class act. He’s one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen, up there with Hendry and Higgins. That’s nice of Mark to say that. It’s sad there has to be a loser. He played a great part in the game and deserves a pat on the back even if it doesn’t make him feel any better.

Q Do you think you can win it?
A That match was a great confidence builder. It’s a great event, 888.com have helped put on a fantastic tournament and Sheffield produces a great atmosphere. There’s some tense stuff out there and it’s great to still be in the tournament.

Q Does your support make you feel good?
A The crowd gave both of us tremendous support and appreciated our play. All of snooker’s characters over the years have built up a following and I just happen to have mine. I’m grateful and appreciative. At the end of my career I’ll be able to look back and say I’ve entertained a lot of people. They come to watch me and they enjoy watching me. I get taken aback by some of the things they say. The most important thing is when I hear other players speaking about me. Ken Doherty, John Parrott and Steve Davis have all had nice things to say about me. It means a lot. I think ‘why me?' because there are so many other great players. Snooker is the greatest game on Earth and I’m really pleased to be involved here and excited to have got this far.

Q Are you surprised to be playing Graeme Dott in the semis?
A I was just so involved in the match tonight that I didn’t have a chance to think about it. Your mind can wander and that’s when you have to call on your experience and realise it’s not over until you are out of the arena. At no stage did I think I had it in the bag. It was a difficult night.
I’m here for the 888.com World Championship, this is a big event for them, a big event for me, I’m excited to be playing in it and I just want to give 100 per cent for everyone involved in snooker. I think we should just enjoy this 888.com World Championship and really have some fun over the next five days. Thanks very much!

 Отправлено: 27.04.06 11:17. Заголовок: Пятилетний договор - вчера заключён

LONDON, April 26: TWI has inked a five-year representation deal for the rights to World Snooker Association events, beginning in August, with a broadcast deal in place with Eurosport.

For the next five years, Eurosport will air all WSA snooker events across their pan-European network of more than 107 million homes. This will cover at least 300 hours of live coverage per year, including key events such as the Grand Prix, the UK Champs, the Masters, the China Open and the World Championships.

Adam Kelly, business affairs director of TWI, noted, "TWI takes great pride in its newly expanded relationship with World Snooker. We have taken a significant step towards developing the sport internationally. We believed in the potential of snooker and have great confidence in its continued growth in popularity both in Europe and across the globe. Today's announcement is the beginning of a bright future."

 Отправлено: 28.04.06 05:47. Заголовок: Re:

Fu and Ebdon locked in stalemate




O'Sullivan takes two-frame lead

 Отправлено: 29.04.06 05:51. Заголовок: Re:

O'Sullivan level with Dott

O'Sullivan avoids cue-tip censure

Dott takes battle to O'Sullivan

Ebdon closes in on place in final

 Отправлено: 29.04.06 22:31. Заголовок: Re:

PETER EBDON 17 GRAEME DOTT 16(что это???ну дает ворлдснукер!!)
29 Apr 2006 20:14:00
Post match press conference comments as Ebdon triumphs in epic semi-final...
Marco Fu quotes

Q You so nearly made a great come back
A Yes, I did everything I could except win it. It’s great because I went out there and enjoyed myself. I needed to win 8-1 which is a tall order against Peter especially the way he was playing yesterday, it was virtually impossible. I got off to a good start, I won a scrappy first frame and that set me on the way. I made some good breaks, played fluently and got Peter under pressure. I really enjoyed it, the way I played snooker, it’s the way I always want to play the game. To do that on a big occasion felt great.

Q The momentum was with you going into the last frame
A Yes, but give credit to Peter. I missed a pink but after that I didn’t do much wrong. I played a good safety and he potted a tremendous red and made a winning clearance. I’m not sure how many people in the world would have been able to do that but Peter is one of them. You just have to shake his hand and say well played.

Q Did you believe you could win it?
A When I won the first four frames today I believed I could. Peter was jabbing a little bit and he was under pressure, but it was not to be.

Q What did Terry tell you before the last session?
A He just told me to go and enjoy myself and take it one frame at a time. He told me I needed to be on top of my game and hope that Peter didn’t play as well. Things were going my way and I knew I had a chance. The way I’ve played in the last 14 or 15 days I have felt that I can beat anybody, and I haven’t felt that for quite a while. It’s great to get it back so quickly because a few months ago I was struggling but the season has turned around. It surprises me and surprises Terry.

Q Do you think Peter can win it?
A Yes because mentally he is very strong and I really appreciate that. He’s so good under pressure. If he gets himself mentally prepared for the final he has a great chance. He doesn’t seem to be affected that much by the long matches. He looks fit. I think I’ve just lost to the winner.

Peter Ebdon quotes

Q There was a lot of emotion at the end
A It means so much and I’ve worked so hard. I don’t know how Marco will be feeling at the moment but every credit to him because it was an incredible performance. He showed incredible strength of character under the most extreme circumstances and adversity. He was truly magnificent and I take my hat off to him. He held himself together and played his best snooker under pressure. It was awesome. It was the most tenacious I’ve seen him. He’s come on leaps and bounds and his safety was absolutely superb. He hardly missed a long ball. We had a horrible first session where the balls ran more unkindly than I’ve ever seen them in 20 years of playing snooker.


Q Were you pleased to hold yourself together?
A I missed a couple of balls I wouldn’t usually miss, and normally I’m at my best under pressure. It was a bit extreme. But I’m usually 15-9 down not 15-9 up! I’ve worked so hard and when I really needed to I produced one of the best and most important breaks under pressure of my entire career. I took a horrible red on to start it across the table, dropping it in with enough place to cannon the red away from the black. It could have gone wrong and under the circumstances I wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d hit it full ball. I’m very proud of that performance. Especially that break in the last frame, it was massive.

Q Was it hard not to think at 15-9 that it was all over?
A The flights had already been booked for my (4) children to come over from Dubai, so you can imagine how I would have felt if I had lost. I’d like to think that I’ve got a big heart but it certainly would have been broken if I had lost that match, I promise you. I’ve not seen the children for 6 weeks so it will be brilliant to see them anyway but I think I would have been a broken man.

Q Do you expect to play Graeme Dott in the final?
A I’m just looking forward to it. You never know what’s going to happen in this game, my match proved that. I’m well prepared and I can relax and enjoy it. There will be a lot of pressure because we will both want to win really badly. It will be a tough battle. It could have all gone horribly wrong so I’m just pleased I’m there.

Q Did the first session and the reaction of the crowd affect you?
A It was just a tough session for both of us. The way I played in the second session I would have been 11-5 or 10-6 up against a lot of players. That shows how tough he was to beat. I was thinking ‘I’m sure I played really well there and I’m only 9-7 up.’ The clearance that he made to go 9-7 was awesome. I was a bit unlucky to lose position but the blue that he knocked in during that clearance was unbelievable. I needed that like a hole in the head at the time. I’m proud for his father and his family because the performance he put up was incredible.

Q Are you surprised how well you have done here?
A You can take my performances in beat-of-nines with a pinch of salt and this has been a tough season because we’ve not had a lot of match practice. But coming here and having a bit of experience, I didn’t think that the in-form players would necessarily be favourites because it’s an event in itself. I always like to get myself spot on for it and perhaps the players in form are under a bit more pressure because there’s more expectancy. I knew I had a very good chance and I’ve got stronger with every match. I don’t tend to do much press before the tournament, I’d rather let the media talk to the other players. If I slip through unnoticed and get to the final, that’s nice. I’m hitting the ball well and scoring heavily, my safety has been ok.

Q You could be favourite which you have not been in your two previous finals
A The first time I played Stephen Hendry in 1996 I didn’t have enough experience and he didn’t have to play that well to beat me. The second time, I knew I had the experience and I believed in my heart that I would win no matter what he threw at me. And I actually believe that I’m a better player now.

 Отправлено: 30.04.06 08:52. Заголовок: Re:

Ebdon beats Fu in last-frame epic

Dott holds off O'Sullivan revival




O'Sullivan dismayed after defeat

 Отправлено: 30.04.06 09:07. Заголовок: Re:

Ronnie O’Sullivan quotes

Q The damage was done in the third session
A The way Graeme played tonight, if I could have found another gear I still fancied my chances. At 16-8 I thought it was all over but when he came out and started missing ball after ball then you never know. I know what’s it’s like when you start missing because I’ve been there myself. But the damage was done in the first three sessions, I was pretty awful the whole match and I deserved to lose. I wouldn’t expect to win with that performance.

Q You started knocking balls in for fun tonight
A You shouldn’t get too excited and say I was playing top quality snooker, anyone who knows anything about snooker knows that my cue ball control wasn’t the best. I must have had 3 or 4 chances in every frame. At this level you need to get in and make 70s and 80s and I wasn’t doing that. I needed to be winning frames in one visit to have a chance. He made me look good tonight but if he had played as he had done in the previous sessions I would have only won one frame tonight.

Q What did you pout your poor form down to?
A Missed to many balls, never got in, didn’t make enough breaks. My safety was bad and my long ball potting was awful. That’s not to take anything away from Graeme because he beat me comfortably. I just wasn’t good enough. I am human being and I can’t just switch it on when I need it most.

Q It was a nice gesture when you gave your cue away to someone in the crowd
A Well I need a new cue so I’m hoping John Parris has seen that. He’s got two pieces of wood which he reckons are good wood. I’ve been asking him for about two years so he’ll call me when he’s ready. But now I’ve got rid of that it’s saying ‘come on John get lively, I need a cue for the new season!’ It was something nice for the kid to have. I don’t know who he was, I just wanted to give it to a young lad. He’s come to the snooker to enjoy it so I thought it would be a nice gift.

Q How did the tip incident affect you?
A I had about seven tips on in the week before coming here and another eight while I’ve been here. Thankfully the one I put on tonight ok. The one I put on yesterday wasn’t right which was unfortunate. I was tough out there tonight. I really enjoyed the game, I really enjoyed the tournament. 888.com put on a great show. We love coming to Sheffield and I’ll be back again.

Q Did you think after beating Williams that this was your tournament?
A I’m experienced enough to know that you can only win one match at a time. I knew it would be hard and I wasn’t able to make any inroads. I’m sure it will be a great final between Peter and Graeme. I will be a tough battle and one that the viewers will really enjoy. I’ll be glued to it. They are both playing well. I came to this event feeling confident and I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to perform in this match. But it’s been a great experience, a great tournament. All of the players want to thanks 888.com and the Association has done a great job in getting them on board.

Graeme Dott comments to follow



www.worldsnooker.com

 Отправлено: 01.05.06 21:52. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 03.05.06 05:45. Заголовок: Re:

Dogged Dott wins epic world final

World title victory delights Dott

Hendry regains snooker's top spot

Davis Defends Pedestrian Final

 Отправлено: 05.05.06 11:12. Заголовок: Re:

Интересная заметка про новоиспеченного чемпиона мира

DOTT TONIGHT..
EXCLUSIVE: FAMILY JOIN IN PARTY AFTER SCOT LIFTS SNOOKER'S TOP PRIZE Two-week nookie ban helps champ win title
By Steven Ventura
3 May 2006

Glory boy Graeme Dott gave up sex to win the world snooker title.

And he believes his 15-day vow of chastity helped him hold his nerve as he took on Peter Ebdon in the final.

As he celebrated his £200,000 triumph last night, Graeme, 28, told how he left wife Elaine and 18-month-old son Lewis at home when he went to Sheffield for the World Championship.

His family joined him down south when he won through to the semi-final. But even then, he and Elaine decided to carry on sleeping in separate beds.

Graeme said: "It was great to see Elaine. But we agreed we wouldn't change my sleeping arrangements because it had been lucky until then.

"I was aware that spending time in the same bedroom as Lewis could disrupt my sleep. So I didn't want to take the chance, and it paid off."

Elaine, 29, added: "We decided we should stay apart until Graeme won, and that's what we did.

"Last night was the first we'd spent together in 15 days. We got a lovely little room and it was nice to get back together after so long."

Elaine said the tension of the final left everyone in Graeme's camp "drained".

She added:"My first words when I saw him afterwards were, 'Oh, my God. You've done it.'That was the only thing I could manage between the tears."

Elaine, a nursing student, said her husband's £200,000 winner's cheque was like "winning the lottery".

But she vowed that the cash would not change their "down-to-earth" lives.

She said: "We have a fortnight planned in Malta in July and that's about it.We don't go in for the high life."

Graeme and Elaine partied with family and friends last night at their local, Berries Hotel in Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

The hotel is owned by Graeme's fatherin- law and manager, Alex Lambie.

Graeme is teetotal, but Elaine said: "There are certain times in life where you can make an exception!

"He usually guzzles Irn-Bru but he couldn't get any at the Crucible. Maybe we'll fix that next year."

At one stage, Graeme led the final 15-7 and needed only three more frames.

But 2002 champ Ebdon battled back to close the gap to 16-14 and the Scot had to dig deep to win the two frames he needed for his first ever top-level title.

The closing stages were so tense that Graeme's dad John, 60, feared he might not see the end of the match.

He said: "I've got angina and I use an inhaler and I was puffing away like hell at one stage. I was thinking, 'This is the last thing I need'.

"Graeme had been in finals before and hadn't won any but this win proves forever that he's not a choker.

"If he never wins another match he'll always be able to say he was world champion. That makes me very proud."

Graeme's victory came after a tough few years for him and his family. He has battled back from pneumonia and pleurisy.

His mother-in-law May, 43, died suddenly during the world championships four years ago. And Graeme went to this year's contest knowing his father-in-law was fighting cancer.

Alex, 58, said: "Tears were shed by both of us after the final. We have come a long way together."

Elaine's sister, Pauline, said the whole of Larkhall was thrilled with Graeme's win. She added: "Graeme is very popular and has a lot of fans here. Everyone will want to wish him well."

Like many people in Larkhall, Graeme is a fanatical Rangers fan. And he has been invited to show off the World Championship trophy at Ibrox on Sunday when his heroes take on Hearts.

Graeme is thrilled by the honour. But he's hoping that tournament sponsors 888.com will let him take their green and white ribbons off the trophy.

Gers manager Alex McLeish was among the first to congratulate Graeme. He said: "I was glued to the TV all night. I hope Graeme makes it quicker next time, though, because he ruined my beauty sleep!"

Graeme said: "Going to Ibrox will be fantastic. I just hope the sponsors will remember to put red, white and blue ribbons on the trophy."

Despite Dott's Ibrox loyalties, one of his best pals in snooker is Celtic-daft former world champion John Higgins. And John was quick to phone and wish him well after his victory.

Graeme and John practise together at the Craigpark Masters snooker club in Dennistoun, Glasgow. Co-owner Linda Smith said: "Everybody is ecstatic here because Graeme is so well liked. He is a really nice, down-to-earth guy but he's also very determined.

"He's in here first thing in the morning until around 6pm. He has a lunch break, but apart from that it's head down and solid practice.

"John and Graeme have struck up a great friendship, even though they support different teams."

 Отправлено: 05.05.06 12:54. Заголовок: Re:

Adeli пишет:

цитата:

Интересная заметка про новоиспеченного чемпиона мира

Да, уж ...
страсти, ну прям как при дворе Марии Стюарт

Сорри, МАО, в этой теме новости мы не обсуждаем, мы их тут только вывешиваем. Обсуждения в темах действующих лиц. Модырь Ри

 Отправлено: 10.05.06 09:41. Заголовок: Re:

Во всех статьях про Пола.

Family in the frame to help brave Paul
Snooker player's family run for cancer charity
Stars are out for Paul Hunter's Big Night
Why we're having a ball for charity!

 Отправлено: 10.05.06 18:33. Заголовок: Re:

Снукерную Академию переносят из Веллингборо в Шеффилд

 Отправлено: 11.05.06 06:32. Заголовок: Re:

Snooker star is right on cue to launch charity gala night

 Отправлено: 13.05.06 09:54. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 17.05.06 05:22. Заголовок: Re:

Full 'Soccer Aid' teams announced
капитан команды Робби Вильямс, один из участников команды - Ронни.. Ай как хоцца посмотреть на этот футбол!!!

 Отправлено: 17.05.06 13:08. Заголовок: Re:

Новости с Ворлдснукера

TOUR QUALIFICATION
17 May 2006 09:37:00
A notice on qualification for the 2007/08 Tour through National and International Governing Bodies.

World Snooker would like to clarify that the 96 professional snooker players on The World Professional Snooker Tour 2006/2007 will not be permitted to gain a place on the 2007/2008 Tour through any amateur qualifying events.

This will also apply to all WPBSA snooker members who are not playing on the 2006/2007 Tour. This policy will apply in all future seasons.

This information was sent to all our members yesterday and we have given them a deadline of Friday 16 June 2006 to resign their membership should they intend to compete in an amateur event to qualify onto the 2007/2008 Tour.

After this date the Official Ranking List containing all professional snooker members for the season will be re-issued and sent to all Governing Bodies.

Our tournament calendar for 2006/07 and the qualifying criteria for the 2007/2008 season will be available very soon.

 Отправлено: 19.05.06 05:37. Заголовок: Re:

Ding up to 5th on players rich list

Walsh dons footie boots for charity
и снова о том футбольном матче.. оч хоцца посмотреть.. ну просто ужс как..

 Отправлено: 19.05.06 10:02. Заголовок: Re:

Riba пишет:

цитата:

оч хоцца посмотреть

А я бы и на это посмотрела....
http://www.folly-farm.co.uk/event_details.asp?ID=16

 Отправлено: 23.05.06 07:35. Заголовок: Re:

Типа, опять викторина на Ворлдснукере.....
Викторина

Для тех, у кого не открывается ссылка - текст
CAPTION COMPETITION
22 May 2006 14:52:00

Competitions are back on worldsnooker.com...and the first of the summer is a caption competition. Tickets for next season's tournaments are up for grabs.
Just like last year, the winners of our competitions will receive a pair of tickets to a tournament of their choice on the 2006/07 World Snooker Tour*.

For a chance to win this time, look at the picture and try to imagine what Joe Swail and Matthew Stevens are laughing about at the Crucible.

Your entry should be an amusing caption to the picture or a comment from the Outlaw or the Welsh Dragon.

The funniest entries will be published on worldsnooker.com with the best one to win the tickets!

E-mail your entry to competitions@worldsnooker.com putting 'Caption Competition' in the subject field, or send a postcard to: Caption Competition, World Snooker, 14-16 Great Portland St, London W1W 8QW

Don't forget to include your name, address and telephone number. Entries must be received by Friday, June 2.

Look out for more competitions on worldsnooker.com in the coming weeks.

* Tickets up to and including quarter-final stage of any tournament except the 888.com World Snooker Championship.

 Отправлено: 25.05.06 12:44. Заголовок: Re:

BOND IS GOLDEN OLDIE

22 May 2006 11:13:00
It might not have been as dramatic as his Crucible adventure, but Nigel Bond was delighted after winning the Seniors title at Prestatyn last week.

The Derbyshire player, who stunned Stephen Hendry 10-9 on a respotted black at Sheffield last month, was able to enter the seniors event for the first time having turned 40 last November.

And the 1995 world finalist defeated Ashley Phipps 3-1 to win the Pontin's Spring Masters trophy.

"It was a bit of fun and it's always nice to win a title," said Bond, who made a break of 73 in the final.

"A few of the lads, like Michael Holt and David Roe, were going to Pontin's for the Open so I thought I'd join them.

"I don't think I'd have gone had I lost to Stephen Hendry though," added the 1996 British Open champion whose dramatic win over the seven times champion was one of the Crucible highlights this year.

"I've actually been booked for a couple of exhibitions on the back of that win," said the father of two, beaten 13-9 by eventual champion Graeme Dott in the last 16.

World No 20 Bond also competed in the Pontin's Open but lost to up and coming Walsall youngster Mark Joyce in the last 64.

"Mark's a good player and has qualified for the Tour next season. It didn't help that I was giving him 18 start!

"Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Pontin's and I'll probably go back for the Autumn Festival."

 Отправлено: 26.05.06 20:59. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 27.05.06 21:41. Заголовок: Re:

ну, Ri, экзотические места ты посещаешь! а я искала одно, а нашла вот это
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2006/04/19/cue_sports_guild_hall_ian_mac.shtml

 Отправлено: 27.05.06 22:28. Заголовок: Re:

еще кое-что нашла



Regional press awards - this story published 17.2.2001

Reward for championing hockey
by HoldTheFrontPage staff

The sports editor of the North London Guardian group has been recognised for the importance he attaches to reporting hockey.

Ivan Hirschowitz has been complimented on the "use of his column inches" by the judging panel of a regional award.

The plaudit came when Ivan was awarded the Chris Moore Memorial Regional Hockey Writer of the Year Award.

He received a plaque and Ј250 cheque from David Welch, sports editor of the Daily Telegraph, which sponsored the award, at the Hockey Writers Club annual lunch in Soho.

The judges commented: "At a time when hockey has to compete in local papers with all manner of other sports, Ivan makes the best possible use of his column inches."

Ivan (left) is pictured with David Welch.

 Отправлено: 27.05.06 22:32. Заголовок: Re:

на всякий случай ссылка
http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/awards/010217hock.shtml