A little snooker treat

18:55:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


These are really frustrating times for a true snooker loopy, since there are so many competitions and tournaments and none of them are televised. At least, from my point of view this really sucks :(
But the nice boys from the South West Snooker Academy, which holds the World Open Qualifier, have a very adorable surprise for all of us. Whaaaaaaaat? I hear you, I hear you! :))
Well, they`ve decided to broadcast LIVE the entire event. So, tomorrow please visit their web-site : http://www.southwestsnookeracademy.com/index.html and get your share of snooker. :)

If your`re interested in who`s playing, here`s the list.

P.S. I just want to add, that what Mr. Paul Mount and his brave team accomplished with the South West Snooker Academy it is amazing. They built the whole location from zero (if you want to see the entire process, you can see the photos on FaceBook) and they held "The Pink Ribbon Tournament" (where monsieur Jimmy While reached the finals), a competition that wanted to make a strong statement of this dangerous and cruel disease called breast cancer. So a big amount of money from this tournament was given away to charity.

For this and for what they have done for snooker, I take a bow and applaud them. Great job, you guys! :)

Here, you can see Mr. Paul Mount`s emotional speech at the grand opening of the SWSA.

0 comments:

Portia LIVE de snooker

18:38:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Personal consider de-a dreptul frustranta toata aceasta perioada care "musteste" a competitii de snooker ce LA NAIBA! nu sunt televizate.
Insa baietii de la South West Snooker Academy, ne promit o portie de snooker zdravana pentru maine, cand la ei in "ograda" se desfasoara competitia de World Open Qualifier.
In ce consta surpriza? Pai, uite, oamenii au decis ca ar fi frumos sa transmita LIVE, jocurile, direct pe site-ul lor.

Asa ca puteti intra pe : http://www.southwestsnookeracademy.com/ iar maine va veti putea delecta cu niste snooker la rece...ma rog, depinde pe unde ati campat, deoarece la mine e ceva de speriat. Caldura mare, mon cher! :)

Daca vreti sa stiti la cine va uitati maine, iata si lista.

P.S. As mai vrea sa adaug, ca ceea ce domul Paul Mount si toata echipa sa au realizat la South West Snooker Academy este demn de admiratie. Au construit de la zero locatia (daca aveti curiozitatea, puteti sa vedeti intregul proces pe FaceBook) si au desfasurat "Pink Ribbon Tournament" (unde a fost prezent si monsieur Jimmy White), o competitie ce a dorit sa atraga si mai mult atentia asupra pericolului pe care il constituie cancerul la san. O mare parte din castiguri au fost donate in acest sens.

Asa ca pe aceasta cale, as vrea sa-l felicit pe domnul Paul Mount pentru ceea ce a facut pentru snooker. Jos palaria!
Aici, aveti un filmuletz absolut emotionant de la inaugurarea sediului.:)

0 comments:

Snooker in August

01:35:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Since July it’s almost over and August is rushing in, I thought that it would be a good idea to present you the main snooker tournaments taking place next month.

Here they are:

1. World Open Qualifier

When? : 1 August
Where? : Chester, QBar
Who’s playing? : http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-World-Open-Q-Bar-results.asp


2. Shanghai Masters Qualifying (for the Shanghai Masters 6 – 12 September, China)

When? : 2 – 5 August
Where? : World Snooker Academy, Sheffield
Defending champion: Ronnie O`Sullivan
Raking points and prizes: http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-Shanghai-Masters-Prize-Fund.asp
Who’s playing? : http://www.global-snooker.com/global-snooker-tournament-draw-sheet.asp?tid=Global-snooker-tournament-2010-Shanghai-Masters


3. Players Tour Championship 3 (PTC 3)

When? : 6 – 8 August
Where? : World Snooker Academy, Sheffield
Raking points and prizes: http://www.worldsnooker.com/ptc3_points.htm?tid=185
Who’s playing? : http://www.worldsnooker.com/PTC3_Draw.htm?tid=185



4. Players Tour Championship 4 (PTC 4)

When? : 14 – 16 August
Where? : World Snooker Academy, Sheffield
Raking points and prizes: http://www.worldsnooker.com/ptc4_money.htm?tid=186
Who’s playing? : http://www.worldsnooker.com/files/draw_ptc4.pdf



5. World Open Qualifying (for World Open 18 – 26 September, Glasgow)

When? : 21 – 24 August
Where? : World Snooker Academy, Sheffield
Defending champion: Neil Robertson
Raking points and prizes: http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-World-Open-Snooker-Prize-Fund.asp si http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-World-Open-Snooker-Ranking-Points.asp
Who’s playing? : http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-World-Open-qualifying-rounds-results.asp


6. European Players Tour Championship 1 (EPTC1)

When? : 27 – 29 August
Where? : Fürth, Germany
Raking points and prizes: http://www.worldsnooker.com/files/EPTC_Event_1_Entry_pack1.pdf
Who’s playing? : http://www.worldsnooker.com/site_files/EPTC1_Website_Draw.pdf

For this list I used information from global-snooker.com and worldsnooker.com

0 comments:

Snooker in luna August

01:19:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Cum luna iulie e pe sfarsite, iar august bate la geam in mare stil, m-am gandit ca nu ar strica daca v-as prezenta principalele campionate de snooker de luna viitoare.

Iata cum sta programul :

1. World Open Qualifier

Cand? : 1 August
Unde? : Chester, QBar
Cine joaca? : http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-World-Open-Q-Bar-results.asp


2. Shanghai Masters Qualifying (pentru Shanghai Masters 6 – 12 Septembrie, China)

Unde? : 2 – 5 August
Cand? : World Snooker Academy, Sheffield
Campionul en-titre: Roonie O`Sullivan
Punctaj si premii: http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-Shanghai-Masters-Prize-Fund.asp
Cine joaca? : http://www.global-snooker.com/global-snooker-tournament-draw-sheet.asp?tid=Global-snooker-tournament-2010-Shanghai-Masters


3. Players Tour Championship 3 (PTC 3)

Cand? : 6 – 8 August
Unde? : World Snooker Academy, Sheffield
Punctaj si premii: http://www.worldsnooker.com/ptc3_points.htm?tid=185
Cine joaca? : http://www.worldsnooker.com/PTC3_Draw.htm?tid=185



4. Players Tour Championship 4 (PTC 4)

Cand? : 14 – 16 August
Unde? : World Snooker Academy, Sheffield
Punctaj si premii: http://www.worldsnooker.com/ptc4_money.htm?tid=186
Cine joaca? : http://www.worldsnooker.com/files/draw_ptc4.pdf



5. World Open Qualifying (pentru World Open 18 – 26 Septembrie, Glasgow)

Cand? : 21 – 24 August
Unde? : World Snooker Academy, Sheffield
Campion en-titre: Neil Robertson
Punctaj si premii : http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-World-Open-Snooker-Prize-Fund.asp si http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-World-Open-Snooker-Ranking-Points.asp
Cine joaca? : http://www.global-snooker.com/2010-World-Open-qualifying-rounds-results.asp


6. European Players Tour Championship 1 (EPTC1)

Cand? : 27 – 29 August
Unde? : Fürth, Germania
Punctaj si premii: http://www.worldsnooker.com/files/EPTC_Event_1_Entry_pack1.pdf
Cine joaca? : http://www.worldsnooker.com/site_files/EPTC1_Website_Draw.pdf

Pentru realizarea acestui clasament am folosit date oferite de global-snooker.com si worldsnooker.com

0 comments:

John Higgins case - part two

01:25:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


It seems that nothing is easy these days, but if I’m to think about it…when are things easy, huh?
Anyway, a couple of days ago I was telling you about the refuse of News of the World (NOTW) in giving the full package of evidence to the authorities and moreover that they made an offer that sounded more like “we’ll give you the evidence set, but you`ll have to promise not to take legal actions against us in the future”.

But yesterday the bombe exploded, when the boys from guardian.co.uk said that NOTW “handed over to investigators all the video tapes shot during its sting operation on snooker player John Higgins”. And like a bonus, it seems that NOTW categorically denied to have made such an offer to Higgins and Mooney’s legal team and they added: “We stand by our revelations published in May this year and have made all of our evidence available to the authorities”.
guardian.co.uk also says that the evidence pack was first handed to David Douglas (who was in charge of the preliminary investigation and is a member of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association – WPBSA), who handed them over to the independent dispute resolution service for sport, also known as Sport Resolutions (UK).

The reverse of the medal is that sportingintelligence.com says that until now they have no confirmation or denial from NOTW that they indeed handed their evidence to the authorities. Moreover, the web-site understands that David Douglas “has now indeed had access to footage shot during the NOTW investigation, but it is understood that he had conditional access (possibly on NOTW premises), meaning he had to agree to some kind of indemnity waiver about the use of the footage”. Also in this case, Douglas has not yet confirmed or denied this information for legal reasons.

So, if you are now more confused than you were at the beginning of this article, then let me tell you that you’re not the only one. Contradictories information and speculation are in order, that’s why Higgins’s spokesman said they would rather stay out of any speculation or conjecture, for they may interfere with the legal terms or even more since this is a “quasi-judicial procedure on going is would be wrong to comment”.

Seems like a long way until September (when Higgins and Mooney’s case will face the tribunal hearing) and I have the feeling that is more to this story. The guys from sportingintelligence.com have promise to keep us updated with this situation and I promise you to keep you inform as soon as I find new and interesting stuff on this matter. :P

To be continued… ;)

0 comments:

Cazul John Higgins - partea a II-a

00:56:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Incurcate mai sunt itzele sportului, dom`le, iar snooker-ul nu face nici el exceptie de la regula. Acum doua zile, va povesteam despre refuzul celor de la News of the World (NOTW) de a preda in intregime dovezile impotriva lui Higgins si Mooney; iar mai mult decat atat, va povesteam despre conditia pusa de baietii "veseli" de la NOTW, si anume ca vor preda intregul set de dovezi numai daca Higgins si partenerul sau vor accepta sa nu intreprinda actiuni legale impotriva ziarului.

Ieri insa bomba a explodat, cand NOTW a declarat ca nu au facut o asemenea declaratie/oferta si nici macar nu au discutat cu avocatii celot doi incriminati. Hm...dar cu totii stim ca nu iese fum fara foc, nu? Sau era invers? :P

Conform celor publicate de guardian.co.uk, se pare insa ca NOTW au predat investigatorilor intregul set de dovezi, mai precis in prima faza acesta i-a fost inmanat lui David Douglas (insarcinat cu desfasurarea preliminara a investigatilor si membru al Asociatiei mondiale de biliard si snooker profesionist (WBPSA) pentru ca mai apoi, cum investigatia a fost continuata de un organism independent, si anume Sport Resolutions (UK) dovezile sa le parvina acestora din urma.
Tot cei de la guardian.co.uk sustin ca daca o oferta de predare a dovezilor in mod conditionat a fost facuta, aceasta nu a fost facuta in mod direct de cei de la NOTW.

Reversul medaliei, vine insa de la sportingintelligence.com, care sustin ca pana in momentul de fata nu au primit nici o infirmare sau confirmasre din partea celor de la NOTW, in legatura cu predarea setului de dovezi catre autoritati.Totusi, recunosc faptul ca David Douglas ar fi avut acces (cei drept limitat/conditionat) la setul integral de dovezi, desi nici acesta nu a confirmat sau infirmat informatiile datorita termenilor legali in cauza.

"Tertza" parte din scandal, adica Higgins si Mooney, prin reprezentatii lor legali, au declarat ca se vor tine, ca si pana acum, departe de a face declaratii ce ar putea sa prejudicieze si mai mult situatia.

Daca acum sunteti mai confuzati decat la inceputul acestui articol,ei bine sa stiti ca nu sunteti singuri. Nici eu n-am percutat prea multe, insa cred ca nici nu e cazul. Din pacate informatiile contradictorii si speculatiile sunt la ordinea zilei, iar pana la glorioasa luna septembrie (cand tribunalul va hotari "care-i faza") mai e ceva de asteptat. Cert este ca baietii de la sportingintelligence.com promit sa ne tina la curent cu noutatile, referitoare la caz,iar eu voi subscrie la promisiune sa va tin pe voi la curent :P

va continua... ;)

0 comments:

Statement of the day - Peter Ebdon

16:18:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Peter Ebdon made a very weird statement today, according to worldsnooker.com web-site. Without any introductions, here’s the statement:

"I would like to make it known that I consider that I will not be in a position to play to the best of my ability in my Roewe Shanghai Masters qualifying match in Sheffield next week.

"This is down to personal circumstances, including the fact that I am getting re-married in Hungary this weekend. Since playing in a recent tournament in Thailand I have not been able to practice, and by the time the qualifiers come around I will not have played for ten days or more.

"I know just how bad I can be when I don't feel properly prepared as I am the type of player who needs to practice hard in order to play to a reasonable standard.

"As always, I will be doing my utmost to win what is a very important match for me but in truth, my levels of expectation will not be very high."

Well…I didn’t see that coming! :)) It’s true that Ebdon is a colorful character and his actions aren’t always the proper ones (we all remember when he “fainted” during a snooker match), but he is a very focus player and he impose himself in the world of snooker with a remarkable style.

So, considering all the above and many other things, this statement should not be a surprise. Still, it is not something that you see every day and moreover this is part of “no way” section. I don’t think this is the best manner to announce that you will not play at your best…but what am I saying here? You shouldn’t declare under any circumstances this sort of things. I mean, I don’t think is fair for your future opponents and for the honesty of the game. It’s like saying “Ok, I shall come and play, but most likely I shall lose, so…well...”. This is not a cool thing to do and snooker doesn’t need this type of approach, if you ask me, but I’m sure he meant well when he wrote this statement…in his on special way :)

Still…I’m very curious to see the match. ;)

0 comments:

Declaratia zilei - Peter Ebdon

15:52:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Conform site-ului worldsnooker.com, actualul ocupant al pozitiei 18 in clasamanetul mondial, Peter Ebdon a facut urmatoarea declaratie:

"As dori sa fac public faptul ca personal, nu consider ca voi juca la adevarata mea capacitatea in competitia de calificarea a Roewe Shanghai Masters de saptamana viitoare.

In principal, este vorba despre o serie de aspecte personale, printre care si faptul ca ma voi recasatori in acest weekend in Ungaria. In plus, de vreme ce tocmai am participat la competitia de "6 Reds Championship" din Thailanda, nu am avut suficient timp sa ma pregatesc si practic nu am jucat mai mult de zece zile.

Imi cunosc limitele si stiu cat de prost pot juca in contextul in care sunt un perfectionist si am nevoie de un antrenament complex pentru a juca rezonabil.

Ca intotdeauna voi da ce e mai bun pentru a castiga, avand in vedere ca fiecare meci este important, insa asteptarile mele nu sunt dintre cele mai optimiste."

Intr-adevar o declaratie cel putin surprinzatoare. Insa daca stam sa ne gandim ca Peter este una dintre petele de culoare ale snooker-ului si de multe ori comportamentul sau a fost caracterizat ca fiind bizar (sa ne aducem aminte de tentativa de "lesin" din cadrul unui meci de snooker), aceasta declaratie nu ar trebui sa fie atat de stranie.Nu trebuie insa sa ingnoram performentele uluitoare ale lui Ebdon si capacitatea sa de concentrare, precum si stilu-i inconfundabil de joc.

Nu e cea mai buna metoda de a anunta ca nu vei juca la adevarata valoare...insa ce spun eu aici? Asa ceva nu ar trebui declarat intrucat nu este corect fata de viitori tai oponenti si fata de joc in general. E ca si cum ai declara : " Hei,eu o sa joc cat pot de bine, dar cel mai probabil o sa pierd, asa ca nu va asteptati la prea multe din partea mea...". Nu e tocmai o abordarea sanatoasa iar snooker-ul nu are nevoie de asemenea declaratii, mai ales in aceste momente. Totusi, nu cred ca Peter a facut aceste declaratii din rea vointa si sunt aproape sigura ca in felul sau special, a fost bine intentionat.

Totusi...abia astept sa vad meciul. ;)

0 comments:

A "Hurricane" tribute

02:19:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


These are sad days for the snooker world and more and more people want to pay their respects and tribute to the one who remodeled the snooker game.


Steve Davis (six-times world champion): “He was a very competitive animal, and you knew how he was feeling at the table. That wasn’t common in a reserved game. He got a lot of people who wouldn’t have watched snooker interested, and dragged the game forward kicking and screaming. He didn’t wear a tie, he caused problems, but he was loved all the more for it and he was a snooker genius. Alex, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jimmy White are the three who shocked people with the shots they have come out with, and Alex had bottle and heart. He perhaps didn’t win as much as possibly he could have with his talent, but when he did win the crowd absolutely loved it because it was one against the head. It was against authority, he was the true rebel. He was always up for disciplinary action and he’d walk in with bottles of champagne for the disciplinary panel to soften them up. He had that cheekiness."

Dennis Taylor (1985 world champion): "I don't think you'll ever see a player in the game of snooker like the great Alex Higgins. There was just something about the way that he played the game. There was a little bit of (John) McEnroe in there. There was always going to be a little bit of controversy. If he could get the referee going a little bit he seemed to be able to play better, although he caused a little bit of havoc sometimes. But that was Alex. That made him unique."

Willie Thorne (former world number seven): "Everybody loves a genius. When you're a genius that makes you one of the best people in the world and someone that everyone wants to see. He was a close pal of George Best and he actually stayed at my mother's house a few times and she ended up doing all his ironing and cleaning. I was actually asked to drive for him when I was 19 by his management company. I declined and it's probably a good job I did. But I played with him plenty of times and we had a few run-ins but we always kissed and made up at the end."

Ronnie O'Sullivan (three-times world champion): "Alex Higgins was one of the real inspirations behind me getting into snooker in the first place. He is a legend of snooker, and should forever be remembered as the finest ever snooker player."

Barry Hearn (World Snooker chairman): "I have known him for nearly 40 years. He was the major reason for snooker's popularity in the early days. He was controversial at times, but he always played the game in the right spirit. We will miss him - he was the original people's champion."

Nelson McCausland (Northern Ireland sports minister): "He was a legend in the game of snooker and one of Ulster's great sportsmen. His style of play reshaped how snooker was played and his talent captivated snooker fans around the world."

Hugh Robertson (UK sports minister): "Alex Higgins was a colourful character and one of the most popular players of his generation. He will be greatly missed by snooker fans and the wider sporting public. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Sean Boru (Higgins's biographer): "Alex was great company, that was the best way to describe him. He could be up one minute and be very cutting the next, but you forgave him. He was a true individual, I know people say it but he was. There will never be and there never was anyone like Alex Higgins, he was a fantastic character to be around. It was his personality. Alex Higgins was the Muhammad Ali of snooker, he dragged it kicking and screaming into the 20th century. I spoke to someone earlier who said wasn't it lucky Alex made his name when snooker came into its own, but I said it was the other way round. Snooker didn't make Alex Higgins, Alex Higgins made snooker. I saw him about two months ago and he looked so awful...I think everybody close to Alex knew the end was nigh."

Source: EuroSport

0 comments:

Tribut pentru "Uragan"

01:12:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Pentru ca lumea snooker-ului este inca ravasita dupa disparitia lui Alex" Hurricane" Higgins si pentru ca foarte multe legende ale snooker-ului, prieteni si personalitati relationate cu lumea sportului si-au expus, asa cum se cuvine, parerile despre ceea ce a insemnat "Uraganul" Higgins pentru snooker, am decis sa dau scriere aici tributului prezentat de EuroSport.

Steve Davis (detinator a 6 titluri de campion mondial): "Era un animal competitiv si stiai exact ce simtea cand il vedeai jucand snooker. A reusit sa surescite interesul persoanelor care altminteri nu s-ar fi sinchisit sa se uite la snooker si a dus sportul pe culmile succeselor. Nu purta cravata, era un personaj problematic, insa pentru toate astea si chiar mai mult a fost iubit, iar in ceea ce priveste snooker-ul, era un geniu desavarsit.Alex, Roonie O`Sullivan si Jimmy White sunt cei trei jucatori care au socat intreaga lume cu loviturile lor. Poate ca nu a castigat atat cat ar fi putut cu talentul sau, insa cand castiga multimea de spectatori era in delir, tocmai datorita felului sau de a fi si de a se impune in fata autoritatii. Era un adevarat rebel. Era cel care venea cu sticlele de sampanie pentru a "imbuna" oficiul de disciplina. Avea acest tip de razvratire obraznica."

Dennis Taylor (campion mondial 1985): "Nu cred ca ne va mai fi dat sa vedem un jucator atat de mare ca Alex in lumea snooker-ului.Era ceva in maniera in care juca, era un strop de John McEnroe. Controvesele erau la ordinea zilei; juca mai relaxat si mai bine daca reusea ca arbitrul sa-l mai "scuteasca" putin, insa modalitatea de abordare genera haos cateodata. Dar asa era Alex...si asta il facea unic."

Willi Thorne (fost ocupant al locul 7 in lume): " Toti iubim geniile.Daca esti un geniu, esti automat unul dintre cei mai buni oameni din lume si toti vor sa te vada.Era bun prieten cu George Best si a stat chiar cateva luni acasa la mama mea, ea ajungand in cele din urma sa-i faca curat si sa-i calce hainele. Cand aveam 19 ani, compania care se ocupa de managementul lui Alex mi-a oferit un post de sofer. Tin minte ca am refuzat si cred ca am facut o alegere inteleapta. Insa am jucat snooker cu el de multe ori si chiar am avut cateva dispute, insa in final ne-am impacat."

Ronnie O`Sullivan (dentinator a 3 titluri de campion mondial):" Alex Higgins a fost unul dintre motivele reale si modelul inspirational care m-a determinat sa intru in snooker. Este o legenda a snooker-ului si ar trebui ca lumea sa si-l aminteasca ca fiind cel mai bun jucator de snooker."

Barry Hearn (presedinte World Snooker): " Sunt aproape 40 de ani de cand in cunosc si trebuie sa spun ca a fost unul dintre principalele motive ce au condus la cresterea in popularitate a snooker-ului in primii ani de viata ai acestui sport. Era un personaj controversat insa mereu juca cu patos. Ii vom simtii lipsa - era modelul original de campion."

Nelson McCausland ( Ministru al Sportului - Irlanda de Nord):" A fost o legenda a snooker-ului si unul dintre cei mai mari sportivi pe care Ulster i-a putut da. Stilul de job abordat a "finisat" snookerul, iar talentul sau a captivat intreaga planeta."

Hugh Robertson ( Ministru al Sportului-Marea Britanie): " Alex Higgins a fost pata de culoare si unul intre cele mai populare fetze ale snooker-ului timpuriu. Fanii si intregul sector sportiv ii vor simtit lipsa. Suntem alaturi de familia si prietenii sai in aceste momente dificile."

Sean Boru ( biograful lui Higgins): "Cea mai buna metoda de a-l descrie pe Alex, este sa spui ca era o companie placuta.Trecea foarte usor de la o stare la alta, insa nu era greu sa treci cu vederea. Era un tip individualist, un personaj fanatic si nimeni nu va putea sa-l egaleze. A fost acest Muhammad Ali al snooker-ului si a promovat sportul in secolul XX in stilu-i caracteristic. Mai devreme am vorbit cu cineva care mi-a spus ca Alex a fost norocos pentru ca si-a facut aparitia in perioada de inceput a snooker-ului, insa i-am replicat ca este total invers. Nu snooker-ul l-a facut pe Alex Higgins ci Alex Higgins a facut snooker-ul. L-am vazut acum doua luni si arata ingrozitor...cred ca persoanele apropiate de Alex, stiau ca sfarsitul este iminent."

0 comments:

The John Higgins case

03:19:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Maybe you were wondering what happened with snooker’s number 1 player, John Higgins. Well, things are getting harder and harder and this whole business starts to smell fishy if you ask me.

According to sportingintelligence.com, the John Higgins`s case is up to tribunal in early September, but the big surprise is that the guys from News of the World don’t want to present the whole package of evidence. Evidences that, they say, were briefly pointed in the newspaper, at the same time with the Snooker World Championship finale. What a strange coincidence!
As you already know, News of the World made public a video where Higgins and his manager Pat Mooney were agreeing for John to lose frames in future competition in exchange for a considerable amount of money (more precisely £261,000). But the tabloid wasn’t satisfied with this scandal (for it was a tiny one, like dhaaaa!) so a few days later another news appeared, putting John Higgins on the spot and making allegations that he bet on himself to lose a snooker finale.

Now, the "merry" guys from NOTW have breaking news: they’ll agree to present the evidence necessary for Higgins case, only if John and his manager agree not to sue the newspaper in the future. Well, that’s a shock! It’s like saying out loud: "Hey, we did a stupid thing, we put a sting and now we want no to pay for the damage! John’s name will be cleared out and we’ll not be sued! It’s a win-win situation!" Well, no offence, I’m not saying that my supposition is correct, I’m just saying that’s how this looks like.

Anyway, I don’t know how on earth, NOTW can refuse to present the full package of evidence?! I mean, they made allegations that had resulted in Higgins being banned from every snooker competition on earth and being made responsible and brought to a tribunal, so isn’t it some kind of law that stands that a complainant must provide the tribunal or the investigation office with all the necessary evidences? Well, another great life’s mystery, I guess... :P

I must say I have no idea who is right and who is wrong in this situation and to be honest I don’t care. But what I do know for sure is that snooker all around the world has to suffer. The image of this beautiful and noble sport is being ripped into pieces by this cheep sting. And it is not fair! It is not fair for the fans, but moreover, for the honest players who mind their own business and just want to play snooker.

We shall have to wait until September. Snooker has another bridge to cross!

0 comments:

Cazul - John Higgins -

02:50:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Poate va intrebati ce se mai aude despre cazul lui John Higgins, acuzat de baietii "isteti" de la "News Of the World" ca si-ar inscena castigurile de frame-uri in snooker. Ei bine, tarashenia a prins un iz de peshte imputit, incat mi-e o lehamite grozava sa o expun, insa am sa o fac, intrucat piticul multilateral dezvoltat de pe creier urla de zor: " Snooker!Snooker!", asa ca na...sa-i fac si lui o placere, nu? :))

Conform celor de la sportingintelligence.com, cazul lui Higgins se afla in atentia tribunalului si va fi elucidat o data pentru totdeauna undeva pe la inceputul lunii septembrie. Cam multisor, mai ales ca ne duc cu preshul asa de pe la inceputul lui iunie. Insa ce sa-i faci, justitia are cai complicate, multe prea complicate pentru creierul meu nerabdator de sentinte.

Ceea ce insa nu stiati, poate, este ca baietii veseli de la "News of the World" nu vor sa predea toate dovezile care au dus la marele scandal, strategic plasat chiar in ziua finalei Campionatului Mondial de Snooker de la The Crucible Theatre. Mai precis, baietii spun ca ar fi totusi dispusi sa predea toate informatiile si inregistrarile video/audio doar daca Higgins si managerul sau Pat Mooney accepta sa nu dea pe viitor ziarul in judecata. Ei, parol conitza, ca asa ceva n-am mai auzit de cand ma stiu! Pai, dupa ce acum ceva timp tot baietii de la sportingintelligence.com au dezvaluit neconconrdante majore intre vocea de pe inregistrari si cea a lui Higgins si multe alte replici scoase din context si apoi inteligent lipite pe ici pe colo, acum vine si declaratia celor de la NOTW. Hm...pai daca pana acum cineva avea indoieli asupra nevinovatiei lui Higgins, acum ar trebui sa nu le mai aiba, cel putin asa reiese din cele de mai sus.

Personal, nu stiu ce s-a intamplat intre Higgins, Mooney si cei de la tabloid, insa nici ca m-ar interesa prea tare. Important este ca toata afacerea sa se incheie pentru ca dauneaza extrem de mult snooker-ului de pretutindeni. Daca Higgins a gresit sau nu, doar el stie, cert este ca nici cei de la NOTW nu sunt usa de biserica. Asa ca nu vad decat doua parti care isi permit luxul de a se certa in timp ce lumea incepe sa priveasca piezis la sportul asta nobil,care isi pierde din veridicitate si onoare prin astfel de reprezentatii ieftine.

Am insa o intrebare. Cum se poate ca NOTW sa nu vrea sa predea dovezile complete? In contextul in care au facut o serie de acuzatii care au dus la ridicarea dreptului de participare a lui Higgins la orice competitie sportiva de snooker si la atacarea in instanta a acestuia, cum de nu sunt obligati sa isi prezinte dovezile in formatie completa? Daca probele de pana acum s-au dovedit insuficiente sau dubioase, atunci de ce nu se reunta la caz? Iar daca nu se poate actiona asa, cu riscul de a ma repeta, de ce nu sunt obligati prin lege cei de la NOTW sa prezinte intregul dosar de dovezi? Unul dintre marile mistere ale vietii, cred... :P

Astept luna lui septembrie si decizia finala. Snooker-ul mai are un hop de trecut!

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Snooker, my love on Twitter

17:15:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


The modern era calls out loud for a Twitter account! :)
So, if you would like to be a snooker loopy also on Twitter, please follow me on : http://twitter.com/snookermylove

Tweet!Tweet! ;)

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Snooker, my love pe Twitter

17:06:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Pentru a va usura "urmarirea" blogului de fata, am decis sa intru in era moderna si sa-i creez un cont pe Twitter.
Asa ca ne putem "vedea" si acolo, mai precis pe: http://twitter.com/snookermylove

Tweet!Tweet! ;)

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Every Snooker Loopy has a story...

15:49:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Every Snooker Loopy has a story and I’m curious…what’s yours? Do you have some crazy or funny stories regarding your big encounter with snooker? I mean, did you fell in love with this sport …I don’t know …from being chased with a cue by your parents when you were a little kid? :)) Or, did you have a major crush for a snooker player (only girls, please LOL). I’ll be expecting your stories and the most funny or interesting ones will be posted here, on my blog. Once a week, you’ll have the opportunity to see your snooker loopy story made public, so the world will know how snooker came into your life :)

Write me at: snookermylove@gmail.com

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Fiecare Snooker Loopy are o poveste...

15:40:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Da, fiecare dintre noi (fanii infocati ai snooker-ului) are o poveste despre cum a inceput totul pentru el/ea. Sunt curioasa sa aflu povestea voastra. Cum a debutat marea pasiune pentru snooker? Ati fost batuti de parinti cu tacul cand erati mici si majori fiind ati vrut sa va razbunati privind snookerul in zeflemea, insa ati ajuns sa-l placeti in secret? :))) Sau poate v-ati amorezat de vreun jucator de snooker si ati devenit brusc interesate (da, pai includem fetele, nu? :)) de acest sport?

Oricare ar fi povestea voastra, pun pariu ca e una interesanta. Saptamanal o sa aleg dintre povestioarele voastre pe cea mai interesanta sau amuzanta si o voi pulica aici pe blog. Asa toata lumea va afla cum snooker-ul si voi ati devenit atat de buni prieteni. Spor la compus! :)

Aici puteti trimite povestioarele voastre: snookermylove@gmail.com

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"The Hurricane" left us

00:10:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Today I was planning on telling you something about our Snooker National League games, but I’m afraid I shall have to postpone my story, since today is a very sad day for snooker.

As many of you, already know, Alex "Hurricane" Higgins left us, at the age of 61. But I must tell you first that I don’t want to make a big article about this subject, for I think that a person’s death is a very fragile subject and must be treated with respect and consideration. And moreover...I hate those type of articles where people say how sorry they are for the loss, although they treated him like dirt when he was still alive. But let’s not cross that bridge, shall we?

If you like/love snooker, you definitely heard about Alex Higgins. You know his achievements, his snooker game, his crazy personal life etc. He was fighting a powerful throat cancer, which he defeated with chemotherapy. Still the negative effect of this sort of treatment rushed in and he lost his teeth and was living on baby food for many years.

On Youtube.com you can find this video. It’s actually an interview. It’s amazing to see this tiny, little man who defeated a cruel disease playing snooker. And doing a terrific job! I watched this video some months ago and I remember wondering how the hell, he can still play? I mean, I know the cue isn’t very heavy, but still! The determination of this man, this almost phantom-like man, was incredible! He though us a valuable lesson: You can’t teach talent! You either have it, or you don’t!

Oh...and one more thing... You NEVER, EVER give up! You have to fight until the end!!!
Rest in peace!

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"The Hurricane" ne-a parasit

23:41:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Azi vroiam sa va vorbesc despre jocurile din Liga Nationala de Snooker, insa ma vad nevoita sa aman aceasta relatare, pentru a face o alta...trista si socanta in acelasi timp pentru lumea snooker-ului de pretutindeni.

Dupa cum, unii dintre voi stiti deja, "The Hurricane" Alex Higgins ne-a parasit la doar 61 de ani. Nu am de gand sa fac un mare articol despre acest subiect intrucat intodeauna am considerat ca disparitia unui om este un subiect delicat ce trebuie tratat cat se poate de discret. In plus, urasc momentele in care o persoana trece in nefiinta pentru toti se apuca sa-si exprime regretele dupa ce o viata intreaga l-au injurat pe raposat! Dar sa nu intram in balarii, pentru ca sigur o fac altii deja pentru mine.

Daca sunteti pasionati de snooker, ati auzit de Alex Higgins, de fenomenul si inspiratia numita "The Hurricane". Ii stiti performentele, iti stiti defectele si calitatile, excesele si loviturile uluitoare de tac etc. Higgins se lupta de ani de zile cu o forma grava de cancer la gat, pe care insa a reusit sa o invinga cu ajutorul chimio-terapiei. Insa efectele nefaste ale tratamentului nu au intarziat sa apara, "The Hurricane" pierzandu-si dantura si fiind nevoit sa se alimenteaza cu hrana pentru bebelusi, ani de zile. Multi poate ati vazut poze recente ce Alex...in ultimii ani a slabit enorm! Personal, m-am intrebat intotdeauna cum de reusea sa mai tina tacul in mana si sa joace snooker...pentru ca fratilor! omul inca mai juca.

Circula pe Youtube.com , un filmulet absolut impresionant, un interviu mai precis, in care Alex se antreneaza intr-un club de snooker. L-am urmarit acum cateva luni si sincer va spun, am ramas fara cuvinte! Determinarea unui om care avea o infatisare si o structura fantomatica aproape, care de abia mai putea vorbi, care a trecut prin ani de depresie si de rupere totala de snooker, nu avea limite! Daca aveti rabdarea sa urmariti filmuletul, o sa-mi dati dreptate. Omul asta ne-a dat tuturor o lectie. Talentul nu se invata! Fie il ai, fie nu!

Aaa...si inca ceva! NU se renunta niciodata! Se lupta pana la ultima picatura!
Dumnezeu sa-l odihneasca!

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Sniffing snooker

01:24:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


As much as I do love to watch snooker on TV, nothing reaches the feeling of seeing it LIVE! Being there so close to the snooker table, so close to the players and the referees...you can smell and feel snooker with every pore of your being! :)

Until this moment I haven’t had the opportunity to watch the legends of snooker in action. But I did have the opportunity to see the international prodigies at the Snooker European Championship, held in Bucharest at the Rin Grand Hotel between 27th May and 5th June. And what a beautiful and wonderful experience that was!

I didn’t know the schedule so I went on a Saturday (on 29th May) and saw very little snooker, for I made it at the end of the session. But that didn’t matter! What mattered was that I was there and for the first time in my life I saw a snooker table and a referee LIVE. I mean, they were in front of me, there...just minding their business! And I was mesmerized by all of it! Did you know that the balls’ color is more intense when you see it LIVE? :)) I was feeling like a little child who gets his most wanted toy and at first he could not believe that he finally has it! It was pure madness! Pure madness, I tell you! :))

The second day I was in an even bigger state of excitement, for now I knew the schedule so I went from the beginning of the session and saw a whole match. I was absolutely thrilled! I don’t think that Columbus was as excited and happy as I was, when he discovered America! :))

The Grand Finale, was...well grand! Luca Brecel (Belgium) and Roy Stolk (The Netherlands) were the big names on the scoring board. Luca won, as you already know, kicking Roy’s ass with 7-4 and becoming the youngest champion ever! (he’s only 15 years old).

But the big surprise of the championship was Jimmy White. The snooker legend, "The Whirlwind" was playing some demonstrative games with my Romanian snooker boys after the finale. But I was running short on money that month and I saw myself missing the event! I know it sucks! But life’s a bitch!
Still I had the opportunity to see Jimmy at the ceremony, but that was not as big as me almost run into him in the hotel! I remember walking very cool and seeing him all of the sudden in front of me. I was paralyzed! I couldn’t say one bloody word! Not even a stupid "Hello"! Nothing! My brain was in a complete shut-down phase and I was so stunned to see him that I didn’t say anything! Fortunately, it seemed that my crazy brain was "just" in a stand-by phase so I found the strength to pick myself up the ground and carry on! OMG! How stupid was I? I mean, how many times can one see Jimmy White, just like that? Puf! Man, I was so angry with myself for not saying or doing anything!

But in the end all was good...wait! What am I saying here? Was fucking great!!! Was awesome!!! Words can’t describe the felling of being part of snooker, even if you’re only a spectator! And those of you, who love snooker as I do, know what I’m talking about.
The European Championship was very well organized and I must point at the Romanian Snooker Federation for that. The boys did a spectacular job and Mr. James Leacy himself, the chairman of the European Billiards and Snooker Association (EBSA) seemed very pleased also.

It’s great that snooker is growing more in more in Romania and that more and more youngsters are coming to the Snooker Club to learn how to play this amazing sport. I’m very proud of that (and God knows that being a Romanian makes you feel proud of so few things). :)


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Mirosind...snooker-ul

00:52:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Oricat de mult m-ar bucura snookerul televizat, nimic nu se compara cu cel vazut pe viu. Emotia de a te afla acolo, langa jucatori, langa masa de snooker, langa arbitrii, langa spectatorii care pocnesc din degete in semn de apreciere pentru o lovitura reusita, nu are grad de comparatie.

E just ca nu am avut pana acum posibilitatea de a-i vedea pe mai marii snooker-ului pe viu, insa am vazut "lastarele" internationale la Campionatul European de Snooker,tinut la Bucuresti si gazduit de Rin Grand Hotel intre 27 mai si 5 iunie 2010. Si ce experienta minunata a fost!

Imi aduc aminte ca nu stiam programul asa ca am nimerit intr-o sambata (mai precis pe data de 29 mai) exact la sfarsitul unei sesiuni de snooker. Stateam atat de aproape de masa de snooker incat o puteam si mirosii. Si ca orice pasionat, pot afirma cu mana pe inima ca miroase incantator de bine :))) Stiu ca abia ma puteam concentra la meci, intrucat nu puteam sa cred ca pentru prima oara in viata, sunt atat de aproape de o masa de snooker. Si mi se parea atat de mare si de inalta! Iar bilele aratau atat de frumos in bataia luminii! Cred ca nici Columb nu a fost atat de entuziasmat pe cand descoperise America! :))

Am revenit a doua zi pentru o portie zdravana de snooker si am stat ceva timp. Nu ma intrebati cat, pentru ca n-am contabilizat, iar daca senzatia, deja suparatoare, de foame nu si-ar fi facut aparitia, probabil as fi imbatranit acolo in sala :)) A fost miraculos!Ma simteam ca un copil de 3 ani caruia ii se da o jucarie mult visata si caruia nu-i vine a crede ca in sfarsit din frumoasa vitrina a ajuns si in mana lui. Asa ma simteam si eu.

Marea finala a avut loc pe 5 iunie, intre belgianul Luca Brecel si olandezul Roy Stolk. Ce finala! Dupa cum stiti, Luca l-a invins pe Roy cu 7-4, devenind astfel cel mai tanar campion EVER (copchilu` n-are decat 15 anishori :)) ). A fost o finala frumoasa, insa dupa aceasta surpiza campionatului - marele Jimmy White - avea sa tina o serie de jocuri demonstrative cu compatriotii mei. Bugetul pe luna respectiva nu mi-a permis sa-mi cumpar bilet la marele eveniment (ceea ce m-a facut sa ma zgarii pe ochi...dar noi sa fim sanatosi :)) ), insa am avut onoarea de a-l vedea pe Jimmy la festivitatea de premiere.
De fapt, prima "intrevedere" face-to-face a avut loc cand eu eram sa dau peste Jimmy, pe holurile hotelului. Asta da experienta unica! Fireste, nu am fost in stare sa leg un simplu " Hello!" Neaaah, de ce as fi fost?! Am stat muta de uimire, cu un creier in shut-down complet si cu un gol imens in stomac. Din fericire, se pare ca eram doar in faza de stand-by, astfel ca am putut sa ma regrupez (aka sa ma aud de pe jos) repede si sa trec mai departe. Ingrozitor de penibil! De cate ori te poti intalni cu Jimmy White? Si tu stai si nu zici nimic! Horror! Dar in fine...faptul e consumat...mult prea consumat!

Insa tragand linie, exprienta de la Campionatul European de Snooker a fost unica si mi-a deschis apetituul pentru vizionari LIVE! :D Trebuie sa recunosc ca baietii de la Federatia Romana de Snooker au organizat frumos intregul eveniment (de altfel am inteles ca si d-ul James Leacy, presedintele Asociatiei Europene de Biliard si Snooker a fost placut impresionat de realizarea romanasilor mei).
Ador faptul ca snookerul prinde si in Romania si castiga teren pe zi ce trece. E un lucru minunat! In plus, asta ii da ocazia piticului meu de pe creier sa mai "miroasa" snooker pe viu, nu? :))

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On your mark, get set...Goooo!!!

18:25:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


I remember my first encounter with Snooker some time ago. EuroSport was involved and I had no idea whatsoever what am I looking at. Some very well dressed men were playing some sort of billiards or pool...I don’t know, the balls were very colorful and the gentlemen were very determined to pot them into the right pockets. :))

It was love at first sight, although I had no idea about rules (well, to be honest I’m not 100% certain not even now, that I know them: p) or about the name of the game. Hell! I couldn’t even pronounce Snooker. It was soooo damn hard back then. :))

But the years gone by and my research on the game made me love it more and more. It became an important part of my life and I became a part of "his". But my love for Snooker stops at being just a spectator and sometimes a critic :P. I don`t play Snooker and to be honest I don’t intend to do it any time soon, for I think I would probably ruin the perfection of the game with my clumsy "technique" :))

Snooker is a wonderful and amazing sport. It has all the ingredients to become one of the most popular sports in the world. And although I admit no-one plays Snooker like the British or the Irish, or the Australian (look at the new world champion, Neil Robertson) or the Chinese ( Din JungHui has a lot of potential), Snooker is growing more and more in Romania. And I’m very proud of this :D

So...my passion/obsession for Snooker made me start this blog. I hope that I shall find more Snooker Loopy out there, willing to share their experience with Snooker, for I want this blog to be an interactive place.:)

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Pe locuri, fiti gata...Start!!!

16:26:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments


Si acum imi aduc aminte serile in care ma uitam pe EuroSport la Snooker si habar n-aveam cu ce se mananca :)) Vreo doi oameni imbracati elegant loveau o bila alba tare nebuna care nimerea alte bile, unele intrand intr-un fel de gauri, hauri necunoscute :)).Nu stiam regulile (sincer nici azi nu cred ca le stiu 100%, mereu ma trezesc cu ceva care imi scapa) dar "the pretty colors" m-au fermecat din primul moment. Glumesc! Pur si simplu am ramans uimita de perseverenta si talentul jucatorilor.

Nu aveam habar ca ma uit la Stephen Hendry (campion mondial la Snooker de 7 ori) si nici la Ronnie O`Sullivan...marele Ronnie! In ignoranta-mi timpurie credeam ca ma uit la niste "neni" care dau cu tacul (hai ca macar stiam ce e ala tac) in bilele colorate. Un fel de biliard, ziceam eu...nici Snooker nu eram capabila sa pronunt :))

Insa anii au trecut si iata ca neuronii zburdalnici au decis sa mai vina pe acasa si sa se documenteze temeinic asupra acestui subiect - Snookerul. Rezultatul? Mare dragoste, coane Jorge, mare dragoste!!! :)) Si adevarul este ca...ce nu e de iubit la un asemenea sport? Are stil, prestanta, eleganta? E un sport al gentlemen-ilor, nu? In plus cand vezi pasiunea si devotamentul jucatorilor, e clar ceva in neregula cu tine daca nu te prinde macar asa putin, daca nu te bucura la pipotzica (cum spunea un prieten bun de-al meu :)) ). Asa ca in materie de "de ce?" am destule motive...si sincer?Lista ar fi mai mare, dar mi-e ca va plictisesc prea tare. Asa sunt singura ca unii deja carcotesc :P

Si asa pasiunea/obsesia pentru Snooker s-a nascut si a crescut cat altii in zece :)) Incet dar sigur, Snooker-ul a devenit o parte importanta din viata mea, iar eu din a lui. Desi nu joc, relatia noastra e una speciala.:D

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