2009 European Play offs and European Champs

[JanieWatkins]

I was surprised there was not already a thread on the go

I am in Belgium preparing to cover the European Main Tour play off
and then the European championships

There's a barrage of big names - eg Drago, Hull, Helgason, Maflin, Borg etc in the play offs which start at 9am (yawn!!) on Tuesday morning

I'll be covering all the euro events live on global snooker and hope to bring you news view, photos as well as all the scores and results.

And of course don't forget that there are TWO main tour places to be won. One for the Play off and one for the Men's Championship

[MattWilson]

Janie - I spoke to Dave Grace at the weekend and he said he's playing in the Euros and thinking about it I don't really understand because he was on the MT last year. He must be ineligible for the MT place, correct? How did they decide who would represent England do you know?

Also, any news on the GCS forum?

MW

[Matt_2745]

Look forward to hearing about it Janie, enjoy it as much as you can.

[JanieWatkins]

David gets an invite as the defending European Champion

he's not eligible for the MT place but then there are several other players in the event who've already got their places

Of course in 2006 Alex Borg won the event, again as defending champion, and he got a wildcard so David is hoping to do the same.

Just been chatting with Tony Drago, he's up and ready for battle, as is Kurt Maflin. Although Kurt has tonsilitis and sinusitis so he's not feeling very well at the moment.

[gloveman]

Hope everything goes well Janie! The European Championships are always good fun

[dannyd0g]

So Drago could turn around a pretty dismal run of results from the PIOS over this last season by doing well in this event.

Well good luck to him and all, but sometimes these events dont seem the fairest of ways to qualify, when compared to performances over a whole season on the pios.

I do understand the pios events are far more difficult for players based overseas, and there needs to be some way to give them a better chance, but in effect people like Drago who can compete in both get two chances.....

[rivercard]

I guess this event is for amateurs and the countries which otherwise can't nominate players for the Tour decide who to nominate to compete in this event. Given that Malta hasn't got that many great players they obviously nominate Drago, who has already said last year after he fell off the Tour that he would be happy to represent Malta.

The PIOS is a completely different tournament, all you need to do to compete is to apply and pay the money. Being based in the UK helps of course, but it is open to anyone, so I can't see how it's unfair if someone can compete in both events. Now, I'm writing this for the nth time, but Tony's ranking in the PIOS is misleading, because he pulled out of at least 3 events due to clashing with pool dates.

BTW I don't rate Tony's chances of winning this play-off too highly I have a feeling someone from Belgium or Holland will win it (or maybe Maflin).

All in all I really don't see a problem with someone still enjoying playing snooker on a competitive level even if he is past his best.

[Forman]

C'mon Luca Brecel!

it would be halarious to see him qualify for two spots on the main tour next season and not be allowed to take either of them

[Sigm@]

C'mon Luca Brecel!

it would be halarious to see him qualify for two spots on the main tour next season and not be allowed to take either of them

I hope but... It will be very difficult

He just won the International open -21 against another Belgian Kristof Vermeiren 5-4.
Centuries: 118,105,103,102

[Monique]

International Open starts today and results will be updated regularly on GSC (Janie is there)

http://www.global-snooker.com/2009-E...ff-Results.asp

Schedule and draws here
http://www.global-snooker.com/2009-E...r-Schedule.asp
http://www.global-snooker.com/2009-E...Group-Draw.asp

[Monique]

more complete results and live scoring here and even more complete with live scores
http://www.snooker.pl/turnieje/2009/io/en/io_2009.php

Tony Drago looking good ... and fast

[rivercard]

more complete results and live scoring here and even more complete with live scores
http://www.snooker.pl/turnieje/2009/io/en/io_2009.php

Tony Drago looking good ... and fast

That's a very good site, but I can never get the livestream started..

[Monique]

That's a very good site, but I can never get the livestream started..

me neither. I'm not sure there is a live stream TBH, at least at this stage.
I will go there tonight and try to see by myself!

[rivercard]

me neither. I'm not sure there is a live stream TBH, at least at this stage.
I will go there tonight and try to see by myself!

Oh, that's cool, wish I could go too, would be nice to see Drago for example. Although in a best of 3 his matches should be over in about 15-20 minutes.

[Goldspark]

Hm, who's this Igor Figueiredo? Sounds like another Itaro Santos (Brazilian representing Germany). And judging by the break board he's pretty good.