World Series - A grande final in Portugal!

[spike]

I heard some applause, so there's a handful of spectators there, at least.

Yes all two of them..

[GryZnook]

Well, it's only the first day (rounds), so hopefully more people will come watching tomorrow and sunday.

And, according to what David Hendon said on his blog, there are many journalists present, which is a good sign for the future (days, and future events in this part of Europe).

The press turnout is encouraging. There are more journalists and photographers here than at some ranking tournaments this season.

[crucible77]

good to see there is a packed area tonight

[scoo24]

Bored of Jan Verhaas all season long!!! I'd rather see Patricial Murphy tbh

[very.tee]

good to see there is a packed area tonight

should have gone to [scratch]specsavers[/scratch] Kremlin!

[spike]

Shaun Murphy wins 5-1 then.

[Goldspark]

Almost looked like Day was trying to lose.

[GryZnook]

Bored of Jan Verhaas all season long!!! I'd rather see Patricial Murphy tbh

She ref'ed Brecel vs Ruberg earlier, and they're showing it again now.

[moglet]

good to see there is a packed area tonight

Even if we are in withdrawal after the worlds, this "display" is not good for snooker.

[hegeland]

Luca Brecel could very well beat one of the lower ranked pros here if he gets going... he really is that good.

I should have put some money where my mouth was! Not surprising, those who saw him beat beat Jack Lisowski 5-1 and making 130+ break at the European Champsionships knew this kid is the most interesting talent to emerge since Ding Junhui.

[Goldspark]

Still funny how they do all the MCing in English... don't they realize they're not in the UK anymore?

[hegeland]

Even if we are in withdrawal after the worlds, this "display" is not good for snooker.

I agree it does not look good, but you have to remember there are about 3 (yes, three) snooker tables in the whole of Portugal. This series are about bring snooker to new places (like this) and cashing in on excisting markets (like Berlin and Moscow), and it's a lot better to do it this way than to stage expensive ranking tournaments like in Bahrain!

[Sigm@]

I should have put some money where my mouth was! Not surprising, those who saw him beat beat Jack Lisowski 5-1 and making 130+ break at the European Champsionships knew this kid is the most interesting talent to emerge since Ding Junhui.

He apparently beat Jimmy White.
Jimmy White 3 Luca Brecel 4

[spike]

Joe Johnson "bust the pack" - made me smile when he said that.

[snookerfan92]

Highlights of Murphy's match, in case anyone missed it:

Murphy VS Day - World Series Snooker 2009 - Highlights