2016 UK Championship

[PatBlock]

I've been ready to watch some snooker for 20 minutes. The World Snooker website says the session starts at 14:00 CET, but that's clearly a lie, so I'm just waiting like an idiot. :wink: I can't think of any other sport that does this...

We have to wait for the BBC to go through their waffle first, why they can't just start quarter of an hour earlier IDK, but oh no, it's THE BBC so everyone else has to wait.

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[Odrl]

Bring it on!

I've been ready to watch some snooker for 20 minutes. The World Snooker website says the session starts at 14:00 CET, but that's clearly a lie, so I'm just waiting like an idiot. :wink: I can't think of any other sport that does this...

[daffie]

It's one-table setup time...brilliant.

Bring it on!

:snooker:

[Odrl]

So, semi-finals day today... Four top players have come through, it's just a shame the matches are only best-of-11 at this stage.

Mark Selby v. Shaun Murphy: Two players who have enjoyed a great rivalry over the years, with countless big matches between them. Selby has won most of the really big ones, finals and such, while Murphy has the edge over the best-of-11 distance. They haven't met since the 2015 German Masters final though, so almost two years. In the period since their last meeting Selby has been the more successful player, winning another World title and already a big title this season, while Murphy has struggled in most tournaments outside of the short format. He is playing well this week though, and has certainly impressed me the most out of the four semi-finalists. His potting from distance has been solid so far, and he is putting good breaks together when he needs to. He may not have the best record against players ranked above him, but he knows Selby well and isn't really troubled by his particular style of play. Selby has had glimpses of great form this week as well, but he also had quite an easy draw in the early rounds, and the one time he was under pressure he didn't really respond too well. He didn't play his typical nerveless decider yesterday, but he still found a way to win in the end. Can he battle and come through against an in-form Murphy? Possibly, but I will go for Murphy to win, 6-4.

Ronnie O'Sullivan v. Marco Fu: Fu used to be one of the few players to have a strong record against O'Sullivan. It was about equal at one point, but O'Sullivan has pulled away by winning all of their matches in the last seven years or so. Still, the record shows that Fu has won their two arguably most important matches to date, one in the World Championship, and the other a ranking final back in 2007. Fu is clearly not among the players who crumble against O'Sullivan by default, so I am not worried for him in that respect, but his form on the table suggests he could have a difficult day today. He really should have been out yesterday, but Jones was awful in the last couple of frames and just couldn't get over the line. I don't think O'Sullivan will have any such problems... O'Sullivan hasn't even been close to losing this week, winning all of his matches very comfortably, but for me he has looked less impressive with each match, so I hope he has something left for the final weekend. I think he will have enough today though. O'Sullivan to win 6-2.

Looking forward to it, especially the first match. :smile:

[mikeyd100]

Oh, Paulie:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...ulie&FORM=AWIR

I was thinking of a different ref.

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Ha yes, thats the guy - I just see him all the time when he is reffing

[PatBlock]

No mate, the older guy who is always wearing tracksuits. Grey hair at the sides.

Oh, Paulie:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...ulie&FORM=AWIR

I was thinking of a different ref.

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[mikeyd100]

Christopher Moltisanti?

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No mate, the older guy who is always wearing tracksuits. Grey hair at the sides.

[PatBlock]

Does anybody else think that Olivier Marteel looks like one of the gangsters from the Sopranos TV show??

Christopher Moltisanti?

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...n=EntityAnswer

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[mikeyd100]

Does anybody else think that Olivier Marteel looks like one of the gangsters from the Sopranos TV show??

[PatBlock]

That was an impressive comeback from Marco. Didn't look like it at 5-2 down. Jamie had his chances but failed to grab the match. Still well played to him this week.

The evening wasn't completely devoid of drama then, not a good night for Wales though.

Anyone else catch Ronnie and Mark complaining to each other about the table when they were on they're way back to their dressing rooms?
Mark "If you can't screw back, what chance have I got..." Made me chuckle.

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[Odrl]

Must be frustrating for Jones to lose like that, chance after chance in the last couple of frames, but he couldn't really put anything together. Fu has traditionally done well against O'Sullivan, but I don't think he has much chance in the semi-finals if he plays like he did tonight...

[VillaGuy]

O'Sullivan looks like he's going to be in the final after watching that, he's had a far simpler draw than Higgins has had, Higgins had to play an in form Allen and Selby back to back and would have had Murphy after. Compare that to ROS route

[daffie]

That was an impressive comeback from Marco. Didn't look like it at 5-2 down. Jamie had his chances but failed to grab the match. Still well played to him this week.

[daffie]

A decider it is!

:snooker:

[DeanH]

2016 UK Championship

is Jamie hitting the winning-postitis?