Worst standard final ever?

[wildhoney28]

I hope O'Sullivan will be banned at last for his rude and offensive behaviour in China. And I think his retirement it is not a bad idea or maybe a little break off?
More time to think about few questions like : to talk rubbish or not?

[cueman]

Can't believe what I've just read in this thread. It was a typical crucible final, both players were tired, both peaked earlier in the tournament but there is no getting away from the fact they were the best two players of the event.
Some people expect too much at times. There were some good tactical frames, some good scoring and also a fair amount of tension at times. It certainly wasn't the worst final, that accolade belongs to the 2006 final.

[gavpowell]

I hope O'Sullivan will be banned at last for his rude and offensive behaviour in China. And I think his retirement it is not a bad idea or maybe a little break off?
More time to think about few questions like : to talk rubbish or not?

Banning the world champion - not that likely...

Higgins' ban was for deliberately headbutting a tournament official and was the latest in a long line of incidents involving abuse, either physical or verbal, of tournament officials and worldsnooker. Ronnie will get hit with a massive fine and then be allowed to continue playing. They're not stupid enough to shoot themselves in the foot a second time.

[João]

Yes it was crap. And I'm sure you all noticed there wasn't any excitement in the crowd on the final balls or when Carter condeded the match, just a plain applause.

Ali didn't perform like he did the rest of the tournament, neither did Ronnie (hello Mr. inconsistency), but then he wouldn't need to judging by the final standards.

A really shame it ended like this in what I consider has been one of the best WC's in the last years.

Also people are contradicting themselves here by bashing the 2006 final, which was a defensive battle. What has Ronnie done this final other than show everyone that he has finally (about time) learned to play defensively?

[janverhaas]

Banning the world champion - not that likely...

Higgins' ban was for deliberately headbutting a tournament official and was the latest in a long line of incidents involving abuse, either physical or verbal, of tournament officials and worldsnooker. Ronnie will get hit with a massive fine and then be allowed to continue playing. They're not stupid enough to shoot themselves in the foot a second time.

O'Sullivan's press conference in China was the latest in a long line of offences. I think he has long since overtaken Higgins in terms of his ongoing disrespect for the game.

Without snooker he would have probably ended up in prison, so the game has given him more than just money. He shows no appreciation for this however and will continue to be a spoilt brat. World Snooker have allowed this. It is the fault of Rodney Walker. Fining him means nothing as he already has more money than he will ever need.

His career is probably nearly over now anyway so it will be too little, too late from the authorities.

World snooker are perhaps the worst run organisation ever. If O'Sullivan had been in any other sport he would received a life ban by now.

Regarding the final. It was the worst match I have ever seen.

[attilahun]

This was one of the worst finals ever, if not the worst. I stopped watching after the second session...i didnt saw anything on monday and i found out the scoreline this morning.....It lacked drama, big breaks, good safetie shots...and anything i can think of.
Ronnie was a worthy winner, no doubt about it, but the final was a very low-standard one.
Carter played rubbish and yes, when the final got started, he was allready the loser.

[scoo24]

Can't believe what I've just read in this thread. It was a typical crucible final, both players were tired, both peaked earlier in the tournament but there is no getting away from the fact they were the best two players of the event.
Some people expect too much at times. There were some good tactical frames, some good scoring and also a fair amount of tension at times. It certainly wasn't the worst final, that accolade belongs to the 2006 final.

Totally agree, not as many centuries as expected but still some one-visit-frame-winning breaks from both, good to see the tension both players felt as they both missed straight forward shots which didn't always prove to be costly.

[Semih_Sayginer]

Weak yes, by the standards of a world final, but not the weakest ever. It is the least interesting that I can recall though. It's not good enough to be an exhibition (2004) and not close enough to be a match (2006). An anticlimax to what has been a brilliant championship.

agree

(both done great getting there though)

[Le Ball Sack]

Worst final ever and you guys keep saying the standard of snooker is increasing each year, ye right.

[janverhaas]

The standard of snoker is no better than the 80s and let's remember the tables are easier now.

[Nugget]

The standard of snoker is no better than the 80s and let's remember the tables are easier now.

1988 - 18 centuries.
2008 - 60+ including two maximums.

You are saying that the standard is no better than the 80's despite easier tables...so are all the players getting worse?

[Son of Cliff]

1988 - 18 centuries.
2008 - 60+ including two maximums.

You are saying that the standard is no better than the 80's despite easier tables...so are all the players getting worse?

Making 100 breaks is not everything, you can make four 100's in a best of nine and lose to someone 5 / 4 with the winner making 40 as his highest break. :snooker:
It is just one part of the game, we all like to see them now and again but the excitement of a frame when the frame score ends 74 to 73 on the final black following lots of good tactical play, potting and good old fashion pressure is what its all about. :snooker:

[Templeton Peck]

I don't think you can use centuries as the sole judge of quality of play - snooker is just a more attacking game now. I agree that the standard is higher but I base that on the range of players around now capable of winning tournaments.

[Le Ball Sack]

The standard of snooker does look likes its going down hill, the cloths are getting thinner yet, the players are making less tons. OK this aint the only criteria for the standard of snooker but it doesnt look good.

[Ekphantos]

The standard of snooker does look likes its going down hill, the cloths are getting thinner yet, the players are making less tons.

Hm, I don't quite understand how you get to this conclusion from the plot you show. There are fluctuations, yes, but no downward trend