The event made it to the local TV news. Here is a link to a small article, and a video featuring both players, playing and being interviewed.

This is translation of the article:

Snooker fans were spoiled in Maasmechelen on Saturday evening. Indeed Luca Brecel was there playing an exhibition match against Judd Trump, from Britain, no less, the n°3 in the world and also one of the most spectacular player on the circuit. The mztch was organised by Brecel’s father to help a 3 years old boy suffering from cancer.

The evening was a great success and here are a few pictures:

You can read more about Kika on their website … it’s in Dutch though.

Judd won over Ronnie O’Sullivan by 5-3 and Oliver Lines beat Luca by 3-1. The event was attended by a 1500+ enthusiast audience. After the exhibition, Judd expressed his appreciation for the knowledgeable Slovenian crowd and vowed to return to Ljubljana, with Ronnie, soon.

This is an article in the Slovenian press, giving an account of the evening. It also features a photo gallery, so make sure you check it.

The automatic translations are not fantastic, here is an “improved” one:

Five times World Champion, 41-year-old Ronnie O’Sullivan , whose rapid style of play earned him the nickname “the Rocket”, and current n°3 in the world, 27-year-old, Judd Trump who plays a similar game to the Rocket, were welcomed to the table by a loud applause of the audience, which comprised fans of all generations from children to grandparents. They played a ‘Best of Nine’, first to five. The first frame was comprehensively won by Trump, and, as well as the next frame, it started with a few safety exchanges after which the players began delighting the audience with great shots, some bad misses and a bit of banter. The third game was won Trump also: being behind, he stole the frame after O’Sullivan missed, and that brought him 3-0 up already. The audience very much wanted the Rocket to win the fourth frame but they also wanted to see if he could improve on his highest break up to then, a very modest 42. The fifth frame was again dominated by Trump, who also impressed with the first century of the evening: he made a 117 to lead 4-1. The sixth frame was won by the most talented snooker player in history, O’Sullivan, and so was the seventh with some nice long shots along the way. The eighth game proved to be the last of the match as Trump won it with a 107 to take the final victory.
After the match they were asked what is most the important thing to become a professional player snooker, and this was the answer: “The most important is to enjoy snooker, to play as well as you can. Otherwise, it is an important practice, practice, practice, five hours a day. ” Trump was already in Ljubljana for the second time. He declared “At first I was surprised because I did not know that this game is so popular here. I think the audience is very knowledgeable about snooker, the reception Ronnie got when he came into the hall, it gave me goosebumps. I hope that we returned to Ljubljana“. O’Sullivan answered questions about role models, not least, because himself also set an example for many young people around the world. “I had role models, of course, I liked Jimmy White, who played fast, aggressive. Later, myself, I wanted to play like Steve Davis, only a little faster.” he added jokingly. About the future, he added: “There are no plans, I only hope that I can stay as long as possible with younger players like Trump“.
The audience in Tivoli, started the evening by warming for two members of the new generation of young players, 22-year-old Belgian, Luca Brecel and Oliver Lines, from England only 21. In a best of 5, first to 3, the latter, who is the son of Peter Lines, a professional snooker player himself, beat the opponent by 3-1. The young audience was impressed with some very attacking shots, especially in the last frame were Brecel played some excellent safeties only for Lines to escape them again and again and finally take the win.
Already last December, Ljubljana had hosted the first event of this series: it featured the world n°1, Mark Selby , Neil Robertson , Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump. It was won by Selby, who, recently became World Champion for the second time in a row and third time in his career.

Judd deserves a lot of credit for the way he gave it all for the fans on Sunday, even when he knew he couldn’t win the series anymore. Having lost in Bradford the day before, he needed to win and to make at lest 5 centuries, beating the 141 HB as well. It was a very tough challenge from the start. But Ronnie came out of the blocks very strongly and took the early lead: he was 3-1 up at the interval and had added two tons to his tally; he had already won the series at that point. But Judd, fought back, and won by 6-4 from 3-1 down, playing some great snooker much to the delight of the fans.

The whole series was played in excellent spirit:

Judd tweeted:

Cracking series with @Snookerlegends really enjoyed it. Ronnie the much better scorer overall tho. Well done @ronnieo147

And Ronnie responded:

@judd147t @Snookerlegends top man really enjoyed it, keep entertaining people with your style of snooker, they love it

Whilst Djang Fung said:

This series is different atmosphere, haven’t seen anything like it. You two want to play a decider?

Let’s have it !!!

Ronnie played very, very well but Judd wasn’t probably at his sharpest having been stranded on the motoway en route to the venue. Not ideal preparation obviously.

Judd’s cake moment

Some action pictures:

And the unfortunately missed maximum

There was never more than a frame between both players. Both had a chance to make a maximum, and both missed it. Both made a century, 122 for Ronnie, 106 for Judd. It was a great battle in front of a great crowd! The deciding frame went to the last colours too and it was Judd who prevailed eventually. Event 2 will be held in a week’s time in Belfast.

The Best of Snooker Gala – a fun evening with the lads

Ramona Dragomir

Sunday 22nd of May 2016, the Circus Arena from Bucharest, Romania: three big snooker names are about to entertain the Romanian audience and I feel privileged to be part of the crowd.

Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Judd Trump promise to get the 1st edition of the Best of Snooker gala under way, in the place that has quickly become the house of snooker and Olivier Marteel is going to be the ref in charge. Things can’t be better than this.

The 1st match feature the names of Judd Trump and Neil Robertson. This should be interesting since I have never seen any of the boys play live.

A few minutes pass and I realise these guys are here to entertain: they feel relaxed, they joke with the audience and amongst themselves and I see Robertson play a masse shot.

I mean, of course that Steve Davis is the best looking dude when playing this type of shot, but Robbo isn’t far from looking gorgeous too. Too much information, right? Well, sorry about that.

So, first frame goes to Trump, but the second one goes to his Australian opponent despite Judd’s break of 52.

The standard of play is not the highest, but Robertson manages to hit an 83 to go 2-1 up, before “The Ace in the Pack” draws level and then goes marching on with runs of 53, 34 and 85 to win 4-2.

Only 10 minutes pass and the second match of the evening kicks off with the same Judd Trump, this time facing the current world champion Mark Selby (who, may I add, gets a pretty warm reception from the crowd).

It’s easy to see how Selby’s earned his nickname, for he is a very funny guy. Still, the lads are about to play snooker, so the applauses stop and … here we go again.

The opening frame gets won by Trump on the black who quickly adds another one (this time a more scrappy affair) and hits a perfect 96 to go 3-0 up. His Lounoutin shoes do wonders, I reckon! The line: “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” springs to mind.

But Selby hits back with breaks of 57 and 69, only to see things being wrapped up with a 61 from Trump. Second match of the evening and he’s won it by the same scoreline.

Last two to meet are Neil Robertson and Mark Selby and what do you know, the scoreline is going to be the same, 4-2.

First one in is Selby (thanks to a break of 75), but Robertson catches up pretty quickly with runs of 52 and 48 to which he adds the first century break of the evening (108) and carries on spoiling us with a 109 to go 3-1.

Selby answers with a 75, but it’s a bit too late and Robertson closes safely with a top break of 46.

Bottom line: these three the funniest guys I have ever seen play snooker. The matches weren’t  a display of tremendous snooker skills, although Trump had some pretty amazing shots from time to time, but it was a classical exhibition match: fun and games.

At the end of the night, each of the three players got a trophy and so did Olivier Marteel, who was a key figure in the lads’ way of making the audience laugh.

The Best of Snooker gala promises to return with a second edition somewhere in October (according to the organizer), but there is still a lot of snooker to be played by then.

As for me, I can only say that it was tremendous fun to see these great cue-masters so relaxed and laid-back. It was good to see their “non-robotic” faces and I think it’s good to see them like that from time to time.

I dare say it makes them more humane in our eyes and makes us treasure their performances & victories even more.

Now, who’s up for some more snooker?

First thing for the players: press conference …

Press conference in Poland.

Ronnie at the press conference

Jack with the Polish Silver medallist

The event

The event was well attended, as well over 1000 people watched Ronnie beat Ali by 2-0 in the final match of the day, with a 137 in the process. The players got a fantastic reception, from the organisers, the sponsors and the public and each of them produced some great entertaining snooker as the (long) day unfolded on the table. Big thank you to everyone involved and in particular to Marcin Nitschke, the main man behind the organisation and a great player.

Look here at the pictures taken on and off the table in Zielona Gora
Hot Shots Events’ Team press release

Ronnie, Jack and Wenbo come to Poland!
Watch here Video: Ronnie and Jack announce their exhibition in Poland and Video: Ronnie vs Ali Carter promotional video

On the 10th of November in Zielona Góra’s Sports&Recreation Center (Sulechowska 41 Street) an extraordinary snooker tournament will take place: the Hot Shot Masters 3.

The biggest star of this event will be four-time world champion, the most recognisable snooker player in the world – Ronnie O’Sullivan. Beside O’Sullivan competing in the tournament will be three other snooker stars – the current world vice-champion Allister Carter with the young and promising: Liang Wenbo and Jack Lisowski.

There are two main games planned in the schedule. First is a doubles mini tournament – every star will be paired with a player from Poland. Second will be a show game between O’Sullivan and Marcin Nitschke – current Polish snooker vice-champion – the mastermind behind the whole event. There will be also more one-frame show games.

Tickets for the Hot Shots tournament are now available via the ticketteam site : http://www.ticketteam.com.pl/en/home and in Empik stores. From 24th
September the tickets will be available also in Hot Shots Club in Zielona Góra (Sulechowska 27a Street).

The event is organized by Marcin Nitschke, MusicArt and Dynamicom. The tournament will be transmited by TVP Sport. The tournament websiteis www.hotshots.pl

Don’t miss it!

Ticket categories and prices:

Category 1- 100 złoty (25 Euro, closest to the table)
Sectors: all the R sectors, and E2, E3, E4, A1, J2

Category 2 – 60 złoty (15 Euro)
Sectors: A2, J1, E1, E5

VIP – 350 złoty (85 Euro, the VIP ticket includes an opportunity to meet the players and a full catering service).
Sector: V

Sectors for disabled persons – 60 złoty (15 Euro, the ticket includes
wheelchair space and a seat for the guardian)
Sectors: NP A1, NP J1