Luca Brecel makes snooker history with World Championship title

Belgium’s Luca Brecel won the World Snooker Championship on Monday night. He beat world number 2 Mark Selby 18-15 to become the first player from mainland Europe to win the title.

After a brilliant third session, Brecel went into Monday’s fourth and final session at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre five frames ahead, but saw his lead reduced to a single frame as he missed several long pots.

"I was so nervous because I wanted it to happen for Belgium and Europe"

Selby, who scored a maximum 147 break on Sunday evening, had come back strongly to close the gap as Brecel faltered in the closing stages of the match. However, in the 33rd frame of 35, Brecel seized his chance to take the title with a break of 112.

“He’s the worst opponent to have in a final, he just keeps coming back, he’s such a fighter,” Brecel said about Selby. “When it was 16-15, I didn’t fancy winning at all, I was missing balls by a mile, but then I made a good break. I was so nervous because I wanted it to happen for Belgium and Europe. I can’t wait to see what it brings.”

Limburger Brecel caught the eye during the tournament for his cavalier style and remarkable comebacks in the quarter-final and semi-final. The win, worth half a million pounds, also sees him move from number 10 to number 2 in the world rankings.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Luca Brecel and his trophy at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England © PRESS ASSOCIATION}