THE END...
A chancer with nothing to lose approached the baize Monday afternoon – a very different man to the one who came running down the Crucible stairs in startling Ant and Dec style that evening. We always knew marvellous Mark Selby had the potential to attack this match and he didn’t disappoint…..
As a staunch supporter of the Leicester lad, we were sad to see him lose but he played a fighting game and that’s what it’s all about. His return to the Crucible is much anticipated and I for one can see him lifting that trophy very soon.
OK, it’s true we could have done with slightly speedier play. There were more than a few grumbles behind the scenes as the realisation of a possible 3am finish swept through the ranks…..
As it turned out, a deserving Higgins took his second title at 12.54am, managing to snick another two minutes on to last year’s record for the latest final ever played.
But what of the previous 16 days? We’ve seen players rise and fall with many column inches written about the good, the bad, the mad and the mildly contented. As a final reminder, here’s a whistle-stop journey through the 2007 888.com World Championships as seen through the eyes of Gabi’s Gossip.
On day one there was much speculation surrounding Ding and Ronnie of course, and on a lighter level, the impending Parrot-Davis stand-off. Ebbo and lovely Shaun proved themselves to be the nicest autograph signers on the circuit and questions were raised about Matthew Stevens’ ever-advancing hairline.
Day two, we’ve got our eye on Mr Selby already. We also saw the Rocket steam ahead and the Parrott remain on his perch, sending his interesting opponent back upstairs into the studio.
Rainy day three and good sport Ding went out, literally, to sign dozens of autographs, after losing to the Rocket and Hendry made his first, much-anticipated appearance after much chat about his ‘awesome’ form.
Day 4. Ladies and gentlemen – Mark Allen. This 21-year-old is a force behind a cue and got tongues wagging when he dumped out former champion Ken. Seems it was a day for new talent as the first two rounds of Junior Pot Black were played in Cuezone. The ‘very capable’ Michaela described the potting standard as “phenomenal”.
Oh, I forgot – Dotty the Wonder Champ, he’s gone.
Day five, there was a lot of whinging. The bouncing balls, the humidity, the air conditioning, the luck, the opponent, the table height, the table colour….
Day six, and its all going on. We had the Parrott Murphy stand-up show during their second round match, Hamilton and McCulloch bored us to tears and Mitchell Mann sailed ably to victory in Junior Pot Black played at the Crucible. Crazy potters Mark and James also kicked off their 48 hour pot-a-thon for Cancer Research and the Paul Hunter Foundation. Paul has, of course, been sorely missed this year and we wish Lyndsey and one-year-old Evie Rose all the best.
That took us over the middle weekend. Gabi’s Gossip brought you an exCUEses montage and got together with sports guru Dave to compile an awards list – check them out. Not all are entirely serious….
Then onto Stephen and his cue. Captain Carter comfortably outed the confident Scot who, to his credit didn’t moan once – not even about that tip. Day eleven and eight ball world champ Mark comes back into our sights with his five century wunder-match against Ebbo. Ronnie got down to some serious action with Neil and the Crucible, despite fire engines and evacuations, didn’t actually catch fire. Veteran commentator Clive Everton – get well soon with the hip by the way – saw in his 500th day at the Crucible. Now there’s a stat!
Day 12, the big Murphy comeback - one of my highlights. And we said goodbye to the Sheriff, the Rocket and the Captain who sank at the behest of this year’s tenacious runner-up.
Quiet day 13 and onto the semis. Gabi’s Gossip plundered into the depths of thoughtsville - When is the best time to enjoy a tournament? Is it really a good thing for the game when the rookies do so well? And if the Rocket had won this year he would have bagged world titles in 2001, 2004 and 2007….look familiar?
Day 14, Getting stuck into the semis now, and the action is hotting up. Cuefactor Dave lists these matches as his favourite Crucible period – and I kind of agree. A chat with Indian player Lucky Vatnani got us thinking about the International snooker stage and there was the mystery of a missing, presumed smashed, Masters Trophy.
Into the tournament’s twilight days a few things to get off my chest. Stephen Maguire’s dismissive comments chalked him up a black mark, Shaun Murphy’s complaints of a rowdy crowd found my sympathies and super-smooth MC Richard Beare’s club routine put him firmly in the naughty corner.
John Higgins and Mark Selby both played out their skin to land themselves in the final – a match in which Mark almost pulled off the greatest come-back of all time.
The post-final party was a vibrant affair with Hazel, Ray and the rest of the snooker team revelling the night away….but I think that’s where I must sign off.
Hope you enjoyed the 2007 888.com World Championship as much as we all did. Cuefactor will see you there next year but for now the lights are down, the tables dismantled, the players gone and I’m off for a well-earned kip.
