Snooker's Popularity at all-time high in Germany
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Snooker has never been more popular in Germany and tickets were snapped up for this summer’s invitation event in Furth, sponsored by betandwin, at an alarming rate.
Many of snooker’s star players have confirmed their attendance for the three day competition from August 25 to 27 which carries a 15,000 Euro prize fund.
Seven times world champion Stephen Hendry, double Crucible winner Mark Williams and 1997 Sheffield champ Ken Doherty will be aiming for the title alongside the likes of Jimmy White, Ding Junhui, Barry Hawkins, Neil Robertson, Ian McCulloch, Matthew Stevens, Paul Hunter and Tony Drago. Indeed the only hole on the ideal list of players is Ronnie O'Sullivan, because it is likely to clash with a 9-ball pool tournament.
The City Hall venue in Furth seats 1,000 (making it bigger than The Crucible Theatre, home to the World Championships). Tickets went on sale via the internet last month and tickets sold out in just over 20 minutes.
Further proof of snooker’s popularity came with Eurosport’s German viewing figures for the 888.com World Snooker Championship, which were up five percent from 2005.
Indeed, the climax to the final between Graeme Dott and Peter Ebdon attracted more people in the 14-49 years age group than the public networks ARD and ZDF - something which had never happened before.
Whilst there are still no German professionals on the main tour, it is hoped that tournaments like the German Open will enable the sport to flourish, and help to bring the sport to Europe.
The only non-British or Irish professional on the main tour is Tony Drago (Malta), but standards have been improving in Europe of late, but many are confining themselves to the Amateur game.
Source
- www.worldsnooker.com
Date
Thu 05/25/06, 8:32 am EST
