Official Opening - Go Daugavpils

This evening all of the players, referees and volunteers attended the opening ceremony of the 2012 European Snooker Championship, also attended by dignitaries from Daugavpils in the impressive Olympic Sports Centre.

Olympic Sports Centre, Daugavpils

It was great to once again meet up with friends of old, and make new acquaintances. Speeches were well received by all present, and the EBSA Chairman Jim Leacy pointed out during his contribution that in a way he had brought Snooker into the Olympics, and there is no doubt about it, this venue is fitting for an Olympian event.

Slightly embarrassed with the role call when it came to Northern Ireland, it's unfortunate that there is only one competitor from our wee country this year to fly the flag for Northern Ireland, but that's the way it is.
Speaking of which Simon...where is my Northern Ireland Flag? Only jesting buddy. Really though?

So this year it's just me on my own. It would have been good to see my old sparing partner John McIntyre make an appearance, but it wasn't to be....that didn't stop us regaling stories of past events (John you have been missed, so many people asking about you) but that is for another time.

I'm really impressed with the venue this year, no expense has been spared by the organizers and everything looks ship shape for the start proper tomorrow (Tuesday) I can't wait...my tournament rota looks like this:

• Tue 5th: verses Marc Chouillier (France) Table 9 @ 16:00
  Wed 6th: verses Phil Mumford (England) Table 16 @ 16:00
• Fri 8th: verses Vilnis Mainulis (Latvia) Table 6 @ 10:00
  Sat 9th: verses Mindaugas Maisiejus (Lithuania) Table 9 @ 13:00
• Sun 10th: verses Yakov Shaashua (Israel) Table 16 @ 10:00

Referee Training - Through the paces

 A few early starts, but thankfully no 19:00 matches which I don't particularly like as it eats into most of your day and subsequently there is less time to explore this wonderful city.

Its been a great day. The only negative was missing the 5/1 odds offered by renowned snooker coach PJ Nolan that the tournament would start proper with a 'miss-cue'...which it did. 
Kicking myself for that slip up, coaches really do no best.

The Search for Flags

Some of the players received an email from Maxime this week, advising that the organizers had difficulty obtaining some flags for the venue, Northern Ireland being one of them.

Now you would think coming towards the 12th of July or 'The Twelfth' here in Northern Ireland you would be in a position to obtain said flag anywhere. Not so. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty attached to the lamposts in certain areas, but I for one wasn't reaching for the ladder.
A quick call to the local council who advised they couldn't be seen to supply flags, an email to a local radio station (no reply) a tweet on twitter (thanks for the offer Jason) and another phone call to a local flag shop in Belfast who seemed to be closed constantly. It appeared that this was going to be difficult. A request was even made to the local DUP office, again no success (thanks for the help anyway Johnny).

Northern Ireland Flag (and some well known Golfers)

Anyway, I was in Dublin on Friday evening to pick up my passport, which is another long story, more of that later. Before making the long journey from Cookstown to Dublin I decided to source some flag suppliers 'down south' and was fortunate to come across O'Regan Flags in busy Pearse Street, Dublin.

The owner, a lovely man welcomed me at the door to what looks like a private residence, before beginning the search for a solitary Northern Ireland flag, advising that he hasn't received many requests of late due to the National team 'not doing very well'...which I thought was funny.

A few frantic searches in what is obviously a busy shop saw the proprietor present the needed flag, with relief. So one Northern Ireland flag to take to Latvia with me for the tournament organizers, even if I had to travel to Dublin to purchase it.