European Snooker - Group Stages

Just checked the EBSA website this evening and it appears the round robin groups have been decided and the draw made. Group F reads as follows:

• Phil Mumford (England)
• Marc Choullier (France)
• Yakov Shaashua (Israel)
• Mindaugas Maisiejus (Lithuania)
• Vilnus Mainulis (Latvia)
• Michael McDonald (Northern Ireland)

A very interesting group and an opportunity to again cross cues with Yakov Shaashua from Israel, having been beaten 3-2 by him in last years group stage despite taking a 2-0 lead then. As his compatriot Doran advised at the time, remember the story of the tortoise and the hare!

This years event promises to be as competitive as ever. A quick review of the Snooker Breaks in last years event shows that the player who consistently scores with 50+ breaks will be a hard man to catch. The eventual winner Steve Judd (England) managed a total of 9 breaks over 50 on his way to the title,with beaten finalist Alan Trigg (Ukraine) hitting an impressive 11 breaks over 50 points each. Nice snooker.

As far as my own game goes, I managed to get in some practice time today, an enjoyable couple of hours at the Pot Black Snooker Club, in Cookstown. The Pot Black is the longest established Snooker Club in Cookstown and it was good to catch up with Ivan, who hasn't aged a day. The practice went well, I will be using my late Uncle Harry's snooker cue at the event this year, so it was good to get some time on the baize with it.

The only other piece of business to complete before the flight on Sunday evening is the drive to Dublin, to pick up my new passport. Odds are that the old one will turn up before then.

Hello Latvia! It's that time again, The European Snooker Championships of 2012 have come around so quickly. 

It's difficult to believe just under 12 months ago we were in Sofia, Bulgaria for the 2011 EBSA tournament. If this one is half  as successful then we all should be in for a very good tournament.

I'm in a very fortunate position to be again representing Northern Ireland at a major European event, one that I enjoy tremendously both for the competition and the camaraderie, although it will probably be my last, as family, work and severe lack of playing time are taking their toll. I will surely take this opportunity to savor the event for a final time.

So once my participation was confirmed by NIBSA Chairman Joe McGonnell and Secretary Brian Richmond it was a case of getting the Atlas off the shelf, book flights and start practicing (well, think about practicing, can never get around to it!)

This year Tournament is held in Daugavpils, Latvia at the grandly titled Olympic Sport Centre which reminds me a bit of the Ice Hockey stadium we competed at in the 2008 Championships in Poland. Time to start doing some 'research'.