Experienced foxes fight for World Cup title in snooker – Total age of semi-finalists 171 years – Sport – svenska.yle.fi

The Crucible Theater in Sheffield has traditionally been the scene when the World Snooker Championships are determined in April-May. Four semi-finalists, at least, experienced: All four have won at least one World Cup title and the average age is around 43.

The World Cup semifinals in snooker start on Thursday and can be crowned world champions on Monday. Finally the longest straw puller has gone to festivals before: all four have at least one World Cup title in their luggage, and the average age of men is about 43.

Mark Williams, 47, is the eldest in the gang, both 46-year-old John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan. Judd Trump, with his 32-year-old, is a complete newcomer to the semifinal community, not his total age. Less than 171 years.

Higgins, O’Sullivan and Williams began their careers in 1992, giving the trio the nickname Class of 92. This is the first time since 1999 that the trio have reached the semifinals at the same time. Now, again, 23 years later.

– In which other branch can this happen? Nestor Williams asks Irish newspaper freedom.

O’Sullivan is in the top four for the 13th time, a new record. He shared his previous record of twelve with another branch company, Stephen Henry.

Yes, speaking of Henry – he’s the best snooker player of all time, at least if you listen to Ronnie O’Sullivan.

– Stephen is the biggest player for me, a legend. He is Snooker Tiger Woods. I, John (Higgins) and Mark (Williams) all performed well, but O’Sullivan told The Independent that he was a superstar when he was at his best.

Britain dominates

World Cup gold usually goes to players representing the island of Great Britain; Of the 88 championships, only seven have crossed the island: one for Ireland, one for Canada, two for Australia and three for Northern Ireland. England finished first with 57 World Cup golds, Scotland 14 golds and Wales second with 10 World Cup titles.

This year’s edition is no exception. All four are from different parts of the UK. Four more are former world champions.

England’s O’Sullivan won the World Cup in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2020, while Welshman Williams excelled in 2000, 2003 and 2018. Scotts Higgins 199 World Cup Gold, 8. Trump’s only English championship in 2007, 2009 and 2011 is from 2019.

The website The Sportsman writes that this year’s semifinalists may be the most interesting quartet ever seen in the traditional Crucible Theater. This is despite the fact that current champion Englishman Mark Selby – champion 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2021 – has already fallen in the second round. Here are the results From this year’s World Cup.