Jump to content

Luca Brecel

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Luca Brecel
Brecel at the2022 European Masters
Born(1995-03-08)8 March 1995(age 29)
Dilsen-Stokkem,Belgium
Sport countryBelgium
NicknameThe Belgian Bullet[1]
Professional2011–present
Highestranking2 (May 2023)
Current ranking6 (as of 26 August 2024)
Maximum breaks1
Century breaks216 (as of 1 September 2024)
Tournament wins
Ranking4
World Champion2023

Luca Brecel(Dutch pronunciation:[ˈlukaːbreːˈsɛl];[2]born 8 March 1995) is a Belgian professionalsnookerplayer. A four-timeranking eventwinner, Brecel is the formerWorld Snooker Champion,having won the2023 eventby defeating four-time championMark Selby18–15 in the final. Brecel trailedSi Jiahui5–14 in the semi-final, but eventually won 17–15. This comeback from nine frames behind is the biggest deficit ever overturned in the history of the World Championship at theCrucible Theatre.

He became the first player frommainland Europeto win a ranking event when he won the2017 China Championship,and then went on to win other ranking events: the2021 Scottish Openand2022 Championship League.He is the youngest player to compete in the World Snooker Championship, making his debut in2012,aged 17 years and 45 days, and the first player from mainland Europe to have won the event.

Brecel won the 2009 European Under-19 title at the age of 14, and turned professional in 2011. He reached the top 16 in the world rankings in 2017, and reached his firstTriple Crownfinal at the2021 UK Championship,but lost 5–10 toZhao Xintong.[3]A week later, he defeatedJohn Higgins9–5 to win the 2021 Scottish Open.

Early life and amateur career

[edit]

Luca Brecel was born on 8 March 1995,[4]inDilsen-Stokkem,Belgium.[5]His father Carlo was a "hail hunter", following storms to work repairing the damage from them, and his mother Mirella was a homemaker.[6]Brecel took up snooker when he was nine, after playing pool with his father during a family holiday.[6][7]The family lived inMaasmechelen,where Brecel started receiving coaching from Danny Moermans, and later moved to a property where they installed asnooker tablehe could use.[6]He was removed from school so that he could be home tutored and spend more time practicing the game.[6]He scored his first competitivecentury breakat 12.[7]

In April 2009, he became the youngestEuropean Under-19 championat 14 years of age, in a 6–5 victory againstMichael WasleyinSaint Petersburg.[7][6]The victory would have earned him a place on the professional snooker tour, except that the minimum age to join the tour was 16.[6]In the Grand Final of theWorld Series of Snookerin Portugal in May, Brecel beat six-time World Championship runner-upJimmy Whiteby 4–3 and1997 world championKen Dohertyby 5–3. He lost 4–5 to2006 world championGraeme Dottin the quarter-finals.[8]In August 2009, he beatJoe Perry,then world number 12, at thePaul Hunter Classic.[9]Around this time, Brecel's family relocated to a larger home in Maasmechelen so they could fit a full-size practice table.[10]

In January 2010, Brecel had a 4–1 victory against seven-time world championStephen Hendryin an exhibition game inBruges.[11]In May of that year, Brecel beat professional compatriotBjorn Haneveerby 7–4 to become Belgian senior champion. His break of 136 was the highest of the tournament.[12]Brecel was one of eight players who participated in the newPower Snookertournament at theindigO2in October 2010, alongsidethen reigning world championNeil Robertson,Ding Junhui,Mark Selby,Ali Carter,Shaun Murphy,Jimmy White, andRonnie O'Sullivan.Brecel was defeated by eventual winner O'Sullivan in the first round.[13]In December 2010, Brecel was namedBelgian Sportsman of the Yearin the Promising Talent category.[14]

Professional career

[edit]

Early professional years (2011–2015)

[edit]
Brecel in 2011

In May 2011, Brecel received a wild card for the main tour of the professional2011–12 season.[15]Brecel turned professional in the following month, beatingAnthony Hamiltonin his first official professional match. By August, he was ranked number 87 on thesnooker world rankings.In January 2012, Brecel made his firstmaximum breakin an amateur tournament.[16]Brecel played in all 12 of the minor-rankingPlayers Tour Championshipfinishing 69th on theOrder of Merit.[17][18]

Aged 17, Brecel became the youngest ever player to qualify for theWorld Snooker Championshipat the2012 event,[19]after he defeatedIan McCulloch,Barry Pinches,Michael HoltandMark Kingto qualify. In doing so he broke the record of Stephen Hendry from1986,who was almost two months older than Brecel. This was his first ranking event main draw,[20]but he lost 5–10 in the first round againstStephen Maguire.[21]

Although finishing the season outside the top 64 in the world rankings who automatically retain their places on the snooker tour, Brecel received a two-year wildcard, along withTony Drago.Barry Hearn,the chairman of World Snooker said the decision was made as it would be a "loss to the sport" if Brecel did not feature.[22]Brecel was awarded the Rookie of the Year Award at the World Snooker Annual Award Ceremony.[23]

In July 2012, Brecel made his second maximum break in an amateur tournament.[24]In qualifying for the first ranking event of the season, the2012 Wuxi Classic,Brecel reached the third qualifying round but lost 5–4 toJamie Burnettmaking three century breaks.[25]

At thefirst PTC event of 2012,Graeme Dott and Ken Doherty on his way to the last 16, where he metJudd Trump,who beat him 4–1.[26]He finished 51st on the PTC Order of Merit.[27]

Brecel qualified for the2012 UK Championshipafter coming through four rounds of qualifying. He beat Scott Donaldson 6–5,Peter Lines6–4,Liu Chuang6–3 andPeter Ebdon6–1, making five century breaks in the process, to reach the main draw of a ranking event for the second time.[28]He won his first match in a ranking event by beatingRicky Walden6–5 in the first round. He followed this up with a 6–4 win over Mark King, despite trailing 0–3.[29]He was eventually defeated 6–5 in the quarter-final by Shaun Murphy, having missed a pink which would have given him an opportunity to win on the final black in each of the last two frames.[30]

Following this success, Brecel failed to win any other qualifying match for the rest of the season. He was beaten 6–10 by amateurFraser Patrickin the first round ofWorld Championship qualifying.[31]He ended his second year as a professional ranked world number 72.[32]

Luca Brecel at the2014 German Masters

Brecel lost in the qualifying rounds for the first five ranking events of the2013–14 season,[33]but received automatic entry into the first round of theUK Championshipas all 128 players on the tour were admitted. He began the event defeatingMike Dunn6–4, but then lost 5–6 to Stephen Maguire, despite having held a 5–2 lead.[34] Brecel qualified for the next ranking event, theGerman Masters,by defeatingJames Wattana5–3, but was eliminated byJoe Perry2–5 in the opening round.[33]His best result of the year came at the penultimate ranking event of the season, theChina Openwhere he reached the second round thanks to the withdrawal ofMark Allen.Brecel then beatDominic Dale5–1 in the last 16, but missed out on his second career quarter-final as he lost 2–5 againstGraeme Dott.[35]In the minor-rankingEuropean Tourevents played throughout the season, Brecel advanced to the quarter-finals of theRuhr Openby defeatingStuart Bingham4–1, but was then beaten byRobbie Williamsin a deciding frame by 73 points to 72.[36]He finished 39th on theEuropean Order of Meritand inside the top 64 in the world ranking for the first time, at number 63.[37][38]

The first ranking event Brecel qualified for in the2014–15 seasonwas theAustralian Goldfields Openwhere he was defeated byMatthew Stevens3–5 in the opening round.[39]He was whitewashed 0–6 by Mark Allen in the second round of the2014 UK Championship.[40] At the2015 Welsh Openhe defeated world number 15Robert Milkins4–0 in the opening round,Tian Pengfei4–1 andOliver Brown4–0. In the second match he made a break of 140, the highest in his professional career and ultimately the highest in the tournament.[39]He went on to beat reigning world champion and world number oneMark Selbyin the fourth round after a deciding frame, 4–3, to reach the quarter-finals.[41]There, Brecel metRicky Walden,ranked number 9 at the time. Brecel lost the first three frames, but won the next five, to reach the first ranking semi-final of his professional career.[42]In the semi-final, he lost toJohn Higgins4–6.[43]A pair of quarter-final exits in theEuropean Tourevents saw Brecel finish 16th on theOrder of Merit,to make his debut in theGrand Final,where he lost 0–4 toJudd Trumpin the opening round.[44]Brecel moved up 19 places in the rankings to finish 44th in the world.[45]

First ranking event win (2015–2019)

[edit]
Brecel (right) playingKyren Wilsonat the2016 German Masters.

After failing to qualify for the2015 Australian Goldfields Openand exiting both the2015 Shanghai Mastersand2015 International Championshipin the first round, Brecel then beatHossein Vafaei6–1,Anthony McGill6–4 andRobin Hull6–2 to reach the fourth round of the2015 UK Championship.[46]He subsequently lost toMatthew Selt4–6 after being 3–1 up in the interval.[47]After beatingZhao Xintong5–2 andKurt Maflin5–3 he reached his first quarter-final of the season soon afterwards at the German Masters, where he recovered from 2–4 down to defeatMark Joyce5–4, closing the match with a 102 break.[48]Brecel then won a scrappy game 6–3 in the semi-finals against Kyren Wilson to become only the second European player from outside the UK and Ireland, after Tony Drago, to play in a ranking event final, and the first from Belgium.[49]In the final, Brecel lost 9–5 toMartin Gould,but targeted a top 20 world ranking before the end of the season.[50]He lost in the final of the2016 Snooker Shoot-OuttoRobin Hull.[51]Brecel was beaten in the fourth round of the2016 Welsh Open (snooker)2–4 byDing Junhuiand, after losing in the first round of three successive ranking events and failing to qualify for the2016 World Snooker Championship,he finished the year at 30th in the world, at the time the highest he finished a campaign.[46][52]

Brecel did not get past the first round of any of the first seven ranking events he entered in the2016–17 season,before he restricted Shaun Murphy to eight points and defeated him 4–0 in the opening round of theNorthern Ireland Open.[53]He then beatJamie Cope4–2, before losing 1–4 toMichael White.At theUK Championship,Brecel whitewashedAditya Mehta6–0 and then overcameSam Craigie6–5,Yu Delu6–1 and Stephen Maguire 6–3 to play Murphy in the quarter-finals of the event for the second time.[54]Murphy won the quarter-final 6–1.[55]Brecel qualified for the World Championship for the second time at the2017 World Snooker Championshipand raced in to a 7–1 lead overMarco Fuin the first round,[56]before losing 9–10.[57]

Brecel won his first ranking title, the2017 China Championshipin August 2017. He defeatedJimmy Robertson,Marco Fu, and Mike Dunn, before defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan 5–4 in the quarter-finals after being 1–4 down. He then defeatedLi Hang6–5 in the semi-finals, before defeatingShaun Murphy10–5 in the final. His victory propelled him into the top 16 of the rankings for the first time.[58]A month later, at theWorld Open,Brecel confirmed his status as a top 16 player with a semi-final finish, winning three consecutive rounds in deciding frames, before losing to eventual winnerDing Junhui6–4.[59]

Having won the China Championship, Brecel was invited to the2017 Champion of Championsinvitational tournament. He completed a whitewashe of Judd Trump 4–0 in the first round and defeated reigning world championMark Selby6–4. In the semi-final, he suffered a 6–4 defeat to Shaun Murphy, who went on to win the tournament.[60][61]

At the2018 Northern Ireland Open,Brecel lost in the last 16 to the eventual winner Judd Trump.[62]He also reached the last 16 in the2019 Snooker Shoot Out[63]and the semi-finals of the non-ranking2018 Six-red World Championshipand the2019 China Open.[64]At the2019 World Snooker Championship,he lost 10–9 in the first round toGary Wilson,with the deciding frame lasting a record 79 minutes.[65]He finished this season again as world number 19.[66]

Ranking titles and world champion (2020–present)

[edit]
Brecel at the2022 European Masters

Brecel's best result in a ranking tournament in the2019-20 snooker seasonwas an appearance in the last 16 of theWelsh Open,in which he lost 4–3 to John Higgins. During this season he dropped out of the top 32.[67]In June 2020, he won the non-rankingChampionship League,beating Stuart Bingham in the final group and drawing against Ryan Day and Ben Woollaston.[68]

Brecel reached the quarter-finals of the2021 English Openin which he lost 5–1 to Ronnie O'Sullivan. Brecel reached the final of the2021 UK Championship.This made him the first player fromcontinental Europeto appear in the final of aTriple Crownevent. On his way to the final, Brecel completed a whitewash of Stephen Maguire and beat Kyren Wilson 6–4 in the semi-final, with four centuries during the match. In the final he lost 10–5 to Zhao Xintong. As runner-up, Brecel moved up the world rankings from 40th to 18th.[69]In the following week he won his second ranking event, theScottish Open.[70]He defeated Higgins in the final 9‍–‍5.[71]

During the2022–23 season,Brecel won his third ranking title at the2022 Championship League,[72]and also made it to the final of the2022 English Open.[73]

At the2023 World Snooker Championship,he was finally able to win his first match at the tournament, after five failed attempts. In the last-sixteen stage, he defeated three-time winnerMark Williams.In his quarter-final match, he faced the defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan. He trailed O'Sullivan 6–10 after the first two sessions, but won all seven frames played in the final session to win the match 13–10.[74]O'Sullivan subsequently said he would like to see Brecel go on to win the tournament. In the semi-final he trailedSi Jiahui5–14 early in the third session, before Brecel won eleven consecutive frames to take a 16–14 lead, and won the match 17–15.[75]In the final, he faced four-time champion Mark Selby. Brecel took a 6–2 lead after the first session, before having his lead cut to 9–8 in the second. He then won six of the eight frames in the third session to lead 15–10.[76]In the fourth session, Selby reduced the deficit to 16–15, but Brecel won the next two frames to win the match 18–15.[77]In winning the World Championship, Brecel was the first player from continental Europe to do so, and the first player not from Australia, Canada, Ireland or the United Kingdom to win the championship.[78]

He did not have great success in the 2023-2024 season: his best ranking-tournament result being a quarter-final in the Welsh Open, and only twice otherwise did he reach the last 16 of a ranking tournament. He fared better in two non-ranking tournaments, reaching the final of theShanghai Masters,and the inaugurualWorld Masters of Snookerin Riyadh, losing to O'Sullivan in both occasions: but went on to lose in the first round at the Crucible against qualifierDavid Gilbert,losing four frames in a row from a 9-6 lead to lose the match 10-9.

Performance and rankings timeline

[edit]
Tournament 2008/
09 		2010/
11 		2011/
12 		2012/
13 		2013/
14 		2014/
15 		2015/
16 		2016/
17 		2017/
18 		2018/
19 		2019/
20 		2020/
21 		2021/
22 		2022/
23 		2023/
24 		2024/
25
Ranking[66][better source needed] [nb 1] [nb 1] [nb 2] [nb 3] 72 63 44 30 27 15 15 38 39 12 2 4
Ranking tournaments
Championship League Non-Ranking Event RR RR W A A
Xi'an Grand Prix Tournament Not Held WD
Saudi Arabia Masters Tournament Not Held
English Open Tournament Not Held 1R 2R 2R 1R 2R QF F 3R
British Open Tournament Not Held 3R LQ LQ
Wuhan Open Tournament Not Held WD LQ
Northern Ireland Open Tournament Not Held 3R WD 4R 3R 3R 2R 3R A
International Championship Not Held LQ LQ LQ 1R 1R 2R LQ 2R Not Held 1R
UK Championship A A LQ QF 2R 2R 4R QF 3R 3R 1R 2R F 2R 2R
Shoot Out Non-Ranking Event 3R 3R 4R 1R 1R 2R 1R A
Scottish Open Not Held MR Not Held 1R A 3R 1R 2R W LQ 2R
German Masters NH WR LQ LQ 1R LQ F LQ LQ LQ 2R 2R 2R 2R LQ
Welsh Open A A LQ LQ 1R SF 4R 1R 2R 1R 4R 1R LQ 3R QF
World Open[nb 4] A LQ LQ LQ LQ Not Held 1R SF 2R 1R Not Held 2R
World Grand Prix Tournament Not Held NR 1R DNQ 1R DNQ DNQ DNQ 2R 2R DNQ
Players Championship[nb 5] NH DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 1R 1R DNQ 1R DNQ DNQ DNQ 1R QF DNQ
Tour Championship Tournament Not Held DNQ DNQ DNQ SF DNQ DNQ
World Championship A A 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ 1R 1R 1R LQ LQ 1R W 1R
Non-ranking tournaments
Shanghai Masters Ranking Event 1R A Not Held F 2R
Champion of Champions Tournament Not Held A A A A SF 1R A 1R A 1R 1R
The Masters DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 1R QF DNQ DNQ DNQ 1R 1R
World Masters of Snooker Tournament Not Held F
Championship League A A A A A A A A RR WD RR W A A WD A
Former ranking tournaments
Wuxi Classic[nb 6] NH Non-Rank LQ LQ LQ Tournament Not Held
Australian Goldfields Open Not Held LQ LQ LQ 1R LQ Tournament Not Held
Shanghai Masters A A LQ LQ LQ LQ 1R LQ QF Non-Ranking Not Held Non-Ranking
Paul Hunter Classic PA Minor-Ranking Event 1R 2R 3R NR Tournament Not Held
Indian Open Tournament Not Held LQ 2R NH WD 1R 3R Tournament Not Held
China Open A A LQ LQ 3R LQ 1R LQ 1R SF Tournament Not Held
Riga Masters[nb 7] Tournament Not Held Minor-Rank 1R 2R 1R 1R Tournament Not Held
China Championship Tournament Not Held NR W 1R 3R Tournament Not Held
WST Pro Series Tournament Not Held 2R Tournament Not Held
Turkish Masters Tournament Not Held 2R Not Held
Gibraltar Open Tournament Not Held MR 3R 1R 1R 3R 2R 3R Not Held
WST Classic Tournament Not Held 1R Not Held
European Masters Tournament Not Held 1R 3R 3R 1R 3R 2R 1R 3R NH
Former non-ranking tournaments
World Series Grand Final QF Tournament Not Held
Power Snooker NH QF A Tournament Not Held
World Grand Prix Tournament Not Held 1R Ranking Event
Shoot Out NH A A A 1R 2R F Ranking Event
Romanian Masters Tournament Not Held 1R Tournament Not Held
Paul Hunter Classic PA Minor-Ranking Event Ranking Event SF Tournament Not Held
Six-red World Championship[nb 8] A A NH A A A A QF WD SF RR Not Held WD Not Held
Performance Table Legend
LQ lost in the qualifying draw #R lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) 		QF lost in the quarter-finals
SF lost in the semi-finals F lost in the final W won the tournament
DNQ did not qualify for the tournament A did not participate in the tournament WD withdrew from the tournament
NH / Not Held means an event was not held.
NR / Non-Ranking Event means an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking Event means an event is/was a ranking event.
MR / Minor-Ranking Event means an event is/was a minor-ranking event.
PA / Pro-am Event means an event is/was a pro-am event.
  1. ^abHe was an amateur
  2. ^New players on the Main Tour do not have a ranking
  3. ^Players qualified through European nomination started the season without ranking points
  4. ^The event was called the Grand Prix (2008/2009)
  5. ^The event was called the Players Tour Championship Grand Final (2010/2011–2015/2016)
  6. ^The event was called the Jiangsu Classic (2008/2009)
  7. ^The event was called the Riga Open (2014/2015–2015/2016)
  8. ^The event was called the Six-red Snooker International (2008/2009)

Career finals

[edit]

Ranking finals: 7 (4 titles)

[edit]
Legend
World Championship (1–0)
UK Championship (0–1)
Other (3–2)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 2016 German Masters Martin Gould(ENG) 5–9 [79]
Winner 1. 2017 China Championship Shaun Murphy(ENG) 10–5 [80]
Runner-up 2. 2021 UK Championship Zhao Xintong(CHN) 5–10 [81]
Winner 2. 2021 Scottish Open John Higgins(SCO) 9–5 [82]
Winner 3. 2022 Championship League Lu Ning(CHN) 3–1 [83]
Runner-up 3. 2022 English Open Mark Selby(ENG) 6–9 [84]
Winner 4. 2023 World Snooker Championship Mark Selby(ENG) 18–15 [85]

Non-ranking finals: 4 (1 title)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 2016 Snooker Shoot Out Robin Hull(FIN) 0–1 [86]
Winner 1. 2020 Championship League(June) Ben Woollaston(ENG) Round-Robin [87]
Runner-up 2. 2023 Shanghai Masters Ronnie O'Sullivan(ENG) 9–11 [88]
Runner-up 3. 2024 World Masters of Snooker Ronnie O'Sullivan(ENG) 2–5 [89]

Pro-am finals: 6 (5 titles)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2013 Dutch Open Bjorn Haneveer(BEL) 5–3 [90]
Winner 2. 2014 3 Kings Open Tony Drago(MLT) 5–4 [91]
Runner-up 1. 2015 3 Kings Open Tony Drago(MLT) 4–5 [91]
Winner 3. 2018 Golden Q Cup Michael Georgiou(CYP) 5–1 [92]
Winner 4. 2020 3 Kings Open(2) Alexander Ursenbacher(SUI) 5–2 [93]
Winner 5. 2020 Italian Snooker Open Sybren Sokolowski(BEL) 4–1 [94]

Team finals (1 title)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Team/partner Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2024 World Mixed Doubles Reanne Evans(ENG) Mark Selby(ENG)
Rebecca Kenna(ENG) 		4–2 [95]

Amateur titles

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 2007 Belgian Under-16 Championship Jurian Heusdens(BEL) 4–2 [96]
Winner 2. 2008 Belgian Under-16 Championship Glenn Dossche(BEL) 4–0 [96]
Winner 2. 2009 Belgian Under-16 Championship Kenny Saynave(BEL) 4–0 [96]
Winner 4. 2010 Belgian Under-16 Championship Glenn Dossche(BEL) 4–0 [96]
Winner 5. 2009 European Under-19 Championship Michael Wasley(ENG) 6–5 [97][98]
Winner 6. 2010 Belgian Amateur Championship Bjorn Haneveer(BEL) 7–4 [99]
Winner 7. 2010 European Amateur Championship Roy Stolk(NED) 7–4 [100]
Winner 8. 2013 Belgian Amateur Championship Yvan Van Velthoven(BEL) 7–1 [99]
Winner 9. 2014 Belgian Amateur Championship Yvan Van Velthoven(BEL) 7–5 [99]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Luca Brecel".World Snooker Tour.Archivedfrom the original on 15 May 2024.Retrieved13 February2024.
  2. ^"Vader Brecel is apetrots:" Sportman van het Jaar zou een mooie bekroning zijn "".Sporza.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2023.Retrieved2 May2023.
  3. ^Shamoon, Hafez (5 December 2021)."Zhao beats Brecel to win UK Championship".BBC Sport.Archivedfrom the original on 5 December 2021.Retrieved5 December2021.
  4. ^"Luca Brecel".World Snooker Tour.Archived fromthe originalon 25 March 2023.Retrieved18 May2023.
  5. ^Kane, Desmond (2 May 2023)."How Luca Brecel struck oil at World Snooker Championship as Crucible king brought new meaning to the word slick".Eurosport.Archivedfrom the original on 9 June 2023.Retrieved3 March2024.
  6. ^abcdefStead, Marcus (May 2023). "Luca Brece: Profile of a champion".Snooker Scene.p. 5.
  7. ^abc"Right on cue: Luca Brecel".Eurosport. 10 April 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 31 December 2009.Retrieved11 May2009.
  8. ^"World Series: Belgian teen into last eight".Eurosport. 9 May 2009.Retrieved11 May2009.[dead link]
  9. ^"Murphy retains Paul Hunter title".Eurosport. 17 August 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 27 December 2009.Retrieved7 September2009– viaarchive.today.
  10. ^Nunns, Hector (31 October 2010)."Teenage kicks: the 15-year-old eyeing world domination".The Independent.p. 22.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2023.Retrieved2 May2023– viaNewspapers.
  11. ^Vanhee, Nico (11 January 2010)."14-jarige klopt wereldkampioen".De Standaard(in Dutch).Archivedfrom the original on 14 January 2010.Retrieved11 January2010.
  12. ^"Luca Brecel est devenu champion de Belgique de snooker à 15 ans"(in French). RTL. 24 May 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 26 April 2012.Retrieved25 May2010.
  13. ^"Ronnie O'Sullivan praises quick-fire Power Snooker".BBC Sport.22 July 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 27 May 2012.Retrieved27 September2010.
  14. ^"Luca Brecel (snooker), Espoir de l'année"(in French). RTBF. 19 December 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2010.Retrieved22 December2010.
  15. ^"Snooker – Luca Brecel reçoit une invitation pour le Main Tour"(in French). Belga. 5 May 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 29 September 2011.Retrieved5 May2011.
  16. ^"Luca Brecel maakt in Peer eerste officiële 147-break".Gazet van Antwerpen(in Dutch). 23 January 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 24 January 2012.Retrieved24 January2012.
  17. ^"Order of Merit".WWW Snooker. 8 January 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 4 May 2012.Retrieved16 April2012.
  18. ^"Luca Brecel heeft eerste grote scalp als profspeler beet".De Morgen.8 August 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 1 October 2012.Retrieved16 August2011.
  19. ^"Brecel shows his talent but trails Maguire by three frames".Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 22 April 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.Retrieved13 December2021.
  20. ^"Brecel becomes youngest ever Crucible contender".Raidió Teilifís Éireann.15 April 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 22 September 2012.Retrieved12 August2020.
  21. ^"Maguire beats Belgian teen Brecel".BBC Sport.23 April 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2023.Retrieved2 May2023.
  22. ^"Snooker: Brecel awarded wild card".ESPN Star. 24 April 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved25 April2012.
  23. ^"Rocket Named Player Of Year".worldsnooker.World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.11 May 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 16 May 2012.Retrieved10 July2012.
  24. ^"Luca Brecel maakt maximumbreak van 147".Het Belang Van Limburg(in Dutch). 7 July 2012.Retrieved7 July2012.
  25. ^"2012 Wuxi Classic qualifying results".Worldsnooker.9 June 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 26 January 2013.Retrieved24 November2012.
  26. ^"PTC Event 1 Results".Worldsnooker.23 July 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 15 April 2013.Retrieved24 November2012.
  27. ^"Order of Merit 2012/2013".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 28 April 2013.Retrieved9 April2013.
  28. ^"Veteran Davis and teen Brecel reach UK Championships".Eurosport.24 November 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 8 December 2015.Retrieved24 November2012.
  29. ^"BBC UK Championship Results".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 6 January 2009.Retrieved6 December2012.
  30. ^"UK Snooker Championship 2012: Luca Brecel pipped by Murphy – BBC Sport".BBC Sport.7 December 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 24 August 2019.Retrieved12 August2020.
  31. ^"Betfair World Championship Qualifiers".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 20 April 2013.Retrieved6 April2013.
  32. ^"Official World Snooker Ranking List For The 2013/2014 Season"(PDF).World Snooker.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 11 June 2013.Retrieved24 May2013.
  33. ^ab"Luca Brecel 2013/2014".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 24 January 2015.Retrieved3 May2014.
  34. ^"UK Championship: Stephen Maguire rallies to deny Luca Brecel; Judd Trump hits form".Sky Sports.1 December 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 11 December 2013.Retrieved3 May2014.
  35. ^"Ebdon Beats Trump In Beijing".World Snooker.Archivedfrom the original on 3 May 2014.Retrieved3 May2014.
  36. ^"Robbie Williams v Luca Brecel".Love Snooker. Archived fromthe originalon 14 October 2013.Retrieved3 May2014.
  37. ^"European Order of Merit 2013/2014".Snooker.org. Archived fromthe originalon 8 April 2014.Retrieved3 May2014.
  38. ^"World Snooker Rankings After the 2014 World Championship"(PDF).World Snooker.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 8 May 2014.Retrieved9 May2014.
  39. ^ab"Luca Brecel 2014/2015".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 7 July 2015.Retrieved23 February2015.
  40. ^"UK Championship 2014 results".BBC Sport.2 December 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved12 August2020.
  41. ^"Welsh Open: Mark Selby knocked out by Luca Brecel".BBC Sport.19 February 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 21 February 2015.Retrieved5 March2015.
  42. ^"Welsh Open: Luca Brecel and Ben Woollaston reach semi-finals in Cardiff".Sky Sports.Archivedfrom the original on 24 February 2015.Retrieved5 March2015.
  43. ^"John Higgins hoping for final flourish as he targets Welsh Open victory".Daily Record.Archivedfrom the original on 22 March 2015.Retrieved5 March2015.
  44. ^"European Order of Merit 2014/2015".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 17 April 2015.Retrieved28 April2015.
  45. ^"World Rankings After 2015 World Championship".World Snooker.Archived fromthe originalon 7 May 2015.Retrieved8 May2015.
  46. ^ab"Luca Brecel 2015/2016".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 17 January 2016.Retrieved9 February2016.
  47. ^"UK Championship: Matt Selt better for Ronnie O'Sullivan loss".BBC Sport.Archivedfrom the original on 8 December 2015.Retrieved9 February2016.
  48. ^"Gould Stuns Trump in Berlin".World Snooker.5 February 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 22 February 2016.Retrieved9 February2016.
  49. ^"Brecel Sets Up Gould Final".World Snooker.6 February 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 10 February 2016.Retrieved9 February2016.
  50. ^"Gould Wins Maiden Ranking Crown".World Snooker.7 February 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 9 February 2016.Retrieved11 February2016.
  51. ^"Robin Hull hails Hexagon crowd after beating Luca Brecel to win Snooker Shootout".Reading Chronicle.14 February 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 22 August 2016.Retrieved9 August2016.
  52. ^"Rankings 2015/2016".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 25 August 2016.Retrieved9 August2016.
  53. ^"Rocket and Whirlwind Set Up Showdown".World Snooker.15 November 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 26 February 2017.Retrieved19 February2017.
  54. ^"Luca Brecel 2016/2017".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 27 February 2017.Retrieved19 February2017.
  55. ^Bennet, Tom (2 December 2016)."Mark Selby beats John Higgins in UK Championship quarter-finals".Eurosport.Archivedfrom the original on 27 February 2017.Retrieved26 February2017.
  56. ^"Yan Secures Crucible Debut".World Snooker.12 April 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 13 April 2017.Retrieved14 April2017.
  57. ^"Fu Fightback Topples Brecel".World Snooker.17 April 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 20 April 2017.Retrieved19 April2017.
  58. ^"Luca Brecel wins first ranking event with victory over Shaun Murphy".Eurosport.22 August 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 9 May 2019.Retrieved23 August2017.
  59. ^Quarrell, Dan (23 September 2017)."Ding Junhui beats Luca Brecel to set up Kyren Wilson final at World Open".Eurosport.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2024.Retrieved2 May2023.
  60. ^"Murphy beats Brecel to set up Champion of Champions final against O'Sullivan".Eurosport.11 November 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 10 February 2018.Retrieved2 May2023.
  61. ^"Shaun Murphy holds off Ronnie O'Sullivan comeback to clinch title".Eurosport.13 November 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2019.Retrieved2 May2023.
  62. ^"O'Sullivan beats Zhou to reach quarter-finals of Northern Ireland Open".15 November 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2024.Retrieved2 May2023.
  63. ^"2018/2019 Snooker Shoot-Out Snooker Fixtures and Results from RTÉ Sport".RTÉ.24 February 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2023.Retrieved2 May2023.
  64. ^"Neil Robertson reaches China Open final".Eurosport.6 April 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2024.Retrieved2 May2023.
  65. ^Phillips, Owen (19 April 2019)."Wilson wins after Crucible record frame".BBC Sport.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2023.Retrieved2 May2023.
  66. ^ab"Ranking History".Snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 19 December 2018.Retrieved6 February2011.
  67. ^Haigh, Phil (13 December 2021)."O'Sullivan and Higgins call for Masters changes as Brecel misses out".Metro.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2023.Retrieved2 May2023.
  68. ^Kane, Desmond (12 June 2020)."Luca Brecel claims Championship League title glory after thrilling finale".Eurosport.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2024.Retrieved2 May2023.
  69. ^"Zhao beats Brecel to win UK Championship".BBC Sport.Archivedfrom the original on 5 December 2021.Retrieved5 December2021.
  70. ^"Brecel beats Higgins to win Scottish Open".BBC Sport.12 December 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 4 December 2022.Retrieved2 May2023.
  71. ^"Brecel bounces back from UK pain to win Scottish Open".RTÉ.ie.12 December 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.Retrieved13 December2021.
  72. ^Haigh, Phil (31 July 2022)."Championship League Snooker: Five things we learned from the latest edition".Metro.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2023.Retrieved1 May2023.
  73. ^"Selby beats Brecel to win English Open final".BBC Sport.18 December 2022.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2023.Retrieved1 May2023.
  74. ^"Sensational Brecel Smashes Rocket".World Snooker.26 April 2023. Archived fromthe originalon 26 April 2023.Retrieved28 April2023.
  75. ^"Luca Brecel recovers from 14–5 down to win 17–15 and reach Crucible final".Sportinglife.29 April 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2023.Retrieved1 May2023.
  76. ^"Brecel in sight of snooker World Championship title".France 24.1 May 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2024.Retrieved1 May2023.
  77. ^"Snooker salutes its new entertainer after Luca Brecel fulfils his destiny".Guardian.2 May 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 3 May 2023.Retrieved3 May2023.
  78. ^"Breath-Taking Brecel Beats Selby In Crucible Classic".World Snooker.1 May 2023. Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2023.Retrieved2 October2023.
  79. ^"German Masters: Martin Gould wins maiden ranking title".BBC Sport.7 February 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 10 February 2016.Retrieved8 February2016.
  80. ^"China Championship: Luca Brecel beats Shaun Murphy for first ranking title".BBC Sport.22 August 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 19 April 2019.Retrieved1 April2024.
  81. ^Hafez, Shamoon (5 December 2021)."UK Snooker Championship final: Zhao Xintong beats Luca Brecel".BBC Sport.Archivedfrom the original on 7 December 2021.Retrieved5 December2021.
  82. ^"Brilliant Brecel Claims Second Ranking Crown".World Snooker.12 December 2021. Archived fromthe originalon 12 December 2021.Retrieved12 December2021.
  83. ^"Championship League 2022".Archivedfrom the original on 7 December 2023.Retrieved30 March2024.
  84. ^"Selby Ends Barren Streak With English Title".World Snooker Tour.18 December 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 18 December 2022.
  85. ^Sutcliffe, Steve (2 May 2023)."World Snooker Championship 2023: World champion Luca Brecel says snooker set to 'explode' in Europe".BBC Sport.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2023.
  86. ^"2016 Coral Snooker Shoot-Out".snooker.org.Archivedfrom the original on 2 December 2023.Retrieved13 October2023.
  87. ^ "Brilliant Brecel wins Matchroom.Live Championship League".Championship League Snooker.11 June 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 12 June 2020.Retrieved30 March2024.
  88. ^"O'Sullivan beats Brecel to win Shanghai Masters".BBC Sport.17 September 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 17 September 2023.Retrieved17 September2023.
  89. ^"Rocket rules in Riyadh".World Snooker Tour.6 March 2024. Archived fromthe originalon 7 March 2024.Retrieved7 March2024.
  90. ^"Luca Brecel wint Interconnect Dutch Open Snooker"(in Dutch). Dutch Billiards & Snooker Association. Archived fromthe originalon 19 January 2013.
  91. ^ab"3 Kings Open".29 August 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 29 August 2017.Retrieved29 August2017.
  92. ^"Brecel Wins 2018 Golden Q Cup".The Cue View.Archivedfrom the original on 20 August 2018.Retrieved20 August2018.
  93. ^"3 Kings Snooker Open 2020".30 January 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 10 November 2020.Retrieved30 January2020.
  94. ^"5. Int. Italien Snooker OPEN 2020".9 February 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 13 May 2021.Retrieved13 May2021.
  95. ^"Evans and Brecel crowned in Manchester".World Snooker Tour.31 March 2024.Retrieved31 March2024.
  96. ^abcd"BBSA Hall of Fame: U16 – U18"(PDF).Belgium Billiards & Snooker Association.Archived(PDF)from the original on 28 September 2023.Retrieved31 March2024.
  97. ^"Luca Brecel".World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.Archivedfrom the original on 8 March 2024.Retrieved31 March2024.
  98. ^"European Snooker Championships U19 2009 – play-off results".European Billiards & Snooker Association. Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2014.Retrieved6 June2013.
  99. ^abc"BBSA Hall of Fame"(PDF).Belgium Billiards & Snooker Association.Archived(PDF)from the original on 22 September 2023.Retrieved31 March2024.
  100. ^"European Snooker Championships 2010 – play-off results".European Billiards & Snooker Association.Archivedfrom the original on 14 July 2014.Retrieved6 June2013.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toLuca Brecel.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Luca_Brecel&oldid=1243393283"