World Snooker Championship 2006

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The 2006 World Snooker Championship took place between the 15 April and 1 May 2006 (running into the early hours of 2 May 2006) at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. Shaun Murphy looked to defend his world title which he won at the 2005 championship, however he was eliminated in the quarter-finals. Graeme Dott beat Peter Ebdon at 00:53 in the latest finish ever to a Crucible final (though not the longest final), earning him his first professional title in his 12-year career.

Contents

[edit] Sponsorship

Following new EU and UK legislation banning tobacco advertising the 2006 World Snooker Championship could not be sponsored by Embassy as had been the case for the previous three decades. In January 2006 World Snooker - the sport's governing body - announced that the online casino 888.com would be the new sponsors.

However this decision has led to conflict with some players who will lose income from their own personal sponsors (seen on their waistcoats) who are rival firms of 888.com [1].

There have also been concerns expressed among the sport's elite at the decrease in prize money and also in the number of ranking events (down to six for the 2005/06 season) since the loss of tobacco sponsorship [2]. For the 2006 World Championship the winner's cheque is down 20% on what it was in 2005.

[edit] Prize Money

  • Winner: £200,000
  • Runner-Up: £100,000
  • Losing Semi Finalists: £40,800
  • Losing Quarter Finalists: £20,800
  • Last 16: £12,680
  • Last 32: £9,600
  • Last 48 (pre-TV): £6,400
  • Last 64 (pre-TV): £4,000
  • TV High Break: £10,000
  • Maximum Break (pre-TV): £5,000
  • Maximum Break (TV): £147,000
  • Total Prize Fund: £896,240

[edit] Notable moments

[edit] Pre-Final

  • Paul Hunter's first round defeat to Neil Robertson would turn out to be his last match as a professional. He was playing in pain from chemotherapy treatment for a rare form of stomach cancer and eventually lost battle against the disease on October 9, 2006.
  • Previously on form John Higgins, the number 7 seed, being knocked out in the first round by Mark Selby, 10-4.
  • The Crucible Theatre is evacuated after smoke detectors in the basement trigger the fire alarms. This occurs at the end of a frame in the match between Steve Davis and Shaun Murphy; meanwhile on the other table Mark Selby, playing Mark Williams, is at the table and on a break of 26 when required to leave.
  • In the last frame of the first round match between Stephen Hendry and Nigel Bond, the score in frames is 9-9. Bond pots the black for a win, but the cue ball drops in the middle pocket for a tie. Bond still wins after a re-spotted black.
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan compiles the highest break of the tournament with a 140 in his 13-11 win over Ryan Day
  • In the quarter final Graeme Dott was 12-8 up with only one more frame required to get to the last four. First time quarter-finalist Neil Robertson then won the next four frames on the trot to make it 12-12 and take the match to a final frame decider, which Graeme won after Neil was left needing a snooker with only the pink and black left and ended up accidentally potting the pink instead of setting up a snooker.
  • Marco Fu becomes the first player from Asia since 1997 reach the semi-finals by beating Ken Doherty 13-10. Fu had battled his way through the qualifiers to reach the Crucible and became the only non-seeded player to reach the semi-finals (Neil Robertson was the only other one to reach the quarter-finals).
  • Defending world champion Shaun Murphy loses to Peter Ebdon in the quarter-finals. No first-time world champion has ever successfully defended his title at the Crucible. This is the second year in a row that Peter Ebdon defeats the defending world champion in the quarter-finals.
  • In the semi-final, Peter Ebdon is 15-9 up, just needing 2 frames to go through to the final. Marco Fu wins the next 6 frames to level at 15-15. Eventually Ebdon wins 17-16 to go through to the final, playing the final balls (after the frame was decided) with tears in his eyes.
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan removes the tip of his cue during the 14th frame of his semi-final with Graeme Dott. There is a break for emergency repairs, after which O'Sullivan makes a 124 break.
  • Dott wins all eight frames of the third session of the semi-final, going from 8-8 to 16-8. He eventually wins 17-11 to enter his second World Championship final.

[edit] Final

  • With intense tactical play from both players, the first session saw only six frames played; on the first day, play continued until 00:45. The third session, on the second day, also finished after only six frames.
  • In the 24th frame, as Peter Ebdon was attempting to pot the green ball, when clearing up the colours, he got a kick. The green however potted after hitting the jaws of the pocket. Ebdon reacted by doing a little pirouette movement and said jokingly to the Crucible crowd, "now you know why I get them wiped so often!"
  • The 27th frame was the longest in Crucible history and the longest televised frame on record, lasting 74 minutes. It was won by Peter Ebdon (66-59), reducing his arrears to 12-15. The following frame was won by Ebdon (84-0) in 11 minutes, the quickest of this final.
  • Dott wins his first frame of the evening session, the 29th when Ebdon goes in-off and concedes the frame, over 5 hours since his last frame; the score 13-16.
  • Ebdon wins frame 30 as the tournament enters its 18th day, with the record for the latest finish looking set to be broken (currently the 1985 final between Steve Davis and victor Dennis Taylor at 00:20).
  • Dott makes a textbook clearance under tremendous pressure to win frame 31 with the last ball, which he celebrates with a loud "Come on!". The score becomes 14-17 at 00:22, now the latest final in Crucible history.
  • Graeme Dott takes the closely-contested 32nd frame at 00:53 to win his first professional tournament. Before potting his last ball Dott went over to kiss his awaiting trophy. Peter Ebdon joined the minute-long standing ovation for the new champion, later paying generous tribute after a truly fascinating final.

[edit] Results

Shown below are the results for each round, the numbers in brackets beside some of the players are their seeding ranks (each championship has 16 seeds and 16 qualifiers).

First Round Second Round Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals
Best of 19 frames Best of 25 frames Best of 25 frames Best of 33 frames
                           
15 April            
 England Shaun Murphy (1)  10
20, 21 & 22 April
 Thailand James Wattana  4  
 England Shaun Murphy (1)  13
15 & 16 April
   England Steve Davis (16)  7  
 England Steve Davis (16)  10
25 & 26 April
 England Andy Hicks  4  
 England Shaun Murphy (1)  7
19 & 20 April
   England Peter Ebdon (8)  13  
 England Jimmy White (9)  5
23 & 24 April
 England David Gray  10  
 England David Gray  2
19 April
   England Peter Ebdon (8)  13  
 England Peter Ebdon (8)  10
27, 28 & 29 April
 England Michael Holt  8  
 England Peter Ebdon (8)  17
17 & 18 April
   Hong Kong Marco Fu  16
 WalesMatthew Stevens (5)  10
22, 23 & 24 April
 Northern Ireland Joe Swail  5  
 Wales Matthew Stevens (5)  8
16 & 17 April
   Ireland Ken Doherty (12)  13  
 Ireland Ken Doherty (12)  10
25 & 26 April
 England Barry Hawkins  1  
 Ireland Ken Doherty (12)  10
18 April
   Hong Kong Marco Fu  13  
 Scotland Alan McManus (13)  3
21 & 22 April
 Hong Kong Marco Fu  10  
 Hong Kong Marco Fu  13
16 & 17 April
   Scotland Stephen Maguire (4)  4  
 Scotland Stephen Maguire (4)  10
 England Mark King  6  
18 & 19 April            
 Scotland Stephen Hendry (3)  9
22, 23 & 24 April
 England Nigel Bond  10  
 England Nigel Bond  9
15 & 16 April
   Scotland Graeme Dott (14)  13  
 Scotland Graeme Dott (14)  10
25 & 26 April
 England John Parrott  3  
 Scotland Graeme Dott (14)  13
15 & 16 April
   Australia Neil Robertson  12  
 England Stephen Lee (11)  10
20 & 21 April
 England Ali Carter  8  
 England Stephen Lee (11)  9
17 April
   Australia Neil Robertson  13  
 England Paul Hunter (6)  5
27, 28 & 29 April
 Australia Neil Robertson  10  
 Scotland Graeme Dott (14)  17
15 & 16 April
   England Ronnie O'Sullivan (2)  11
 Scotland John Higgins (7)  4
21 & 22 April
 England Mark Selby  10  
 England Mark Selby  8
17 & 18 April
   Wales Mark Williams (10)  13  
 Wales Mark Williams (10)  10
25 & 26 April
 England Anthony Hamilton  1  
 Wales Mark Williams (10)  11
19 & 20 April
   England Ronnie O'Sullivan (2)  13  
 England Joe Perry (15)  3
23 & 24 April
 Wales Ryan Day  10  
 Wales Ryan Day  10
18 & 19 April
   England Ronnie O'Sullivan (2)  13  
 England Ronnie O'Sullivan (2)  10
 England Dave Harold  4  
Final (Best of 35 frames) Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 30 April & 1 May (& 2 May), 2006. Referee: Jan Verhaas
England Peter Ebdon (8) 14-18 Scotland Graeme Dott (14)
79-12, 53-62, 1-91, 48-70, 9-71, 67-32, 6-78, 20-53, 20-53, 16-63, 66-25, 124-6, 47-72, 65-51, 5-61, 16-92, 0-75, 100-0, 67-44, 41-75, 31-90, 49-70, 117-22, 66-51, 67-29, 70-38, 66-59, 84-0, 16-78, 99-17, 61-69, 31-70 1 Century Break (1 - Peter Ebdon).

Highest break 117, by Peter Ebdon. Highest break by Graeme Dott - 68

 79-12, 53-62, 1-91, 48-70, 9-71, 67-32, 6-78, 20-53, 20-53, 16-63, 66-25, 124-6, 47-72, 65-51, 5-61, 16-92, 0-75, 100-0, 67-44, 41-75, 31-90, 49-70, 117-22, 66-51, 67-29, 70-38, 66-59, 84-0, 16-78, 99-17, 61-69, 31-70
Graeme Dott wins 2006 888.com World Snooker Championship


[edit] Qualification

Qualification for the World Snooker Championship 2006, was held between 6 January, 2006 to 13 January, 2006, and 14 March, 2006 to 15 March, 2006 at the Pontin's Prestatyn. There are 4 rounds, with a total of 80 competitors. 32 players enter the first round, with the winners playing the 16 players in the next round. This continues for 2 more rounds, with the 16 winners progressing to play in the World Snooker Championship.

  • Players in bold qualify to play in the main draw of the World Championship.

[edit] Results

1st Round (19 Frames) 2nd Round (19 Frames) 3rd Round (19 Frames) Final Round (19 Frames)
Shailesh Jogia 10 - 3 Hugh Abernethy Jamie Cope 10 - 7 Shailesh Jogia Michael Judge 10 - 4 Jamie Cope Allister Carter 10 - 3 Michael Judge
Ding Junhui 10 - 1 Stuart Mann Brian Morgan 7 - 10 Ding Junhui Drew Henry 9 - 10 Ding Junhui Barry Hawkins 10 - 6 Ding Junhui
Nick Dyson 10 - 8 James McBain Matthew Couch 10 - 8 Nick Dyson Fergal O'Brien 10 - 4 Matthew Couch Marco Fu 10 - 7 Fergal O'Brien
David McDonnell(1) 0 - 0 Moh Keen Hoo Tom Ford 10 - 3 David McDonnell Dave Harold 10 - 8 Tom Ford Ian McCulloch 9 - 10 Dave Harold
David Roe 10 - 9 Gary Wilkinson Lee Spick 10 - 6 David Roe Ricky Walden 8 - 10 Lee Spick John Parrott 10 - 9 Lee Spick
Simon Bedford 6 - 10 Alex Borg Jimmy Michie 8 - 10 Alex Borg Mark Selby 10 - 4 Alex Borg Robert Milkins 4 - 10 Mark Selby
Leo Fernandez 8 - 10 Judd Trump Mike Dunn 10 - 7 Judd Trump Rory McLeod 8 - 10 Mike Dunn Nigel Bond 10 - 0 Mike Dunn
Scott MacKenzie 10 - 3 Habib Subah M. Campbell 10 - 3 S. MacKenzie Stuart Bingham 10 - 7 M. Campbell Ryan Day 10 - 7 Stuart Bingham
Alfred Burden 10 - 9 Bjorn Haneveer Rod Lawler 10 - 7 Alfred Burden Dominic Dale 6 - 10 Rod Lawler Anthony Hamilton 10 - 8 Rod Lawler
Darren Morgan 8-10 David Gilbert Jamie Burnett 8 - 10 David Gilbert Tony Drago 7 - 10 David Gilbert James Wattana 10 - 7 David Gilbert
Sean Storey 4- 10 Gerrit Bij De Leij Robin Hull 10 - 6 Gerrit Bij De Leij Mark Davis 10 - 7 Robin Hull David Gray 10 - 9 Mark Davis
Adam Davies 7-10 Mark Allen Justin Astley 3 - 10 Mark Allen Patrick Wallace 6 - 10 Mark Allen Andy Hicks 10 - 7 Mark Allen
Paul Davies 10 - 9 Jin Long Shokat Ali 10 - 6 Paul Davies Joe Swail 10 - 5 Shokat Ali Barry Pinches 8 - 10 Joe Swail
Andrew Norman 9 - 10 Gary Wilson James Tatton 10 - 8 Gary Wilson Gerard Greene 10 - 4 James Tatton Neil Robertson 10 - 6 G. Greene
Paul Wykes 10 - 8 Stefan Mazrocis Lee Walker 2 - 10 Paul Wykes Adrian Gunnell 10 - 3 Paul Wykes Mark King 10 - 5 Adrian Gunnell
Joe Delaney 10 - 5 Liang Wenbo C. Norbury 6 - 10 Joe Delaney Stuart Pettman 10 - 8 Joe Delaney Michael Holt 10 - 2 Stuart Pettman
  • 1David McDonnell won, as Moh Keen Hoo withdrew?

[edit] External links

World Snooker Championship
Full results by year
1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006
Winners and statistics
List of winners from 1927 to present
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