Mark Selby already had four world titles and was a heavy favorite in the final with Luca Bresel, but the Belgian surprised everyone and won 18-15. After the last match in the Crucible, the “Leicester Jester” talked about the successful game of the opponent.

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Mark Selby says Luca Bresel won the Crucible title by accident

The Englishman only praised the nickname “Belgian ball” and is sure that his triumph will help popularize snooker in Europe.

“I hugged him at the end, told him he played well and I was happy for him and his family. Nobody’s happier than me, he’s a great kid, a great player. I told him to enjoy this year of being world champion.

No luck at the World Cup. People may say it’s once in a lifetime and they may not get there again. Yes, maybe not, but he didn’t win it by accident.

Look at the players he beat and how he beat them, his comeback. Ricky (Walden), Mark Williams, Ronnie (O’Sullivan), Xi (Jiahui) in the semi-finals, and to play like that in your first final, it’s incredible.

I am very happy for him. Obviously, I’m disappointed in myself. If I hadn’t won a tournament before and lost, I would have been very disappointed.

He was the kind of talent that had been waiting years for this to happen. I’m not surprised by the way he played because I know he’s capable of it.

If I wasn’t in the final I would have stayed at home and probably cheered him on and wanted him to win because I know what he can do for snooker. For someone from Europe to win it can only be good for snooker” – Mark Selbymetro.co.uk reports.

Know:

• Luca Bresel will receive £500,000 for winning the grand final. On the other hand, Mark Selby will receive £200,000.

• Mark Selby will share the £55,000 bonus (the one awarded for the maximum break) with Kieren Wilson (he broke 147 in the first round of the Crucible).

• It was Mark Selby’s sixth WC snooker final. He lost the first (in 2007 to John Higgins), but made up for it in the next four: (2014, 2016, 2017 and 2021).

• Luca Bresel beat Ricky Walden (World No. 24 / 10-9), Mark Williams (8 / 13-11), Ronnie O’Sullivan (1 / 13-10), Xi Jiahui (80 / 17) at CM Snooker 2023 -15) and Mark Selby (2 / 18-15).

• Luca Bresel is the first player from continental Europe to win the world title.

• In the entire history of the World Cup, only five champions were not from the Kingdom of Great Britain: Horace Lindrum (Australia, 1952), Cliff Thorburn (Canada, 1980), Ken Doherty (Ireland, 1997), Neil Robertson (Australia, 2010) and Luca Bresel (Belgium, 2023).

• In 2012, Luca Bresel became the youngest player to participate in the Crucible (17 years and 45 days).

• Bresel (28) did not win a main draw match at the Crucible in his first 5 appearances.

• The first World Cup was held in 1927, and since 1977 the tournament has been held at the Crucible Theater in Sheffield. The modern era of competition (something like the “Open Era” of tennis) began in 1969.

List of all Crucible champions

2023 – Luka Bresel

2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan

2021 – Mark Selby

2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan

2019 – Judd Trump

2018 – Mark Williams

2017 – Mark Selby

2016 – Mark Selby

2015 – Stuart Bingham

2014 – Mark Selby

2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan

2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan

2011 – John Higgins

2010 – Neil Robertson

2009 – John Higgins

2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan

2007 – John Higgins

2006 – Graham Dott

2005 – Sean Murphy

2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan

2003 – Mark Williams

2002 – Peter Ebdon

2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan

2000 – Mark Williams

1999 – Stephen Hendy

1998 – John Higgins

1997 – Ken Doherty

1996 – Stephen Hendry

1995 – Stephen Hendry

1994 – Stephen Hendry

1993 – Stephen Hendry

1992 – Stephen Hendry

1991 – John Parrott

1990 – Stephen Hendry

1989 – Steve Davis

1988 – Steve Davis

1987 – Steve Davis

1986 – Joe Johnson

1985 – Dennis Taylor

1984 – Steve Davis

1983 – Steve Davis

1982 – Alex Higgins

1981 – Steve Davis

1980 – Cliff Thorburn

1979 – Terry Griffiths

1978 – Ray Reardon

1977 – John Spencer.