The trophy that they all wanting to be holding in a week’s time
With week one of the 2009 World Championship now completed, here are the best of my photos from the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield so far this year for your enjoyment. I will be back for the next three days so hopefully I can find some more players then…
The Venue
The newly refurbished Crucible Theatre, complete with big screen to the right-hand side.
The CueZone this year. This is where the likes of Rishi Persad, Steve Davis and John Parrott are when they present the afternoon broadcast of the latest snooker action. Also inside are a selection of trophies, as well as a table and some computer games.
Inside the CueZone
The big screen, improved this year because they now screen both tables when they are in action as opposed to just one as in the past.
Inside the Crucible, for those you who have not been before, this is where the Box Office used to be prior to this year.
The brand new Crucible carpet, just as bright as the last one, which incidentally you can still buy pieces of from the Crucible to raise money for the refurbishment.
The all-new Betfred betting stand, a welcome addition to the venue, not least because with SkySportsNews being televised it lets me keep up to date with my other favourite sports!
The World Snooker merchandise stand
The Arena
A deserted Crucible Theatre as seen from the Orange Door
A marvellous view from Row B at the Crucible as I settled down to watch Ali Carter take on Gerard Greene
Table two out there in the arena. This is the one that has had all the kicks this week it seems!
Another shot, again from Row B, seat 12 to be precise
And this one is from seat C1, excellent for when the players are in and around the black spot and on a big break
A close up of the players seating in the arena
MC Rob Walker does his stuff before the players are introduced
One of the scoreboards up high in the arena
The Players
Peter Ebdon ahead of his early exit
Graeme Dott on the opening day
Mark Allen, with his Manchester United shirt on under his jacket there!
World number 15 Mark King
Gerard Greene ahead of his clash with Ali Carter
Martin Gould following the first session of his last 32 clash with Mark Allen
One of the two qualifiers to reach the last 16, 1995 finalist Nigel Bond
Welsh Open champion Ali Carter
Crucible débutante Rory McLeod
Welsh Open finalist and twice world semi-finalist Joe Swail
UK Championship finalist Marco Fu outside the Lyceum Theatre
A delighted Ding Junhui following victory over Liang Wenbo
Andrew Higginson
A disappointed Joe Perry following his early exit
World number two Stephen Maguire
Australia’s Neil Robertson ahead of his clash with Steve Davis
The Hitman, Michael Holt
The legend that is Steve Davis, with a copy of WSC Real for the Wii under his arm incidentally!
Scotland’s Jamie Burnett
The Shotgun – It’s Jamie Cope
The TV
1979 World Champion and BBC commentator Terry Griffths
BBC presenter Rishi Persad on his way back to the hotel
And the BBC’s other leading man, Ray Stubbs
Mr Maximum himself, Willie Thorne
John Virgo picks a bad time to blink!
The Final
My view for the World Championship final 8)
A nice photo of the trophy/table
Shaun Murphy’s seat for the final
And that of John Higgins
Rob Walker on final night
John Higgins lifts the trophy for the third time
As Shaun Murphy can only look on