CRUCIBLE EVE THRILLS
The week before the start of the World Championship is a very exciting one for all snooker fans over the World, as we get the deciding rounds of the Qualifiers on Tuesday and Wednesday, the draw on Thursday, and Friday is “Crucible Eve”!
It’s hard for a snooker fan to explain to someone just how special the Crucible is, but even a fan that’s never been there knows it and loves this time of the year. Fair play to the broadcasters, because even when going to Sheffield was still just a dream to me, I knew already just how special the place was by watching it on TV.
The feelings of this time last year (when I attended the event in Sheffield for a first) are still very much with me. Crucible Eve is just so special… The draw is done, everything is ready in the surroundings, and the top 16 are at the Crucible for media day.
Fans gather at the Tudor Square chatting all things snooker, and also trying to grab selfies and autographs with the players. Even as night falls a few fans are still around, including the ones that just come to have a first ever look at the building before going to the hotel to stay the night and come watch the next day.
On Saturday morning the Sheffield city centre is buzzing! The entry line is huge as everyone looks forward to either meet the place for the first time, or to check out how it’s looking like this year.
When the doors open it’s hectic like you’ll never see on TV, as people are buying their earpieces, championship programs, checking out the shops, or even grabbing a pint or two at the Crucible Bar (personally I tend to get coffes for mornings sessions, though).
Then, around 20 minutes before the start of play most fans are already seated. You look down at the stage and you see the likes of Hazel Irvine, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry live on the BBC. The players are for sure already in the restrooms. You can almost see the excitement in the air.
Not long after the iconic snooker-theme BBC song has played, Rob Walker is on stage to introduce the players. You wouldn’t think that a relatively small auditorium like that would sound that loud, but all of a sudden the only thing you can hear comes from the snooker balls. You know you’re up for 17 days of pure joy.
That opening session on 10am is simply special, no wonder tickets are particularly hard to get, by the way. But there’s something about it - maybe it’s the theatre environment combined with the quietly appreciative snooker crowd - that makes every single session have that same feeling, no matter what match it is or how many sessions you’ve been to.
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