Snooker World Champion Stuart Bingham – Even nice guys can be winners – Süddeutsche.de

• After 20 years on the snooker Tour wins Stuart Bingham, the World Cup – surprisingly for all
• In the final he wins 18:15 against Shaun Murphy

.. By Carsten Eberts

The little boy came to congratulate him, but he looked unhappy when he was suddenly lost in the middle at the Crucible Theatre. He did not understand what would all these cameras with their flashlights. He did not understand why his father was all this applause. Stuart Bingham, his father joined him quickly in his arms. The small Shae crept in. In fact, his dad had just become world champion.

Bingham, however, grinned from ear to ear when he felt the applause in the legendary snooker arena in the world. He who had always watched others as they received a standing ovation was allowed, now watch how applicable the audience for him. 18:15 He won the final against Shaun Murphy. It was the reward for many years of long and hard work. “Unbelievable,” whispered Bingham.

His title is perhaps the biggest surprise at the World Cup, since his opponent had Murphy in 2005 from the Crucible in Sheffield stormed Nothing. Murphy’d been a daredevil, who played suddenly furious with 22 years, which was then but always considering his world title and the expectations could not always fulfill. Bingham is now a completely different case. For 20 years, the Briton is, but he could never win a major title. In player circles Bingham is considered funny guy, a good buddy, the one likes to have to be in the first round of a tournament. However, the always nerves failed when it came to do great things on the table.

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This time everything was different. As if he had taken a long run-up. Ronnie O’Sullivan to Judd Trump Bingham has previously thrown many title contenders out of the tournament, then Murphy defeated in the finals, although had been considered a big favorite. “20 years full of blood, sweat and tears have finally paid off,” Bingham told then: “Many would have given up earlier, but I still kept on fighting.”

Murphy felt despite his defeat no grudge. “Stuart loves snooker more than himself,” said Murphy full recognition. And no, there was really “no player in the world who deserves this title more”. Steve Davis, the old hero of the sport, ruled the BBC: “The nice guys can be winners.”

Bingham fantastic Snooker

The final against Murphy is one of the best finals ever. Murphy led after the first day almost 9: 8, Bingham moved to the third session at 14:11 it. A preliminary decision? Not at all, because Murphy took three frames in series (15:15). Now wiggled Bingham, and everyone expected that he had to pay tribute to his grueling games before. Just as before in the 20 years when he always lost the key frames. But Bingham actually raised again at.

Finally a title: Stuart Bingham in Sheffield

(Photo: AFP )

be remembered especially the 31 frame. A monster game of 61 minutes with a long safety rally – and a slightly faded yellow ball from Murphy that gave Bingham back to the table. Cooling he laid a fantastic snooker, both players dueled minutes on pink and black, then failed Murphy the decisive position.

Bingham took his chance. Finally.

At the feeling of being a world champion, the 38-year-old has to get used to. “I’ll stay as I am,” Bingham promised to great applause. But the times when he was able to travel relatively unnoticed over half the world snooker tournaments are over. For winning photo he sat his young son on the table, right next to the big silver trophy. Since flashed on the face of the little Shae short on a smile.