German Masters – Semi Final Saturday
Today sees us revert to a one table format in Berlin as the semi-finals are played over the best of eleven frames. Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Lee, Shaun Murphy and Stephen Maguire are those doing battle.
Last night saw a cracking match between Maguire and Trump with the Scot making a pressure clearance look very easy and pipping young Judd on the final black. It’s about time that Mags started playing like a player who is consistently in the top 8 in the world without ever really winning anything, maybe his PTC win in January has given him the thirst for trophies again.
Ronnie came back from 3-1 down to beat Matthew Stevens and only needs to win today to get back provisionally inside the top 16. He will still need to put in a decent performance in the Welsh Open however to hold onto this when the next seeding cut-off takes place. Only then will he be sure of his automatic place at the Crucible. My guess is that he will be OK.
Stephen Lee’s good run continued and he managed to knock out defending champion Mark Williams, finishing off with a century. Big Ste now faces Ronnie and claimed after the match that he would be in full attacking mode from the off. His record against the Rocket is pretty poor so hopefully he’s thought about his tactics a little more carefully this time.
Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby had them rolling in the aisles all night. Hilarity ensued as the Jester cracked visual gag after visual gag, but try as he might to put Smurf off with his Chaplinesque routines it didn’t work and Shaun won 5-3.
On another note, it was great of Dave Hendon to mention the SB Classic (twice) on Eurosport last night. OK, it was a nod to Smurf’s sponsorship from yesterday but a plug is a plug and that’s good enough for me. Big thanks to him and he should feel free to remind people of why Smurf is such a good bloke this evening.
I also went to bed far too early last night and missed a right old ruck between Michael Holt and the rest of the civilised world. Holty was on a one man crusade to rubbish Matt at Pro Snooker Blog’s opinion to a chorus of widespread derision from the masses. The volatile cueman asked Matt was he on drugs, which to the best of my knowledge he isn’t, unless you count all that Coke he drinks to keep him awake while he works tirelessly for free to support the sport that pays Holt’s inflated wages. Whilst I quite like Michael this time he made a total bellend of himself. If you want to pick on a blogger, come and have a go at me ya’ big bully and don’t come the ‘I’m dead clever’ bit either until you have as many letters after your name as wot I’ve got.
Anyway…. to the semi’s.
2pm CET Ronnie O’Sullivan v Stephen Lee
OK, get ready for this. The head to head between these two is 11-1 in favour of O’Sullivan, Stephen’s only win coming in the 2004 European Open when he beat Ronnie 5-4. I get the feeling that the Rocket is loving being in a packed arena and is probably enjoying the fact that he is playing every day and not hanging around. Maybe he’s even enjoying a bit of sausage action over there. Lee has been threatening to get to the business end of a big tournament all season and has been an ever present in the PTC’s. He is clearly one of those players enjoying the new opportunities afforded him by Bazza and he is making the most of them. However, that head to head coupled with the fact that Ronnie is playing as well as he has been for years says to me that there is only one result here so it’s maximum bet time.
Recommended Bet: 5 points O’Sullivan (-1.5 frames) at 8/13 with Apollobet
8.30pm CET Shaun Murphy v Stephen Maguire
This will be billed as a grudge match between two players that have a bit of history. Who can forget Shaun insisting that Mags be docked a frame all those years ago because the hapless Scot forgot his chalk? There is no love lost between them and I for one love all that. Surprisingly for two top 8 players they haven’t met since 2008 when Shaun beat Mags 9-4 in the UK semi-finals. Shaun holds a 7-5 advantage in the head to heads, but of the semi-finals they have played it is two a piece. For me this one has 6-4 or 6-5 written all over it, I can’t see any way that it won’t be close. They are both in form and when that happens they are as evenly matched as any two players out there. I have backed Smurf in the outrights at 14/1 so I hope he wins, but I really can’t call it. Heart says Murphy, head says Maguire. Have a correct score bet, sit back and enjoy it.
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A belated thanks for the kind words SB, appreciated as ever #bloggersunion
Comment by Matt_2745 — February 4, 2012 @ 10:22 pm Reply
overnight – more chance ronnie’s or maguire’s odds will get shorter?
(in betfair outright market maguire’s odds got shorter right after the end of maguire’s SF)
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 10:10 pm Reply
i had a feeling mags is the deal in outrights before SFs (saw him at 4 and 4.3 odds)… must sound like comecauto being sorry he did not back Lee to win his quarter…
venga1, u figure ronnie could be a decent contender tomorrow?
maguire was so untouchable today it almost made me scared :O
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 9:57 pm Reply
@lolo: ive got ronnie pre QF 11/4 so a fair sum to play with. I dont even think ill hedge – all ronnie bet return on Mags. Especially as 6 50′s came in despite Mags winning 6-0 and only making 4 – very lucky – though would have been very unlucky given frames 3 and 4 to lose
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:51 pm Reply
Really unbelieveable performance form Mags, he is really on fire. My personal underdog for World Championship
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 9:48 pm Reply
Ronnie is 1.63-1.66, Maguire 2.5-2.56 in betfair tournament outright winner market (that should be before 5% commission).
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 9:45 pm Reply
I DO HOPE STEPHEN MAGUIRE HASNT FORGOTTEN HIS CHALK OTHERWISE SHAUN MAYBE AWARDED THE MATCH UNDER SOME OBSCURE RULE FROM THE LAST CENTURY THAT ONLY HE KNOWS ABOUT MAGS MUST HAVE A GREAT CHANCE IN THE FINAL HE HAS HARDLY PLAYED A LOOSE SHOT REALLY SOLID MATCHPLAY SNOOKER
Comment by chewy wesker — February 4, 2012 @ 9:42 pm Reply
absolutely sensational Stephen Maguire – to me that was one of best performances ive seen – no one could have lived with him tonight
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:42 pm Reply
This is the best snooker ive seen from anyone for at least 2 seasons.
And bookies will price Mags at 11/8 or so 2moro – reckon thats a get on price based on form
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:29 pm Reply
that plant and position was truly glorious
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:23 pm Reply
Murphy all over place now – woeful safetys
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:17 pm Reply
6-0 all over it now this
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:12 pm Reply
Murphy won’t let it without 2 frames on his side I hope, it would be strange for SF, he is not some Dale or Perry or Doherty…or Higgins
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 9:08 pm Reply
@SteveDow: agree, assess sitaution and play the % shot which was 1) to avoid free ball and 2) avoid hitting black – very very poor from murphy given he’s a ‘student of the game’
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:06 pm Reply
Also annoyed Maguire didnt pot the black for a 55 break in frame 3 – would have been 5 50′s instead of 4 so far, double whammy given Murphy losing last one there. normally a bet needing 6 50′s with 4 already you’d be over the moon but can see it possibly falling 1 short with a 6-0 now!!!
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:05 pm Reply
Was an utterly brainless shot on that snooker I have to say. He was always going to leave a free ball if he missed it.
Comment by SteveDow — February 4, 2012 @ 8:56 pm Reply
@barjaktar, it looks like in the latest events there is almost never a match with a decider (see UK champ, masters, german masters so far, first-to-6 or 5 formats)…
(also meaning it might make sense to take -1.5 handicap almost always…).
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 8:56 pm Reply
Awesome Maguire – though Murphy’s been suicidal last 2 frames – why didnt he just play the snooker slow and avoid a free ball and black (deliberate fould almost) – not illegal
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 8:53 pm Reply
Murphy should quickly get his head up, this is getting silly.
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 8:52 pm Reply
Murphy has been utterly awful so far tonight!
Comment by SteveDow — February 4, 2012 @ 8:37 pm Reply
hey maggie this is getting too clinical… cant he put a foot wrong somewhere for a change?
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 8:36 pm Reply
That said I may well hedge my 11/4 outright 2moro
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 7:28 pm Reply
I don’t know, I like Mags more for tonight; he really played great whole week.
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 7:26 pm Reply
Ronnie is simply impossible to predict, lost count of amount of times ive said (after wins too) that thats it and im not betting on or against him again – i still do though!
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 7:19 pm Reply
@barjaktar: think and hope yiu are right but famous last words as many games lately we expected to be close havnt been
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 7:18 pm Reply
Sounds like a poor standard but some drama this afternoon – caught 1st 3 frames and could tell neither was firing thugh at 2-1 expected Ronnie to win comfortably. Still handicap landed. Really looking fwd to tonights game I must say – hope it doesnt disappoint – over 5.5 50′s the bet for me and will be supporting Maguire who I think might JUST win
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 7:15 pm Reply
What do you think about winning margin under 2.5 frames @evens at Paddy? They are both in good form, I doubt will see 6-3 or even less on both sides; it looks very tempting.
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 7:03 pm Reply
Thoughts on this afternoon (I was watching it, just multi-tasking), Ronnie got bored and then once he realised he might actually lose started fooling around. The guy is a nutter but was handed it on a plate in the end, should have won 6-2. As ever with him, tomorrow is another day. Hoping Smurf wins tonight and keeps his mouth shut! If he starts going on about Ron he could get the payback on the table tomorrow. If Mags wins tonight for me he’d be favourite tomorrow but Ronnie has a good head to head against him.
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 5:40 pm Reply
LOL Ronnie, you almost ruined me. If he will play clumsy like today tommorow, both Mags and Murphy will be in advantage. Still, Lee deserved decider, really some nice shots in last frame.
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 4:32 pm Reply
@lolo: Well, thats not not what im trying to say really, but I definitely want him to be in it.Im saying that i think his attitude to the game is much misunderstood. Its artistic rather than competitive. Its focused on the playing rather than on the winning. It makes a big difference to how you approach situations in a match.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 4:25 pm Reply
I would hate to have been backing Ronnie in that game – the final pink he missed he was laughing as he played it because he knew he was missing it!
Comment by deco800 — February 4, 2012 @ 4:22 pm Reply
noci are u saying snooker needs ronnie?
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 4:13 pm Reply
@lolo – no, just on here!!
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 4:10 pm Reply
Makes me think. Snooker is an awful lot about the grace of the players. If a match between Martin Gould and John Higgins had this many lousy misses it would have been horrible to watch. Yet, this was very entertaining, like an exhibition or Laurel and Hardy playing snooker, snooker comedy. Part of that is how in every instant the passion for the game and the feelings of the players are clearly readable in the their faces. You see how embarrassed Stephen Lee is after a missed red, how painful it is for him to play bad snooker. The same with ronnie, and you can see how they share this trait, this view, and how they can laugh about it together. “My god how bad we are today, isnt it horrible!” it seems like they are saying to each other.
They dont want to just Win. They would want to play it Right.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 4:08 pm Reply
Thank god for that! Would have been up there with one of the worst ever gubbings had Lee managed to win there!
Comment by SteveDow — February 4, 2012 @ 4:06 pm Reply
Is it a general steorotype in the UK – that Germany is a country of cute (big breasted that is?
) sporty blondies (+beer)?
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 4:06 pm Reply
Feeling during the match was whoever wins this SF1, going to be an easy snack for any of SF2 players..
Ronnie was looking up at least twice (towards black ball side of the table) – anybody special sitting out there in the crowd?
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 4:05 pm Reply
Congrats SB for having the courage to trust your betting points into Ronnie’s hands – which happened to just work out!
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 4:02 pm Reply
Never in doubt
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 4:00 pm Reply
Ah ah ah a ha ha
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:58 pm Reply
Lee is too strong for this game!
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:50 pm Reply
Amazed that Ronnie hasn’t won this easily.
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 3:48 pm Reply
Now he really wants to win this, Ronald. I could see it there.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:47 pm Reply
Am on Ronnie just to win rather than handicap but would love him to do it in the next frame.
Comment by SteveDow — February 4, 2012 @ 3:44 pm Reply
AMAZING SHOT !!!
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:38 pm Reply
Vastly prefer this carpet to the masters one.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:35 pm Reply
Well, its good they are playing EACH OTHER, otherwise they would both have gotten slaughtered.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:23 pm Reply
I wanna watch more. Nick a couple of frames now Stephen.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:10 pm Reply
Few great shots from Lee, really great.
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 3:09 pm Reply
The respect these guys have for each other is steaming out of their ears. + 3 exhibition reds in this frame from Lee.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:08 pm Reply
Can’t see Lee winning 3 frames in row, nice call on handi SB
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 3:05 pm Reply
So the odds for Lee on the next encounter between these two should really be 12/1 then.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:03 pm Reply
@snookerbacker: Hope your event is going splendid, and enjoy yourself!
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 3:01 pm Reply
I love the way you describe things Noci
Busy on the Dublin SB Classic today – but from what I am seeing Ronnie though not at his best has got too much for Lee here.
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 2:59 pm Reply
This is why I love Ronnie, and Stephen for that matter. In situations like this it shows that they dont have to prove their worth to other people to feel good about them selves. Both radiate a profound sense of self worth that is very attractive. Mature Men. Grown ups. I know some popel wouldnt agree about Ronnie, but i would suggest that they are getting fooled.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 2:55 pm Reply
This is actually hilarious. Here we have two absolute wizards of genious playing and laughing at themselves for the substandard game they are producing at the moment.I love that. Its very rare you see top sportspeople this relaxed and not serious about them selves.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 2:49 pm Reply
Taking that long red on when he had the option of putting it back behind the brown speaks volumes
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 2:37 pm Reply
@barjaktar: Its a strange match this, it hasnt really taken of but if it continues like this its gonna be a tense finish. I havt to say though that i love to watch two fast and fluent players even if they are not on their best behaviour. Beats watching Mark Selby every day.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 2:29 pm Reply
Lee started playing much better, but Ronnie still should won it.
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 2:27 pm Reply
bring it on
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 2:20 pm Reply
on betfair.
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 2:02 pm Reply
Odds were down to 1.06 when ronnie was winning 2-0, and on a break.
then… at some point (2-1, and lee on a break?) back to 1.30. not that ‘high’ really.
must me only ronnie and higgins getting such low odds so quickly.
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 2:01 pm Reply
Doenst look like that head to head is gonna get any sweeter for Bruce Lee
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 2:01 pm Reply
@barjaktar: Good.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:57 pm Reply
Of course there is money involved
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 1:56 pm Reply
@barjaktar: Is money involved?
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:53 pm Reply
@barjaktar: How is this a pity? Dont you like exitement?
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:52 pm Reply
Good, good, warm up is over. Und jetzt, der superfete donnerwetter snooker aus hölle.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:51 pm Reply
Pity, it should be 3-0 and match would be over.
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 1:51 pm Reply
@lolo: This is stephen lee: famously inconsistent. As often rubbish as sublime.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:44 pm Reply
yeah noci that’s true
was pretty funny yesterday when all the applause seemed to be NOT for tv table
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 1:43 pm Reply
Gotta love how the germans aplaude EVERY shot
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:42 pm Reply
How did Lee reach SF?
How did he win against MJW yesterday…
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 1:41 pm Reply
I love the sound in there, when you here the mumbeling its like thunder
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:36 pm Reply
Come on Big Steve, lets make a match out of this.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:35 pm Reply
Lee is simple awful.
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 1:29 pm Reply
They must have shrunk the pockets overnight
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:25 pm Reply
Is there some way to read the exchange between Matt and Holty?
Comment by Donal — February 4, 2012 @ 1:25 pm Reply
ok it could be 6-0 if lee continues like this :O
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 1:23 pm Reply
@snookerbacker: Yes I did, but not on the one table set up! Like this its amazzzing.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:17 pm Reply
Ohhh, I have been missing you, my dea friend Ronald. Where were you all these years?
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:17 pm Reply
Nervous start…
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 1:11 pm Reply
Dont tell me snooker is not on my eurosport…
Comment by lolo — February 4, 2012 @ 1:09 pm Reply
@noci – didn’t you go last year?
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 1:08 pm Reply
Hope Ronnie will stay in form from last night, -1.5 should go well. I guess Ronnie is finally again close to some major trophy so his determination to win it should be high.
OT – is there some place where can I buy online some snooker thisrts or something like that? eBay and Amazon are useless on that point
Comment by barjaktar — February 4, 2012 @ 1:05 pm Reply
Goooosebumps
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:03 pm Reply
Jesus , look at that arena. Its like the coloseum!
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:03 pm Reply
Oi! Looking foreward to some unnatural entertainment this afternoon with two players with cueballs in their cerebellum. Its gonna be awesome.
Comment by noci — February 4, 2012 @ 1:02 pm Reply
Wasn’t planning on any bets today after getting on O’Sullivan yesterday but could resist 2 big ones on Ronnie -1.5 8/13 and over 5.5 50 breaks tonight 4/6.
Wont see this afternoons one but looking forward to tonight – hope its a tense dramatic classic
Comment by venga1 — February 4, 2012 @ 11:42 am Reply
It’s probably quite rightly not classed as a tour event. Cant even remember it to be honest! Dave H tells me it was an invitational event in Hong Kong.
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 11:22 am Reply
Its a package called allsnooker.info – that tournament doesn’t appear in there.
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 11:16 am Reply
This is gonna be a nail biting day for me. Have Smurf as a winner and Lee to reach the final at least. Maybe its a time for a backup plan. Mags win is still worth backing I guess. But Im affraid that Ronnie is going to ruin the party.
Comment by prasopes — February 4, 2012 @ 11:05 am Reply
Lee beat ronnie in the final of the 1999 millenium cup.who comes up with your stats ?.
Comment by Trevorp — February 4, 2012 @ 11:03 am Reply
@snookerbacker: Certainly have mate and a couple of my mates have too so you have some new followers! I actually fancy Ronnie big time for the tournement now so will lay a bit off if Murphy gets to the final. Would actually like Ronnie to win it also. He’s brilliant to watch and despite his faults he is good for the game.
Comment by SteveDow — February 4, 2012 @ 10:58 am Reply
@Steve – yes, one black away from another clean sweep! It’s been a good week and you can’t win them all. Hopefully you have made a bit on the week as that’s what it’s all about. Fingers crossed for Smurf but Ronnie is looking very good.
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 10:35 am Reply
Hard luck on the acca yesterday SB! Very close but we’ve had plenty of winners this week so not to worry. I’ve had a big bet on Ronnie just to win at 1/3. Then hopefully Murphy can get through to the final where I’ll be looking to lay a bit of the 14/1 off.
Comment by SteveDow — February 4, 2012 @ 10:30 am Reply
@deco – agreed, wait until he’s next on the box. Sharpening the Quill for that one.
Comment by snookerbacker — February 4, 2012 @ 10:06 am Reply
Here bloody here. He also demeaned the SB 300 as not being on a par with World Snooker rankings. Clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about
Comment by deco800 — February 4, 2012 @ 9:58 am Reply