Post a reply

The Return Of The World Cup

Postby SteveJJ

So the world cup is back next year in Wuxi, as a replacement for the ranking tournament that was cancelled this season.

Still two man teams, as that's what the Chinese want, although Hearn wants three man teams in the future.

That should safeguard Ding from missing out in playing in Wuxi...unless his form deteriorates and he ends up behind Xiao and Liang in the rankings by then!

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby Cloud Strife

This is dissapointing news indeed. Another ranking event in China bites the dust, and is replaced with this rubbish. I can't help but feel Ding missing out on this season's event has a lot to do with it.

I hope Hearn is pleased with himself. When will he realise his socialist experiment is not working?

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby Wildey

Cloud Strife wrote:This is dissapointing news indeed. Another ranking event in China bites the dust, and is replaced with this rubbish. I can't help but feel Ding missing out on this season's event has a lot to do with it.

I hope Hearn is pleased with himself. When will he realise his socialist experiment is not working?

Ranking events in China has been done to death they need to spread their wings and look for new territories.

Snooker is the only sport that doesn't have a team event they need to have variety that doesn't mean 1 v 1 all the time.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby davisfan

Cloud Strife wrote:I hope Hearn is pleased with himself. When will he realise his socialist experiment is not working?


Socialist? Barry Hearn? That's a new one.

Ugh. Now I'm imagining socialist snooker... all the balls are grey, the tables are screwed, and nobody wins.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby Wildey

Ronnie79 wrote:Cant stand the world cup. I wish they added a big non ranking event instead in the middle east of somewhere like Canada

dont you think 1 v 1 is done to death you already got 3 invitationals.

The World Grand Prix and the Champion of Champions are 2 events that could move from country to country

you need variety in any sport to keep it fresh...at the moment theres too much of the same thing coming out.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby fridge46

I like the idea of a World Cup. In fact, I think it was the old Nations Cup that actually got me interested in Snooker. I still remember watching some of the 2000 edition in the waiting room of Specsavers!! (yes, I had an appointment, I didnt just wonder in to watch it lol)

The format would have to change however.

I saw every little of the last World Cup in 2011 - only like 30 minutes in the morning before I had to leave. And I wasnt not overly impressed. From what I saw, players were not playing to win the frame - rather playing not to lose; very defensive snooker. That is the issue with 1 frame match ups. Additionally the double matches took way too long. Both players had discussions before every shot to decided where one player wanted the other play to position the ball for his shot.

I can understand why Hearn wants teams of 3 - brings in more players. But outside of 7 nations (England, Scotland, Ireland, N Ireland, Wales, China, Thailand), the rest would not have strong enough teams to challenge. 2 per team works for the likes of Malta, Australia, Hong Kong, Belgium as it is possible to win a tie with just 1 good player.

How I format each match:

- Teams of 2.
- Each match up involves 5 games - 2 singles, doubles, 2 reverse singles.
- Each game is best-of-3 frames.
(alright there might be some late finishes for evening sessions, but playing a maximum of 15 frames is no different to World Grand Prix evening sessions where a potential 14 frames will be played. Just cut down on time wastage between match ups and you could even eliminate the mid-session interval!!)
- Doubles is alternate visits, not alternate shots. Should make the frames progress quicker

As for total number of teams 20 like 2011 might work (4 groups of 5 followed by QF, SF & F):
- Australia, China, England, India, Ireland, Malta, N Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, Wales (10 - all have at least 2 "Pro" players)
- Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran (5 - have 1 Pro player)
As for the final 5... have qualifiers? Europe and Asia have "amateur" team events, so we could have something like: 2 Europe, 2 Asia, 1 Africa/Americas/Oceania.

[/dream]

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby Ronnie79

I just dont like team events. I would love the old World Matchplay to be revived. The finals used to be best of 35. Get the top 8 at a certain cut off point.longer frame matches id rather that any day to the world cup.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby Andre147

Ronnie79 wrote:I just dont like team events. I would love the old World Matchplay to be revived. The finals used to be best of 35. Get the top 8 at a certain cut off point.longer frame matches id rather that any day to the world cup.


Either that or the World Doubles. I wasn't born at the time, but I've watched many matches on Youtube from the World Doubles and all I can say is that event definately needs to be brought back, it was great watching Alex and Jimmy team up, often against the likes of Davis/Meo, Griffiths/Thorburn, Hendry/Hallet, etc.

And also the tournament would have the very same format as that one, no "scotch double" donkey doo or whatever, it breaks the rythm of a player when he constantly has to change partner for the next shot on a break. The World Doubles format was perfect in my view.

I say ditch the CL and bring back the World Doubles, the calendar would be perfect then.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby Wildey

Andre147 wrote:
Ronnie79 wrote:I just dont like team events. I would love the old World Matchplay to be revived. The finals used to be best of 35. Get the top 8 at a certain cut off point.longer frame matches id rather that any day to the world cup.


Either that or the World Doubles. I wasn't born at the time, but I've watched many matches on Youtube from the World Doubles and all I can say is that event definately needs to be brought back, it was great watching Alex and Jimmy team up, often against the likes of Davis/Meo, Griffiths/Thorburn, Hendry/Hallet, etc.

And also the tournament would have the very same format as that one, no "scotch double" donkey doo or whatever, it breaks the rythm of a player when he constantly has to change partner for the next shot on a break. The World Doubles format was perfect in my view.

I say ditch the CL and bring back the World Doubles, the calendar would be perfect then.

I agree

i did watch the World Doubles back in the day and it was a great event and played just before Christmas it had a nice feel to it but very competitive in a different way to the Norm singles.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby SteveJJ

Ronnie79 wrote:Thanks stevejj. Does it say if the middle east event or the European open are replacing other events or further additions to the calendar. Cheers


It doesn't say that they will be replacing existing tournaments or new additions, although I guess the European one could be a PTC stepping up to become a full ranker.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby SteveJJ

Wildey wrote:
Andre147 wrote:
Ronnie79 wrote:I just dont like team events. I would love the old World Matchplay to be revived. The finals used to be best of 35. Get the top 8 at a certain cut off point.longer frame matches id rather that any day to the world cup.


Either that or the World Doubles. I wasn't born at the time, but I've watched many matches on Youtube from the World Doubles and all I can say is that event definately needs to be brought back, it was great watching Alex and Jimmy team up, often against the likes of Davis/Meo, Griffiths/Thorburn, Hendry/Hallet, etc.

And also the tournament would have the very same format as that one, no "scotch double" donkey doo or whatever, it breaks the rythm of a player when he constantly has to change partner for the next shot on a break. The World Doubles format was perfect in my view.

I say ditch the CL and bring back the World Doubles, the calendar would be perfect then.

I agree

i did watch the World Doubles back in the day and it was a great event and played just before Christmas it had a nice feel to it but very competitive in a different way to the Norm singles.

Agree too. World doubles was enjoyable. Would take that over the world cup and the shootout any day.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby Ronnie79

If the european open does return it will have nothing to do with a ET event being upgraded. They have confirmed there will be 6 ET events next season. Everyone knocks the Shootout but that was an incredible final this evening.also could launch the career of young white.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby fridge46

Official

24 teams of 2 players (23 nations, hosts China has 2 teams)

4 groups of 6 - each match is 4 singles and a doubles

Top 2 progress to QF

I'm already looking forward to this!!

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby gcjdavid

Wait a sec. Snooker isn't as international as sports as tennis or soccer. Honestly, I would not expect a very high standard in this tournament.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby SnookerFan

SteveJJ wrote:So the world cup is back next year in Wuxi, as a replacement for the ranking tournament that was cancelled this season.

Still two man teams, as that's what the Chinese want, although Hearn wants three man teams in the future.

That should safeguard Ding from missing out in playing in Wuxi...unless his form deteriorates and he ends up behind Xiao and Liang in the rankings by then!


Oh joy.

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby PoolBoy

24 Nations!! Well, 23 as the hosts, China have 2. There are currently only 9 nations who have 2 pro's on tour - and that includes Malta! Be good to see it back though!

Re: The Return Of The World Cup

Postby kolompar

I think it's great news that it's back. The Chinese ranking events aren't really working but it's a good replacement for Wuxi and the fans might be more interested in this.
I think the last event wasn't good because there was too much group stage. Now it's even worse with groups of 6. I don't know why they aren't using the format they used at the 2013 darts World Cup. That was also 24 teams but with 8 groups of 3 which is much less boring round robin, and only 1 team eliminated per group. Or maybe the same format as the football World Cup.
Hopefully they will invite big countries which are not that big in snooker like the USA. Also they gave the prize money in US$ so would be stupid if the country actually using that currency wasn't even there.
Anyway, looking forward to this.