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The Irish Sun
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ex-World Snooker Champ maverick Luca Brecel fails to show up for start of season after going public with new girlfriend
LUCA BRECEL did not bother to turn up for the first day of the new snooker season and will miss out on a mega-money Chinese takeaway. The Belgian Bullet has fallen a long way since becoming 3 Luca Brecel has missed the first day of the new season Credit: Getty 3 Brecel was a no-show in Leicester - and appeared to be out of the country with his new flame Shawney Demuyter Credit: Instagram 3 The 2023 world champion swapped the baize for pizza Credit: Instagram The 2025-26 baize campaign began on Sunday with Wuhan Open qualifying and Brecel, 30, was due to play Pakistani Haris Tahir. It was scheduled to take place at 2.30pm at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. Yet Brecel, who has fallen to 39th on the WST list, appears not to have been in the country. So, a 5-0 walkover was awarded to his opponent, who secured a spot in the main draw in the Far East. READ MORE ON SNOOKER On Saturday, he posted images of himself with his reported new girlfriend Shawney Demuyter and hours before his match he uploaded a photo of pizzas and two wine glasses. If anything, it suggested he was not necessarily in the mood for break-building. It is another sorry situation for a potting maverick who lives by his own rules. His absence means he will not take part in the Wuhan Open, which takes place in the last week of August and has a top prize of about £140,000. Most read in Snooker BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Former world champions During the World Championship, Brecel flew to Sheffield, from Holland via East Midlands Airport, on the day of his second-round clash with Ding Junhui. BBC commentator spots moment Luca Brecel apologises to Judd Trump during epic World Snooker Championship quarter-final That is because he did not want to stay the night before in a hotel in South Yorkshire. Amazingly, he dominated the opening session 7-1 against Ding even though he had only arrived in the UK a few hours earlier.
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
'I banked £500,000 for winning World Snooker Championship – then I lost millionaire status'
Luca Brecel became a millionaire overnight when he won the World Snooker Championship in 2023, but his millionaire status did not last too long after he splashed the cash Zhao Xintong must take a valuable lesson from Luca Brecel before he decides what to spend his World Snooker Championship winnings on. The Chinese sensation will still be celebrating his victory after overcoming Mark Williams 18-12. Before he decides on what he wants to spend his £500,000 prize on, he should remember Brecel's intense celebrations. After becoming a millionaire with his win at the Crucible, Brecel quickly saw his seven-figure fortunes dwindle. Back in 2023, Brecel stunned fans by taking down Mark Selby 18-15 to win his maiden world championship. The Belgian made history as the first player from continental Europe to claim the title. He showed potential for another run to the final, but Judd Trump halted him at the quarter-finals this year. After winning the championship in 2023, the 'Belgian Bullet' decided to splash the cash on luxury cars, resulting in his millionaire status being no more. In a candid confession prior to defending his title last year, he said: "I bought two more cars this week, so I went from a millionaire to a non-millionaire." Reportedly, Brecel splurged over £250,000 on a swift Ferrari 488, dropped £80,000 for a Range Rover, and acquired a Porsche Taycan GT for his girlfriend Laura Vanoverberghe, which was rumoured to cost about £111,000. Yet, his fleet of cars do not often see the road. In an interview with The Sun, Brecel admitted: "I got a couple of cars with my winnings. I got a Ferrari and a couple of others. Just to enjoy myself. I don't really drive it that often. I'm not really home that much." Brecel pocketed a cool £50,000 for making it to the last eight at the Crucible this year – a tidy sum, but just a slice of his 2023 earnings. The Belgian ace was all in to cause a stir at this year's showdown, after an inconsistent last two years. He certainly turned heads when he rocked up at the Crucible in a swanky private jet, even throwing out an invite on social media for other people to hitch a ride. His lavish lifestyle has raised eyebrows before, with snooker icon Stephen Hendry criticising the player's focus. The seven-time world champion said: "I honestly don't know what he's (Brecel) doing with his career. "I haven't got a clue. I see him a lot on Instagram, he's riding his bike all over the place, he's going out to dinners with his girlfriend, he seems to be having a lovely time." While his spending is lavish, Brecel insists his life is relatively low maintenance. He said: "To be honest, I live quite a simple life, apart from the cars maybe. "I just love being at home when I have the chance to be at home. Walk the dog, watch a bit of television, play a few games. A pretty basic life, to be honest. It may not look like that, but it is."
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
World Snooker Championship winner blew millionaire status despite £500,000 payday
World Snooker Championship winner blew millionaire status despite £500,000 payday Luca Brecel became one of the most surprising World Snooker Championship winners of all time and was a millionaire, but spent his money on fast cars Luca Brecel admitted he lost his millionaire status quickly after winning the 2023 World Championship (Image: VCG via Getty Images ) As Zhao Xintong celebrates his World Snooker Championship final victory over Mark Williams, he will do well to learn lessons from Luca Brecel's celebrations. The latter became a millionaire when he won the World Snooker Championship, but spent his seven-figure status away just as quickly. In 2023, Brecel shocked the sporting world by beating Mark Selby 18-15 at the Crucible to win his first world championship. The Belgian became the first ever player from continental Europe to become a world champion. Brecel looked to be threatening another run to the final this year, but he was stopped by Judd Trump in the quarter-finals. When Brecel emerged from the Crucible victorious two years ago, he left with a hefty £500,000 prize. However, the Belgian Bullet chose to enjoy his winnings while he could and splashed out on three stunning cars. By the end of his shopping spree, which was reportedly worth around £440,000, he found that his status as a millionaire was over. Last year, before his World Snooker Championship defence, he admitted: "I bought two more cars this week, so I went from a millionaire to a non-millionaire." It's understood that he spent more than £250,000 on a high-speed Ferrari 488, £80,000 on a Range Rover, and a Porsche Taycan GT believed to be worth around £111,000 for his girlfriend, Laura Vanoverberghe. The humorous thing about his purchases is that he is rarely behind the wheel. In a past interview with the Sun, he admitted: "I got a couple of cars with my winnings. I got a Ferrari and a couple of others. Just to enjoy myself. I don't really drive it that often. I'm not really home that much." Article continues below Brecel bought his Ferrari soon after winning the 2023 World Snooker Championship (Image: Photo by JONAS ROOSENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images ) Brecel would have pocketed around £50,000 for reaching the last eight at the Crucible this year - a hefty prize but only 10 per cent of his winnings from 2023. The Belgian was determined to make a splash at the competition this year, after two years of inconsistent form. He immediately made headlines by arriving at the Crucible via an audacious private jet, which he offered to allow other people on social media to join him in. His spending has previously attracted the criticism of other snooker legends such as Stephen Hendry. Brecel reached the quarter-finals but was beaten by Judd Trump (Image: VCG via Getty Images ) Before the competition, the snooker great said: "I honestly don't know what he's (Brecel) doing with his career. I haven't got a clue. I see him a lot on Instagram, he's riding his bike all over the place, he's going out to dinners with his girlfriend, he seems to be having a lovely time." Brecel's laid-back and relaxed demeanour has often led to many people questioning his motivation and desire to win more major titles. However, he insists he is happy with a simple life. He added: "To be honest, I live quite a simple life, apart from the cars maybe. Article continues below "I just love being at home when I have the chance to be at home. Walk the dog, watch a bit of television, play a few games. A pretty basic life, to be honest. It may not look like that, but it is."
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Brilliant Brecel level with Trump in quarter-final
Luca Brecel produced a sensational potting display to draw level with world number one Judd Trump at 8-8 heading into the final session of their World Championship quarter-final on Wednesday 5-3 overnight the 'Belgian Bullet' rattled off the first four frames in just under an hour as he compiled three half centuries and a century to lead was an astonishing performance from Brecel, who delivered the sort of performance that carried him to the world title two years the time he took the 12th frame, he had won six on the trot, including the final two from opening session on Tuesday and outscored the Englishman by 592 points to 81 during that purple whose only Crucible crown came in 2019, regrouped during the mid-session interval and crafted a half century of his own on his way to levelling the match at only served as brief interruption to the Brecel barrage, with the four-time ranking event winner enjoying a run of 92 to edge back ahead at 8-7. However, Trump took a tactical final frame to leave the contest delicately poised when it resumes at 19:00 winner will face Mark Williams in the last four after the Welshman won 13-12 in a Crucible classic black ball decider against John Higgins. Analysis - Luca could provide the 'hotshot reel' Ken Doherty, 1997 World Champion, on BBC TwoWhat a wonderful advertisement for the World Championship because it had absolutely everything. The crowd were glued to their chairs. They were thrilled today and did not want to you had a hotshot reel of this World Championship you could pick about 10 shots just played by Luca. Some of the shots he plays are just side spin he gets on the ball and his cue power is just tremendous.
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Stephen Hendry forced into U-turn over the ‘Ronaldinho of snooker' as Judd Trump leaps to his defence
JUDD TRUMP has defended Luca Brecel - after the Belgian Bullet was accused of lacking dedication by Stephen Hendry. Brecel, 30, became world champion in 2023 but has frustrated Hendry with his Advertisement 4 Judd Trump has defended Luca Brecel's approach to snooker Credit: Getty 4 Stephen Hendry had previously questioned the Belgian Bullet's commitment to the game Credit: PA 4 Brecel has previously dubbed himself the 'Ronaldinho of snooker' Credit: PA And he was almost late returning to Sheffield, only making it on time thanks to a Brecel has previously dubbed himself Explaining his approach, he said: "It's all about just entertaining and fun and also having a nice life around it." Advertisement READ MORE ON SNOOKER But six-time Crucible champion Henry slammed the "frustrating" star in a rant prior to the World Championships. Hendry called out Brecel for lacking motivation and wasting his talent on the baize. The Scot said: "I honestly don't know what he's doing with his career. "I haven't got a clue. I see him a lot on Instagram , he's riding his bike all over the place. Advertisement Most read in Snooker Breaking Exclusive BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "He's going out to dinners with his girlfriend, he seems to be having a lovely time. " Hendry went on to say he "cannot buy into what [Brecel is] doing" and called him out over "constant flights to Mallorca". Former world champion Luca Brecel 'cheesed off' and accused of 'making statement' with bizarre gesture at Scottish Open Brecel is currently facing off with World No1 Advertisement The Ace in the Pack leapt to the Belgian's defence after Hendry's comments. Trump, the 2019 champion, said: "When I was 21 and came here, I thought the same as [Brecel]. "I didn't care, just go out and play snooker. 4 Advertisement "I've seen a lot of comments saying that if he dedicated himself more, he'd be unbelievable, but he wouldn't because of how carefree he is. "He's very happy with his life, I don't think anyone can judge someone that's happy off the table, I think that's the most important thing. "I'd like to see Luca keep that style of play up because even in the worst case, I was to lose, it's nice to watch in the final. "It's good for snooker to have these different personalities." Advertisement World Snooker Championship 2025 WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action! There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ You can follow every frame of the tournament LIVE - plus the latest news, interviews and reaction - as it happens with our dedicated BLOG. Latest News Snooker Explained FULL schedule and results for 2025 How much prize money can be won? Who are the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? Hendry was full of praise for Brecel's exploits on the table after two rounds in Sheffield. And he appeared to perform a U-turn as he praised the former champ for being an "absolute genius". Hendry told the BBC: "He's just an inspirational player. "When he gets that inspiration, when he gets that buzz from snooker, you can't stop watching him. He's just brilliant. Advertisement "He's approaching the game in a way that no other player has, and still winning. "I mean, if someone had told you back in the day that there's going to be a player that comes on the scene later on and is going to approach it the way he does - and he's still going to win the Worlds by the way - you'd have said no chance."
