Tickets for the exhibition match in Oulu were quickly sold out, which did not come as a surprise to the organizers.
Multiple world snooker champions Mark Williams and Mark Selby will meet today, Tuesday, in the Battle of the Titans exhibition match in Ouluhalli. The second part of the duel will be seen on Wednesday in Tampere.
A billiards entrepreneur involved in the organization of the matches Jussi Tyrkön you can expect not only performance-oriented gaming, but also fun combining theater and TV entertainment.
– Both players are great personalities and great series builders. It actually has everything you need for a good show, Tyrkkö sums up.
The selection of Oulu as the second competition venue took place through strong cooperation patterns. The tickets were quickly sold out, which did not surprise the organizers.
– Oulu has always had a large fan base and spectators. Previous professional competitions have been organized in the south, but we know that snooker also has solid support in the north.
According to Tyrkö, snooker has generally gained great popularity in Finland. The viewership of games shown on television in particular has exploded, and the number of fans is growing at a steady pace. Many coaching courses in the sport are already overbooked.
– These international matches brought to Finland will certainly bring new perspectives and motivation to people’s playing, states the billiards entrepreneur.
A longtime billiards enthusiast from Oulu Joona Koskela agrees with the positive effects of the match on the sport’s popularity.
– Many people are now seeing professional players for the first time, so they will definitely get tips and inspiration for playing snooker, says Koskela.
Tonight’s game excites Koskela as expected.
– It really tingles that such big gentlemen are here in my own hometown, he rejoices.
Koskela hopes to see a real competitive tournament in Finland one day, with several professional players participating.
The next international snooker match to be held in Oulu will be seen already on May 27, when the Scottish Stephen Hendry and English Jimmy White.