‘It’s going to explode’ – Luca Brecel predicts rise of European snooker after stunning World Championship triumph

Luca Brecel predicted that snooker will ‘explode’ across Europe after the Belgian Bullet completed a stunning victory over Mark Selby in the World Championship final.

And Brecel believes that his achievement could be a landmark moment for the spread of the sport.

“I was so nervous because I just wanted it to happen for Belgium and for Europe,” Brecel told BBC Sport.

“It’s going to explode. Now it has happened, I can’t wait to see what it brings to the world.

“Who would have thought that this moment was going to happen right now? I’m only 28 and still have so much time left in my career.

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“It is surreal but the next few weeks will feel like a dream. I don’t know what is going to happen when I get home.

“I am going to be on a lot of television shows and doing a lot of interviews probably. It will be a crazy few weeks.”

Brecel’s victory came against the odds, as the Belgian had previously never made it past the first round at the Crucible.

He had to hold off a spirited comeback from Selby, who won five straight frames to reduce the deficit from 16-10 to 16-15, but Brecel managed to keep his cool and get over the line.