Ronnie O'Sullivan praises Finland snooker fans during first trip to country – 'Such a great crowd'
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Updated 04/06/2024 at 10:41 GMT
Eurosport's extensive coverage of snooker has helped to boost the popularity of the sport in Finland with seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and Scottish and Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson playing to a sell-out crowd in Tampere on Monday night. 6,000 tickets have been sold for three exhibition matches with an extra night added to meet the demand of the local fans.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan became the latest leading player to praise the passion of Finland's snooker fans after playing his first match in the Nordic country on Monday night.
The seven-time world champion finished with a 122 break in a 6-3 win over Gary Wilson before a sell-out crowd in the first of three exhibition matches with the Scottish and Welsh Open champion in the city of Tampere.
Over 6,000 tickets have been snapped up by snooker fans in selling out the Tampere Hall for the snooker GOAT's three-night trip to the country.
"We've had a great day, and certainly great days still ahead," said O'Sullivan. "It's great to play to such a great crowd."
Snooker has grown massively in popularity in Finland over the years due to Eurosport's extensive coverage of the sport with the tournament promoted by former professional Robin Hull.
It has prompted world champion Kyren Wilson to call for a major tournament to be staged by the country after playing in an eight-man invitational event in Helsinki earlier this month.
While Neil Robertson and Mark Selby echoed O'Sullivan's sentiments after playing a challenge match in Tampere in December.
"Had an amazing time in Tampere Finland a few days ago. One of the best nights I’ve experienced as a player," said Robertson.
"Mark and I were blown away by the crowd which was close to 2000 which was absolutely electric and to see snooker so popular there. Can’t wait to come back."
Meanwhile, O'Sullivan's lucrative summer exhibition tour moves onto Bulgaria for matches against fellow world champion John Higgins on Friday in Plovdiv and on Saturday in Sofia.
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