Florian Nüßle (Bulls) emerged victorious in a tight but equally thrilling final, securing the second event of the Austrian Snooker League’s 2024 Grand Prix Series against Oskar Charlesworth (HSEBC) and thus claiming the top spot in the rankings from his final opponent.
The 4-3 final scoreline may not be a familiarly narrow result for the bronze medalist of the past European Snooker Championship at the national level, but it further demonstrates that on certain days the competition can give a run for its money to the seven-time national champion. This fact is acknowledged by Nüßle, who primarily competes internationally, as the national Grand Prix events provide a welcome opportunity to gauge his current form against Austria’s snooker elite.
Podium from left: Philipp Koch (3rd), Florian Nüßle (1st), Oskar Charlesworth (2nd)
Philipp Koch (HSEBC) clinched third place against ÖSBV youngster Lukas Stötzer (PSSC). Despite being ranked third prior to the event, Koch fell to eventual winner Nüßle in the semifinals with a 1-4 scoreline, thus preserving his chance to claim one of the three trophies in the consolation final.
Thirteen-year-old Stötzer, who, like Nüßle, participated in this year’s European Championships in Sarajevo, albeit in the youth categories, displayed promise in the semifinals against Oskar Charlesworth, maintaining a balanced score of 2-2 by the mid-session break. However, the young Upper Austrian didn’t quite regain his form after the break, ultimately succumbing to his opponent Charlesworth, who concluded the match with a break of 67 points, losing 2-4.
Nevertheless, fourth place is a commendable achievement for the emerging young player, marking his second Grand Prix event where he finished in the top 4.
Paul Schopf, winner of the first Grand Prix round in 2024, faced Florian Nüßle in the quarterfinals this time and was defeated by the Salzburg favorite with a score of 1-4.
Aside from securing second place, Oskar Charlesworth also received the distinction of achieving the highest tournament break of 84 points, a clearance he accomplished in his first tournament match during the 4-0 Round of 16 victory against Peter Lanzersdorfer from 1. LSV Linz.
In total, 16 players from five provinces, representing eight clubs in the highest division, participated in the second Grand Prix of the season held at the 15 Reds Snooker Club’s home Köö 7 in Vienna. The final and the semifinal between Lukas Stötzer and Oskar Charlesworth were live-streamed by ÖBU media officer Andreas Kronlachner. This broadcast featured the new visual identity of ÖSBV, which has been implementing a new CI concept since the beginning of the year, in a live transmission for the first time. Both matches can be viewed on the ÖSBV’s YouTube channel.
The referees on the final day were Christian Fock, who also officiated the final, and Patrick Stegmeier.
All results in detail:
Grand Prix | Round 2 | Vienna 15 Reds
Other photographs:
from left: finalists Florian Nüßle & Oskar Charlesworth; Philipp Koch & Lukas Stötzer
from left: semi-finalists: Lukas Stötzer & Oskar Charlesworth; Philipp Koch & Florian Nüßle