Belgium's Brecel holds off Selby to win world title

Belgium's Luca Brecel became the first player from mainland Europe to win the snooker world title as he completed a fairytale fortnight by resisting a Mark Selby fightback to triumph 18-15 at The Crucible on Sunday (May 1).

The 28-year-old, who had lost in the first round of his previous five appearances at the championships, led 16-10 in the best of 35-frame final but four-time champion Selby rattled off five frames in a row to test Brecel's nerve.

He proved up to the task though as he took the next two frames to clinch the title - ending in style with a century to become the first overseas winner since Australian Neil Robertson in 2010.

Brecel enjoyed a 9-8 overnight lead after Saturday's two sessions, but won the opening four frames on Sunday with three centuries to seize command.

Trailing 13-8, Selby dug in and took the next two frames but Brecel then compiled another century before snatching a tense last frame of the afternoon session to take a 15-10 lead into the evening climax.

Displaying no nerves on the biggest night of his career, the 'cool as a cucumber' Brecel returned to the table to move 16-10 ahead before Selby edged two successive scrappy frames, then found his potting rhythm to close to within two.

Selby looked on a roll but fearless Brecel would not be denied the title which lifts him second in the world rankings.

"So tough, he's the worst opponent to have in a final, he just keeps coming back, he's such a fighter, when it was 16-15 I didn't fancy winning at all," Brecel told the BBC after receiving the trophy and a 500,000 pounds ($625,000) cheque.

"Snooker is going to explode in Europe now. I wanted it to happen for Belgium and Europe and now I can't wait to see what it brings, I'm so happy I did it."

Brecel,