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Crucible Dreams and Comebacks
As the 2025 World Snooker Championship looms, the road to Sheffield is already alive with drama, from teenage prodigies to legendary veterans, writes JAMES NALTON
The referee spots the pink ball on day fourteen of the 2024 Cazoo World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, May 3, 2024

THE biggest event in the snooker season and one of the biggest in the sporting year is just around the corner.

The 2025 Snooker World Championship kicks off at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield next Saturday, but for many players, the tournament has already started.

A total of 128 players will make their way to the English Institute of Sport — a leisure centre on the way out of Sheffield towards Meadowhall and Rotherham — to take part in the World Championship qualifying rounds, which began on Monday.

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