Snooker's professional tour may be having a brief rest before the 2010/11 season gets underway, but there's plenty of green baize action going on around the globe.
The Romanian capital of Bucharest is currently hosting the European Billiards and Snooker Association International Play-Offs at the Rin Grand Hotel, which finish tomorrow (Wednesday) with the winner eligible for a nomination to the Main Tour for 2010/11.
Former World Amateur champion Kurt Maflin, originally from London but now based in Norway, could be the man to beat, but the likes of Germany's Patrick Einsle and Denmark's Rune Kamp are sure to put up a strong challenge.
That event will be followed by the European Championship (May 27 to June 5), which includes Men's, Women's and Masters (over 40) categories.
Belgium's teenage prodigy Luca Brecel will be looking to add to his burgeoning collection of silverware. The wonderkid took the European Under-19 title last year and recently became the youngest ever winner of the Belgian Championship, beating experienced pro Bjorn Haneveer 7-4 in the final with a top break of 136.
Also among the favourites for the Men's event will be the likes of England's Kuldesh Johal, Welshmen Andrew Pagett and Jamie Jones and Malta's Alex Borg.
Meanwhile, the snooker is also hotting up in Cairo, Egypt (don't they usually play pyramids there?), where the African Championship is down to the last 32. The winner will be eligible for one of the amateur slots in the World Open qualifiers in August.
Defending champion Wael Talaat faces Arjun Lavingia in the first knock out round. His top score in the group stages was a 98, but Bassem Eltahan tops the break boards with a 105.
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