Luca Brecel reveals Arsenal star arranged private jet for Crucible dash before Ding Junhui win
Snooker star Luca Brecel has revealed Arsenal star Leandro Trossard helped him organise a private jet to make it in time for his World Championship clash at the Crucible. The 30-year-old sought advice from his fellow Belgian as he aimed to travel for his last-16 match against Ding Junhui.
Brecel ended up romping to a 13-4 victory after a dominant display to help him set up a quarter-finals tie against Judd Trump.
'The Belgian Bullet' is said to have flown from Maastricht in his native Holland on Saturday afternoon before landing at East Midlands Airport at 3.17pm - just hours before he faced Ding Junhui.
It then took him an hour to drive to Sheffield by car and he ended up arriving at the Crucible just minutes before his match took place. He has now thanked close friend Trossard for arranging the flight that got him there, admitting it helps his preparations if he arrives just before the start of a match.
"I don't like to hang around too long," he said. "I always try to get here as late as possible. Even today, I came here 15 minutes before the game. That has always been my way. As long as it works, it's good.
"I just booked it the day before. Obviously, I know Trossard from Arsenal. He arranged it for me. That was quite easy. He gave me the number and I fixed it. I'm not going to say the price. If there's a delay, there's a delay. I left enough time, I guess, to get here.
"I'm not sure if I'm playing as good as 2023 but I'm more relaxed and not so worried about winning the title because when I got to the final, I felt it was a golden chance. I feel like I can get back there and win it again. Not that much pressure. It's not taking too much energy out of me – yet."
Brecel often shows off his lavish lifestyle and recently admitted he bought a Ferrari 448 for around £220,000, as well as a Porsche and Range Rover. He said having less money helps him stay motivated.
"I bought two more cars this week, so I went from a millionaire to a non-millionaire," he said. "It was a conscious decision to buy the cars and maybe feel that bit of pressure again, to recreate the feeling I had of just starting my career.'
Brecel's stylish win over Ding earned him huge plaudits from snooker legend Steve Davis, who witnessed his victory from the commentary box.
He said: "What an effort that was, I can't tell you how hard that is to do. We've witnessed the most amazing exhibition of snooker, in one session, I think I've ever seen at the Crucible.
"Not in an exhibition match, the World Championship. He's done this to one of the greatest players that's ever held a cue, Ding Junhui. Totally taken the thunder from that first frame. Incredible stuff."
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