Mark Selby and Luca Brecel will face each other for snooker’s greatest prize when they contest the final of the 2023 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre.
Following 15 days of entertainment and drama in Sheffield, 32 players have been whittled down to just two: four-time champion Selby, and maiden-finalist Brecel.
The showpiece match will be played across two days and four sessions, with the first player to 18 frames winning the title, trophy and ยฃ500,000.
Englishman Selby will be looking to make it five world titles in just 10 years, while Belgian Brecel โwho prior to this year had never won a match at the Crucible in five attempts โ is the first player from mainland Europe to appear in the final. Should he win it, he would be the fourth non-British champion in the modern era.
WATCH: World Snooker Championship final live on DAZN in the United States
2023 World Snooker Championship final score
| Frames (first to 18 wins) | |
| Mark Selby | 4 |
| Luca Brecel | 7 |
2023 World Snooker Championship final frame-by-frame updates
7.57pm: Frame 11 – Selby 96-12 Brecel | Selby reduces arrears again
We’re being treated to a feast of break-building this evening, so far.
When looking like making another sizeable contribution, Brecel unexpectedly missed a red.
Selby duly accepted the invitation to score, crafting a classy break of 96 to go just three behind, once again.
“๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ ๐บ๐ถ๐๐!” ๐ฌ
Luca Brecel makes a ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ด error, could this be a turning point in the World Snooker Championship final!? ๐@WeAreWST | #WorldSnookerChampionship pic.twitter.com/ilnfx3H49z
โ Eurosport (@eurosport) April 30, 2023
7.43pm: Frame 10 – Selby 14-126 Brecel | Brecel responds brilliantly
Both players made small contributions in the first half of frame 10, but when Selby missed a tricky red near the top cushion, Brecel stepped up to produce an entertaining clearance of 99 which included several amazing pots and positional shots.
What a way to respond having been frozen out the frame before.
7.26pm: Frame 9 – Selby 134-0 Brecel | Selby starts strong
The exact start that Mark Selby was looking for – winning the frame in one visit with a total clearance.
After Luca Brecel left a red over a pocket, Selby fully punished, crafting a wonderful break of 134, the first century and highest break of the match so far.
The Leicester cueist looks in brilliant nick this evening after a disappointing afternoon session.
7.13pm: We’re back for the second session of the 2023 World Snooker Championship Final!
Nine frames are scheduled to be played this evening.
3.59pm: Frame 8 – Selby 6-70 Brecel | Four-frame gap for Brecel
Selby scores first in frame eight but misses a red and leaves it on.
Brecel immediately plays a very attacking shot to open the pack of reds, and he goes on to compile a break of 70 to take the frame.
The three-time ranking event winner leads 6-2 going into tonight’s second session – what a statement from the Belgian, who never won a match at the Crucible Theatre before this year’s event!
We’ll be back from 7pm with further live blog coverage!
3.46pm: Frame 7 – Selby 66-9 Brecel | Selby stays in touch
That’s more like it from the four-time world champion!
A classy break of 62 from Selby helps him reduce his arrears to three.
The final frame of the session coming up…
3.30pm: Frame 6 – Selby 55-71 Brecel | Brecel guarantees first session lead
A scrappy frame during which both players made errors, it’s Brecel – continuing his aggressive approach on the biggest stage of all – who clips in a thin blue ball to win the tightest frame of the final so far.
Being 5-1 up and with only two frames to go this afternoon, the Belgian is guaranteed a lead going into this evening, but how far will he be in front?
“๐๐’๐ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ฒ!”
Behind the scenes of Mark Selby and Luca Brecel’s entrance to the Crucible ahead of the World Snooker Championship final! ๐ @WeAreWST | #WorldSnookerChampionship pic.twitter.com/7Rcj08vC3u
โ Eurosport (@eurosport) April 30, 2023
3.00pm: Frame 5 – Selby 23-90 Brecel | Brecel re-opens three frame cushion
The players return from their break and it’s Brecel who once again enjoys a three-frame lead.
After Selby missed a tricky red when trying to swerve to pot it, Brecel cashes in on his opportunity, making a break of 67.
Selby came back to play on for snookers, but Brecel got the job done later on and is now 4-1 up.
2.24pm: Frame 4 – Selby 94-38 Brecel | Selby opens his account
A see-saw frame which Mark Selby steals to get on the scoreboard.
The Englishman got going with a nice opening pot but broke down on a break of 40, and later in the frame left a long red on for his opponent.
Brecel duly potted it and was on course to counter-attack again, but unexpectedly jawed a red whilst on a run of 38.
Despite being snookered on the red, Selby played a beautifully controlled swerve to pot it, and he went on to construct a clearance of 54 to get his first frame of this final.
The four-time champion will feel a lot better as the players go into the mid-session interval.
Mark Selby takes his first frame just before the mid-session interval! ๐
Luca Brecel leads 3-1.@WeAreWST | #WorldSnookerChampionship pic.twitter.com/a0XtgiXHKr
โ Eurosport (@eurosport) April 30, 2023
2.05pm: Frame 3 – Selby 28-90 Brecel | Three in a row for the Belgian
Wow. Impressive stuff this from Luca Brecel. Who would know he is in his first world final?
Selby potted a cracking long opening red, but missed another black off its spot when on a break of 28.
Brecel stepped in and fully capitalised, crafting a wonderful clearance of 90 to make it 3-0!
1.53pm: Frame 2 – Selby 39-79 Brecel | Brecel doubles his lead
An ideal start this for 28-year-old Luca Brecel.
A far scrappier frame than the opener, Brecel punished a missed black off the spot from Selby to leave his opponent requiring a snooker.
Selby did get the snooker and penalty points to put the frame back in the balance, but after he missed a very difficult blue off the last red, Brecel finally got the over line to double his advantage.
Luca Brecel looking nothing but ๐๐ค๐ค๐ก as he makes it 2-0 against Mark Selby ๐@WeAreWST | #WorldSnookerChampionship pic.twitter.com/m2xh85EY5S
โ Eurosport (@eurosport) April 30, 2023
1.20pm: Frame 1 – Selby 0-77 Brecel | Brecel claims the opening frame
What a brilliant start from maiden finalist Luca Brecel! Initially beginning with a fluked plant, the Belgian Bullet hits a quick break of 77 to strike first.
1.13pm: The final of the 2023 World Snooker Championship is underway!
30 mins to go: Welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the 2023 World Snooker Championship final between Mark Selby and Luca Brecel!
We are just half an hour away from the start of the opening session โ first to 18 frames wins the title at the Crucible Theatre. Will it be a fifth for Selby, or a first for Brecel?
2023 World Snooker Championship final betting odds
It comes as no surprise that Mark Selby begins the match as a warm favourite with bookmakers. The ‘Jester from Leicester’ is priced 4/9 with SkyBet to claim victory at the Crucible Theatre, while outsider Brecel is at 13/8.
In terms of their career head-to-head record, they have met 11 times in professional competition. Selby has the upper hand, winning eight of those, including the previous six.
Luca Brecel: My story so far ๐ฅ๐ง๐ช
Get to know more about The Belgian Bullet and his journey โจ@WeAreWST | #CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/Xk1E8uvXjn
โ Eurosport (@eurosport) April 28, 2023
Their most recent meeting came back in December when Selby defeated Brecel 9-6 in the final of the 2022 English Open.
Brecelโs last victory against Selby came in the 2017 Champion of Champions quarter-finals (6-4).
| Winner Odds (via SkyBet) | |
| Mark Selby | 4/9 |
| Luca Brecel | 13/8 |
2023 World Snooker Championship final TV channel
| Region | TV Channel | Streaming |
| UK | BBC | BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website |
| USA | – | DAZN |
| Hong Kong | Now TV | – |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport | – |
| Singapore | Starhub TV | – |
| Canada | – | Matchroom.Live |
| Australia | – | Matchroom.Live |
| New Zealand | – | Matchroom.Live |