Snooker: Scots eyeing Euro glory on the baize

Granton snooker ace Craig MacGillivray believes Scottish snooker could be in line for a memorable double when the European Under 21 and Men’s Team Championships get underway on Monday in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The former professional will captain a strong three-man Scotland team which will be expected to qualify for the latter stages of the European Men’s Team Championship. MacGillivray will be joined by two of Scotland’s top prospects, Bonnyrigg’s Michael Leslie and Perth’s Scott Donaldson, and he is confident the Scots can do well. He said: “We could go all the way. I think it will come down to a battle between the Home Nations, with England probably being our biggest threat.”

MacGillivray knows it will be difficult to reach the form that once helped him climb to number 61 in the world rankings. “I am lacking the match sharpness I would like, due to not getting enough tournaments. These young lads like Scott and Michael have the benefit of playing in tournaments almost every weekend so hopefully a good mix of youth and experience will help us.”

When asked about Leslie and Donaldson’s chances in the under-21 singles event, which offers a chance to win a Pro tour ticket, MacGillivray added: “I believe there are about seven players who have a chance of winning the event and they are two of them.”

Leslie and Donaldson will be joined by two other Scots, Eden Sharav (Alloa) and Ross Muir (Musselburgh) when the five-day under-21 event gets under way on Monday.

The Men’s Team Championship runs from March 9-16.