A memorable week of amateur snooker unfolded at the EBSA European Snooker Championships as Ukraine’s Anton Kazakov produced one of the most impressive performances in recent European amateur history, capturing both the European Under-21 Championship and the prestigious Main Event title. The rare double triumph confirmed Kazakov as one of the continent’s brightest emerging stars and secured his immediate return to the professional ranks.
Kazakov first claimed the European Under-21 crown with a composed display throughout the knockout stages, earning a coveted two-year Main Tour card on the World Snooker Tour. Rather than easing off after sealing professional status, the Ukrainian continued his relentless form in the flagship Main Event, battling through a demanding draw to reach the final where he edged England’s Oliver Sykes in a tense deciding-frame finish. Lifting the main championship trophy completed a superb week and underlined his consistency across formats and age categories.
Under tournament regulations, both the Under-21 champion and the Main Event winner are awarded two-year professional tour cards. Because Kazakov had already secured his card via the Under-21 event, the Main Event runner-up Sykes was also granted a two-year place on the World Snooker Tour. The outcome turned a narrow final defeat into a career-defining moment for the young Englishman, who demonstrated composure and scoring power throughout the event and will now join the professional circuit for the next two seasons.
The championships also showcased the strength of Europe’s junior pipeline. Poland’s Krzysztof Czapnik delivered an excellent run to capture the European Under-16 title, producing confident match play and mature break-building well beyond his years. In the Under-18 category, current main-tour professional Michał Szubarczyk retained his European Under-18 title, successfully defending his crown and adding another major junior honour to his growing résumé, further underlining his status as one of the most promising young players in the European game.
This year’s championships once again highlighted the European Billiards and Snooker Association pathway as a proven route to the professional stage, with emerging talents gaining invaluable experience in elite international competition. With tour cards, titles, and reputations on the line, the event reinforced Europe’s depth of talent and its growing influence on the global snooker landscape.
