Craig Brown produced a stunning comeback to win a Moldovan National Ranking event after a dramatic final-frame decider in Chișinău.
The 32-year-old, a former England international in darts and snooker, travelled alone to Chișinău earlier this month, returning to the Moldovan circuit after reaching the final of the same competition in October 2025 using a borrowed cue. Having vowed to come back with his own equipment, Brown fulfilled that promise in style.
Competing at “Billiard Hall” in the city centre, he was given a warm reception on arrival, with organisers Iurie Betivu and Alex Tintaru presenting him with 2 bottles of wine in appreciation of his return, while players and spectators applauded his commitment.
The tournament ran from 11:00 through to 23:30, with Brown dominating the early stages, recording wins of 7-2, 7-2, 7-2 and 7-4 to reach the latter rounds.
He then overcame former Russian Pyramid player Cezar Manolia in the quarter-finals before producing what he described as his best performance of the day to defeat Moldova’s national snooker coach and 2024 champion Ilia Chisleacov 7-5 in the semi-final.
That set up a repeat of his October final against multiple Moldovan champion Iurie Betivu – and it proved to be a contest full of tension and momentum swings.
Brown trailed for much of the match, falling 1-3 behind and later 4-6 down, but showed resilience to level at 6-6 and force a deciding frame.
The final frame looked to be slipping away when Brown fouled early, allowing Betivu to take control. With the table at his mercy, the Moldovan cleared to the 8-ball but missed at a crucial moment, leaving a stunned crowd and handing Brown an unexpected lifeline.
Seizing the opportunity, the Island player played a composed safety before taking control of the table, potting the 8-ball and then the winning 9-ball to secure the title and gold medal in dramatic fashion.
Craig Brown said:
“I thought it was over when I went 6-4 down, especially after the foul in the last frame. When he missed the 8-ball, I just focused on staying calm and taking my chance.”
The victory marks Brown’s 5th tournament success across Europe in 2026, following wins in Romania, Kosovo, Albania and now Moldova.
Despite his growing success abroad, Brown continues to train on the Isle of Wight, where there is just 1 American pool table available.
He celebrated the win by sampling local wine and joining residents in the city after the tournament, capping off a memorable return to a country he now highly recommends for both its hospitality and sporting competition.
