Isle of Wight pool and darts player Craig Brown – brother of darts ace Keegan Brown – has claimed silver at Moldova’s National 9-Ball Pool Championship.
What began as a short break abroad quickly turned into a marathon day of competition, as Craig found himself thrust into Moldova’s premier pool event, playing for 15 hours straight and earning plaudits, friendship, and a silver medal along the way.
Craig said he had only planned to visit Moldova for some sightseeing and relaxation:
“A week before I left, I messaged a Romanian player I’d met in Bucharest earlier this year after we’d played a money match. I just asked if there was anyone in Chisinau who fancied a few friendly games while I was over. He told me to contact this guy called Iurie Betivu – Moldova’s No. 1 pool player who owns two pool bars in the city.”
Just 3 days before his flight, Craig learned that the Moldova National Championship would be taking place that same weekend. With baggage charges too high to bring his own cue, he decided to go anyway, assuming he would simply watch from the sidelines.
On arrival in Chisinau, Betivu invited him to practise – and offered him the loan of an immaculate €500 cue. Craig said he was grateful but politely declined, a decision that became the stuff of local folklore.
“I’d only had two hours’ sleep after spending the night at the airport, so I wasn’t exactly sharp. I tried his cue but couldn’t get used to it. So, I played the entire national championship with a bent, dented club cue – the same one everyone in the bar uses. The ferrule was cracked, the tip was flat, and it had more battle scars than I do. But somehow, it felt perfect.”
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The sight of an Englishman sweeping through the Moldovan championships with a battered house cue quickly became a talking point. Even seasoned players were left shaking their heads as Craig’s calm precision carried him through the rounds.
Before play began, the organisers formally welcomed the visiting Englishman. Craig said the gesture left him speechless.
“They gave a speech, thanked me for travelling from England, and even handed me a bottle of Moldovan wine and some chocolates from Iurie’s nine-year-old daughter. I’ve never had anything like that before – it genuinely felt like royalty treatment.”
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Craig won his first three matches 7–0, 7–0 and 7–2 – the last against top-eight Moldovan player Dumitru Florea – and quickly drew a crowd of supporters.
Craig said the local support gave him a boost.
“A couple of local ladies started watching every game. The atmosphere was incredible. Everyone respected the game and made me feel completely at home.”
Between matches he shared food, beers and stories with Moldovan players before facing international and snooker coach Ilia Chisleacov in the quarter-final. Craig won 7–3, then beat former national champion Cezar Manolia 7–5 in a tense semi-final.
That victory set up a midnight final against local legend and multiple champion Iurie Betivu himself.
Craig said the final was one of the toughest matches he’s ever played.
“By then I’d been playing for 13 hours. It was neck and neck the whole way. I managed to level it at 6–6 and he had the last break. He snookered me, I missed, and then he potted the one into the nine to win. You couldn’t make it up.”
Despite losing narrowly, Craig walked away with a silver medal, 12,000 Moldovan Leu in prize money, and a wealth of new friendships.
Craig said the experience was unforgettable.
“It was unbelievable. They’ve already asked me back this year, but I told them 2026 might be more realistic. I just want to thank the Moldovan Billiard Federation for welcoming me so warmly.”
Craig, who works at B&Q, says the experience has left him eager to compete again – though next time, he might just bring his own cue.
