Craig Brown conquered a 32-player 9-ball pool field in Kosovo, defeating the national champion and top-ranked contenders to lift gold at 03:30 on Saturday (28th February).
In Pristina – capital of a predominantly Muslim country – this was never going to be a routine tournament during Ramadan.
Originally scheduled for 10:00, the competition at Klubi I Biliardos Prishtina was moved to 20:00 to allow players to break their fast with their families before competing. That decision created a single-night shootout, with all 32 entrants knowing the event had to finish before the next day’s fasting resumed.
By the time the opening rack was broken, the room was full and the talk had spread across the city that an English player was in the draw.
Brown, 32, is a former England international in darts and snooker now focused on 9-ball pool. His brother is Isle of Wight dart’s ace Keegan Brown.
Craig had already built strong ties in Pristina through visits in 2023 and 2024. Tournament organisers Milot Mujku and Valdrin Maxhuni ensured an event was staged to coincide with his return.
The Isle of Wight pool star moved efficiently through the early rounds before facing Kosovo national champion and current No.1 Faton Bajgora in the quarter-finals. The home favourite represented the biggest test in the field. Brown responded with measured, disciplined pool to secure a high-quality 6-4 victory.
The semi-final proved far from easy. Against top-16 ranked Fatbarch Ferati, Brown was drawn into a 2-hour tactical contest, holding his nerve to close out a 7-5 win shortly after 02:00.
In the final, Brown faced Bedri Sijarina – a top-5 Kosovan player with a strong reputation across the Balkan region. Sijarina raced into a 2-0 lead, but Brown reset quickly, tightened his positional control and began to dictate the table. The momentum shifted decisively.
Producing his best spell of the night, Brown reeled off a commanding run to take the match 7-3, securing the trophy, gold medal and €1,000 first prize at approximately 03:30 – the latest finish of his career.
Craig has expressed his thanks to organisers Milot Mujku and Valdrin Maxhuni, along with friends Kai, Redo, Rinor and Riza for their support throughout the weekend.
The Isle of Wight darts and pool ace told Island Echo:
“People do not realise that Kosovo had a really serious war back in 1999, and it became a new country in 2008, which separated from Serbia. So, the country is still struggling a little from the after effects from independence and the war.“But out of the 40 countries I have travelled to in Europe, Kosovo has the nicest people and everyone will look after you like a brother – the best in Europe.”
Brown hopes to return later this year to compete again in Kosovo.
Well done son! Get in there! Many congratulations on a fantastic result.
Well done son! Get in there! Many congratulations on a fantastic result.
Fabulous result – well done son!
Looks like the country has made a strong impression on you? Would love to
visit there myself.