Snooker-Belgium's Brecel holds off Selby to win world title

FILE PHOTO: Snooker - Betway UK Championship - York Barbican - 2/12/15 Luca Brecel during his Fourth Round Match Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Craig Brough/File Photo

(Reuters) - Belgium's Luca Brecel became the first player from mainland Europe to win the snooker world title as he completed a fairytale fortnight by resisting a Mark Selby fightback to win 18-15 at The Crucible on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who had lost in the first round of his previous five appearances at the championships, led 16-10 in the best of 35-frame final but four-time champion Selby rattled off five frames in a row to test Brecel's nerve.