The competition, which many don’t think should be on the calendar, has been running since 2011 and, from last year is now a world ranking tournament bringing with it lots of bonuses.
Georgiou, who plays under the Cypriot flag and trains at Legends snooker club in Leytonstone, came through 7 rounds under the demands of the ‘bleeps’ beat former world champion, Graeme Dott in the thrilling finale on Sunday night.
After making a 52 break, Georgiou thought the dream was to become true, but Dott, came back in the last 3 minutes of the 10 minute frame to within 10 points of his rival before the Scottish pro left the pink over the pocket for the Londoner to pot and take the title.
Georgiou, who celebrated with his family at the end, claimed the first prize of £32,000 and took an extra £2,000 for the highest break of the competiton, as well as up to 58 in the world rankings.
With no O’Sullivan, Trump, Selby or Robertson at the event, it gives an opportunity to lesser known players to hit the big time, and it certainly happened this weekend.
Georgiou, having won the shoot out, claimed the last and 32nd spot on the 1 year ranking list to qualify for next weeks Grand Prix, something, he could never even dreamed off at the start season. He might also be in line for a massive pay day next season for the Champion of Champions invite only tournament in Coventry.
In Germany last week, Mark Williams, who played at the shoot out, won the German Masters in Berlin to join an illustrious group.
Williams 9-1 thrashing of Dott in the final, became only the 5th player in the games history to win 20 ranking events.
He joins Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and Steve Davis after winning his first title some 22 years ago.
