Ukrainian Snooker Star Anton Kazakov Secures World Tour Spot with U-21 European Championship Win

Anton Kazakov Crowned 2026 European Champion

According to Спортивний комітет: Ukrainian snooker player Anton Kazakov has won the 2026 European Under-21 Championship, defeating Wales's Riley Powell 5-3 in the final. The tournament, held in Gandia, Spain and organized by the European Billiards and Snooker Association (EBSA), concluded on March 8th. Kazakov staged a comeback after losing the first two frames, leveling the score at 2-2 by the mid-session interval.

Although Powell took the lead again after the break, Kazakov won three consecutive frames to seal the victory. This European gold medal earns Kazakov a two-year card for the professional World Snooker Tour, where he previously competed from 2022 to 2024. This win highlights the growing talent pool in Ukrainian snooker. In the upcoming season, Ukraine will be represented by three players on the professional tour:

• Julian Boiko
• Mykhailo Larkov
• Anton Kazakov

Other Ukrainian Players' Performances

Other Ukrainian competitors also delivered strong results at the championship. Mykhailo Larkov advanced to the last 16, while Matvii Lahodzinsky reached the quarter-finals. Kazakov's triumph marks a significant achievement for Ukrainian snooker and underscores its potential on the international stage.

This victory underscores the rising popularity of snooker in Ukraine and the success of its young athletes internationally. - Source unknown

Given Kazakov's prior professional experience, his win could serve as an inspiration for other Ukrainian players, encouraging them to compete at the highest levels. Snooker continues to develop in Ukraine, and accomplishments like Kazakov's are likely to draw greater attention to the sport and aid its promotion within the country.