Mickey Krause heads into the 2025 European Open Pool Championship with a new experience under his belt—defending a Matchroom Major title for the first time. A year ago in Fulda, the Danish Viking stunned the field with a fearless run to his maiden Major crown, taking down some of the sport’s biggest names en route to the title. Now, he returns as the man to beat, fully aware of the target on his back.
“It’s a great feeling coming back as the defending champion,” Krause says. “Winning that event was a huge moment for me. It was the first time I’d won anything that big, so I’m excited to try and do it again.”
This year’s European Open moves to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking a fresh challenge for the 22-year-old. It’s a city he has visited once before, though never for pool. “I went there with my dad about a decade ago, and I remember it being a lot of fun, but I’d imagine it’s changed a lot,” he says. “I know there are strong players in that region, with the likes of Sanjin Pehlivanovic and Eklent Kaçi so I’m expecting a great event.”
His breakthrough win in Fulda wasn’t just a career-defining moment—it was a launchpad. The victory earned him a spot at the Reyes Cup and, later, a debut in the Mosconi Cup, two of the most prestigious team events in the sport. Krause thrived under the pressure, learning from some of the world’s best players and taking his game to a new level. “Winning the European Open opened so many doors,” he reflects. “I remember finding out in the quarter-finals that if I won, I’d qualify for the Reyes Cup, but I wasn’t thinking about it too much. There were so many tough matches ahead, so I just focused on my own game. Looking back, though, that tournament changed everything.”
Last year’s European Open final saw Krause take down Johann Chua in a commanding display, but it was a run built on resilience. He battled past some of the most dangerous names in the sport, including Ko Ping Chung, Skyler Woodward, and Albin Ouschan. “Every match, I was ahead from the start,” he recalls. “That was the key—staying in control, keeping that lead. But against those guys, that’s never easy. They don’t give up. The match against Albin, where I won 10-2, was probably my turning point. Right after that, I had to face Ko Ping Chung, and having that momentum helped a lot.”
Mental discipline was crucial throughout his title run, something Krause has worked hard to improve. “I realised last year that my mindset was everything,” he says. “At the start of the season, I finally found a cue I really liked, and suddenly, I was just enjoying myself at the table. I wasn’t fighting against my own game anymore. I was smiling, having a good time, and that changed everything. If you’re frustrated, you’re never going to win at this level. You need to trust yourself, trust your equipment, and just play.”
Now, with a full year of top-tier competition under his belt, Krause enters 2025 with even bigger goals. His Mosconi Cup debut showed him just how intense elite-level pressure can be. “The Mosconi Cup is a completely different challenge,” he admits. “It’s way tougher than playing the final of a major. You have the crowd, the team element, and that intensity—it forces you to adapt. You learn how other players handle it, and you take that knowledge into your own game.”
With his sights set on more silverware, there’s one title he craves above all. “Like most players, the World Championship is the big one,” he says. “That’s the ultimate goal.”
As he prepares to defend his European Open title, Krause knows the competition will be fiercer than ever. But he isn’t shying away from the challenge. Asked what message he has for the field, his answer is simple: “Let’s go.”
And what can fans expect from Mickey Krause in Sarajevo? “A stronger player,” he says. “I learned a lot last year, and my mindset was spot on. I don’t know if I’ll get that exact same feeling again, but I know I’m coming in even better than before.”
