Unhappy Storm had to make do with a friend's cue

Swedish champion Tom Storm's bag was stolen as he ate a burger before taking on Greece's Vangelis Vetta at the Cardiff International Arena.

The disgruntled star, 38, was forced to borrow a cue from a friend at the World Nine-Ball Pool Championship tie - but he still won 5-4.

"Your cues are your life. It's a hard question to know what to do for the rest of the tournament now," he said.

Stolen

Storm had previously had lost his opening match to Jang su Lee of Korea with his own cues.

Cardiff International Arena is hosting the tournament

He had taken time out to snack at a local takeaway before Saturday's big game when his trusty cue vanished.

South Wales Police are investigating and want to speak to a young boy seen running out of the arena with cues in his hands.

European number one Storm added: "It is not like tennis where you change your racket after every game.

Desperate

"Your cues are everything and I'm desperate to get them back.

"It's a big disappointment when something like that happens because these are the tools of my trade.

"Hopefully, they will be returned when someone has a change of heart.

"I did better with my friend's cues than I did with my own but I don't think you can read too much into that."

The championship runs from 12 to 20 July, with a $65,000 (�38,982) prize available to the winner.