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NEWS December 20, 2006 Mosconi Cup XIII – Victory given away |
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At
this years edition of the Mosconi Cup, the „Ryder Cup“ of Pool Billiards
opposing a European and an American selection, two teams of the same high
value were facing each other. The game was 9-Ball with a 30 seconds shot
limit and the venue was the Cruise Terminal in Rotterdam, Holland. For the
first time in the 13 year history of the event, the promoter Matchroom
Sports from England, had offered a prize money for the winning team. A new
element were the team matches where all 6 players of both teams played
alternating shots and three players matches. Another special element was the
fact that Team Europe had a non playing Captain, the Dutchman Johan Ruijsink,
who was declared shortly before the event officially to bet he team coach.
And, as for the Ryder Cup, fort he first time there was the possibility of a
draw. In the previous years, there always was an uneven number of matches,
but this time, there was a maximum of 24 matches and the winner would be the
team which reaches 13 points. The
start on Thursday was a team match which we lost with a bit of bad luck 5-6
to the Americans. Then, we had the first Triple and the combination Immonen
/ Alcaide / Souquet won the first point with a 6-3 win over Archer / Schmidt
/ Davis. The last match of the first evening was Majid / Engert / van den
Berg against Deuel / Strickland / Morris and the score was 2-6. After day
one, team USA was leading 2-1. On
day two, the match started with three doubles. Team Europa could equal the
score, when Immonen / Souquet upset Schmidt / Davis 6-2. Then,
Alcaide / Engert lost to Archer / Deuel 1-6. In
the next double, we could again equal the score, when van den Berg / Majid
scored a narrow 6-5 against Strickland / Morris. David Alcaide (ESP) – John Schmidt (USA)
7-5 On day three, we started
again with three doubles: So, our advantage had
risen to 8-4 and it looked like a little surprise. In the evening session,
three more singles were played: |
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Thomas - Ralf - Andy
| Thomas Engert started
against Schmidt and set an exclamation mark. With his best tournament
performance, he won clearly 5-1 and team Europe was leading again 10-9.
After this, Majid continued on the bad streak he had this day and lost 2-5
to Morris. In the third match of the session, the two captains Souquet and
Archer were facing each other. Everything looked like a point for the US
player, because I was not at my best level. I was trailing 0-2, but could
come back to 2-2. A very good safety could have brought the lead, but the
object ball travelled to close to the 9 ball that it had to go into the
pocket. The 4 ball was an easy bank shot and then, the combination could
only work. At 2-4, I could win another rack to come back to 3-4, but then
I had to hope for a bad break of Archer. When he aimed for the combination
2-4-9, my hopes were reduced to nothing. But he missed the shot almost by
a diamond, which I had never thought. I made use of this opportunity and
scored the 4-4. Then, I ran out the last rack, won 5-4 and we were again
in the lead - 11-10. The next match between van den Berg and Strickland
was almost a copy of my match. Nick was trailing 2-4 and turned the match
around and the many supporters were cheering his 5-4 success. The venue
was in crazy mood and most of the 400 spectators were standing. Europe was
leading 12-10 against the USA and had two match points now. The matches
were very promising and the first clash was between Immonen and Davis.
Mika took control of the match and was already leading 3-0 and 4-1. We
were only one rack away from the overall victory. At 4-2, it seemed as if
we could celebrate our victory, but Immonen missed an easy 2 ball. Davis
played very well and made use of even slight opportunities. Then, the
score was 4-4 and all European players walked behind the scene towards the
entry of the arena, since only the 8 and the 9 ball were left on the
table. But the position which looked so easy turned out to become a
nightmare for the entire team. None of us could believe what happened
while we walked towards the entry – all of a sudden, the 9 ball was
stuck to the rail in an impossible position. The cue ball was 20 cm away,
but in such a bad position, that Immonen had or wanted to try the 9 ball
using the extension bridge via one rail. However, he did not make the 9
ball, but then Davis showed some nerves and missed as well. I think that
Mika should have played a safety now, but he decided again for a bank shot,
but missed it again. This was his last try and Davis scored the point to
bring team USA back to 11-12. In the last and decisive match, Europe’s
newcomer David Alcaide had to play the very experienced Corey Deuel. One
could sense the tension of the Spaniard, but the fought a fierce fight.
But at 2-2, he committed the last mistake. He shot the 9 ball from a bad,
but feasable position at the edge of the pocket and this
was the beginning of the end. Deuel played cold-blooded and scored the
match at 5-2 for a final draw 12-12, which was more than unlucky for team
Europe. Even
if the match had no loser, according to the new rules, the cup remains
with defending champion USA who can travel back home feeling as the winner
of the event. Bad
news, in the 13th edition of the event, we could not win and the Americans
could keep the cup, but almost failed. They’d better get prepared for
next year’s edition which will be a hot clash. We will travel to Las
Vegas with a lot of confidence and our aim is clear – bring back the cup
to Europe. I
would like to extend my thanks to Team Europe and coach Johan Ruijsink and
to all supporters for the 6 great days in Rotterdam. It was a great event
for the billiards history books, even if the outcome was not exactly what
we had hoped for. But
we promise, this will change next year!!!! |
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