Mosconi trip something didn't feel right

bfdlad

bfdlad

T-Wheels
Silver Member
Well something just was not right this year at the Mosconi Cup. I really can't put my finger on it but the crowd was not as into it as they have been previously especially the USA fans. There also seemed to bean underlying feeling of been uncomfortable. I thought that maybe it was just me but as I asked a few others that I know who were there they also told me the same thing.

So heres another part of my trip that will make me sound like a total nit. The beers at the bar were $7.50 each, I always like to tip $1.00 per drink so that makes the price $8.50 per beer. Thats a lot of $$$ considering you can buy a 30 pack for $19.99. I expect to pay a premium when I go to any special event but come on thats just too much. I went to drinking cokes and they were $5.00 too. So me and my girl Jessica are drinking a coke every 45 mins thats $12.00, again I know I sound like a nit here but over 4hrs that $48.00. I also know that does not seem like alot of money but when you put it along with 2 sandwiches for lunch and dinner that starts to add up and this is just the bare nessesities. God help you if you want to go to a show in the evening or do a little gambling. I don't mind paying a premium I just do not like being totally had. All I am saying is for future reference if anyone is planning on going to the MC and think they can do it on a tight budget you may want to think again.

It was good to see Shane (Cuephoric) and Ravi (Vagabond) Jay Helfert, Jerry Forsyth to name a few of the regular posters again. Vagabond would get a round of applause when he walked in the tournament room everyday fromthe TV announcer John and the fans. If you don't know or have never met Vagabond he wears some suits that lets say are a little loud but stylish at the same time and we would wait to see each day what he was going to wear next :)

I had a great time and got to see some old friends and meet some new ones too.
 
bfdlad said:
Well something just was not right this year at the Mosconi Cup. I really can't put my finger on it but the crowd was not as into it as they have been previously especially the USA fans. There also seemed to bean underlying feeling of been uncomfortable. I thought that maybe it was just me but as I asked a few others that I know who were there they also told me the same thing.

So heres another part of my trip that will make me sound like a total nit. The beers at the bar were $7.50 each, I always like to tip $1.00 per drink so that makes the price $8.50 per beer. Thats a lot of $$$ considering you can buy a 30 pack for $19.99. I expect to pay a premium when I go to any special event but come on thats just too much. I went to drinking cokes and they were $5.00 too. So me and my girl Jessica are drinking a coke every 45 mins thats $12.00, again I know I sound like a nit here but over 4hrs that $48.00. I also know that does not seem like alot of money but when you put it along with 2 sandwiches for lunch and dinner that starts to add up and this is just the bare nessesities. God help you if you want to go to a show in the evening or do a little gambling. I don't mind paying a premium I just do not like being totally had. All I am saying is for future reference if anyone is planning on going to the MC and think they can do it on a tight budget you may want to think again.

It was good to see Shane (Cuephoric) and Ravi (Vagabond) Jay Helfert, Jerry Forsyth to name a few of the regular posters again. Vagabond would get a round of applause when he walked in the tournament room everyday fromthe TV announcer John and the fans. If you don't know or have never met Vagabond he wears some suits that lets say are a little loud but stylish at the same time and we would wait to see each day what he was going to wear next :)

I had a great time and got to see some old friends and meet some new ones too.
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A coke every 45 minutes? Good thing they weren't charging you to use the rest room - or were they???
 
There did seem to be a little bit of lack-luster enthusiasm by the American fans; however I don't think the fees were it.

I credit Sunny Griffin a great deal for her enthusiasm and motivation in getting the crowd moving two years ago - for a USA win :thumbup:

We could have used another cheerleader rallying the USA fans. There were more of us you know...

Europe had "Moorthy" and "Goon" - LOL! :grin-square: That did a fantastic job!

I also spent more than I'd have like, but there are few freebies/cheapies anymore in Vegas.
 
What kind of influence do you think Earl Strickland might have had, if he had been chosen to participate in the event?

Serious question.
 
CrownCityCorey said:
There did seem to be a little bit of lack-luster enthusiasm by the American fans; however I don't think the fees were it.

I credit Sunny Griffin a great deal for her enthusiasm and motivation in getting the crowd moving two years ago - for a USA win :thumbup:

We could have used another cheerleader rallying the USA fans. There were more of us you know...

Europe had "Moorthy" and "Goon" - LOL! :grin-square: That did a fantastic job!

I also spent more than I'd have like, but there are few freebies/cheapies anymore in Vegas.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more - we missed Sunny! On Saturday, my first of 2 days, we americans were "out-rooted" in spades. I was sitting right behind the East Londoner wearing the Santa suit that was surely the most vocal supporter in the arena. Prior to every rack he could be heard yelling "Euuurrrr - UPPP!!!" in a very unique and supportive manner. At every turn, the Euro crowd (which I'd estimate at 40% of the attendees) would erupt in song or chant. We got skunked Saturday on and off the table.

On Sunday, Shane and Johnny's last gasp heroics had the US crowd going nicely, we were winning on and off the table. Johnny's wife was really getting us going!!! As the tide was turning on the Rodney/Neils match, at one point I yelled "THE US NEEDS THEIR OWN SONGS!!".

The Euro team is tighter; the Euro crowd rooted better. I attribute their rooting unity and skills in great part to their passion and experiences with soccer - it carries over. I attribute their team's better unity than ours due to a few reasons: our larger geography being one, many Euro's tour/play/travel together - we don't much, and our pool culture is another. Johan - their team captain explained how he had them all doing EVERYTHING together - including working out, eating very nutritionally, etc. He saw close-up how less unified our team was.

Next Cup - we need another Sunny dammit! And honestly, we should come up with our own songs/chants.
 
I agree that there was 'something' missing.

Two years ago, my office printed up all of the signs for the US team.
This year we did nothing - and some of the staff just did not even go.

There was a visible lacking of cohesivness in the American Team.

The captain's duty is to 'rally the team'.

I (and I know of many others) went to watch the match - not to root for our own team. Previous years, I rooted for our team!

I just could not really 'get behind' our team this year - probably because of the makeup of the team. I am an American and am proud of that - but the CW thing just took most of the enthusiam out of the event.

Sorry - but that is how I feel.

Mark Griffin
 
100000%, I agree on the CW thing.


Mark Griffin said:
I agree that there was 'something' missing.

Two years ago, my office printed up all of the signs for the US team.
This year we did nothing - and some of the staff just did not even go.

There was a visible lacking of cohesivness in the American Team.

The captain's duty is to 'rally the team'.

I (and I know of many others) went to watch the match - not to root for our own team. Previous years, I rooted for our team!

I just could not really 'get behind' our team this year - probably because of the makeup of the team. I am an American and am proud of that - but the CW thing just took most of the enthusiam out of the event.

Sorry - but that is how I feel.

Mark Griffin
Click to expand...
 
Mark Griffin said:
I agree that there was 'something' missing.

Two years ago, my office printed up all of the signs for the US team.
This year we did nothing - and some of the staff just did not even go.

There was a visible lacking of cohesivness in the American Team.

The captain's duty is to 'rally the team'.

I (and I know of many others) went to watch the match - not to root for our own team. Previous years, I rooted for our team!

I just could not really 'get behind' our team this year - probably because of the makeup of the team. I am an American and upam proud of that - but the CW thing just took most of the enthusiam out of the event.

Sorry - but that is how I feel.

Mark Griffin
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yup! thats why the wife and I skipped going this year. We have been looking forward to the Vegas trip as it would be our first Mosconi cup, but I'm just so tired of CW having to have his hand in EVERYTHING pool related......stealing the captain seat this year was skuzzy IMO. So, maybe the DCC and the SBE.

G.
 
Well Mark, now you've gone and done it...you've "outed" Vagabond (after YEARS of traveling 'under cover'). As they say in the middle east..."May the fleas of 1000 camels infest your crotch...and may your arms be too short to reach!" LOL

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

bfdlad said:
It was good to see Shane (Cuephoric) and Ravi (Vagabond) Jay Helfert, Jerry Forsyth to name a few of the regular posters again. Vagabond would get a round of applause when he walked in the tournament room everyday fromthe TV announcer John and the fans. If you don't know or have never met Vagabond he wears some suits that lets say are a little loud but stylish at the same time and we would wait to see each day what he was going to wear next :)

I had a great time and got to see some old friends and meet some new ones too.
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
Well Mark, now you've gone and done it...you've "outed" Vagabond (after YEARS of traveling 'under cover'). As they say in the middle east..."May the fleas of 1000 camels infest your crotch...and may your arms be too short to reach!" LOL

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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I'm guessing he was the slightly built man wearing the 1000 watt gold zoot suit on Sunday! Dam... that was a SUIT!
 
I was amazed there was absolutely no merchandise booths, you could not buy a t-shirt or anything related to the event.

As to the enthusiasm. It is an 11AM start (I have worked swing shift for years, that's like 6AM to me). For the Europeans it's 7PM (roughly). Everybody there saw the trips to the bar and the handfulls of beer they would come back with. And, unfortunately the average age of their crowd was a little more conducive to non-stop chanting, jumping up and clapping.

Also no offense to Sunny, this was my first and I have nothing to compare it to. Johnny Archers wife Melanie was relentless in trying to rev-up the U.S. crowd, constantly trying to get cheers and chants going. Even standing up a couple of times and berating the crowd for not participating.

Again this was my first one, but I can say "a little off" was a good description of the event - I still enjoyed it immensely and am seriously considering crossing the pond for the next one.

I really would have liked to buy a t-shirt.
 
Ok, from what I gather reading this thread is that the blame for the loss goes to Sunny. Two years ago she was the cheerleader, the mascot and Miss statue of liberty all in one. She was even afraid that she was going to be thrown out of the event because she was so involved in keeping the high level of confidence in our team. Where was Sunny? Not there?

It's true that she and Hatch were the reason there was so much fire in the way our team played two years ago but come on, I doubt that anyone could have helped to inspire our team to victory this year. Something was lacking this year and it wasn't Sunnyday.
 
Not just the crowd..... I think all in all the whole production of the Mosconi Cup is scaled down when it is in Vegas. Matchroom used the same graphics and video packages they used in 2009 when it was in Vegas last.

I can't wait until it is in London again next year... I fully plan to go. Nathan had an all access pass with his camera last year and really caught the whole feel of the event..... it was electric. The footage was originally meant for the video magazine but we are going to release it for free on our you tube page at some point. The 2 determining factors are definately the time it's held and amount of alcohol consumed. :)
 
A few times the US crowd tried to put a chant together and the Euro fans just laughed at how weak it was. Even so it wasn't just the fan participation I don't think, now this is gonna sound dramatic but there was a sense of impending doom in the air. Just under the surface of the atmosphere it was there.

I am not sure if the players on the USA team felt it too. They say that if you are a broke salesman and you are trying to sell a client and you need that sale to be able to make your commissions or you will not have your rent money this month that the client can feel the desperation and you come off as trying too hard. This is maybe what the players felt. Just saying.

As far as Vagabond is concerned if he has been trying to stay undercover it is an epic fail. We were sat together for a little while on the first day and as I was admiring his suit I told him that it wouldbe awesome for sliding down a grassy hill on. He would go like 200MPH in that thing all shiny and slick :) He is a good guy though and alot of fun to talk with.

So many people were there that I talk with ona very regular basis for one reason or another on the phone and I barley got a chance to even say hello. I think partly because of the setup and the way you came in and out out. You would see people across from you but not see them again til the next day. Thats not a complaint just the way it worked out.

Archer called me this morning also and passed on his thoughts of the event. I will let him pass on that info on his own if he feels like it. However it was interesting to hear his view on things.

I have one more thing that I want to mention. A few years ago when Mika won his first US Open. I was at Qmasters taking part in the usualy celebration for that years champion. Mike Deschaine and I had a couple of crossed words and before the night was over we had shook hands and explained our points of in a more reasonable way to each other. However in the back of my mind I still kinda though of him asa little arrogant and that he should probably show a little humility until he really has something to boast about. Well he really changed my opinion of him this past weekend. I'm not talking about if he won or lost ant certain match or how great he played or didn't play. I am talking about the look in his eye when he did well with a shot or won a rack. It was awesome his face lit up like a kid on Christmas. You could tell that he was so proud to be representing his country and that he really did want to do well. And would look at his team mates with a look of wanting their approval and showed his dissapontment and fear of letting his country and team down when he missed a shot. For this I am a new fan of Mike and hope he continues to play well and get another shot.

Mark Cantrill
 
dabarbr said:
Ok, from what I gather reading this thread is that the blame for the loss goes to Sunny. Two years ago she was the cheerleader, the mascot and Miss statue of liberty all in one. She was even afraid that she was going to be thrown out of the event because she was so involved in keeping the high level of confidence in our team. Where was Sunny? Not there?

It's true that she and Hatch were the reason there was so much fire in the way our team played two years ago but come on, I doubt that anyone could have helped to inspire our team to victory this year. Something was lacking this year and it wasn't Sunnyday.
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Hi Frank, I was trying to poke fun at Sunny. I was trying to compliment her while using her prior rooting contribution to illustrate what was missing in my opinion. I in no way want to imply she was responsible for the US crowd being (IMO) short of the mark vs the Euro crowd.

I think US supporters could step it up and maybe some of us AZers can do some premeditated plotting for next Cup! The Euro rooting skill set is formidable. I don't think the US rooters sucked, we truly rooted pretty darned hard - it's just that they did better.
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
Hi Frank, I was trying to poke fun at Sunny. I was trying to compliment her while using her prior rooting contribution to illustrate what was missing in my opinion. I in no way want to imply she was responsible for the US crowd being (IMO) short of the mark vs the Euro crowd.

I think US supporters could step it up and maybe some of us AZers can do some premeditated plotting for next Cup! The Euro rooting skill set is formidable. I don't think the US rooters sucked, we truly rooted pretty darned hard - it's just that they did better.
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KK9, I wish I had seen you there I would have liked to meet up with you and maybe have you buy me a beer :)
 
dabarbr said:
Ok, from what I gather reading this thread is that the blame for the loss goes to Sunny. Two years ago she was the cheerleader, the mascot and Miss statue of liberty all in one. She was even afraid that she was going to be thrown out of the event because she was so involved in keeping the high level of confidence in our team. Where was Sunny? Not there?

It's true that she and Hatch were the reason there was so much fire in the way our team played two years ago but come on, I doubt that anyone could have helped to inspire our team to victory this year. Something was lacking this year and it wasn't Sunnyday.
Click to expand...

There is no blame being directed at Sunny at all.

CSI's reduced presence was felt at the event.

This year's USA team, Captain included, do have issue's with popularity - I think that greatly contributed to the vigor of the crowd. The team dynamic was unquestionably different.
 
bfdlad said:
KK9, I wish I had seen you there I would have liked to meet up with you and maybe have you buy me a beer :)
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Thanks Mark, and likewise! The arena seating logistics were such that it was VERY difficult to move about, especially given the fact that Michaela or Ken would've chopped you up! lol

There were people I recognized there that I tried to get to see, but just could never manage. :( I'd get up during a break and try and catch someone, and poof! Casper-ized.

I'd like to say, that was perhaps the most enjoyable couple days I've ever experienced, even more so than The Open.
 
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