MOSCONI CUP 2023 AZB Watch Party / Master Thread

If Shane had made those two balls, I don't think it would have affected the outcome of the next matches at all. That's like saying if a 700 player breaks and runs a 2 pack out of the gate in a race to 11 vs an 800 player, he's going to win the match.

Momentum can't make up for a large skill gap.

IMO:)
But can the situation make a 830 player play like a 600? Fargo Ratings don't explain a near skunking. As much as I respect FR, humans aren't robots and can be affected by the situation.
 
If y'all going to be persistent in wanting to see the MC competed each year, then someone has to show a pair and drop SVB from the team!

At least until he learns (if he wants too) how to play as part of a team.

However, there is no reason for him to do this. His life's work has been based on playing by himself, for himself, at all costs...

SVB should just retire from MC competition and help his country win in other ways behind the scenes...
 
The biggest advantage Europe has is Jayson Shaw and Joshua Filler. It’s not just that they are monster players. It’s that they set the tone for the team in wanting to come out and crush America.

America doesn’t have anyone like them. Shane and now Gorst are their equal in terms of skill but they do not have the same level of bravado, showmanship, and even arrogance.

And beyond them, Europe doesn’t really have a weak link. In years past where USA managed to win, it did (Kazakis, Niels).
 
It

It was a historical beat down. It should have been won today bit they cancelled matches so there would be a 4th day.

So that’s why he celebrated like he won a championship.

It will be a short day tomorrow.

I don't brag about beating teams that are underfunded, undertrained and under experienced.

Shane Wolford has a fraction of the experience Joshua Filler has.

Joshua openly gloats like a child, he is this years villain. For a German champion, I expect better. Thor is the gold standard for a quality German player with cultural awareness. Thor is Germany's best pool ambassador next to Ralf. Joshua is not at all like Ralf or Thor when it comes to sportsmanship.

Joshua does not have enough experience. He is a German competition machine, not a pool ambassador.
 
The original idea from MC was good, is still good but not with the same rules anymore.
In the 90's USA players were far stronger than all the others, "american pool" was a common word between us the Europeans...
Nowadays, things changed but the competition still being the same... It is time to move on. North america, Europe, asia A and asia B sides, that would be a much bigger event, much bigger emotive and much more reliable source of income to all envolved at it. And, if we fans can see it, i hope MR also can see and do the actualisation as it should be.
 
Filler is t
I don't brag about beating teams that are underfunded, undertrained and under experienced.

Shane Wolford has a fraction of the experience Joshua Filler has.

Joshua openly gloats like a child, he is this years villain. For a German champion, I expect better. Thor is the gold standard for a quality German player with cultural awareness. Thor is Germany's best pool ambassador next to Ralf. Joshua is not at all like Ralf or Thor when it comes to sportsmanship.

Joshua does not have enough experience. He is a German competition machine, not a pool ambassador.
Filler is better than those guys and should be Germany’s ambassador if the game. He is trying to portray the villain. Hitler of pool.

After Ralf and Thorn there is villain as the face.
 
Filler is t

Filler is better than those guys and should be Germany’s ambassador if the game. He is trying to portray the villain. Hitler of pool.

After Ralf and Thorn there is villain as the face.

That makes sense it seemed so exaggerated. German humor is not funny to non Germans. Why is being like Hitler funny? Its mixed messaging.

Ralf and Thorn there is villain as the face ... what? ?? I have translation issues.

Ralf and Thor are both bald. How would Joshua look as a bald German?

Thor is balding. Its ok for women to wear fake hair. Its ok for men to wear fake hair too.
 
If y'all going to be persistent in wanting to see the MC competed each year, then someone has to show a pair and drop SVB from the team!

At least until he learns (if he wants too) how to play as part of a team.

However, there is no reason for him to do this. His life's work has been based on playing by himself, for himself, at all costs...

SVB should just retire from MC competition and help his country win in other ways behind the scenes...
SVB does play for himself. It’s about him and his brand. Some can argue he is bigger than the Mosconi Culp. He has shown it in the past with his body language he doesn’t want to be there with these clown players of past and present. He’s above them too.

It’s not like he’s dominating these cups so every reason he shouldn’t be invited again.

His brand needs exposure and all exposure is good. After that 60 minutes interview he should keep the momentum going and I don’t blame him.
 
That makes sense it seemed so exaggerated. German humor is not funny to non Germans. Why is being like Hitler funny? Its mixed messaging.

Ralf and Thorn there is villain as the face ... what? ?? I have translation issues.

Ralf and Thor are both bald. How would Joshua look as a bald German?

Thor is balding. Its ok for women to wear fake hair. Its ok for men to wear fake hair too.
Yea Germany needs a new face for pool and Filler is like a villain. He can play the Hitler role in terms of popularity and influence.
 
What's the best tip??? ;) Seriously, its a exhibition match so relax. Anyone that even remotely follows pool knows that Europe will almost always win any big-table event. As long as the bar-box is the primary table we(US) will get beat in the MC. Hell, Poland could field their own team. It would take a sea-change in American pool for them to compete in the MC much less win more than every 10yrs.
I know it probably wouldn't happen because it doesn't fit MR's business model, but I really do think a great way to spice up and bolster the American's chance at winning would be to play on barboxes when the Cup is held on US soil.
 
I woke up this morning thinking the past two days were just a dream.. :-) It's crucial for Sky and Wolford to come out firing this morning. The US needs every match today.
 
SVB does play for himself. It’s about him and his brand. Some can argue he is bigger than the Mosconi Culp. He has shown it in the past with his body language he doesn’t want to be there with these clown players of past and present. He’s above them too.

It’s not like he’s dominating these cups so every reason he shouldn’t be invited again.

His brand needs exposure and all exposure is good. After that 60 minutes interview he should keep the momentum going and I don’t blame him.
It´s really simple. The MC is one thing -> a Show, and SVB is not a show man. He don´t like it and he don´t to play there. You can see it in his eyes, in his face impressions and his body language. It´s more like a "torture" for him to play the MC.
 
SVB does play for himself. It’s about him and his brand. Some can argue he is bigger than the Mosconi Culp. He has shown it in the past with his body language he doesn’t want to be there with these clown players of past and present. He’s above them too.

It’s not like he’s dominating these cups so every reason he shouldn’t be invited again.

His brand needs exposure and all exposure is good. After that 60 minutes interview he should keep the momentum going and I don’t blame him.
You're so off base here. Shane is deaf and is a very quiet introverted guy. Team play has never been his bag. Has nothing to do with him feeling bigger than the Cup or his country. You obviously know nothing about the guy but feel free to reveal your ignorance by running your piehole. BTW, they have won with SVB too.
 
So where can the juniors go to train with the Euros?

These mythical Euro systems are not well discussed in America. Are they private clubs or open rooms?

Is Jasmin and her Academy the only place in Europe ? Do they do group kids classes or private group instructions?
For example in my home country germany there is a junior national squad who trains together regularly in various camps before they go to the bigger tournaments like national, european or world championchips. They are trained by the national coaches like Ralph Eckert, Günther Geisen or Christian Reimering. In their home teams our youth players often have their own trainer or they have the possebility to have training in other billard clubs with pro trainers.
 
The one difference I noticed is that Europe has their whole team seated behind whomever is shooting a match...USA has some, but not all. Shane tends to follow his matches with going straight to the practice table--it's his process. And it's not worked in the MC for him. If I were JJ, I'd insist the whole team sits with the shooter(s) every match. To hell with staying warm, they're pros. It works for Europe. Fedor needs to sneak a Cynergy shaft back in...he doesn't look too confident in his new gear, yet. He can borrow one of Shane's eight shafts. :)
 
It´s really simple. The MC is one thing -> a Show, and SVB is not a show man. He don´t like it and he don´t to play there. You can see it in his eyes, in his face impressions and his body language. It´s more like a "torture" for him to play the MC.

So just step aside and protect ones own legacy...

Surely SVB don't need MC money?

He would make a money for himself by doing MC commentary work...
 
Damn I must be old since I remembered pool halls without little tables. In the last 10-15 years they are starting to take up half the pool rooms here. It started with one row and now two rows. In another few years it will be all bar tables.

Even the casual pool players fill up the bar tables before the 9 footers. They think it’s the default size. I told someone I play on 9 foot tables and they thought that was professional size reserved for professional league players so they don’t play on it.

To think my local room wanted to make every table’s pocket tight because a couple of pool players suggested it. This will make the game harder for casuals and not fun. Good luck on them coming back.

At this rate Americans will never recover and dominate pool.

One thing nobody can take from us are the cue makers. America has the best cue makers in the world.
It's about the money. A local hall had 1, 9' and maybe 7 bar boxes.
They remodeled and went to 7 bar box tables and 3 dart machines (for a league), since the big table rarely saw action.
They remodeled again recently and were going to go back to the way it was. Another former pool hall owner sat him down and
ran the numbers. Financially, it would take two years for the big table to pay for itself. They scrapped the idea, moved the darts to another location, and
are adding another bar box which also freed up more space for the customers.
More tables in the same space = more revenue.
Room owners are not responsible for growing pool. They are there to sell beer and make money.


ETA:

I think Billy has the right idea at the MC.
It's a freeroll. It is hard AF to make this kind of money playing pool in America.
The US team should have the mindset that "Hey, I'm up 20Gs!. Let's have some fun and try to parlay it into 40."
They have already won. Stop being crippled by pressure. No one is taking the $20k away no matter what.
If they look like they are having fun it is worth it -win or lose. These guys look like their dog died every time the camera is pointed at them.
 
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