Exactly.
Mosconi Cup 2024, Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Orlando
- Thread starter Bob Jewett
- Start date
Not surprised.
The crowd were incredible and did their best to support USA.
I would prefer it if the Mosconi Cup was held in the USA every year.
Yeah, it's the biggest fan event by far. But it's not a measure of a player's career, or the "Super Bowl". The US Open and the 9 ball World Championship are the "super bowl" of pool.
It was very competitive the first two days. USA had a golden opportunity to even the score by end of day 2 but couldn’t capitalize on Alcaide’s mistake. I think that’s the turning point of the whole event. Sky seems to make mental errors in these crucial moments. This year it was the position shot from the 6 to 7, and I think last year it was a 4 ball he rattled by not taking his time and using a rest. Then queue the day 3 collapse. The big difference was the break for me, seemed like Europe had it figured out and had good looks after their break. Would be interested to see the break stats.
Yeah. I figured she was talking about slapping a WNT tag on the International next year.
Pissflitsche
New member
As a European myself, I really wish the USA would win this cup again, just to have a little more excitement and to revalue this tournament.
But the fact is, all five players of team Europe are top 15 players of the world rankings. Even the degraded Filler and Oushan are top 15.
On the other hand, in order to get five players for team USA you have to install an immigrated Russian who has already played the MC for Europe, and a Billy Thorpe who is number 32.
There is just no broad class of American top pool players in the WNT. And after all these years, I don’t see that the US pool industry is interested in changing this.
Could be, but I was thinking a separate event. Would be great either way, but a separate event would be a win for us
I'd much rather go to Florida twice than DCC
end score doesn't quite tell the story. i'm euro but no doubt there were some lucky rolls for team europe and some bad ones for team USA.
as for the billy pick, probably true there are some intangibles like morale boosting and crowd work, but his safety game isn't up there with the rest.
The US is still dominated by bar tables and will be for the foreseeable future. Just the way it is. We may never win another one of these.
It is over but I wanted Team Europe to thank USA for hosting this fine event...maybe it was the excitement of winning.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
There are some pretty good American juniors coming up...
We can't compete with government funded European and Asian system/federation models. Our competing framework is leagues, which are actually bars. Our table/cue vendors don't do much to elevate the game and haven't for decades. I'm not sure I blame them.
I would like to see the 2 wildcards replaced with a top junior and a top woman. I think that would make it more entertaining, and maybe even more competitive again.
We are kind of in a no win situation here. Our Regional and Minor professional scene is very healthy. Guys can eek out an existence playing these events all over the U.S, or at least feed themselves, or they can work a 9 to 5 and still play competitive pool on the side.
If more money gets involved and we move towards a more professional environment, the only thing that happens is we end up welcoming all the best players in the world to come here to play. This squeezes out our home grown players. That might sound a bit xenophobic but 1 - I don't care if it does and 2 - I enjoy watching the foreigners come over to play as much as anyone. Sometimes our welcoming country is a detriment to our success. Guess it's not a bad tradeoff in the big scheme of things.
Because of the above -- I have zero issues with Gorst playing for us. I actually wouldn't have an issue with Shaw switching sides either. They are enjoying life in the US, might as well welcome them to our team. I think people largely misread Shaw. He just understands his villain role and embraces it. I've actually grown to appreciate him.
How are table/cue vendors responsible for not steering US play onto big tables? You can't force people to play on tables they're afraid of. All leagues and 90% of tournaments are on bb's. I don't see how a equipment maker could induce more 9ft play.
You could make them shoot off handed or behind the back to make it more competitive too. Or make them have to play with a legend. Or how about blindfolded?
Or or or
I think if Hearn wasn't behind this, they would have added women a long time ago.
I'm glad they haven't.
Pissflitsche
New member
Which European model exactly is government funded? The heart of European pool is also the league system. However, it is set up professionally. The basis is the many local clubs. And even for low amateur players you have coaches, teams and leagues they can participate in. You have to learn how to compete, how to play in a team, how to improve step by step and how to get up with your team in this league system.
I called double hit before he shot it and all the degens at the pool room said no chance
- they're building me a statue as we speak lolAmazing a mere exhibit that means nothing gets 48 pages of comments. And some guy named Garczar commented 38 times. Wow.
That's some bigtime trolling going on!
Imagine how many pages of comments a real major would get. Oh, wait. Hanoi got 13 pages. The Euro Open got 17. The US Open did get 41 pages. Homers!
OK, OK, page views do not a major make. I still like the big opens best. But as this thread shows, lots of people pay attention to the Mosconi. Even those who profess not to.
That's some bigtime trolling going on!
Imagine how many pages of comments a real major would get. Oh, wait. Hanoi got 13 pages. The Euro Open got 17. The US Open did get 41 pages. Homers!
OK, OK, page views do not a major make. I still like the big opens best. But as this thread shows, lots of people pay attention to the Mosconi. Even those who profess not to.