That's the crux of the problem. There are plenty of homes with tables, but there are few places for youngsters to play outside the home.
Team USA and the future of the Mosconi
- Thread starter jbart65
- Start date
Yes-no. Europe can field one team that would definitely be favored over the U.S. It can probably field a second team that would be slightly favored.
After that, the U.S. would be favored or even odds at worst.
In any case, the U.S. only needs to find a handful of good players. Not 30 or so. Taking Fargo as a guide, here are those 5-6 teams you referred to.
1)Filler-FSR-Shaw–Ouschan-Szewczyk
2)Zielinski-Eklent Kaci-Kazakis-Szolnoki-Feijen
3)Maciol-Neuhausen-Alcaide-Lechner-Kledio Kaci
4)Mario He-Labutis-Pehlivanovic-Pecelj-Grabe
5)Teutscher-Melling-Fortunski-Souto-Makkonen
6)Sniegocki-Krause-Kural-Juszczyszyn-Vogel
How many US kids(15-20) play pool at all? How many seriously? How many have ever heard of the Mosconi Cup? Pool is barely on radar screens and stuff like pro pool or the MC is not even a blip. Sorry but that's how it is. If you got the numbers WAY up AND on 9ft tables TODAY it would still be 10yrs(probably more) before a US 'pool culture' would produce top-speed big table players in any meaningful numbers.
The US may never be the favorite in the MC ever again. Europe cranks out top players where the US might have,what, 10-15(maybe) players that can compete much less win. I'd take any Euro team you choose to assemble over the US. Europe has a WELL established big table pool scene. What does the US have? A sea of barboxes. For every player the US 'might' produce the Euros will have at least 5 if not way more. Its good to have a dream i guess, i just prefer to stick to reality and not fantasy.
FIVE yrs???? How many top class big table players do think the US will produce in five yrs??? How many Euros??? Please stick to reality. Filling a vacuum doesn't mean squat here. My honest outlook? The US wins 4 of the next 15 MC's and even that may be a tad optimistic.
well, if we can keep the Europeans moving over here we can be competitive.
No shit. Just send agents over there and pay off families of promising jr. players to move here.
Never is a long time.
European player development might have hit a lull. Only clear stars among Euros under 25 are Kledio Kaci and Neuhausen. Felix Vogel is the only under-20 star rapidly rising. Still plenty of top players in their late 20s to 30s, of course.
If everyone just doesn't say the U.S. sucks, as you do, you think they are dreaming!
'
I am well aware of - and realistic - about the U.S. talent deficit. So is Matchroom. That's why MR - and Predator for that matter - are trying to rectify it. I wish them good luck, but anyone can see the challenge is daunting.-
Two or three.
Other than Vogel, I don't see any rapid risers in Europe under 18.
I'd rather not. Reality is often too depressing. Besides, people who stick to reality limit themselves and generally don't accomplish much. I'd rather be a dreamer.
I don't actually care very much how often the U.S. wins. I just want the event to be more competitive. It's great for pool and it's a great event to watch when the Mosconi is close.
One thought might to be to eliminate the super, super tight pockets and make it more player friendly. Then maybe the 9 ball that someone hangs now wiggles in and falls on a different sized pocket.
It is, after all, an exhibition. I know the European team would still be better on paper, but in a short race, pockets that are more player friendly like those on a Diamond in an everyday pool room would potentially close the gap simply by eliminating those shots being dogged.
They don't play exhibition, made for tv golf at Augusta or with US Open rough surrounding the fairways. Same here. This isn't the US Open Nine Ball Championships. Its a made for tv exhibition with a loud, intense atmosphere. Nerves are bad enough given the environment and what's at stake as far as the stars and stripes and the prize money difference.
I believe, that though the players are still the players for each team, the gap would be narrowed based on eliminating those type of mistakes because it's probably only a mistake on four inch pockets.
I mean, the entire event used to be held on Gold Crowns. I don't know if they were shimmed or not but I am guessing they were not.
Of course, I say all of this IF the goal is to close the gap between our team in America vs Europe. That's my goal because I would love to see it be more competitive.
Just a random thought. I know I don't have the magic answer. This is just my two cents.
It is, after all, an exhibition. I know the European team would still be better on paper, but in a short race, pockets that are more player friendly like those on a Diamond in an everyday pool room would potentially close the gap simply by eliminating those shots being dogged.
They don't play exhibition, made for tv golf at Augusta or with US Open rough surrounding the fairways. Same here. This isn't the US Open Nine Ball Championships. Its a made for tv exhibition with a loud, intense atmosphere. Nerves are bad enough given the environment and what's at stake as far as the stars and stripes and the prize money difference.
I believe, that though the players are still the players for each team, the gap would be narrowed based on eliminating those type of mistakes because it's probably only a mistake on four inch pockets.
I mean, the entire event used to be held on Gold Crowns. I don't know if they were shimmed or not but I am guessing they were not.
Of course, I say all of this IF the goal is to close the gap between our team in America vs Europe. That's my goal because I would love to see it be more competitive.
Just a random thought. I know I don't have the magic answer. This is just my two cents.
Okay, how about one junior? Still no good?
I think MR will add a sixth player to the Mosconi. Makes sense to be a junior to entice younger players and prep the next gen. Wouldn't have to pay them much either.
Could also be just an under-25 player or some such.
In any case, the earliest it will happen is 2027.
Just hope that they don't run into an ICE agent trying to fill his monthly deportation quota.
They'd probably be accused of "stealing jobs from real American players." I'm only half-kidding when I say that.
Very optimistic imo.
rather that than a woman player imo. the juniors play on the WNT tour, or nxtgen. the women have their own thing, enjoyable in its own right, but they don't have ranking points
sudocrushms
Well-known member
This. Hell just send the Polish contingent. The rest could sit in the peanut gallery with us.
As much as I’m pro American to the bone, 62 and a lifetime pool enthusiast, the only real activity I’ve stayed with, the world gives America 2 games on the wire and the 7 ball. We argue about sharping and the Filipinos are playing outdoors surrounded by 50 yackers, two dozen scooters whizzing by, and 30 roosters. Reality check America.
Dennis was sharkproof! He just ignored them and kept on shooting.
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Just a little update on Lukas Fracasso-Verner. Turning Stone XLII started 2 days ago and ends tomorrow. This is Lukas' first event since the accident. He won his first 3 matches, lost his 4th to Tom Cayer, and then won his first match on the losers' side just a little while ago. That most recent match was on the streaming table. Lukas looked pretty good. He did miss several shots and fouled on a couple kicks. And apparently he can't break as forcefully as he used to, and may have to use the bridge more to reach shots. But it is really good to see him back and playing decently. I think the event is now down to the last 16 players. If Lukas wins the event, maybe a way will be found for him to play in the Mosconi Cup.
