Looking good for USA. 2 point lead. Bookies now have USA favorite (about 60% chance ) to win whole thing.
Last time a team lost after leading with 2 points or more was 2007. USA led 4-1 and lost 11-8.
Emily Fraser may be onto something when she predicted Tyler for MVP.
Kaci may be most overrated debutante (Topped Euro and WPA World rankings). Lost all his matches (2 doubles and 1 singles ). Kid cannot handle the nerves and play under team high pressure environment. Chamat should him in cold storage and minimise and defer his involvement though that may not be possible since each player has to play at least 2 singles if they go all the way.
About Kaci, he is used to competing in professional tournaments with quiet audiences, much like snooker events. Though he spent some time in the States and did play in some regional tournaments, I don't think he was prepared for this type of atmosphere with the screaming fans in the stands.
Poor guy was clearly uncomfortable. Somebody said he recently switched shafts to a reva or revo or rever. I didn't quite catch it, but they believed this may be contributing to some of this missed balls. What a time to switch cues!
The unity on Team Europe this year is not as strong, IMO, as previous years. Though Kaci tried to be stoic when sitting on his perch at the TV table, I don't think he enjoyed having players coming up and giving him shoulder massages and fist pumping. It looked as if he was forcing himself to smile, to look happy, but I think he, much like Shane in the past, prefers the one-on-one competition in pool. This is definitely a new experience for him. :embarrassed2:
The kid will be 20 next month. It was just last year that he was in the World Pool Series Grand Finale, and if memory serves me right, he came in fourth at a world championship in China, which consisted of world-class champions from around the world.
For a young'n, he's a legend in the making, I think. Every champion has a streak in pool, with some lasting longer than others. Who knows how long Kaci's streak will last? I think he's just beginning his trek. I like the fact that he's a straight arrow and has no bad habits. I'm not sure I like all those tattoos. But I guess that's the style these days with young folk. My daughter has one. Keith and me, no tattoos.
So far in the Cup, Tyler is 'da man. It was thrilling to see him shine. It was infectious because I think he inspired the whole team. Everybody gave it their all. I hope we do well today too.