Just finished up my first Mosconi Cup and I must say it has been an amazing experience. Smooth event, great spectators on both sides, and lots of fun times at Griff's every night... (heading there in a few for another night of pool and cool people). Overall, the whole thing was an A+ experience.
As a half-German who lived there for almost 20 years of my life, I was really looking forward to seeing Joshua Filler play in person and I was not disappointed. That kid is a monster... He plays fast, loose, confident and precise. But with all of that said, I was really disappointed in his over-the-top arrogance on display, and the fact that he had the nerve to proclaim himself the new "king." Seems disrespectful to all the players on both sides, not just SVB (who would never utter such words). Even more disappointing was to see Matchroom play into it with a graphic on screen of Filler wearing a crown on his head immediately after the match during interviews. Seems they had that prepped well in advance with intent of creating unnecessary additional drama. IMHO, it took just a little bit of class out of the event. (but still an A+
I'm not sure if folks watching the stream got to see the image I'm talking about, but the graphic disappeared before I could snap a pic.
Anyway, I'm glad to see the pool gods must have been watching and took immediate notice...
When I saw the lineup this morning, I called it... And sure enough the pool gods played along by providing a much-needed Filler attitude adjustment via Mr. Skyler Woodwood. Well done, Sky!
It was amazing and awesome to see it come down to Filler vs. Woodward with USA on the hill. Filler takes the loss on the chin like a Mike Tyson uppercut, coming up short for his team in his most critical match of the MC. Clearly the loss struck home, as he was shaken and emotional when it was over. At one point had the entire European team over there consoling him while Team USA was celebrating and dancing on the table. I even saw Chamat wiping tears off of Filler's face.
He plays like freakin' machine... but at the end of the day he is human like the rest of us. And pool can provide the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows...
This loss will surely sting, but I think it might make him an overall better competitor down the road and maybe help him keep his foot out of mouth for a while. I'm looking forward to many years of watching this kid grow up and be one of the greats.
Humble Pie served.... Hopefully he doesn't forget the taste...
As a half-German who lived there for almost 20 years of my life, I was really looking forward to seeing Joshua Filler play in person and I was not disappointed. That kid is a monster... He plays fast, loose, confident and precise. But with all of that said, I was really disappointed in his over-the-top arrogance on display, and the fact that he had the nerve to proclaim himself the new "king." Seems disrespectful to all the players on both sides, not just SVB (who would never utter such words). Even more disappointing was to see Matchroom play into it with a graphic on screen of Filler wearing a crown on his head immediately after the match during interviews. Seems they had that prepped well in advance with intent of creating unnecessary additional drama. IMHO, it took just a little bit of class out of the event. (but still an A+
I'm not sure if folks watching the stream got to see the image I'm talking about, but the graphic disappeared before I could snap a pic.
Anyway, I'm glad to see the pool gods must have been watching and took immediate notice...
When I saw the lineup this morning, I called it... And sure enough the pool gods played along by providing a much-needed Filler attitude adjustment via Mr. Skyler Woodwood. Well done, Sky!
It was amazing and awesome to see it come down to Filler vs. Woodward with USA on the hill. Filler takes the loss on the chin like a Mike Tyson uppercut, coming up short for his team in his most critical match of the MC. Clearly the loss struck home, as he was shaken and emotional when it was over. At one point had the entire European team over there consoling him while Team USA was celebrating and dancing on the table. I even saw Chamat wiping tears off of Filler's face.
He plays like freakin' machine... but at the end of the day he is human like the rest of us. And pool can provide the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows...
This loss will surely sting, but I think it might make him an overall better competitor down the road and maybe help him keep his foot out of mouth for a while. I'm looking forward to many years of watching this kid grow up and be one of the greats.
Humble Pie served.... Hopefully he doesn't forget the taste...