2022 World Cup of Pool Draw: Thoughts and Predictions Thread

[sjm]

I think, what we saw today is, that Shaw, Albin and Grabe are not real leaders when it comes to doubles play.

In the case of Shaw, his partner, Elliot Sanderson, never got to attempt to pocket a ball, so I don't see how you draw this conclusion. They ran into a team that was in dead stroke. Hey, it happens.

In the case of Albin, he's a two-time winner of this event, so maybe he has what it takes to lead a partner to the finish line.

Not sure what to say about Grabe. He was so far off in his execution today that he had to focus primarily on his own woes. When the better player in a pair doesn't lead by example, it's always hard on the weaker player of the pair.

 

[mikepage]

all my buddies did bet Finland with 3,5 odds. If I had spare to put there I definitely would put all i got. Now money is tight so no win for me but my buddies made good money. Uski is low Fargo because he only plays sometimes other countries. Now he got some sponsors and we might see him more. If I remember right he did not miss a ball last 5 matches in European 8-ball champs couple years ago when he won it.
IMO he is most solid player I know nowadays. I maybe seen one or 2 lesser quality matches from him.
Of course Austria had 2 super solid guys but this is team event and I know Finnish players like scotch doubles always.

Here are the events in Uski's record since 2020

 

[AtLarge]

SVB and Sky looked like they were having a blast yesterday.

A particularly fun point was with Sky shooting an easy shot, Shane tapped the table where he wanted the CB for the next shot. It was completely unnecessary, as Sky would have done exactly that and it was an easy out. So Sky, smiling, then pocketed his ball and tapped the table for an obvious position play by Shane. Shane, smiling, did the same thing again on the next shot. So they both seemed to get a kick out of a little unnecessary "leadership."

 

[skogstokig]

In the case of Shaw, his partner, Elliot Sanderson, never got to attempt to pocket a ball, so I don't see how you draw this conclusion. They ran into a team that was in dead stroke. Hey, it happens.

In the case of Albin, he's a two-time winner of this event, so maybe he has what it takes to lead a partner to the finish line.

Not sure what to say about Grabe. He was so far off in his execution today that he had to focus primarily on his own woes. When the better player in a pair doesn't lead by example, it's always hard on the weaker player of the pair.

grabe often self-implodes on the matchroom stage. it seems lechner has the same tendency

 

[BeiberLvr]

It's still the 1st round?

 

[Tooler]

It's still the 1st round?

Looks like 3 more matches till 2nd round. They need 2 tables.

 

[Vahmurka]

I certainly wish him well, but I think his commentary is terrible,

Good you guys posted it, I didn't want to be the first, lol. I'm far from blaming Rollie as I've been in his shoes. It's not his fault for being in the booth, and he is trying his best. But you can feel he is uncomfortable there.
And what I can not understand, is what MR are trying to achieve with this? They are not going to build larger audience having a "youtuber" (that's how they introduced R.Williams on Day 1) doing a commentary or expertise. UK Open, they had a weird "sports psychologist" saying basically nothing smart or pool related. Looks as if there are not enough knowledgeable people to consult with for MR, in order to know how to run a proper pool tournament. I think you'd agree that any pro player with decent English would do miles better for the audience either in the booth or at post-match analysis.

 

[BlueRaider]

Good you guys posted it, I didn't want to be the first, lol. I'm far from blaming Rollie as I've been in his shoes. It's not his fault for being in the booth, and he is trying his best. But you can feel he is uncomfortable there.
And what I can not understand, is what MR are trying to achieve with this? They are not going to build larger audience having a "youtuber" (that's how they introduced R.Williams on Day 1) doing a commentary or expertise. UK Open, they had a weird "sports psychologist" saying basically nothing smart or pool related. Looks as if there are not enough knowledgeable people to consult with for MR, in order to know how to run a proper pool tournament. I think you'd agree that any pro player with decent English would do miles better for the audience either in the booth or at post-match analysis.

I can't fault MR for trying out different people to add to their stable of commentators. Jeremy Jones and Karl Boyes are now, IMO, the gold standard of pool commentary, and as a duo they are just about perfect. And they are both relatively recent additions to the pool commentary world.

If they're looking to grab well-known figures in the pool world, I wonder how Florian Kohler would do as a commentator. And of course, Matchroom would score a massive coup if they could land Joe Rogan for an event or two, but the odds of that happening are slim to none.

 

[decent dennis]

Good you guys posted it, I didn't want to be the first, lol. I'm far from blaming Rollie as I've been in his shoes. It's not his fault for being in the booth, and he is trying his best. But you can feel he is uncomfortable there.
And what I can not understand, is what MR are trying to achieve with this? They are not going to build larger audience having a "youtuber" (that's how they introduced R.Williams on Day 1) doing a commentary or expertise. UK Open, they had a weird "sports psychologist" saying basically nothing smart or pool related. Looks as if there are not enough knowledgeable people to consult with for MR, in order to know how to run a proper pool tournament. I think you'd agree that any pro player with decent English would do miles better for the audience either in the booth or at post-match analysis.

Maybe not as extreme, but he reminds me of the Chad guy that does the wsop telecasts.

 

[sjm]

I can't fault MR for trying out different people to add to their stable of commentators. Jeremy Jones and Karl Boyes are now, IMO, the gold standard of pool commentary, and as a duo they are just about perfect. And they are both relatively recent additions to the pool commentary world.

If they're looking to grab well-known figures in the pool world, I wonder how Florian Kohler would do as a commentator. And of course, Matchroom would score a massive coup if they could land Joe Rogan for an event or two, but the odds of that happening are slim to none.

Much wisdom in this post. Matchroom might gain if it hooked on to some kind of media celebrity, and to be fair, Rollie in the studio in pre-match banter is acceptable --- he is only terrible when he commentates.

I'm not convinced that, barring mega-celebrities, guest commentators are going to do much to build Matchroom's brand, but that said, I'm no marketing guru. Still, I agree with the basic premise that involving well-known figures in Matchroom productions to generate attention is good business. After all, we all saw the buzz that Judd Trump's participation in the US Open 9-ball created last September.

High profile attendees might also make a difference. Certainly, Kevin Trudeau took this to its logical extreme in his "Battle of the Sexes" match between Mike Sigel and Loree Jon Jones in 2006, in which celebrities were front and center in the audience. Yes, he may have overdone it on that occasion, but the presence of celebrities in the crowd can be a big deal. Shots of attending celebrities are common in baseball, basketball, and football, and the presence of those celebrities can add to an event's credibility as premier entertainment.

I'm fine with these experiments, and frankly, whether I like them or not, if they draw people to pro pool, I'm 100% in favor.

 

[BlueRaider]

Much wisdom in this post. Matchroom might gain if it hooked on to some kind of media celebrity, and to be fair, Rollie in the studio in pre-match banter is acceptable --- he is only terrible when he commentates.

I'm not convinced that, barring mega-celebrities, guest commentators are going to do much to build Matchroom's brand, but that said, I'm no marketing guru. Still, I agree with the basic premise that involving well-known figures in Matchroom productions to generate attention is good business. After all, we all saw the buzz that Judd Trump's participation in the US Open 9-ball created last September.

High profile attendees might also make a difference. Certainly, Kevin Trudeau took this to its logical extreme in his "Battle of the Sexes" match between Mike Sigel and Loree Jon Jones in 2006, in which celebrities were front and center in the audience. Yes, he may have overdone it on that occasion, but the presence of celebrities in the crowd can be a big deal. Shots of attending celebrities are common in baseball, basketball, and football, and the presence of those celebrities can add to an event's credibility as premier entertainment.

I'm fine with these experiments, and frankly, whether I like them or not, if they draw people to pro pool, I'm 100% in favor.

I think that having a celebrity or two in attendance helps lend some credibility to events as being "big deals," but it's also nice to see MR promote pool's own "celebrities."

One thing I like about MR's approach is how they spotlight the pros in the audience in between their own matches. And they give them chances to commentate throughout events.

Jayson Shaw and Chris Melling are both naturals in the booth, as are Kelly and Allison Fisher. Heck, pretty much all of the European pros are good, including Niels and Albin, who doesn't say a lot but knows how to pick the right spots to add insight. Thank goodness for JJ, otherwise the Americans would be utterly outclassed even in commentary.

 

[kling&allen]

I think that having a celebrity or two in attendance helps lend some credibility to events as being "big deals," but it's also nice to see MR promote pool's own "celebrities."

One thing I like about MR's approach is how they spotlight the pros in the audience in between their own matches. And they give them chances to commentate throughout events.

Jayson Shaw and Chris Melling are both naturals in the booth, as are Kelly and Allison Fisher. Heck, pretty much all of the European pros are good, including Niels and Albin, who doesn't say a lot but knows how to pick the right spots to add insight. Thank goodness for JJ, otherwise the Americans would be utterly outclassed even in commentary.

I've been very impressed with the ability of all the pros to do commentary and also love it when they are able to commentate between or after their own matches. I think typical pros in other sports would struggle.

For US talent, the cue it up podcast guys would all be good in the booth. It is amazing the effort they put into their show. They even are getting some mainstream attention:

Cueing up a comeback for pool

Madison-based podcast Cue It Up Network is growing the game of pool with comprehensive, unparalleled coverage and listeners in more than 106 countries.

www.channel3000.com

 

[skogstokig]

I think that having a celebrity or two in attendance helps lend some credibility to events as being "big deals," but it's also nice to see MR promote pool's own "celebrities."

One thing I like about MR's approach is how they spotlight the pros in the audience in between their own matches. And they give them chances to commentate throughout events.

Jayson Shaw and Chris Melling are both naturals in the booth, as are Kelly and Allison Fisher. Heck, pretty much all of the European pros are good, including Niels and Albin, who doesn't say a lot but knows how to pick the right spots to add insight. Thank goodness for JJ, otherwise the Americans would be utterly outclassed even in commentary.

there's noone like JJ at the moment. karl is good too, and together they're brilliant. MR seem to cling onto phil yates for old times sake, he's like inventory.. melling, niels are good guest commentators, even though melling can be overly critical at times.

the qatar match could have done with some of his bashing comments though

 

[Vahmurka]

One thing I like about MR's approach is how they spotlight the pros in the audience in between their own matches. And they give them chances to commentate throughout events.

Yes, that's good work by the producer who operates the cameramen and builds the overall picture by changing plans. At least means he is able to tell an event participant from a pool junkie there. At the same time recently it is not a hard task as long as the audience consists mostly of the players.

Even crossed my mind, whether players' contract forces them to spend some hours in the stands "watching" (most of them are all eyes on their gadgets anyway). Alright maybe there is nothing to do in Essex, and also that was understandable in Milton Keynes during the Covid pandemic when tthe players were in so-called secure bubble in the hotel at the venue complex. But they are in the stands also in Gibraltar and other places offering much more fun outside of watching their compatriots. I mean I don't know any pro who is fond of watching pool, since it is what they prefer playing themselves

 

[skogstokig]

surprise stellar performance from switzerland. japan missed one ball and that was one ball too much

 

[PoolPlayer4]

Much wisdom in this post. Matchroom might gain if it hooked on to some kind of media celebrity, and to be fair, Rollie in the studio in pre-match banter is acceptable --- he is only terrible when he commentates.

I'm not convinced that, barring mega-celebrities, guest commentators are going to do much to build Matchroom's brand, but that said, I'm no marketing guru. Still, I agree with the basic premise that involving well-known figures in Matchroom productions to generate attention is good business. After all, we all saw the buzz that Judd Trump's participation in the US Open 9-ball created last September.

High profile attendees might also make a difference. Certainly, Kevin Trudeau took this to its logical extreme in his "Battle of the Sexes" match between Mike Sigel and Loree Jon Jones in 2006, in which celebrities were front and center in the audience. Yes, he may have overdone it on that occasion, but the presence of celebrities in the crowd can be a big deal. Shots of attending celebrities are common in baseball, basketball, and football, and the presence of those celebrities can add to an event's credibility as premier entertainment.

I'm fine with these experiments, and frankly, whether I like them or not, if they draw people to pro pool, I'm 100% in favor.

Yes, Rollie is awful with the commentary. He can be funny in the right setting but his humor doesn't work in that role. Bad fit.

 

[BlueRaider]

Kaci always looks like someone ran over his dog when he's behind in a set.

 

[KAP1976]

. And of course, Matchroom would score a massive coup if they could land Joe Rogan for an event or two, but the odds of that happening are slim to none.

Would cost a million dollars at least and wouldn't add nearly enough viewers to justify the price.

 

[Gatz]

Kaci always looks like someone ran over his dog when he's behind in a set.

HAHA, this is too fucking funny

 

[sjm]

The WCOP is getting interesting. US and Spain are through to the quarterfinals and both look very dangerous. Can England B continue its phenomenal play? Is so, they have a chance to beat anybody. Several teams are still in with a chance to win this and the event seems to be building to a nice crescendo.