When people from other countries think of American pool, the first person that pops into their mind should not be Earl.
Yes it damn well should be! That man strokes the balls as good as if not better than anyone on the planet ever has - he plays the game beautifully and has a strong passion for the game as well. The way Earl plays nine ball is the very definition of the way the game was intended to be played.
And you know I really don't get why people get in such a fit over Earl. So what if he throws a hissy fit? Ironically being as bothered by it as some are is exactly the same kind of over-reaction that they are angry at Earl about!
And why do people get their knickers in such a twist over 'good sportsmanship' and traditionally polite ettiquette anyway?
I'd rather watch Earl walk back to his chair and curse blindly cus he missed a shot than see somebody being a 'consummate professional' who thinks it makes him a better person because he's not showing his feelings.
The man not only has a burning desire to win and to compete, but also a deep love for the game of pool.
Those are two qualities I admire greatly.
By the way I'm supporting USA - at the end of the day I'm a pool fan number one and English second! And there's just one English player on team Europe - I've got more in common in many ways with an American than a German, Finn, Dutch or Maltese person! So i'm not supporting Europe for the sake of geographical/where you come from reasons!
USA on the other hand has some of my all time favourite pool players in Earl, Shane and Johnny, so for me it's USA all the way!