Cultural Differences Between English & USA Spectators - Re: Mosconi Cup

[KoolKat9Lives]

Are English/Euor's spectators more "passionate" about their sports than the USA? Are they less classy, since they are inarguably more vocal and possibly (ahem...) a bit more rude as well?

How big of an impact might this difference make upon the outcome of a Mosconi Cup?

I am not discounting how good the Euro teams are - NOT my question.

 

[punter]

I commented on some other threads about this. I have no problem with passionate, or loud crowds. No problem with pulling for your side. The thing is, you can do that, while at the same time showing respect for the game and the other team. That means being quiet when they are shooting. It's a problem, especially with a shot clock. The clock runs while a player is waiting for the crowd to quiet down. That should not happen.

I do think that the crowd at York Hall, or some of them, are clueless and couldn't care less about being a good sport, JMO.

 

[jamesroberts]

I think you can look no further than the things that occur at soccer games in Europe, I have heard of urine bombs and other things that typical Americans would find repulsive. Lets be honest, a race to 5 9 ball is not real pool, anyone can beat anyone in a race to 5 so the Mosconi Cup is just a novelty, it in no way, shape or form represents the best player.

 

[Donny Lutz]

Europeans?

I think you can look no further than the things that occur at soccer games in Europe, I have heard of urine bombs and other things that typical Americans would find repulsive. Lets be honest, a race to 5 9 ball is not real pool, anyone can beat anyone in a race to 5 so the Mosconi Cup is just a novelty, it in no way, shape or form represents the best player.

Yeah, those Brits and other Europe types are so rude.

Nothing like when I was playing against a Canadian team in the VNEA championships in '87, and the crowd was screaming "USA! USA!" while the Canadians were in mid-stroke. They were just good American "patriots", right?

 

[Bigtruck]

Bottom line is....

Europe has idiots too. It was only a few that were the trouble makers just like here in the U.S. and all other countries that have people.

Ray

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

The crowd participation is integral to the Cup and is part of it's excitement. So long as they remain quiet during the shot so there's no problem with the noise they make.

This is a single table event. The noise isn't interfering with other matches going on around them.

Wish our crowds were as into it as they are.

 

[evanlockhart]

How do you even measure a country's passion for a sport?

In Seattle they make it so loud you can't even hear the guy next to you on the field.

York Hall had some passionate fans from a great culture, sizeable crowd, strong competition, and excitement. Add some alcohol in and you have a recipe for the Mosconi Cup

 

[jamesroberts]

Yeah, those Brits and other Europe types are so rude.

Nothing like when I was playing against a Canadian team in the VNEA championships in '87, and the crowd was screaming "USA! USA!" while the Canadians were in mid-stroke. They were just good American "patriots", right?

Im not just talking about pool, I am talking about a culture

 

[Spider1]

Wait wait....boorish trashy behavior by Brit fans during a mosconi cup!? No way!


Oh wait, it's a matchroom event....big shocker.


Edit: I actually thought this year was fairly mild. Absolutely nothing compared to the loud yelling and sharking during matches of years previous.

 

[vagabond]

I have a question: Which is more distracting- Is it unruly Brits`s screams or the shark moves by your opponent ( a fellow American) in matches played in USA ?

 

[renard]

I have a question: Which is more distracting- Is it unruly Brits`s screams or the shark moves by your opponent ( a fellow American) in matches played in USA ?

A big set of hooters like your avatar!

 

[sfmc-x1]

Are English/Euor's spectators more "passionate" about their sports than the USA? Are they less classy, since they are inarguably more vocal and possibly (ahem...) a bit more rude as well?
[/B][/U]

I think you can look no further than the things that occur at soccer games in Europe.

Passionate and exuberant.

Does what they do lack class... I think that's debatable, depending on the game or sport.

I think the egregiousness of it all was more apparent because it was versus the USA. Now who doesn't get excited about beating "the evil empire"?

Take into consideration, what happens at a British Football game we may consider violent, they consider sport.

 

[BobN]

Ya know, maybe WE (USA Fans) should change. Don't get me wrong, whistling, booing, hissing... that's BS, but don't you think tournaments usually are just a little too quiet??? That being said, I don't shark easily. Once I get in focus, I'm there, and it's going to take a lot to take me out. I don't mind carrying on a conversation with a rail bird during a match, as long as it doesn't bother my opponent.

I think our biggest problem with the Euro fans, or at least my biggest problem, is that while I want a little crowd participation, I don't RUDE crowd participation. Nothing wrong, IMHO, with yelling "USA, USA, USA", or "Europe, Europe, Europe" after shots, between games, whatever but jeering while a player is down on the ball... well, that bothers most players. That shouldn't happen... just good manners. On the other hand, part of what makes pool BORING to outsiders is the spectators are usually expected to sit in their chairs, perfectly still, mouth closed, hands on their laps like a 3 year old in "time out" sitting in the corner. That's ridiculous. Hell, I'd love it if the crowd cheered on a great shot or after a tough runout. At least it would have more of an excitement factor for the crowd than a Friday Night Bridge game at the Senior Center (nothing against Bridge, or Seniors... I am one!)

Keep in mind that the Mosconi Cup is a once a year, special event. If I was in the crowd in Vegas and JA kicked in a 3rail shot and got great position from a safety, I'd like to be able to loudly proclaim "That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout" or at least applaud. Just not acceptable in our "normal" events to "cheer" for a player, and personally, I think that's a shame...

As for the rude fans... do them just like they do at baseball games, foot ball games, etc. If they get out of hand, throw them out... and there were a few that I heard, from what little live streaming I did get to watch of the Cup this year, that needed to be told to leave, but generally, we, as pool players, need to learn to NOT have to play in a vacuum. We might even get a little bit more of a crowd at some of the tournaments if our spectators were allowed to, or even encouraged to, act like it was fun watching the game. This is a game of skill, not a spelling bee... let the spectators get involved a little more instead of sitting there looking like they're not enjoying it! And if players CAN'T handle that, well, then maybe they need to take up checkers or something else that everyone will sit quietly and watch. Just my opinion...



Off of the soap box and back to the practice table. Have a Master's State Championship tomorrow... Hope someone there claps when a great shot is made!

Bob

 

[Tennesseejoe]

Pool at best is a boring sport to watch. But it is a great game. The Times They Are A Changing. More participation by the fans brings money...

 

[Donny Lutz]

Culture

Im not just talking about pool, I am talking about a culture

I am too.

I'm reminded of attending a Super Bowl party years ago, where one of the women screamed at the TV, "Kill that MF! Rip his F-ing head off!"

Humans are the most violent species in history, and Americans are arguably the worst among cultures. We're in denial when it comes to "national pride".

If a typical American saw a muslim screaming "Iraq! Iraq!" or "Iran! Iran!" at a sports event, or most anywhere, s/he would be disgusted. When an American shouts "USA! USA!" in somebody's face, it's just good "patriotic" fun...

 

[Majic]

The exuberance of the crowd reminded me of the Cameron Crazies at a Carolina / Duke basketball game except for having two bottles of beer in one mouth.

 

[Old_York88]

Lets be honest, a race to 5 9 ball is not real pool, anyone can beat anyone in a race to 5 so the Mosconi Cup is just a novelty, it in no way, shape or form represents the best player.

Disagree. It means that every rack is more important and you need to be focussed for every shot as you can't afford to get behind or think that losing 1 rack won't matter. If you were just letting the best player win the match every time then why even bother turning up..?

 

[Old_York88]

I think our biggest problem with the Euro fans, or at least my biggest problem, is that while I want a little crowd participation, I don't RUDE crowd participation. Nothing wrong, IMHO, with yelling "USA, USA, USA", or "Europe, Europe, Europe" after shots, between games, whatever but jeering while a player is down on the ball... well, that bothers most players. That shouldn't happen... just good manners. On the other hand, part of what makes pool BORING to outsiders is the spectators are usually expected to sit in their chairs, perfectly still, mouth closed, hands on their laps like a 3 year old in "time out" sitting in the corner. That's ridiculous. Hell, I'd love it if the crowd cheered on a great shot or after a tough runout. At least it would have more of an excitement factor for the crowd than a Friday Night Bridge game at the Senior Center (nothing against Bridge, or Seniors... I am one!)

Keep in mind that the Mosconi Cup is a once a year, special event. If I was in the crowd in Vegas and JA kicked in a 3rail shot and got great position from a safety, I'd like to be able to loudly proclaim "That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout" or at least applaud. Just not acceptable in our "normal" events to "cheer" for a player, and personally, I think that's a shame...

As for the rude fans... do them just like they do at baseball games, foot ball games, etc. If they get out of hand, throw them out... and there were a few that I heard, from what little live streaming I did get to watch of the Cup this year, that needed to be told to leave, but generally, we, as pool players, need to learn to NOT have to play in a vacuum. We might even get a little bit more of a crowd at some of the tournaments if our spectators were allowed to, or even encouraged to, act like it was fun watching the game. This is a game of skill, not a spelling bee... let the spectators get involved a little more instead of sitting there looking like they're not enjoying it! And if players CAN'T handle that, well, then maybe they need to take up checkers or something else that everyone will sit quietly and watch. Just my opinion...

Well, I was there the last 2 days. Other than the odd "idiot" as has been said in general everyone was remarkably well behaved considering a lot of people got through a lot of beer . There were stewards from Matchroom on the balconies and near the exits who would warn or kick out people if they shouted at the wrong time or didn't like a chant (for example, we got warned for joining in with a "Dennis Hatch, it's never your fault" chant after he blamed a roll off for a missed pot)

I think the refs did a great job controlling it for the most part and Archer + SVB managed to handle it during their games. Hatch tried his best to contain himself during singles but just can't help getting involved with the crowd which then seems to put him off his game. Likewise, DeChaine missed a couple and then just didn't even to be able to cope with the crowd on his back and putting more pressure on.

Would love to come over to Vegas to see what the atmosphere was like over there. It is a different culture and the US doesn't seem to have the chanting and "banter" like with the Europeans but it is very much just limited to the tables and supporting your team during the heat of battle.

 

[Slasher]

The excitement the tension the pressure all created by the crowd at the Mosconi cup it's magical and it's called atmosphere.
Wouldn't be the same with out it and at the end of it all you have to ask yourself, were you entertained? cause that's all that Barry wants to know.

As a captain I would advise my team to just roll with it and enjoy the moment, otherwise you will crumble.
If you think it's all wrong then you just don't get it.

 

[chevybob20]

I absolutely loved the Cup. The fans were a huge part of it, they made it exciting. I hope we can put on an equally exciting event next year.