Every single year in the Mosconi Cup when Earl was there the Euro team used him as a target and a focus. Poking at Earl with a stick became a teamwide game that the Euro team enjoyed and used to create their own sense of "team". They could all band together and support each other in this game, patting each other and high fiving over the angst they could create.
Now though? Noone on team America is like Earl, they are all pretty quiet and humble yet great players. None of the Americans lend themselves to being a target and as such the Euro's dont seem to have that same focus and fun and sense of purpose that they usually have "lets beat up on the American team and get Earl going!"
The biggest thing Earl's absense does is hurt the Euro team IMO. The American team has no weak mental link to be taken advantage any more and the Euro team without that target do not seem to be "into" this Mosconi Cup as they have been in the past. The fire they had is not there this year, they all look bored.
Now though? Noone on team America is like Earl, they are all pretty quiet and humble yet great players. None of the Americans lend themselves to being a target and as such the Euro's dont seem to have that same focus and fun and sense of purpose that they usually have "lets beat up on the American team and get Earl going!"
The biggest thing Earl's absense does is hurt the Euro team IMO. The American team has no weak mental link to be taken advantage any more and the Euro team without that target do not seem to be "into" this Mosconi Cup as they have been in the past. The fire they had is not there this year, they all look bored.