Wow, the German 14.1 team is so strong that neither Thomas Engert, who ran 490+ on a 4 1/2 x 9, nor European Straight Pool Championship Bronze Medalist Andreas Roschkowski, could eke out a spot.
Europe rocks
- Thread starter berry
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Wow, the German 14.1 team is so strong that neither Thomas Engert, who ran 490+ on a 4 1/2 x 9, nor European Straight Pool Championship Bronze Medalist Andreas Roschkowski, could eke out a spot.
Your not wrong, they have alot more depth at that game.
The funny thing about using 14.1 as the determination which I alluded to above is that it is a very underplayed game in the USA and thus pretty poor as a comparison, which can be seen from the fact that I did not put Johnny Archer, SVB, and Cory Deuel on the American team despite the fact that they are probably the 3 best pool players in the USA atm in 9-ball or 10-ball which are the dominate games in the states.
Which was my point with Curling, Canada will dominate the USA in that sport, does it mean we are just that much more naturally gifted at that sport, or perhaps just maybe might have something to do with how much more we play that sport up here compared to it's popularity in the USA. I don't know, what do you figure?
The fact that Switzerland is likely to get more medals in the Winter Olympics this year then Egypt should not come as a surpise to anyone and the reason for that should be common sense to most people. Would it really be worth bragging about beating a country in a sports they don't even participate in to any great degree in the slightest?
And that's the reason I would perhaps not include either One-Pocket or Bankpool on SJM's list, because those games are played "only" in America.
I would say that Americans play more 14-1 than Europeans play bankpool and one-pocket combined
That's because Americans are all-around players, not restricting themselves to one or two pool games.
If you're going to be a pool player, then maybe it's a good idea to learn all the games.
That's because Americans are all-around players, not restricting themselves to one or two pool games.
If you're going to be a pool player, then maybe it's a good idea to learn all the games.
I really wonder whether this is true. Europeans, in my view, are every bit as dedicated to being allaround players as Americans. The quality and depth of the fields in both 14.1 and 8-ball are very evident in the European Championships. These pedigrees have translated to success in the most elite events. For example, in the World 14.1 championships, a) 2006 Hohmann (Germany) over Engert (Germany) in the final, b) 2007 Ortmann (Germany) over See (Netherlands) in the final, and c) 2008 Feijen (Netherlands) over Bustamante (Philippines). At the IPT 8-ball events, the Europeans were very successful, especially Hohmann, Souquet, Appleton.
If all-around play is measured by 9/10 ball, 14.1, and 8-ball, Europe surely gets the nod over America. If, instead, it is measured by 9/10 ball, banks and one pocket, America gets the nod over America.
To sum, I think it's unfair to suggest that the Europeans are anything less than wonderful all-around players, and they've proven it time and time again.
Furthermore, the way this thread was initiated, that Americans are inferior to Europeans, is offensive to me, and I stated my opinion as such.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, SJM, that you believe Europeans are the best.
I will continue, though, to express my thoughts about those who put American pool players down, as if they can't hit a lick. It is offensive to me as an American. I admire your bravado about how great the Europeans are, SJM, but please let me have my opinions about the American pool players too.
In fact, if I was to state what my opinion was about European players, it would not come across very pleasant.
I think that if you review my posts in this thread, I took similar exception to you about the perception of American pool, noting, and cataloging, that 2009 has been a banner year for our players so far.
My last post was far more about the subjective matter of what constitutes an all-around player, and I'll persist in my contention that Europeans are excellent all-around players, as are the Americans.
And I stated my opinion, just like the other guy. That's what YOU are NOT getting.
No.. you just said that you couldn't give your opinion because you couldn't frame it in a presentable enough matter...
Now you did say that you wouldn't stand for people putting down American players and that is fine and dandy and all... But calling the Euros better isnt calling the Americans bad
Comprehend now
No, I do not comprehend now. I stated my opinion, just like every single other poster in this thread. I said it was offensive to me to read American pool players' strength in playing pool was inferior to Europeans.
We can play a game of semantics all day, if you'd like, but I may dance a few circles around you in that regard. Do you want to dance?
We can play a game of semantics all day, if you'd like, but I may dance a few circles around you in that regard. Do you want to dance?
It's been a rather clumsy dance so far!
Why is it offensive when someone offers the opinion that European players are better than American ones, and why would you take it so personally? Your posts have been very defensive from the start - accusing the original poster of thinking that "...those blue-bloods in Europe are better than us American rednecks."
There was no hint of this in their posts.
You followed this with other remarks, like these:
"It's different in Europe all right, but I ain't talking about pool."
and:
"...if I was to state what my opinion was about European players, it would not come across very pleasant."
Maybe you should just come out with it. Others may not be as insecure as you are about this particular issue.
"Why on earth should one not want to root for the home team? It's the very fabric of what sports is all about, at least here in the States."
This is just an admission that your opinion is based on loyalty and not evidence, which is fine as long as you don't have to justify it, and later resort to underhanded remarks when you find yourself unable to do so.
"Americans do not lead the world in everything." This statement is not a personal attack.
I won't succumb to the bashing of Americans. It shows a little insecurity on your end to go to such lengths to make a statement like that.
Anyway, I just won the Kentucky Derby! American horse racing at its finest. My man Calvin done it again! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! :grin-square:
Just a funny story to add to this thread. A few years ago, some people brought Marcus Chamat over here, and he played some on the road before the tourneys. Long story short, they took him to a small town in the south, population of 40k or so, and let him play a local that 90% of the posters here on AZ have never heard of(I will omit the name to protect said player, but there are at least 15-20 posters here that know who it is, and can say it if they so desire, lol). This player ends up beating "Little Napoleon" out of, I think, 7 sets at 500 at set. I forgot, the local had also been in a car wreck that day, and wasn't 100%, lol. So please don't talk about the lack of talent over here as opposed to Europe. Please keep sending players over that gamble, so that out players will have a little something to retire off of . The moral to this story is actually that there are good players everywhere, not just in YOUR proverbial back yard.
. The moral to this story is actually that there are good players everywhere, not just in YOUR proverbial back yard.
No, I do not comprehend now. I stated my opinion, just like every single other poster in this thread. I said it was offensive to me to read American pool players' strength in playing pool was inferior to Europeans.
We can play a game of semantics all day, if you'd like, but I may dance a few circles around you in that regard. Do you want to dance?
So calling Euros better offends you...
You know the Scandinavians are way better alpine athletes than Americans
The Germans also play better soccer than Americans.
Nobody gets down beer brewing like those Belgian Monks. Yes they are better at it than Americans also.
Sucks to be you if reality offends you.
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I like being me, and I like having the freedom to express my opinion. Germans may be better in soccer, Scandinavians may be better alpine athletes, but this is a pool forum, last time I checked. My opinion about American pool players still stands.
Just a funny story to add to this thread. A few years ago, some people brought Marcus Chamat over here, and he played some on the road before the tourneys. Long story short, they took him to a small town in the south, population of 40k or so, and let him play a local that 90% of the posters here on AZ have never heard of(I will omit the name to protect said player, but there are at least 15-20 posters here that know who it is, and can say it if they so desire, lol). This player ends up beating "Little Napoleon" out of, I think, 7 sets at 500 at set. I forgot, the local had also been in a car wreck that day, and wasn't 100%, lol. So please don't talk about the lack of talent over here as opposed to Europe. Please keep sending players over that gamble, so that out players will have a little something to retire off of
So you are telling me, that because some punk won some money of Marcus there is nothing to worry with the American pool talents???
I was talking about training, coaching, school programs, sport psychologist, youth (lots of youth) introduced to the sport.. ect ect. But because some punk took some pocket money from jetlaged Marcus, there is nothing to worry! Nice, this way we will keep on kicking USA ass for the next 20 years.
And maybe this guy (that some other posters know..??) can be a world champion one day... mow ha ha!
Is my English so bad, or are the readers not capable of answering my questions? To make it easier the questions start after: Things I would like to discus:
The above-referenced opinion is the European attitude that has helped me form my opinion about the European pool culture in general.
Thankfully, not all Europeans have this opinion. In fact, the very player mentioned, Marcus Chamat, has a lot of class and would never lower himself to label an American player as a "punk."