Has Europe Passed Asia at Pool?
As one who has long placed the Asian players on a pedestal, I never thought I’d ever have to consider this possibility, but I’m starting to believe that Europe has passed Asia as the best pool playing continent.
At the US Open 9-ball in September, the last four standing were Biado, Yapp, Oi and Orcullo, so Asia was the story there. At the International, Ouschan won the 9-ball over Orcullo in the final while Filler won the10-ball over Immonen in the final.
In 2022, it hasn’t gone well at all for Asia. At the Derby City 9-ball, the last five standing were Sanchez-Ruiz, Filler, Garcia, He and Shaw. At the Derby City 10-ball, the last four standing were Filler, Gorst, Immonen and Shaw. At the Arizona Open, the last four standing were Gorst, Garcia, Fortunski, and Sanchez- Ruiz. The last four standing at the Las Vegas Open were Yapp, Szewczyck, Zielinski, and Immonen. Finally, at the World 10-ball, the last four standing were Szewczyck, Tevez, Kaci and Shaw. Yes, Europe has been dominating the play in 2022 to this point.
Of course, COVID affected Asia more than Europe, so that’s an extenuating circumstance here. Similarly, the absence of Gorst and Orcullo from major tournament play of late obscures our sense of things. The Chinese players haven't returned yet. Perhaps a year from now, the Chinese, Taiwanese and Filipinos will all return to their peak form and Asians will reestablish their long-term designation as the best in the world.
All that said, I think I’m ready to proclaim, not without some reservations, that Europe is now the top pool playing continent in the world.
What’s your opinion?
As one who has long placed the Asian players on a pedestal, I never thought I’d ever have to consider this possibility, but I’m starting to believe that Europe has passed Asia as the best pool playing continent.
At the US Open 9-ball in September, the last four standing were Biado, Yapp, Oi and Orcullo, so Asia was the story there. At the International, Ouschan won the 9-ball over Orcullo in the final while Filler won the10-ball over Immonen in the final.
In 2022, it hasn’t gone well at all for Asia. At the Derby City 9-ball, the last five standing were Sanchez-Ruiz, Filler, Garcia, He and Shaw. At the Derby City 10-ball, the last four standing were Filler, Gorst, Immonen and Shaw. At the Arizona Open, the last four standing were Gorst, Garcia, Fortunski, and Sanchez- Ruiz. The last four standing at the Las Vegas Open were Yapp, Szewczyck, Zielinski, and Immonen. Finally, at the World 10-ball, the last four standing were Szewczyck, Tevez, Kaci and Shaw. Yes, Europe has been dominating the play in 2022 to this point.
Of course, COVID affected Asia more than Europe, so that’s an extenuating circumstance here. Similarly, the absence of Gorst and Orcullo from major tournament play of late obscures our sense of things. The Chinese players haven't returned yet. Perhaps a year from now, the Chinese, Taiwanese and Filipinos will all return to their peak form and Asians will reestablish their long-term designation as the best in the world.
All that said, I think I’m ready to proclaim, not without some reservations, that Europe is now the top pool playing continent in the world.
What’s your opinion?
We just ain’t getting it done, period. And it’s not looking favorable as it’s been falling off for some time now. 
