He's definitely not the new Earl. Earl behaved (and still does I assume) like that always, at every event he has ever played on, against every opponent he ever played.
I have seen Filler in person at several events (Eurotours, European Championships, Deurne City Classic event in Holland) and he is always very calm and silent and respectful to everyone he plays. Nowhere he shows this Mosconi behavior we saw this week, except at the Mosconi Cup.
I really believe he was instructed or at least encouraged by Matchroom to let himself go like this. Seeing him smile while doing it has me believing he loves it too, though.
I agree with this 100 percent. Of course, Matchroom staff is asking the players behind the scenes to spice it up.
I felt—and still do—tremendous sorrow seeing the emotional disappointment of Joshua Filler when the dust settled. He's 22 and number one in the world. Truly he has accomplished a great deal in his pool career. But I think he felt the loss more than the other Team Europe members because it was him that lost to Sky, giving Team America the almighty win.
A few Mosconi Cups ago, everybody was slamming Jayson Shaw for his display of emotion, something that the Matchroom staff encouraged. The vulgarity and rude comments made to his wife by Americans were outrageous. She did not deserve that.
To read some of the posts on FB and elsewhere about Americans wanting to punch Joshua in the face or beat him up makes me sick to my stomach. I am ashamed of Americans acting in this manner. One prominent European pool aficionado said one American came up to him and gave him the finger in the arena. He left the arena, and his Mosconi Cup experience was tarnished, thanks to some ignorant American a-s-s-h-o-l-e.
Shane said this was THE best Mosconi Cup he had ever experienced, thanks to the team unity and camaraderie. For Joshua, I'm sure this will be the worst loss he's experienced.
The Mosconi Cup is supposed to be a fun rivalry. But it would be better if there was no physical violence threats. This does not make pool great again.
I've seen a lot of great photos of the Cup, but I think this one is my favorite. Shane said this was THE best Mosconi Cup fro him, and I must agree. Look at him. :smiling-heart: