Mark Gray Nick Ekonomopoulos are they top 5 Europeans?

watchez

watchez

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Everyone is talking about the US team. I am sure someone is going to correct me but is Mark Gray and Nick Ekonomopoulos really top 5 for Europe? Honestly, I have never even heard of Mark Gray til he was named to the team.

Am I wrong that Europe is not putting forth their top team which still includes
Niels Feijen
and most likely to be Appleton and Hohman round out a strong top 3.

But that leaves off these top players, many of which seem to be a better 'team' fit than Gray and Nick the greek --- beyond the argument of greater skill.

Mika (13th on the money list)
Nick Van Den Berg (won $50K the past two years and on his way again this year)
Ralf Souquet (who's best years may be behind him but still 15th on the money list)
Thomas Engert (I guess he retired? but that seems to be a theme that wins out as a selection)
Karl Boyes (who many thought would be picked for his energy in the English atmosphere and currently 8th on the money list this year)
Jayson Shaw (27th on the money list, winner at Turning Stone and probably plays more tournaments than anybody)
Aubin Ouschan (got 2nd in World 9ball championship)
 
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watchez said:
Everyone is talking about the US team. I am sure someone is going to correct me but is Mark Gray and Nick Ekonomopoulos really top 5 for Europe? Honestly, I have never even heard of Mark Gray til he was named to the team.

Am I wrong that Europe is not putting forth their top team which still includes
Niels Feijen
and most likely to be Appleton and Hohman round out a strong top 3.

But that leaves off these top players, many of which seem to be a better 'team' fit than Gray and Nick the greek.

Mika (13th on the money list)
Nick Van Den Berg (won $50K the past two years and on his way again this year)
Ralf Souquet (who's best years may be behind him but still 15th on the money list)
Thomas Engert
Karl Boyes (who many thought would be picked for his energy in the English atmosphere and currently 8th on the money list this year)
Jayson Shaw (27th on the money list, winner at Turning Stone and probably plays more tournaments than anybody)
Aubin Ouschan (got 2nd in World 9ball championship)
Click to expand...

On paper, perhaps they are not, but Team Europe's team was chosen on merit based on results in competition in 2014, with the selection criteria for the first three team members announced about eight months ago. Mark Gray and Nick Ekonomopolus earned their way onto the team, so based on the selection criteria announced by Johan, they are Top 5.

Finally, if Europe were to show up with its five World 9-ball champions, (Feijen/Hohmann/Appleton/Souquet/Immonen), that would just be mean! Give us Americans a chance, just this once!

Good luck to Mark and Nick.
 
This is gonna be good.
Forget everything else and just think about the gears ticking right now.
Players.....coaches ....producers......tick tick tick.

Europe is confident but can't help but be concerned about a hand picked team.

Overconfidence , or choking, has been known to happen. Don't count yer chickens before they hatch woohooo

Go USA.
 
This year's cup doesn't do it for me. A victory for either team is meaningless imo because they could have faced better. Neither team is putting their best forward.
 
because of the obvious talent and depth issue matchroom has had to put on parameters so that euro don't field there 5 world champions or best upcomers like shaw oushan etc that's why last year they made it the legends

gray and nikos are not in the top 5 but play on the euro tour consistently unlike Appleton shaw mika melling etc they are trying to make it close so it goes to a final day unlike last year

this year maybe closest I think, I like US team only switch would be dechaine for Schmidt but dechaine did this to himself for his poor character for many years so now he is paying the repercussions
 
I don`t know how the team is chosen, but maybe there is more to it than results.
Maybe there is a strong focus on how the team works together?
I would love to see Mika as he played great last year. Jayson Shaw would also be cool to watch :)
 
No. I don't like this team at all and would go as far as saying the USA has half a chance. I like JS being in your team as you're going to need players who have balls in blackpool.
 
Ron Swanson said:
No. I don't like this team at all and would go as far as saying the USA has half a chance. I like JS being in your team as you're going to need players who have balls in blackpool.
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Agree on Schmidt. I think people are really underestimating how intimidating a Blackpool crowd has the potential to be. When I see people rallying for a place for Sky Woodward it makes me shake my head. He looks like a good player, but do you really want to put him in front of that crowd?
 
watchez said:
Everyone is talking about the US team. I am sure someone is going to correct me but is Mark Gray and Nick Ekonomopoulos really top 5 for Europe? Honestly, I have never even heard of Mark Gray til he was named to the team.

Am I wrong that Europe is not putting forth their top team which still includes
Niels Feijen
and most likely to be Appleton and Hohman round out a strong top 3.

But that leaves off these top players, many of which seem to be a better 'team' fit than Gray and Nick the greek --- beyond the argument of greater skill.

Mika (13th on the money list)
Nick Van Den Berg (won $50K the past two years and on his way again this year)
Ralf Souquet (who's best years may be behind him but still 15th on the money list)
Thomas Engert (I guess he retired? but that seems to be a theme that wins out as a selection)
Karl Boyes (who many thought would be picked for his energy in the English atmosphere and currently 8th on the money list this year)
Jayson Shaw (27th on the money list, winner at Turning Stone and probably plays more tournaments than anybody)
Aubin Ouschan (got 2nd in World 9ball championship)
Click to expand...

YES they are top 5 Watchez!
Here in Europe we have a ranking system that's proven :thumbup:
 
Yep! You got it right!

SakuJack said:
Agree on Schmidt. I think people are really underestimating how intimidating a Blackpool crowd has the potential to be. When I see people rallying for a place for Sky Woodward it makes me shake my head. He looks like a good player, but do you really want to put him in front of that crowd?
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing, he's good, but not there yet.
 
Bella Don't Cry said:
YES they are top 5 Watchez!
Here in Europe we have a ranking system that's proven :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Europe has a pro tour, something American is lacking, sad to say.

With that said, Thorsten Hohmann, who's won quite a few championship titles, the most recent of which is Challenge of Champions, may not be included because he has not completed in recent European tour events. Is that right? Or may he be included because of a "wildcard" pick? Just curious how the European selection criteria is.

The American selection criteria, as we all know, is quite different than the European selection criteria. It seems that every year, Matchroom Sport adjusts the selection criteria for Americans, so that it is fair across the board. I admire that about them.

Next year, if there is a next year, it may once again be different than this year. I guess that's what I like about Matchroom is that they're flexible. :smile:
 
The REAL QUESTION..,

watchez said:
Everyone is talking about the US team. I am sure someone is going to correct me but is Mark Gray and Nick Ekonomopoulos really top 5 for Europe? Honestly, I have never even heard of Mark Gray til he was named to the team.

Am I wrong that Europe is not putting forth their top team which still includes
Niels Feijen
and most likely to be Appleton and Hohman round out a strong top 3.

But that leaves off these top players, many of which seem to be a better 'team' fit than Gray and Nick the greek --- beyond the argument of greater skill.
Click to expand...

Why don't we have 10 real champion level players that can compete at any stage???
I like the young guns that are coming up, but why cant we consistently compete?
 
It's a good thing for team USA that Europe isn't keeping last years roster together.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I would certainly favor Ralf over Mark Gray, but I don't pay the prizemoney so I don't decide.

But, I will go out on a limb and take Europe laying 6:5 for upto $200.

gr. Dave
 
Nick performed better than any other European at the US Open. Given current form, I think it would be a mistake if he wasn't on the team.
 
Double-Dave said:
I would certainly favor Ralf over Mark Gray, but I don't pay the prizemoney so I don't decide.

But, I will go out on a limb and take Europe laying 6:5 for upto $200.

gr. Dave
Click to expand...

I'll bet on the US getting 6:5 in any single match during the Mosconi that Mark Gray or Nick E are involved in.
 
watchez;4936865 But that leaves off these top players said:
Mika[/B] (13th on the money list)
Nick Van Den Berg (won $50K the past two years and on his way again this year)
Ralf Souquet (who's best years may be behind him but still 15th on the money list)
Thomas Engert (I guess he retired? but that seems to be a theme that wins out as a selection)
Karl Boyes (who many thought would be picked for his energy in the English atmosphere and currently 8th on the money list this year)
Jayson Shaw (27th on the money list, winner at Turning Stone and probably plays more tournaments than anybody)
Aubin Ouschan (got 2nd in World 9ball championship)
Click to expand...

You could probably add Chris Melling to this list ....
 
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