MOSCONI CUP LIVE (Score Updates)

BRussell said:
Matchroom has announced the lineup for Wednesday:

Match 1: Justin Bergman vs. Some random European in the audience
Match 2: Rodney Morris & Ko Pin Yi vs. Boris Johnson and Tony Blair
Match 3: Skyler Woodward & Darren Appleton vs. two random really drunk Europeans in the audience
Match 4: John Morra vs. Queen Elizabeth who forfeits in advance so there can be a day 4
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Ok, I think the U.S. might have a chance here. I predict:

Win
Loss
Loss
Win

2-2 on day 3 gets us to day 4, where I think our strategy should be to catch a flight home early in the a.m. and claim that the Euros forfeited because they didn't want to make Queen Elizabeth look bad.
 
Mousa said:
Like USA coach said moments before the first lag (you can find the match in genipool14's YT channel) "We're just gonna try not to suck this year!"
Well, at least you tried!
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This rubbed me the wrong way.

I haven't a grudge against Mark Wilson at all, but please, don't start off the interview with "we're just gonna try not ta suck this year". It feels as though I, as a viewer and fan of the USA should just concede and turn off my TV.

Then again, I don't know what the answer is. Maybe light a few damn sparklers, pull out your boom box and blast some "Back in the Saddle Again"- never heard Aerosmitch say "We're just gonna try not to suck this show".

Set some damn precedence. For them and for me. Please.
 
sjm said:
I disagree. Yes, they are all talented, but they are not developing much as players over the past few years.

Except for Justin Bergman, their decisions are inferior to the top Europeans and Asians year round and while they can sometimes compensate for it by breaking well (or in the case of SVB like Superman), in the end poor decision makers find themselves with very low title counts in anything but regional tourneys.

The best pool players need to be great in both conceptualization and execution and Team USA has a long way to go when it comes to conceptualization skills. Because Team USA has failed to bring these skills up to par, they have shown up unprepared for success for three years running.
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What I mean is that these guys would not be huge underdogs in a tournament setting. They can all hold their own. Shane, for example, is the perhaps the best tournament player in the world, but even he plays poorly or at least sub-standard (for him) in the MC. It seems for several years in a row guys have under-achieved for team USA
 
jay helfert said:
I know you are referring to when Jerry says, "He didn't break out the eight ball." That was a clear mistake not recognizing that the nine was dead off the eight and shouldn't be broken up. I want you to know that we all make mistakes in the box from time to time (I'm famous for confusing the three and five ball, since they look so similar on the monitor). Jerry is a good commentator. I know because I've worked with him many times. I suspect his view of the table is not the best and he's winging it in there sometimes. It's about all you can do when you are using monitors to make the calls. You lose all perspective on the table. That's the reality of doing this job when you are not anywhere close to the table and can't look directly at it. I've lobbied more than once for a better location and elevation of the commentators booth with mixed success. I can remember working where one of the large cameras is stationed in front of our booth, blocking our view of half the table. Give him a break okay. It looks easy until you have to do it.
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The booth is directly in front of the table, in an elevated position with no large cameras obscuring the view (they are to the sides). You literally could not position the booth any better. They have the best view in the house.
 
jay helfert said:
I know you are referring to when Jerry says, "He didn't break out the eight ball." That was a clear mistake not recognizing that the nine was dead off the eight and shouldn't be broken up. I want you to know that we all make mistakes in the box from time to time (I'm famous for confusing the three and five ball, since they look so similar on the monitor). Jerry is a good commentator. I know because I've worked with him many times. I suspect his view of the table is not the best and he's winging it in there sometimes. It's about all you can do when you are using monitors to make the calls. You lose all perspective on the table. That's the reality of doing this job when you are not anywhere close to the table and can't look directly at it. I've lobbied more than once for a better location and elevation of the commentators booth with mixed success. I can remember working where one of the large cameras is stationed in front of our booth, blocking our view of half the table. Give him a break okay. It looks easy until you have to do it.
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Eh? If there are monitors in the booth then the position of it doesn't really matter. The commentary team have the same view as those watching on TV (and thus, probably the best view other than the players at the table) so if people at home are noticing mistakes then you can't really blame it on the view, as you're all watching the same thing.

That said, I generally quote enjoy the commentary on Matchroom events. Pool commentary in general is abysmal; this is much better, though nowhere near snooker commentary (speaking generally).
 
Looks bad

I sincerely feel for Team USA. Getting beat so bad every year has to suck big time.

I thank them for trying and they try hard.

But, it ain't over yet!
 
While I want Europe to win, I really wish the USA would turn up one of these years. When it is this one sided, it is not as much of a spectacle. Ideally you want these things going down to the wire!!
 
lfigueroa said:
I didn't think the rolls on Day One changed anything. Day Two was another story.

Lou Figueroa
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"Do not make excuses, whether it's your fault or not." -George S. Patton


The excuse mindset is a weak mindset. It serves no good. If you lose, especially if you believe it was because of something that was out of your control, then keep it to yourself because a) the only people who matter don't need an excuse, and b) it doesn't make you look strong, it makes you look weak because most times it is weak.

"To rush into explanations is always a sign of weakness." -Agatha Christie

"Never make excuses. Your friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them." -John Wooden
 
Arete said:
"Do not make excuses, whether it's your fault or not." -George S. Patton


The excuse mindset is a weak mindset. It serves no good. If you lose, especially if you believe it was because of something that was out of your control, then keep it to yourself because a) the only people who matter don't need an excuse, and b) it doesn't make you look strong, it makes you look weak because most times it is weak.

"To rush into explanations is always a sign of weakness." -Agatha Christie

"Never make excuses. Your friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them." -John Wooden
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meh.

There is a difference between an excuse intended to lessen accountability and a valid reason that is fact and explains events.

I have said several times now that the Euros are the better team (BTW, that would be fact not an excuse). But it is also a fact that they have gotten some incredible rolls. They could have opened up a bakery yesterday.

Lou Figueroa
 
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lfigueroa said:
meh.
There is a difference between an excuse intended to lessen accountability and a valid reason that is fact and explains events.
I have said several times now that the Euros are the better team. But it is a fact that they have gotten some incredible rolls. They could have opened up a bakery yesterday.
Lou Figueroa
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I seldom agree with Mr. Figueroa on anything, but he's right on this one.
And in these little dinky short races, these rolls really make a difference.
 
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correct you said it all

jay helfert said:
Okay, here's my take on the proceedings. Stu has got it right, their shot election and execution is superior to ours. That said, we had chances to win every match but failed when given an opportunity to win. It was NOT about the rolls, please save that for your crying towel. We missed more balls and didn't execute our safeties as well. In short matches like this, one error can make the difference and it did today in two of the four matches. When Bergman fouled in game one that took all the starch out of him and Gray just took over after that.

I felt that our players were trying hard today, but other than Justin just couldn't get on track. I feel for Mike Dechaine. He looks much looser than in previous MC, but seems to be over thinking on relatively easy shots, like that 2-9 combo that he butchered. I wanted him to take one look and get up there and make it. You know what they say, "think long, think wrong." Rodney played well to win our lone match, only missing twice in one game. Other than that, he played pretty strong throughout. That win gave our team a lift. Too bad we couldn't capitalize with a win in the doubles afterwards. We sure had our chances to win that KEY match.

I thought Darren played better today and Albin came up with a great shot from the four to the five. By far the most improved European player of the last few years. Albin has transformed himself into a very confident world class player. Jayson has always played great, maturing incredibly since marriage and fatherhood. I fully expect him to play good tomorrow.

As for the abbreviated session, this is not the first time they've done this for television purposes. They would like it to stretch to a fourth day if possible. Maybe we can go 2-2 tomorrow and that way they're guaranteed at least two matches on Day Four. They just did the same thing two years ago and we managed to win two matches on the final day to get to 10-9.

I thought Phil Yates did a nice job on the commentary today and overall I like the team doing it. Jimmy is one of the best imo and Jerry has his good moments as well. :wink: He messed up a couple of times, but give a senior citizen a break already. OMG he's almost as old as me and I'm a dinosaur!

P.S. All this talk about the size and population of Europe compared to the USA is meaningless babble! We have far more pool players here and a lot more opportunities to play. If anything we have them way outnumbered. Bottom line, their best are better than our best. I can remember when Australia with it's small population dominated world tennis. It's not the size of your country that counts, it's the size of your heart!

P.P.S. I'm still not sure that Europe could beat Team Philippines or Team Taiwan for that matter. Again country size and population means little in this equation. Let me pick five top Filipinos and I will take on the world. These guys refuse to lose!
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just adding that tours in USA must be playing with the Eurorour regulations so US players must get used to alternate break format,break rules, and momentum
:smile:
 
westcoast said:
What I mean is that these guys would not be huge underdogs in a tournament setting. They can all hold their own. Shane, for example, is the perhaps the best tournament player in the world, but even he plays poorly or at least sub-standard (for him) in the MC. It seems for several years in a row guys have under-achieved for team USA
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I really think shane is doing poorly for 2 main reasons, both of which create a never ending cycle of poor performance:

1) Although Shane wants to win, he does not like team formats, and does not like that there are teammates and a whole nation's pride depending on him

2) Shane has a bad history at the MC and it compounds the pressure to do well every year (essentially he steps into the arena too eager to prove himself, which is never a good mindset to have in pool or anything that requires a lot of focus)

If you watched the Kings Cup, shane played excellent because he didn't care about letting Mika/Daz/Albin down and it wasn't a "USA" thing. Even though it was a team, he was there only for the prize money.
 
Meanwhile, if Shane wins today, he'll be everybody's hero again. :grin-square:
 
Arete said:
"Do not make excuses, whether it's your fault or not." -George S. Patton


The excuse mindset is a weak mindset. It serves no good. If you lose, especially if you believe it was because of something that was out of your control, then keep it to yourself because a) the only people who matter don't need an excuse, and b) it doesn't make you look strong, it makes you look weak because most times it is weak.

"To rush into explanations is always a sign of weakness." -Agatha Christie

"Never make excuses. Your friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them." -John Wooden
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Top 10 post of the year. Sage advice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
3 Reasons we suck at this...

As I see it, there are three reasons we aren't winning now, and you can see it clearly...

1. Team. The Euros lay all their emotions, self pity and blame on the side of the road and show up and support their team mate(s) when they play--every time. The only team mate the US has counted on is Skyler and sometimes Rocket, the others appear to be MIA or in the practice room. I wouldn't be surprised if Shane specifically waved off any team support, thinking it sharks him. Sitting in his chair alone pouting isn't working, either. These players fight hard and politic to get on the team every year, yet the coach seems to have no leverage to make these guys act like a team? Barry Hearn might actually like the drama of a coach sending a team member home early and putting in a substitution...and I don't care how many Opens somebody's won.

2. Lack of a real tour. Those of us that are bemoaning "the rolls" or the format or whatever need to take a closer look at pool in Europe the past few years. European pros play on a couple of tours that are selective, require strict qualifications and are quite happy to hire a professional, certified coach to work with them year round. Our players are all self taught (for the most part) and rely on the crucible of the pit to sharpen their skills. The problem is that B players like me can enter virtually any event in the U.S. if they have the money and get it in early. Look at any field, including the U.S. Open...there are plenty of B players, weak A players donating to the pot. SVB gets to coast until he hits a real world beater, which isn't good for his ability to stay in gear, which is why he excels at long races and gambling matches, but can get flummoxed in a short race and find some difficulty getting back in stroke.
Euro tour players are guaranteed a tough match every round, so they HAVE to stay sharp all the time. No rest for the wicked...So, until we have a closed tour, with a governing body, standard rules/equipment and a rigorous qualification regime, our players will be starting out at a deficit.

3. Technique. Something I really paid attention to this year, because I had a theory about this based on the proclivity of Euro players to hire coaches/instructors and spend hours upon hours doing drills...every single player on Euro's team has a laser straight stroke and delivery. Their stances varied, but even their PSR was similar. They aren't missing shots. They're missing safeties and occasionally going for ill advised low percentage flyers--but correct that error in judgement immediately. Now look at the US players...their strokes are significantly less straight; lots of hitches, wiggles movement in the bridge hand, etc. The hallmark of a self taught player, as phenomenal as they may be; but that tendency is what lets them down under pressure and causes misses. Our players are (for the first time in a couple of years) actually playing tactically smarter than the Euros, never taking a flyer when a better safety is available, and rarely (if ever so far) missing a safety. They're just missing shots, and pedestrian ones at that! The coach needs to hire a team of coach/instructors to work with the selected and alternate team as early as possible, and stress to the field of hopefuls that personal coaches would be welcome and at large picks would be well advised to have a coach if they intend to get picked.
 
Day 3 Lineup

LOL
Matchroom are now stingy with matches. Original 5 matches now down to 4. And we know if Europe wins first 3 , 4th match will be cancelled and moved to Day4
First up are SVB and Dechaine who have a lot to prove, they are only ones not contributing any point while rest of team have contributed
Mark Wilson promised that USA will win Day 3 so he also has lots to prove :D
https://www.facebook.com/mosconicup/videos/vb.399176270114/10154600438530115/?type=3&theater

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