Mosconi Cup Madness

First thing ,the guys (team USA) lack that team spirit from what I've seen , but what they really needs to do is call Corey Duel and Joe Tucker to help them figure out the rack and breaking issues, otherwise they will end on the left side again , so lets get behind them and let them know get their head out of their a$$, and make history in a good way. GO USA.
 
Here's wishing our coach could suit up and play...;) Seriously, the only player that had his head (and heart) in the game today was Earl. Very intense, in control and pretty much didn't make a mistake. The rest of the team, well............:angry: At least we saved Earl for some singles action tomorrow.
 
All the U.S players made mistakes and poor judgment taking low % shots instead of playing safe. Europe got all the rolls in the first few matches, but the U.S crying about that from the 1st match instead of fighting back they were smiling and joking and throwing their hands up like saying, "what can I do?" I guess you could say Earl was the best of a bad performance for the whole team. Earl is already starting to go on tilt and that will only get worse. I feel sorry for Earl because as a retired nurse I know the type of meds he was/is put on. Nobody can play the high level of pool taking them that he can play. He probably skips a dose or takes half the dose so he can play well. Johnnyt
 
:scratchhead:


Looked like table speed and getting the right angle for position was a problem for Team USA. Seemed most of the mistakes were on a racks with the table wide open and should of been a run out. I know the pockets are small but these are some of the better players in the USA.

Guess I'm not a big fan of Diamond tables or the cloth. Seemed the table rolled faster toward the racking end of the table. :eek:

I know...I've never missed a ball while watching from my living room. :smile:
 
Shane should ask if he can play his next match in the TAR room. He folded like a cardboard box.
Archer scratching on the break, come on. He looked like he never broke from the middle of the table before.
Little Earl the best.
 
My 2 cents

The day started out ... ok, until we got downstairs to the AZ meet and greet. The meet place was being demolished. Big curtains blocked us off at the entrance. Off limits. Ominous? Met Sjm, Cuebuddy. Rick S,Vagabond, fat Albert, EZ Money and @ 6 other AZers coagulated. Lee and other freaking Brits were there with sh1t eating grins.

Rick S, photog extraordianire and fat Albert hooked us up front row, head spot. TY! The crowd was decidedly vocal for US. 2 years ago, Euros smoked us in rooting. We actually won a couple racks outta the gate. Melanie was all fired up, everyone was. Foot stomping, screams and whistles.

Earl was perfect. He chirped a little... Bottom line, we got smoked on the break. We got MF'g crushed on the break. Again.

Johnny got one shot in match one of team play, a break shot where he parked whitey, but got the CB kicked into lower left. Didn't see him again for hours.

Shane was down on a shot, up 4 -3. The PA system snorted out this monsterous noise, Shane missed an easy out. Michaela turned the other cheek, wasn't anything she could do. What momentum we may have had, went in the toilet. It happens.

Here's what I have to say, in my disheartened mood, as that damn volcano outside keeps popping off every hour on the hour.. FWIW.

I was literally 12 feet from the seats where the Euro team was sitting (the row above them was all beautiful women, Angie included).

Anyway, EVERY rack the Euro's won, they'd all get up and fist bump the player(s). Never saw all our players again after match 2. Hatch was always there.

Lou was there on our front row. He's even more ugly than I could imagine. ;) Kidding Lou, nice to meet you!

In conclusion, in my concussion... The break is massive, and we lost that battle. We missed a few critical shots. Tight? IMO, we played a few low % shots. Pockets are 4.25". Euro's played solid. all were stoic. Hats off to them.

I'm running out of Kleenex.


Best thing today - Michaela didn't throw me out. She had ample opportunity. Tomorrow is another day. Better be a good one.
 
The day started out ... ok, until we got downstairs to the AZ meet and greet. The meet place was being demolished. Big curtains blocked us off at the entrance. Off limits. Ominous? Met Sjm, Cuebuddy. Rick S,Vagabond, fat Albert, EZ Money and @ 6 other AZers coagulated. Lee and other freaking Brits were there with sh1t eating grins.

Rick S, photog extraordianire and fat Albert hooked us up front row, head spot. TY! The crowd was decidedly vocal for US. 2 years ago, Euros smoked us in rooting. We actually won a couple racks outta the gate. Melanie was all fired up, everyone was. Foot stomping, screams and whistles.

Earl was perfect. He chirped a little... Bottom line, we got smoked on the break. We got MF'g crushed on the break. Again.

Johnny got one shot in match one of team play, a break shot where he parked whitey, but got the CB kicked into lower left. Didn't see him again for hours.

Shane was down on a shot, up 4 -3. The PA system snorted out this monsterous noise, Shane missed an easy out. Michaela turned the other cheek, wasn't anything she could do. What momentum we may have had, went in the toilet. It happens.

Here's what I have to say, in my disheartened mood, as that damn volcano outside keeps popping off every hour on the hour.. FWIW.

I was literally 12 feet from the seats where the Euro team was sitting (the row above them was all beautiful women, Angie included).

Anyway, EVERY rack the Euro's won, they'd all get up and fist bump the player(s). Never saw all our players again after match 2. Hatch was always there.

Lou was there on our front row. He's even more ugly than I could imagine. ;) Kidding Lou, nice to meet you!

In conclusion, in my concussion... The break is massive, and we lost that battle. We missed a few critical shots. Tight? IMO, we played a few low % shots. Pockets are 4.25". Euro's played solid. all were stoic. Hats off to them.

I'm running out of Kleenex.


Best thing today - Michaela didn't throw me out. She had ample opportunity. Tomorrow is another day. Better be a good one.

Nice report. Keep them coming
 
The day started out ... ok, until we got downstairs to the AZ meet and greet. The meet place was being demolished. Big curtains blocked us off at the entrance. Off limits. Ominous? Met Sjm, Cuebuddy. Rick S,Vagabond, fat Albert, EZ Money and @ 6 other AZers coagulated. Lee and other freaking Brits were there with sh1t eating grins.

Rick S, photog extraordianire and fat Albert hooked us up front row, head spot. TY! The crowd was decidedly vocal for US. 2 years ago, Euros smoked us in rooting. We actually won a couple racks outta the gate. Melanie was all fired up, everyone was. Foot stomping, screams and whistles.

Earl was perfect. He chirped a little... Bottom line, we got smoked on the break. We got MF'g crushed on the break. Again.

Johnny got one shot in match one of team play, a break shot where he parked whitey, but got the CB kicked into lower left. Didn't see him again for hours.

Shane was down on a shot, up 4 -3. The PA system snorted out this monsterous noise, Shane missed an easy out. Michaela turned the other cheek, wasn't anything she could do. What momentum we may have had, went in the toilet. It happens.

Here's what I have to say, in my disheartened mood, as that damn volcano outside keeps popping off every hour on the hour.. FWIW.

I was literally 12 feet from the seats where the Euro team was sitting (the row above them was all beautiful women, Angie included).

Anyway, EVERY rack the Euro's won, they'd all get up and fist bump the player(s). Never saw all our players again after match 2. Hatch was always there.

Lou was there on our front row. He's even more ugly than I could imagine. ;) Kidding Lou, nice to meet you!

In conclusion, in my concussion... The break is massive, and we lost that battle. We missed a few critical shots. Tight? IMO, we played a few low % shots. Pockets are 4.25". Euro's played solid. all were stoic. Hats off to them.

I'm running out of Kleenex.


Best thing today - Michaela didn't throw me out. She had ample opportunity. Tomorrow is another day. Better be a good one.



Don't know what you're talkin' about KK. Just another average pool day for me.

Lou Figueroa
 

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well played, Lou! can't wait for KK9 to read this in the morning.
see you @ the front row!

(sans JB Cases)
 
Don't know what you're talkin' about KK. Just another average pool day for me.

Lou Figueroa

Lou, GREAT photo. Thanks for sharing. You both look great in your Sunday's best. :cool:

Lou, don't wait to come home to write your trip report. Share a few nuggets for the inquiring minds back home, will you? :p
 
The day started out ... ok, until we got downstairs to the AZ meet and greet. The meet place was being demolished. Big curtains blocked us off at the entrance. Off limits. Ominous? Met Sjm, Cuebuddy. Rick S,Vagabond, fat Albert, EZ Money and @ 6 other AZers coagulated. Lee and other freaking Brits were there with sh1t eating grins.

Rick S, photog extraordianire and fat Albert hooked us up front row, head spot. TY! The crowd was decidedly vocal for US. 2 years ago, Euros smoked us in rooting. We actually won a couple racks outta the gate. Melanie was all fired up, everyone was. Foot stomping, screams and whistles.

Earl was perfect. He chirped a little... Bottom line, we got smoked on the break. We got MF'g crushed on the break. Again.

Johnny got one shot in match one of team play, a break shot where he parked whitey, but got the CB kicked into lower left. Didn't see him again for hours.

Shane was down on a shot, up 4 -3. The PA system snorted out this monsterous noise, Shane missed an easy out. Michaela turned the other cheek, wasn't anything she could do. What momentum we may have had, went in the toilet. It happens.

Here's what I have to say, in my disheartened mood, as that damn volcano outside keeps popping off every hour on the hour.. FWIW.

I was literally 12 feet from the seats where the Euro team was sitting (the row above them was all beautiful women, Angie included).

Anyway, EVERY rack the Euro's won, they'd all get up and fist bump the player(s). Never saw all our players again after match 2. Hatch was always there.

Lou was there on our front row. He's even more ugly than I could imagine. ;) Kidding Lou, nice to meet you!

In conclusion, in my concussion... The break is massive, and we lost that battle. We missed a few critical shots. Tight? IMO, we played a few low % shots. Pockets are 4.25". Euro's played solid. all were stoic. Hats off to them.

I'm running out of Kleenex.


Best thing today - Michaela didn't throw me out. She had ample opportunity. Tomorrow is another day. Better be a good one.

Thanks for the update, Matt. Hope you're having fun! :)
 
Shane should ask if he can play his next match in the TAR room. He folded like a cardboard box.
Archer scratching on the break, come on. He looked like he never broke from the middle of the table before.
Little Earl the best.

Shane was up 4-3 and lost because Mika got a lucky kick to make a ball in then made the 9 on the break.

I've seen MANY kicks to in for the Europeans that also ended up with great position for the next ball that enabled them to win several games they should not have won.
 
Shane was up 4-3 and lost because Mika got a lucky kick to make a ball in then made the 9 on the break.

I've seen MANY kicks to in for the Europeans that also ended up with great position for the next ball that enabled them to win several games they should not have won.

You're right about the lucky kick and the golden break, but Shane was suppose to runout twice before that ever happened. He gave that match to Mika. Johnnyt
 
Shane was up 4-3 and lost because Mika got a lucky kick to make a ball in then made the 9 on the break.

I've seen MANY kicks to in for the Europeans that also ended up with great position for the next ball that enabled them to win several games they should not have won.

I'm 100% for team USA but Shane was not on his game. He missed the 9 @ 4-3 which ended up 4-4, but should have been 5-4. He did not look like himself and squandered a couple of chances to win but was unable to.

Europe seemed to have much better chemistry and also appeared to be more focused for the task at hand. Their breaks were better too, the break box definitely did not help Team USA, Europe adjusted much better in that area.

It ain't over but it does not look great at this point! Go USA
 
Here's wishing our coach could suit up and play...;) Seriously, the only player that had his head (and heart) in the game today was Earl. Very intense, in control and pretty much didn't make a mistake. The rest of the team, well............:angry: At least we saved Earl for some singles action tomorrow.

Earl in control?? hahaha. Earl managed to say that "they don't have any difficult shots, lets see what they can do on a jacked up shot". He totally disrespects the opponents and comes of as an ass, as always. He may be a saint off the table, but kills any team spirit the others on the USA team may have had going into this.

Listening to Earl complaining about the easy shots the Eurupeans always have is like listening to the amateur that doesn't understand the value of dead accurate position play -watches the pros, and say that this game is easy, they have no difficult shots.

e.g. everyone says Archer played bad, he scratched on a cruical 7-ball. Why did that happen? Because Hatch played sloppy position - got too straight on the 5, Archer had to leave Hatch a long 6 which he made, but with a position that forced Archer to shoot at the 7-ball with break speed - causing the miss and loss of game / match
 
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Sure the Americans got some bad rolls, but there poor play and execution easily trumped the bad rolls.

In a short race giving up momentum as often as they did is a tough hill to climb, they need to get out when there supposed to and maintain momentum and put (keep) the pressure on Europe.

Their were a few flyers taken with poor results that were crucial when a safety may have been the way to go.
 
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