Mosconi Cup Predictions

C

ChrisinNC

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The Mosconi Cup is finally here! IMO, for the US to have a realistic chance, it’s an absolute must we must get through this first day trailing no worse than 2-3.

It’s imperative that we win the opening team match and that our top two players - SVB and Skyler win most if not all of their individual matches, as our remaining three players will be clear underdogs in most if not all of their matches.

For a change, the short races to 5 actually gives the US team a better chance this year than they would otherwise have if the races were longer. That’s just the way that I see it. We must go in to the final day, if we can make it that far, trailing by no more than 7-8.

if I had to predict, I’m guessing the US will win no more than 7 or 8 matches total, although it would be great if we were still alive with a chance in to the final day. Would a US win surprise me? Yes, far moreso than the US victories in either of the past two years. Opinions?
 
I think that on paper, it looks like Europe 11 USA 7. A team featuring three of the last four WPA World 9-ball Champions in Ouschan, Filler and Gorst, is a deserving favorite.

... but there are reasons that this is the least predictable Mosconi Cup we'll ever see.

1. Players that Haven't Competed in 2020
As virtually every tournament since March has been cancelled, these ten players have, for the most part, not competed for about nine months. No doubt, some of them have played the odd match in practice or action, but practice table preparation may or may not be enough to get these players into their usual form. As I've noted before, comparing solo practice on a pool table to actual competition is like comparing time spent on the pistol range to actual combat. Things are different when someone is shooting back!

2. Players that Haven't Spent Much Time Together in 2020
Most years, the team members see each other a lot, socialize with each other a lot, and prepare for the Mosconi together a lot, but 2020 has not afforded them the usual opportunity for these team-spirit-building moments.

3. Players Attentions Have Been Diverted in 2020
As is the case with everyone in their jobs, their attentions have been diverted by the pandemic. Most of them and most of us, have had to worry about our own health, the health of friends and family, and have had to focus on following rules concerning safety that are completely new and counterintuitive. On top of all this, the majority have had to deal with reduced earning prospects in 2020 and tougher economic times.

4. The Lack of Fans
There is no event on the pool calendar more reliant on the fans for its energy than the Mosconi Cup. The raucous, flag waving, passionate, and yes, crazy, fans are always a big part of the story, and the players always feed off the crowd. Not this year. I suspect Europe's home-court advantage is completely eliminated by the lack of fans in the arena, and this should give American fans like me a little extra hope.

In short, just about anything can happen this year, and I can't say I've ever felt that way going into the Mosconi Cup, which I have followed since its inception.
 
sjm said:
I think that on paper, it looks like Europe 11 USA 7. A team featuring three of the last four WPA World 9-ball Champions in Ouschan, Filler and Gorst, is a deserving favorite.

... but there are reasons that this is the least predictable Mosconi Cup we'll ever see.

1. Players that Haven't Competed in 2020
As virtually every tournament since March has been cancelled, these ten players have, for the most part, not competed for about nine months. No doubt, some of them have played the odd match in practice or action, but practice table preparation may or may not be enough to get these players into their usual form. As I've noted before, comparing solo practice on a pool table to actual competition is like comparing time spent on the pistol range to actual combat. Things are different when someone is shooting back!

2. Players that Haven't Spent Much Time Together in 2020
Most years, the team members see each other a lot, socialize with each other a lot, and prepare for the Mosconi together a lot, but 2020 has not afforded them the usual opportunity for these team-spirit-building moments.

3. Players Attentions Have Been Diverted in 2020
As is the case with everyone in their jobs, their attentions have been diverted by the pandemic. Most of them and most of us, have had to worry about our own health, the health of friends and family, and have had to focus on following rules concerning safety that are completely new and counterintuitive. On top of all this, the majority have had to deal with reduced earning prospects in 2020 and tougher economic times.

4. The Lack of Fans
There is no event on the pool calendar more reliant on the fans for its energy than the Mosconi Cup. The raucous, flag waving, passionate, and yes, crazy, fans are always a big part of the story, and the players always feed off the crowd. Not this year. I suspect Europe's home-court advantage is completely eliminated by the lack of fans in the arena, and this should give American fans like me a little extra hope.

In short, just about anything can happen this year, and I can't say I've ever felt that way going into the Mosconi Cup, which I have followed since its inception.
Click to expand...
Did anyone else notice that in one of the off the rail podcasts , Emily asked Karl of he thought that since the Euros haven't had any team functions or practices, like the Americans, the Americans would have an advantage? I wonder how much the Americans have been able to get together and work as a team?

As for predictions, US leads 3-2 after today and goes on to make it 3 in a row 11-9.
 
Winning the lag in a short match is always big. It seems like we have done better in the last couple of years then before that.
Lag practice is not a good time but could be a factor.
 
ChrisinNC said:
The Mosconi Cup is finally here! IMO, for the US to have a realistic chance, it’s an absolute must we must get through this first day trailing no worse than 2-3.

It’s imperative that we win the opening team match and that our top two players - SVB and Skyler win most if not all of their individual matches, as our remaining three players will be clear underdogs in most if not all of their matches.

For a change, the short races to 5 actually gives the US team a better chance this year than they would otherwise have if the races were longer. That’s just the way that I see it. We must go in to the final day, if we can make it that far, trailing by no more than 7-8.

if I had to predict, I’m guessing the US will win no more than 7 or 8 matches total, although it would be great if we were still alive with a chance in to the final day. Would a US win surprise me? Yes, far moreso than the US victories in either of the past two years. Opinions?
Click to expand...
I agree with ChrisinNC's take, and that's asking a lot, even from two great players like Sky and Shane.

Much as I'd love to see a threepeat, if you rank the combined rosters it's hard to avoid coming up with something like this:

1-7: Mix and match Sky, Shane, and all 5 Europeans. Match up any two of these seven players under the Mosconi Cup rules, and none of them would be a clear favorite over any other. Short races and alternate breaks are the great equalizers.
8. Billy
9. Corey
10. Chris

If Bergman hadn't been removed from the team,* I might have seen a possible path to another U. S. win, and with last year's American roster wholly intact, we might be seeing the greatest Mosconi Cup ever. But with the rosters as they stand today, even 8 wins for Team USA seems a bit optimistic. I'm just hoping I'm wrong, and if I am, I'll just claim it was a reverse jinx strategy......

* Or if Corey were allowed to use his circa 2001 soft break :cool:
 
I want the US to win, but more than that I just it to be tight through day 4 so that we get the most matches possible. I want to have my cake and eat it too I guess.
 
No Fans, to me is the biggest factor. This will be nothing like a normal M.C.

Anything is possible.🍿🇱🇷
 
sjm said:
I think that on paper, it looks like Europe 11 USA 7. A team featuring three of the last four WPA World 9-ball Champions in Ouschan, Filler and Gorst, is a deserving favorite.

... but there are reasons that this is the least predictable Mosconi Cup we'll ever see.

1. Players that Haven't Competed in 2020
As virtually every tournament since March has been cancelled, these ten players have, for the most part, not competed for about nine months. No doubt, some of them have played the odd match in practice or action, but practice table preparation may or may not be enough to get these players into their usual form. As I've noted before, comparing solo practice on a pool table to actual competition is like comparing time spent on the pistol range to actual combat. Things are different when someone is shooting back!

2. Players that Haven't Spent Much Time Together in 2020
Most years, the team members see each other a lot, socialize with each other a lot, and prepare for the Mosconi together a lot, but 2020 has not afforded them the usual opportunity for these team-spirit-building moments.

3. Players Attentions Have Been Diverted in 2020
As is the case with everyone in their jobs, their attentions have been diverted by the pandemic. Most of them and most of us, have had to worry about our own health, the health of friends and family, and have had to focus on following rules concerning safety that are completely new and counterintuitive. On top of all this, the majority have had to deal with reduced earning prospects in 2020 and tougher economic times.

4. The Lack of Fans
There is no event on the pool calendar more reliant on the fans for its energy than the Mosconi Cup. The raucous, flag waving, passionate, and yes, crazy, fans are always a big part of the story, and the players always feed off the crowd. Not this year. I suspect Europe's home-court advantage is completely eliminated by the lack of fans in the arena, and this should give American fans like me a little extra hope.

In short, just about anything can happen this year, and I can't say I've ever felt that way going into the Mosconi Cup, which I have followed since its inception.
Click to expand...
#4 is a big factor, imo. I'll call it #1 if 6 was 9.

I wonder what sort of pre-production discussions / plans were had regarding replacement of that sensational element with something else,.

I hope they don't run it into pro wrestling...or do I?!
 
Europe too strong for USA this year. You have 5 legitimate champions on Team Europe, all above 800 Fargo! Team USA has a decent team, but not the strongest possible. 11-6 Europe.
 
Does anyone know if the DAZN broadcast has started or will it start at 1:30pm EST?
 
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