Mosconi Cup - Van den Berg: "They're weaker than last year; we're stronger"

I would say it is a pretty even playing field IMO. :cool:

Shane vs Ralf
Johnny vs Darren
Mike vs Nick
Rodney vs Niels
Shawn vs Chris
 
Any of these guys can beat any of the others in a race to five.

IF all five guys were there on merit, strictly based on the rank list then it would be different. But it's a made-for-tv event that depends on creating a bunch of drama before the event to inspire a bunch of fervent patriotism and discussion.

The thing is that this is one of the best things going to promote pool and sadly it's only promoting pool in places other than the USA. And it's important to the players.

I do think that Van de Berg is right though that on paper Europe's team is stronger. There was a time when Johnny Archer could go to any tournament in Europe and have a roadmap to the finals due to the competition not being strong and due to people being scared to play him. But not any more. The Europeans have gotten super strong and they have many world class players in each country who are all capable of winning a Eurotour stop.

But it's races to five against tough pros on the USA side. So if Van de Berg is so sure ask him if he will bet on it. I am sure that there are plenty of places where he can get a bet down.
 
Need to be more wildcard spots

Some players are just better at these short race team formats than the qualifying tournaments

E.g. Dennis Hatch and Karl Boyes
 
Neils has some canine blood in him. He was so intimidated by Hatch two years ago that he had to change his shorts during the match.
 
In a race to 5 in 9-ball a "B" player can win a match. The Mosconi Cup use to be fun to watch until CW got involved. Now I'll tune in to see if the fans have the balls to booo him. Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
In a race to 5 in 9-ball a "B" player can win a match. The Mosconi Cup use to be fun to watch until CW got involved. Now I'll tune in to see if the fans have the balls to booo him. Johnnyt
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A "B" player would crap all over himself in this tournament.
 
Johnnyt said:
In a race to 5 in 9-ball a "B" player can win a match. The Mosconi Cup use to be fun to watch until CW got involved. Now I'll tune in to see if the fans have the balls to booo him. Johnnyt
Click to expand...
How can that possibly change anything!

It is a great time with lots of world class players and emotion

The only problem I can see are attitudes like yours
 
For sure, Nick Van den Berg recognizes what most of us on this forum may be afraid to say. :o

Nick quit playing professional pool after the IPT folded for a brief period of time, but then he came back with a vengeance. Make no mistake about it, Nick is, and will be, a strong competitor at the Mosconi Cup. Nobody has to like it coming up against this kid, and just because he's hyping the Mosconi Cup by talking a little smack, well, he's supposed to do that. 'Bout damn time those European players showed a little emotion. :grin-square:

As long as the U.S has no official men's pro tour, there will be behind-the-scenes deals made with those who have access to the decision-makers. It is what it is, and there's not much we can do about it, other than sit back and enjoy the show while it's still here.

As I've said previously, the existing lot of professional players in the United States is dwindling. To make a career out of pool is nothing more than a rich man's high. The players themselves cannot afford it, so they gotta do what they gotta do to compete, which means they will hobnob with the fat money bags to keep their pool ships afloat.

I admire Matchroom Sport and appreciate the fact that they're offering this annual tradition of the Mosconi Cup with Team USA vs. Team Europe. I wonder how long it will be before they drop American and choose Team Asia vs. Team Europe.

Enjoy it while we have it, folks. This is the best that it gets, and it may not be around if the capability of the American pool strength continues to dwindle. :)
 
Fast Lenny said:
I would say it is a pretty even playing field IMO. :cool:

Shane vs Ralf
Johnny vs Darren
Mike vs Nick
Rodney vs Niels
Shawn vs Chris
Click to expand...



When it is an even playing field the results depend upon some external factors such as : how their girl friends treat them on the morning of their matches or their chidlren`s health issues if they have children or some annoying telephone calls from the debt collectors of their home town etc,etc.:cool:
 
Johnnyt said:
In a race to 5 in 9-ball a "B" player can win a match. The Mosconi Cup use to be fun to watch until CW got involved. Now I'll tune in to see if the fans have the balls to booo him. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

Yes a B player could win a race to five against a pro but statistically they are going to lose far more than they win. Increase the pressure and the odds of them winning any given match decrease tremendously.

I liken this event to each match being a pressure match with both players tied in the middle of a set and the result being which one will get the rolls and best capitalize on them.

While any of these players has about an even shot in any GIVEN race to five the players who are higher in the rankings tend to be the ones who can handle the pressure a little better, who are able to come with big shots when it counts and who don't dog shots under the gun. So this will give those players a slight edge in EVERY set and game played no matter the length.

Thus if Nick says that their players are stronger then he is right in the sense that the European players have to battle against tougher players on average than the Americans do to secure spots on the team.

EXCEPT that he is forgetting that most of the Mosconi points events in the USA are stocked with the best of the foreign players as well and so the American pros have to get through them to finish high enough to secure their spots. It's not like they don't take down their fair share of scalps along the way.

I'd say it's about even. Oscar and Mike Dechaine have really gained some seasoning these past few years. Johnny is Johnny, always tough, four time world champion. Rodney is smooth as silk and Shawn is showing some pretty mad skills coupled with new confidence.
 
I think the wild card in all of this is Mike Dechaine. If he can pull through, and play like he knows how. I think USA gets the win. But if he plays bad I dont think USA can fade it. My prediction...USA wins, Shane is MVP
 
JB Cases said:
Yes a B player could win a race to five against a pro but statistically they are going to lose far more than they win. Increase the pressure and the odds of them winning any given match decrease tremendously.

I liken this event to each match being a pressure match with both players tied in the middle of a set and the result being which one will get the rolls and best capitalize on them.

While any of these players has about an even shot in any GIVEN race to five the players who are higher in the rankings tend to be the ones who can handle the pressure a little better, who are able to come with big shots when it counts and who don't dog shots under the gun. So this will give those players a slight edge in EVERY set and game played no matter the length.

Thus if Nick says that their players are stronger then he is right in the sense that the European players have to battle against tougher players on average than the Americans do to secure spots on the team.

EXCEPT that he is forgetting that most of the Mosconi points events in the USA are stocked with the best of the foreign players as well and so the American pros have to get through them to finish high enough to secure their spots. It's not like they don't take down their fair share of scalps along the way.

I'd say it's about even. Oscar and Mike Dechaine have really gained some seasoning these past few years. Johnny is Johnny, always tough, four time world champion. Rodney is smooth as silk and Shawn is showing some pretty mad skills coupled with new confidence.
Click to expand...

Very good post JB
 
I think people really underestimate Mike. I think he's far better than Shawn Putnam.
 
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