Mosconi Cup - Your Prediction Please

sjm

sjm

Older and Wiser
Silver Member
The Mosconi Cup is just days away. Time to try to get a feel for it and make a prediction.

Team Europe: Shaw, Alcaide, Vandenberg, Filler, Souquet
Team USA: Van Boening, Thorpe, Woodward, Dominguez, Hatch

Team Europe
For my money, it’s a weaker Team Europe than usual. Darren Appleton, Thorsten Hohmann, Niels Feijen, and Albin Ouschan combined to win four of the last five World 9-ball championship, and all will be sitting out this Mosconi. In my opinion, Appleton and Feijen have, in recent years, provided the veteran leadership for Team Europe, and their absence will likely be felt.

Red hot Jayson Shaw, the 2017 player of the year in our sport, will surely be an imposing presence. The superb Josh Filler is likely ready for this very big stage after a solid US Open 9-ball and an impressive showing in the Accu-stats Make it Happen events. David Alcaide and Vandenberg are fine players, but neither has found their best stuff in Mosconi Cups past. Vandenberg's confidence might be high, though, after his win over SVB at the US Open 9-ball. Proven veteran and BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet seems to me to be a bit of a wild card, having had a fine year on Eurotour but failing to cash in the recent US Open 9-ball event. If we get the Ralf of days gone by, Team USA could be in trouble.

Team USA
As I see it, Team USA has a similar pedigree to last year’s team with SVB and Woodward returning and Thorpe, Dominguez and Hatch replacing Bergman, Dechaine and Morris.

Will SVB end his Mosconi jinx? Maybe this is his year. Skyler Woodward seems to get more comfortable each year at the Mosconi. Billy Thorpe is a rising star in his Mosconi debut and we’ll see if he’s up to handling the Mosconi Cup pressure. Oscar Dominguez, who hasn't typically found his best form in the biggest events, has the all-around skills to succeed and he can give Team USA a big boost if he plays well. Dennis Hatch was an automatic qualifier who had a good first half of 2017 to earn a spot. His play has not been as solid in the second half of the year, including a US Open 9-ball in which he didn’t cash. Despite earning zero points for Team USA in 2013, Dennis was MVP in the 2009 Mosconi Cup and perhaps that could help him to confidently find his best game.

Making a Prediction
Last year’s Team USA badly underachieved and, on reflection, should have been up to winning seven matches. This year’s Team USA will be up against a weaker opponent than the 2016 Team USA faced and should be able to keep it close. Still, Europe has the edge in my view. I’m predicting Europe 11 USA 9.

What are your thoughts and what's your prediction?
 
sjm said:
The Mosconi Cup is just days away. Time to try to get a feel for it and make a prediction.

Team Europe: Shaw, Alcaide, Vandenberg, Filler, Souquet
Team USA: Van Boening, Thorpe, Woodward, Dominguez, Hatch

Team Europe
For my money, it’s a weaker Team Europe than usual. Darren Appleton, Thorsten Hohmann, Niels Feijen, and Albin Ouschan combined to win four of the last five World 9-ball championship, and all will be sitting out this Mosconi. In my opinion, Appleton and Feijen have, in recent years, provided the veteran leadership for Team Europe, and their absence will likely be felt.

Red hot Jayson Shaw, the 2017 player of the year in our sport, will surely be an imposing presence. The superb Josh Filler is likely ready for this very big stage after a solid US Open 9-ball and an impressive showing in the Accu-stats Make it Happen events. David Alcaide and Vandenberg are fine players, but neither has found their best stuff in Mosconi Cups past. Vandenberg's confidence might be high, though, after his win over SVB at the US Open 9-ball. Proven veteran and BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet seems to me to be a bit of a wild card, having had a fine year on Eurotour but failing to cash in the recent US Open 9-ball event. If we get the Ralf of days gone by, Team USA could be in trouble.

Team USA
As I see it, Team USA has a similar pedigree to last year’s team with SVB and Woodward returning and Thorpe, Dominguez and Hatch replacing Bergman, Dechaine and Morris.

Will SVB end his Mosconi jinx? Maybe this is his year. Skyler Woodward seems to get more comfortable each year at the Mosconi. Billy Thorpe is a rising star in his Mosconi debut and we’ll see if he’s up to handling the Mosconi Cup pressure. Oscar Dominguez, who hasn't typically found his best form in the biggest events, has the all-around skills to succeed and he can give Team USA a big boost if he plays well. Dennis Hatch was an automatic qualifier who had a good first half of 2017 to earn a spot. His play has not been as solid in the second half of the year, including a US Open 9-ball in which he didn’t cash. Despite earning zero points for Team USA in 2013, Dennis was MVP in the 2009 Mosconi Cup and perhaps that could help him to confidently find his best game.

Making a Prediction
Last year’s Team USA badly underachieved and, on reflection, should have been up to winning seven matches. This year’s Team USA will be up against a weaker opponent than the 2016 Team USA faced and should be able to keep it close. Still, Europe has the edge in my view. I’m predicting Europe 11 USA 9.

What are your thoughts and what's your prediction?
Click to expand...

USA out in two.
 
sjm said:
The Mosconi Cup is just days away. Time to try to get a feel for it and make a prediction.

Team Europe: Shaw, Alcaide, Vandenberg, Filler, Souquet
Team USA: Van Boening, Thorpe, Woodward, Dominguez, Hatch

Team Europe
For my money, it’s a weaker Team Europe than usual. Darren Appleton, Thorsten Hohmann, Niels Feijen, and Albin Ouschan combined to win four of the last five World 9-ball championship, and all will be sitting out this Mosconi. In my opinion, Appleton and Feijen have, in recent years, provided the veteran leadership for Team Europe, and their absence will likely be felt.

Red hot Jayson Shaw, the 2017 player of the year in our sport, will surely be an imposing presence. The superb Josh Filler is likely ready for this very big stage after a solid US Open 9-ball and an impressive showing in the Accu-stats Make it Happen events. David Alcaide and Vandenberg are fine players, but neither has found their best stuff in Mosconi Cups past. Vandenberg's confidence might be high, though, after his win over SVB at the US Open 9-ball. Proven veteran and BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet seems to me to be a bit of a wild card, having had a fine year on Eurotour but failing to cash in the recent US Open 9-ball event. If we get the Ralf of days gone by, Team USA could be in trouble.

Team USA
As I see it, Team USA has a similar pedigree to last year’s team with SVB and Woodward returning and Thorpe, Dominguez and Hatch replacing Bergman, Dechaine and Morris.

Will SVB end his Mosconi jinx? Maybe this is his year. Skyler Woodward seems to get more comfortable each year at the Mosconi. Billy Thorpe is a rising star in his Mosconi debut and we’ll see if he’s up to handling the Mosconi Cup pressure. Oscar Dominguez, who hasn't typically found his best form in the biggest events, has the all-around skills to succeed and he can give Team USA a big boost if he plays well. Dennis Hatch was an automatic qualifier who had a good first half of 2017 to earn a spot. His play has not been as solid in the second half of the year, including a US Open 9-ball in which he didn’t cash. Despite earning zero points for Team USA in 2013, Dennis was MVP in the 2009 Mosconi Cup and perhaps that could help him to confidently find his best game.

Making a Prediction
Last year’s Team USA badly underachieved and, on reflection, should have been up to winning seven matches. This year’s Team USA will be up against a weaker opponent than the 2016 Team USA faced and should be able to keep it close. Still, Europe has the edge in my view. I’m predicting Europe 11 USA 9.

What are your thoughts and what's your prediction?
Click to expand...

I sure hope we will se a more balanced Mosconi Cup, the last two years have not been the nailbiter such a championship should be.
Why team USA had such a poor perfomance last year seems to be a combination of bad team building, cockiness and maybe not the right mix of players. As a great fan of SVB, it hurt to see some of his matches in last years Mosconi Cup, He was clearly nervous and I think the expectations team mates and fans had, was impossible to live up to.
 
i like the americans
will keith,buddy,and seigel be playing

if so i will be pulling for the USA
 
Shaw and Filler the best two for team Europe, whereas Shane and Woodward being the best two for team USA, in my opinion, with team Europe getting a slight nod for best overall two between those four. USA will be lucky if we can get a split out of the matches from those four top players. Team USA did catch a break by them not selecting Kaci and Ouschan on their team, which would have been a formidable grouping of players. Ralf is clearly well past his prime, much like Earl or Johnny, but you can't underestimate what his experience will bring to that team. Shane has to really step up and lead by example for the rest of his team to follow. I would hope the "home field" advantage and the crowd should give our guys a big lift, and put the pressure on their younger players - particularly an emotional young player like Filler, who could possibly buckle if we are able to play good enough to keep the spectators involved in the matches and really turn up the pressure on him!
 
ChrisinNC said:
Shaw and Filler the best two for team Europe, whereas Shane and Woodward being the best two for team USA, in my opinion, with team Europe getting a slight nod for best overall two between those four. USA will be lucky if we can get a split out of the matches from those four top players. Team USA did catch a break by them not selecting Kaci and Ouschan on their team, which would have been a formidable grouping of players. Ralf is clearly well past his prime, much like Earl or Johnny, but you can't underestimate what his experience will bring to that team. Shane has to really step up and lead by example for the rest of his team to follow. I would hope the "home field" advantage and the crowd should give our guys a big lift, and put the pressure on their younger players - particularly an emotional young player like Filler, who could possibly buckle if we are able to play good enough to keep the spectators involved in the matches and really turn up the pressure on him!
Click to expand...

Chris you seem to be knowledgeable beyond your post#'s. Maybe Team Euroooooo's are being dumbed down a bit to make the games a little closer....IDK. If Team USA is on their A game and TEAM euro is not then we could have a nail biter.
Ralf scares me, he can be a monster and we should not make eye contact with this veteran. I don't look for SVB to have a significant change. This format just flies in the face of everything he has built, but what do I know. As far as the home field advantage goes I am not sure that is a factor, the fans of team Europe are way better than the USA fans at chants and cheers and the Euro players are quite accustomed to playing on American soil. Younger players don't seem to buckle to the pressure like the older players do(with the exception of Ralf).
 
While I have been blessed with the talent of guessing as well as the next person..... I wont offer a prediction on this one. :eek:

I will however offer my well wishes to team USA. Time to win one fellas! :thumbup:
 
1.4 odd for Europe to win is a fantastic value bet.

350
 
After listening to the interview with Coach Johann on Mr. Bond's Billiard Radio the other week (I believe it is still archived are the site for anyone that didn't hear it), I'm very confident we will see a team USA unlike any other we've seen in a while.

With the sounds of pool balls popping into pockets in the background, Johann explains how his players have been at the table 8 hours a day training. I'm positive they aren't playing 8 ball on bar boxes. I wish the interview went more in depth into the training tactics (my guess there is a lot of PAT test drills), however Johann sounds very tactful and driven.

Then I watched almost all of the matches two months back with team USA vs team Russia. The boys played well together. They communicated well. The uncomfortable stances and distracting banter from past Mosconi appearances was wiped away from their doubles performances. There seems to be a system of unity and Mosconi cup play understanding that they have incorporated.

From fist bumps to smiles, these guys are a team, and they won as a team.

And the pressure is all on Europe to not just keep the streak alive, but face down their former coach on the other side. There's also a possibility of complacency. Are they training together as much as team USA?

This all adds up to a recipe for a shocking to the world of Rocky Balboan proportions.
USA 11-8

Eye of the tiger. Go USA!
 
sjm said:
The Mosconi Cup is just days away. Time to try to get a feel for it and make a prediction.

Team Europe: Shaw, Alcaide, Vandenberg, Filler, Souquet
Team USA: Van Boening, Thorpe, Woodward, Dominguez, Hatch

Team Europe
For my money, it’s a weaker Team Europe than usual. Darren Appleton, Thorsten Hohmann, Niels Feijen, and Albin Ouschan combined to win four of the last five World 9-ball championship, and all will be sitting out this Mosconi. In my opinion, Appleton and Feijen have, in recent years, provided the veteran leadership for Team Europe, and their absence will likely be felt.

Red hot Jayson Shaw, the 2017 player of the year in our sport, will surely be an imposing presence. The superb Josh Filler is likely ready for this very big stage after a solid US Open 9-ball and an impressive showing in the Accu-stats Make it Happen events. David Alcaide and Vandenberg are fine players, but neither has found their best stuff in Mosconi Cups past. Vandenberg's confidence might be high, though, after his win over SVB at the US Open 9-ball. Proven veteran and BCA Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet seems to me to be a bit of a wild card, having had a fine year on Eurotour but failing to cash in the recent US Open 9-ball event. If we get the Ralf of days gone by, Team USA could be in trouble.

Team USA
As I see it, Team USA has a similar pedigree to last year’s team with SVB and Woodward returning and Thorpe, Dominguez and Hatch replacing Bergman, Dechaine and Morris.

Will SVB end his Mosconi jinx? Maybe this is his year. Skyler Woodward seems to get more comfortable each year at the Mosconi. Billy Thorpe is a rising star in his Mosconi debut and we’ll see if he’s up to handling the Mosconi Cup pressure. Oscar Dominguez, who hasn't typically found his best form in the biggest events, has the all-around skills to succeed and he can give Team USA a big boost if he plays well. Dennis Hatch was an automatic qualifier who had a good first half of 2017 to earn a spot. His play has not been as solid in the second half of the year, including a US Open 9-ball in which he didn’t cash. Despite earning zero points for Team USA in 2013, Dennis was MVP in the 2009 Mosconi Cup and perhaps that could help him to confidently find his best game.

Making a Prediction
Last year’s Team USA badly underachieved and, on reflection, should have been up to winning seven matches. This year’s Team USA will be up against a weaker opponent than the 2016 Team USA faced and should be able to keep it close. Still, Europe has the edge in my view. I’m predicting Europe 11 USA 9.

What are your thoughts and what's your prediction?
Click to expand...

You left out one very big thing here! The addition of Johan Ruijsink as the Captain of Team USA. He is the real wild card in this situation and I expect to see a very different looking Team USA this year, both in attitude and actual play. I think Johan is the right guy to light the fire in Shane and as Shane goes so goes USA. I believe Ruijsink will find a way to get the most out of the team and produce our first victory in seven years. My prediction - Team USA 11-10 with Shane winning the final match! :eek:
 
I hope I’m wrong...but I see no reason why Europe won’t continue it’s domination..

Get ready for a lot of EEEEUUUURRROOOPPPPEEEEE...
 
jay helfert said:
You left out one very big thing here! The addition of Johan Ruijsink as the Captain of Team USA. He is the real wild card in this situation and I expect to see a very different looking Team USA this year, both in attitude and actual play. I think Johan is the right guy to light the fire in Shane and as Shane goes so goes USA. I believe Ruijsink will find a way to get the most out of the team and produce our first victory in seven years. My prediction - Team USA 11-10 with Shane winning the final match! :eek:
Click to expand...

I see close match for the same reason as you Jay but the outcome 11-8 Europe ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top