Ok. This will be the last Mosconi Cup thread from me this year 
To stay serious for atleast 22 seconds. I think this article by Alex Lely, and the article by Jerry Forsyth on AZ frontpage, "Nearing the end", really sums up the difference by the two teams this year.
As most of you understand, I am a fan of pool. Not only European pool, or Filipino-pool. I like good pool when I see it. I don't dislike Team USA, and I really want America to rice and shine again when it comes to pool. Two of my all-time favourite players are Keith McCready and Earl Strickland. But when it comes to Mosconi Cup, I will always root for Team Europe. I have watched the Mosconi Cup live on tv the last 5 years, and I have thought it was the best pooltournament and poolshow there is, even when Europe lost.
Back to the purpose of this thread. As I said, the articles sums up the difference in how America and Europe looks at pool. The Europeans go to the gym, eats healthy food etc. to stay in perfect shape for their matches. As an example players like Niels Feijen, Jasmin Ouschan etc always goes very early to bed during tournaments, and wakes up early, atleast several hours before their matches.
Netherland was a "nobody" in European pool 10 years ago. Then Rico Diks won the European Championships, and soon players as Alex Lely, Niels Feijen, Nick van den Berg and Huidji See entered the arena, with lots of youngsters coming up. In Netherland they threat pool as any other sport, and they have a coach, Johan R, travelling with the dutch players on all Eurotours, World Championships etc. Even if they play individual tournaments, they normally eat breakfast together, watch their matches etc, and help supporting eachother.
Many European countries have started to copy the German and Dutch style, and I think that it will give an edge to Europe for many years to come.
Hopefully America can find a way to change this, and I wish that players from America also can get a monthly paycheck from their national Olympic Commitee, just like the best players in Netherland.
Anyway, here's the article:
Written by Alex Lely, European coach:
Europe has defended the Mosconi Cup against charges from the battle-tested team USA. It were four long days, but an evening session on sunday was never needed...endscore:11-5!! Team Europe controlled the whole tournament, from beginning, middle and end. They plays like champions seizing control on day one and never granting USA any momentum.
One time, on day two, team USA looked like winning their first session. Mark Grey and Mika Immonen were down 4-1 in a race to five, It seemed that USA were about to narrow the marging to a one point difference: 6-5.
The Europeans kept cool though. They clinched that match from the claws of defeat, thereby taking a 7-4 lead. In hindsight, team USA never recovered from that. Europe kept the pressure on them and with every rack played, the Atmerican players looked more beat.
The strategy for Europe was easy. Souquet and Feijen were unbeatable as a pairing, coming back from 3-1 down twice. After this they really got going and played the best doubles pool, many spectators will ever witness...textbook perfect, spot-on cueball control and shotmaking from another planet. Feijen made some great smooth but long stroke shots where the objectball never hit the rail, going in as clean as you'll ever see. And Ralf...Ralf is just the leader of the troops. This man is so good under pressure and the pairing of him with Niels was just a nightmare for the Americans...it really broke their spine.
Captain Alex lely:"They were my stormtroopers. Solid as a rock, cool as ice, fierce and ruthless as mercenaries. Holy cow, it was a treat to watch these two double up. Mika Immonen, of course, came to Malta cruising on the waves of victory, winning the US- and Japan Open within a month. He was another powerhouse taking care of the backend of each session. Where Ralf and Niels seized momentum, Mika was the man to secure it whenever it seemed to tilt. Of course his doubles match with Mark Grey, winning to go up 7-4 after trailing 4-1, was awesome. Mark Grey had lost two previous doubles matches, but was by no means responsible for those losses. He looked good all time he was out there and i really wanted to grant him a singles match. It's just that Ralf, Niels and Mika were so good, it did not seem the best choice for the team. Apart from his presence when in the the arena, he contributed greatly to the team spirit. He was enjoying it and with his genuine enthusiasm and headstrong attitude really made a big contribution in upholding the spirit in the practice-room. Tony Drago was struggling during the tournament. He had of course the pressure of last years dynamite-performance in Vegas to repeat and to be playing in front of his fellow countrymen. He was on fire in one match, the ones that witnessed will surely never forget. He had Strickland against the wall, 4-1 up in 14 minutes (including commercial breaks). He had the eye, he walked the walk. It was not to be. Earl really came back in Strickland-style, stealing that point with a 5-4 score. After that we knew that we had to stick to Mika for the singles. But bear in mind that even when a player is not scoring points for the team, he still is great value...and that, is where Tony will never falter...joking, energetic...we couldn't have done it without him".
When peaking into the two practice rooms, one could see a clear distinction in style. The USA-room had Pizza-Hut boxes, McDonalds-junk and empty coke cans on the floor. The European room was clean, with tea and coffee, fruit, nuts, raisins and sandwiches in the afternoon. Team Europe was a unit. Six man on a mission, having breakfast, lunch and dinner together. All have spent time in the gym this week (yes, also Tony). As fatiguing as it sometimes might have been, they were all aware of the necessity. The focus was on team, commitment, patience and disciplin.
To stay serious for atleast 22 seconds. I think this article by Alex Lely, and the article by Jerry Forsyth on AZ frontpage, "Nearing the end", really sums up the difference by the two teams this year.
As most of you understand, I am a fan of pool. Not only European pool, or Filipino-pool. I like good pool when I see it. I don't dislike Team USA, and I really want America to rice and shine again when it comes to pool. Two of my all-time favourite players are Keith McCready and Earl Strickland. But when it comes to Mosconi Cup, I will always root for Team Europe. I have watched the Mosconi Cup live on tv the last 5 years, and I have thought it was the best pooltournament and poolshow there is, even when Europe lost.
Back to the purpose of this thread. As I said, the articles sums up the difference in how America and Europe looks at pool. The Europeans go to the gym, eats healthy food etc. to stay in perfect shape for their matches. As an example players like Niels Feijen, Jasmin Ouschan etc always goes very early to bed during tournaments, and wakes up early, atleast several hours before their matches.
Netherland was a "nobody" in European pool 10 years ago. Then Rico Diks won the European Championships, and soon players as Alex Lely, Niels Feijen, Nick van den Berg and Huidji See entered the arena, with lots of youngsters coming up. In Netherland they threat pool as any other sport, and they have a coach, Johan R, travelling with the dutch players on all Eurotours, World Championships etc. Even if they play individual tournaments, they normally eat breakfast together, watch their matches etc, and help supporting eachother.
Many European countries have started to copy the German and Dutch style, and I think that it will give an edge to Europe for many years to come.
Hopefully America can find a way to change this, and I wish that players from America also can get a monthly paycheck from their national Olympic Commitee, just like the best players in Netherland.
Anyway, here's the article:
Written by Alex Lely, European coach:
Europe has defended the Mosconi Cup against charges from the battle-tested team USA. It were four long days, but an evening session on sunday was never needed...endscore:11-5!! Team Europe controlled the whole tournament, from beginning, middle and end. They plays like champions seizing control on day one and never granting USA any momentum.
One time, on day two, team USA looked like winning their first session. Mark Grey and Mika Immonen were down 4-1 in a race to five, It seemed that USA were about to narrow the marging to a one point difference: 6-5.
The Europeans kept cool though. They clinched that match from the claws of defeat, thereby taking a 7-4 lead. In hindsight, team USA never recovered from that. Europe kept the pressure on them and with every rack played, the Atmerican players looked more beat.
The strategy for Europe was easy. Souquet and Feijen were unbeatable as a pairing, coming back from 3-1 down twice. After this they really got going and played the best doubles pool, many spectators will ever witness...textbook perfect, spot-on cueball control and shotmaking from another planet. Feijen made some great smooth but long stroke shots where the objectball never hit the rail, going in as clean as you'll ever see. And Ralf...Ralf is just the leader of the troops. This man is so good under pressure and the pairing of him with Niels was just a nightmare for the Americans...it really broke their spine.
Captain Alex lely:"They were my stormtroopers. Solid as a rock, cool as ice, fierce and ruthless as mercenaries. Holy cow, it was a treat to watch these two double up. Mika Immonen, of course, came to Malta cruising on the waves of victory, winning the US- and Japan Open within a month. He was another powerhouse taking care of the backend of each session. Where Ralf and Niels seized momentum, Mika was the man to secure it whenever it seemed to tilt. Of course his doubles match with Mark Grey, winning to go up 7-4 after trailing 4-1, was awesome. Mark Grey had lost two previous doubles matches, but was by no means responsible for those losses. He looked good all time he was out there and i really wanted to grant him a singles match. It's just that Ralf, Niels and Mika were so good, it did not seem the best choice for the team. Apart from his presence when in the the arena, he contributed greatly to the team spirit. He was enjoying it and with his genuine enthusiasm and headstrong attitude really made a big contribution in upholding the spirit in the practice-room. Tony Drago was struggling during the tournament. He had of course the pressure of last years dynamite-performance in Vegas to repeat and to be playing in front of his fellow countrymen. He was on fire in one match, the ones that witnessed will surely never forget. He had Strickland against the wall, 4-1 up in 14 minutes (including commercial breaks). He had the eye, he walked the walk. It was not to be. Earl really came back in Strickland-style, stealing that point with a 5-4 score. After that we knew that we had to stick to Mika for the singles. But bear in mind that even when a player is not scoring points for the team, he still is great value...and that, is where Tony will never falter...joking, energetic...we couldn't have done it without him".
When peaking into the two practice rooms, one could see a clear distinction in style. The USA-room had Pizza-Hut boxes, McDonalds-junk and empty coke cans on the floor. The European room was clean, with tea and coffee, fruit, nuts, raisins and sandwiches in the afternoon. Team Europe was a unit. Six man on a mission, having breakfast, lunch and dinner together. All have spent time in the gym this week (yes, also Tony). As fatiguing as it sometimes might have been, they were all aware of the necessity. The focus was on team, commitment, patience and disciplin.
Last edited:
