Mosconi winner this year

[tableroll]

Does the change on USA roster make USA stronger,weaker, or the same?

I think it is a little weaker or the same. Cory can play.

 

[tableroll]

Looks like it's going ahead. New rules in UK allow a small crowd for inside sporting events, so there should be some atmosphere. I'll go Europe to win 11-7. Wouldn't be surprised if the venue moves. Recent snooker tournaments have relocated to the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. They have a set up with a hotel so the players can all move onto the site for the week without mingling with the general public

It has already moved once.

 

[jokrswylde]

Weaker but I don't think it matters. They were going to lose with or without Bergman. Rinse and repeat until USA improves its talent pool.

Curious if you felt the same the last two years, or if its just this year that the back to back defending champs don't stand a chance?

 

[Scrunge19]

Curious if you felt the same the last two years, or if its just this year that the back to back defending champs don't stand a chance?

With every passing year, team USA gets weaker and team Europe gets stronger. The talent pool for the US is very shallow at this point while Europe has a wide array of talent to call upon.

I think the short race format and the fact that there won't be fans this year will help the US, but I just look at the two rosters and Europe outclasses the US in every spot. The US having to replace their third strongest player at the last minute certainly doesn't help either.

Ultimately, I think the doubles matches are what is going to decide the match. If Europe treads water or comes out ahead after doubles play, they might just run away with this thing. Hopefully that doesn't happen and this match is close heading into the last day.

 

[Fatboy]

Europe has three of the last four WPA World 9-ball champions on the team and deserves to be favored. I’ll predict Europe 11 USA 7.

we agree

hope you have been well, look forward to seeing you again-I hope in 2021

very best regards
Fatboy

 

[Fatboy]

With every passing year, team USA gets weaker and team Europe gets stronger. The talent pool for the US is very shallow at this point while Europe has a wide array of talent to call upon.

I think the short race format and the fact that there won't be fans this year will help the US, but I just look at the two rosters and Europe outclasses the US in every spot. The US having to replace their third strongest player at the last minute certainly doesn't help either.

Ultimately, I think the doubles matches are what is going to decide the match. If Europe treads water or comes out ahead after doubles play, they might just run away with this thing. Hopefully that doesn't happen and this match is close heading into the last day.

That’s typical of everything.
America needs to step up in everything

 

[sjm]

we agree

hope you have been well, look forward to seeing you again-I hope in 2021

very best regards
Fatboy

Yeah, something to look forward to for sure. Be safe and be well.

 

[sjm]

With every passing year, team USA gets weaker and team Europe gets stronger. The talent pool for the US is very shallow at this point while Europe has a wide array of talent to call upon.

I think the short race format and the fact that there won't be fans this year will help the US, but I just look at the two rosters and Europe outclasses the US in every spot. The US having to replace their third strongest player at the last minute certainly doesn't help either.

Ultimately, I think the doubles matches are what is going to decide the match. If Europe treads water or comes out ahead after doubles play, they might just run away with this thing. Hopefully that doesn't happen and this match is close heading into the last day.

I know where you're coming from, but the truth is that the Mosconi Cup is a marathon, not a sprint, and it's really difficult to win with the weaker side.

Traditionally, Team USA has held it's own in doubles even when it loses the Mosconi. I think the Mosconi comes down to keeping it competitive in singles, because it is in that area where they've fallen woefully short over the past decade.

I think the wild card this year is that the Mosconi will feature 10 players that have barely competed this year. I'm guessing that some of these players will play below their usual speed. Even the practice table workaholics may show a little rust from the lack of competition.

Wonder what the pocket sizes will be, too. They were fairly loose in 2018 and it definitely helped Team USA. That said, they were tighter in 2019 and Team USA defended their title. My sense of things is that it will help Team USA if the pocket sizes are looser rather than tighter.