Russian Pool

steveharn

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Noticed there was a big tourney in Moscow recently. Never here of any Russian players coming to US. Only one I can remember is Evgenij Stalev and haven't seen his name recently, he's not listed on the US Open roster either. Is pool very popular in Russia?
 
Do a search.I now they play on different equiptment and play differnet games.Kind of odd you dont hear of any great Russian players.
 
steveharn said:
Noticed there was a big tourney in Moscow recently. Never here of any Russian players coming to US. Only one I can remember is Evgenij Stalev and haven't seen his name recently, he's not listed on the US Open roster either. Is pool very popular in Russia?
Steve:

While not enjoying the same presence here in the U.S. as they've done in past years, Russian pool players are still on the scene, mostly in Europe. A good example is Konstantin Stepanov, who was a member of last year's Mosconi Cup winning team, Team Europe.

Evgeny Stalev has competed in the U.S. as recently as last year, in the DCC, the Gabriels Open Professional Players Championship, and also won 1st place in a Blaze Tour Stop.

Have no idea why they've not competed in the U.S. this year, though.

Hope this is helpful,
-Sean
 
Just want to replenish Sean's post, Steve.

Since Pool came to Russia (Euro Junior Championships 1991, St.Petersburg), the game's popularity in Russia and the CIS nations has increased enormously. Today you find there leagues, championships, lots of national and international cup series, etc etc.

Russia achieved more than 20 podium positions at Euro championships since the St.Petersburg event, the most of it over the last about 5 years, with Ruslan Chinakhov's numberless pupils single and team titles and Konstantin Stepanov's 2nd (straight pool) and 3rd place (9-Ball) in 2007 as outstanding results. Look at the Eurotour circuit where they look back to some respectable final positions. I'm sure from the strongest Russian players Stepanov, Chinakhov and Zolotilov (all from Moscow), but also from some other talents from that regions, we will hear even more in the future.

I think schedule problems are the reason for not entering US events this year, in connection with the duration for processing a visa.
 
steveharn said:
Must be the money. Look at tennis, how well they are represented there.
yeah, that's correct. Trip to the US Open is too expensive for a Russian pool player, and most likely the prize money won't cover the expenses. Thhis must be the same reason American players didn't travel to the WPC at the Philippines even when they qualified.
btw Stepanov played at US Open once.
 
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