The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming!

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
I just read the U.S. Open players list, and I could not believe my eyes when I saw The Russian's name on the player roster: Evgeny Stalev! :)

It will be GREAT to see Evgeny in the pit. Wait until you see this kid slam the rack. He lets out a little hoot when he breaks the balls, like the tennis pros do when they swing, landing on one leg.

As of 11:00 p.m. last night, September 12th, there are 227 players PAID and CONFIRMED. Only 19 slots left. Will the U.S. Open this year fill up to the brim?

Without a doubt, this will be the BEST U.S. Open ever, and I cannot wait to get there. :D

Picture of a Russian comrade, Keith McCready, and "The Russian" himself, Evgeny Stalev. :)

JAM
 

Attachments

  • Russian and Keith and friend.JPG
    Russian and Keith and friend.JPG
    21.5 KB · Views: 871
JAM said:
I just read the U.S. Open players list, and I could not believe my eyes when I saw The Russian's name on the player roster: Evgeny Stalev! :)

It will be GREAT to see Evgeny in the pit. Wait until you see this kid slam the rack. He lets out a little hoot when he breaks the balls, like the tennis pros do when they swing, landing on one leg.

As of 11:00 p.m. last night, September 12th, there are 227 players PAID and CONFIRMED. Only 19 slots left. Will the U.S. Open this year fill up to the brim?

Without a doubt, this will be the BEST U.S. Open ever, and I cannot wait to get there. :D

Picture of a Russian comrade, Keith McCready, and "The Russian" himself, Evgeny Stalev. :)

JAM
Click to expand...

Hey Jam, you aren't kidding! I saw a video of him about 6 months ago. Evan Broxmeyer was telling me about him and showed me. Wow what a shot he is...
 
I love Evgeny's stroke, and I love how his group of cronies always look wasted. :D
 
Yep, Stalev's skills are really something to be seen, but he has lacked mental composure to take important victories. I think he's more a gambler than a tournament player.

And his break is really something, how he launches his whole body towards the table & rack ! :cool: Stalev has cuepower in spades !
 
Sad to say I've never seen Stalev hit a ball. Heard a lot about him, but last thing I can remember of him was that he played in all the qualifiers for the 2004 WPC in Taiwan and failed to win a spot. Unless he's far better form than then, it would seem unlikely he's a force to be reckoned with at the US Open. Still , it would be a great story.

Wow, what a field in Chesapeake!
 
sjm said:
Sad to say I've never seen Stalev hit a ball. Heard a lot about him, but last thing I can remember of him was that he played in all the qualifiers for the 2004 WPC in Taiwan and failed to win a spot. Unless he's far better form than then, it would seem unlikely he's a force to be reckoned with at the US Open. Still , it would be a great story.
Click to expand...

I enjoy watching Evgeny Stalev play pool. He's more fun to watch when he's in action, but in a tournament setting, he's an experienced professional and is capable of beating the best.

Here's an interesting interview of Evgeny Stalev from April 2003: http://www.billiard-online.com/newse/pyramid/stalev_interview2002.html

Evgeny was the World Pyramid Champion in 1999 and 2000, back to back: http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=champ_pyramid

I believe he only got into 9-ball a year or two before he came to the States, which was 3 years ago or so. I remember him telling me that he won a Russian title 4 years in a row, but in his broken English, I couldn't catch the exact name of it. He's still a young'n today; I think maybe early twenties. :p

I'm curious to as to what game The Russian will bring with him to the States this year. I'm pretty impressed with his banks. ;)

Here's a story written by Fred Agnir about "The Russian" in some Vegas action:
http://www.playpool.com/article.php?sid=145&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Evgeny will really complement the spirit of the Thirtieth U.S. Open, and the railbird spectators at Q-Masters after hours will be in for a treat! :D

sjm said:
Wow, what a field in Chesapeake!
Click to expand...

Yes, indeed, and still growing! :)

JAM
 

Attachments

  • Keith and Russian2.JPG
    Keith and Russian2.JPG
    18 KB · Views: 757
JAM said:
I enjoy watching Evgeny Stalev play pool. He's more fun to watch when he's in action, but in a tournament setting, he's an experienced professional and is capable of beating the best.

Here's an interesting interview of Evgeny Stalev from April 2003: http://www.billiard-online.com/newse/pyramid/stalev_interview2002.html

Evgeny was the World Pyramid Champion in 1999 and 2000, back to back: http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=champ_pyramid

I believe he only got into 9-ball a year or two before he came to the States, which was 3 years ago or so. I remember him telling me that he won a Russian title 4 years in a row, but in his broken English, I couldn't catch the exact name of it. He's still a young'n today; I think maybe early twenties. :p

I'm curious to as to what game The Russian will bring with him to the States this year. I'm pretty impressed with his banks. ;)

Here's a story written by Fred Agnir about "The Russian" in some Vegas action:
http://www.playpool.com/article.php?sid=145&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Evgeny will really complement the spirit of the Thirtieth U.S. Open, and the railbird spectators at Q-Masters after hours will be in for a treat! :D



Yes, indeed, and still growing! :)

JAM
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, JAM. I'm always looking to learn more about the players.

I suspect that this is one of the strongest tournament fields in our sport's history. The player hoisting the trophy when this one ends will have surely put on a breathtaking display of great pool.
 
9 Ball Girl said:
SJM, you've gotta make out to Chesapeake one year--even if it's just for the weekend!
Click to expand...

Haven't been to the Men's US Open in seventeen years. Was at the 2002 Women's US Open. I'm about due for a return to the Men's US Open, wouldn't you say?
 
ARM9BALLER said:
Hey Jam, you aren't kidding! I saw a video of him about 6 months ago. Evan Broxmeyer was telling me about him and showed me. Wow what a shot he is...
Click to expand...

I saw that guy some time back in 2001 .And was playin strong..
Went down to dcc the year after Match up in some strong 1 pocket games .And have not hear from him since.. It good to see him agian..
 
sjm said:
Sad to say I've never seen Stalev hit a ball. Heard a lot about him, but last thing I can remember of him was that he played in all the qualifiers for the 2004 WPC in Taiwan and failed to win a spot. Unless he's far better form than then, it would seem unlikely he's a force to be reckoned with at the US Open. Still , it would be a great story.

Wow, what a field in Chesapeake!
Click to expand...

Those q'rs are damn tough though-Pretty sure Luat didnt even qualify one year-

Stalev got 7th in Chesapeake once i believe and i wouldnt be that shocked if he made it to the final 16 or so.

BTW SJM_ where were you tonite?
 
That article by Fred Agnir is one of my favorite action stories. Stalev is easily one of the most underrated players in the game, and with his monster break he just might be a good darkhorse to win the open this year, kind of like Owen was last year.
 
Stalev's Tournament Composure.

mjantti said:
Yep, Stalev's skills are really something to be seen, but he has lacked mental composure to take important victories. I think he's more a gambler than a tournament player.

Let us not forget that he sent Archer to the one loss side in the 2003 Connecticutt Open and then after going through the winner's bracket unbeaten, he faced Archer again in the finals. It was a race to nine and the score was 2 games apiece with Stalev winning the fourth game. Over and over again Stalev refused the referee's rack until finally the Ref told him to accept the rack and break or forfeit the tournament. Stalev proceeded without hesitation to take down his cue. The Ref reminded him that if he took down his cue he would be out of the entire tournment and would forfeit even second place. Whereupon, Eugene Stalev screwed his cue back tight and with his 23 ounce break cue just crushed evry rack to run seven consecutive racks and beat Archer by a score of 9 to 2. To my knowledge
that is the only U.S. Tournament the Russian Magician has ever won. He did I believe place second in another?

His bank game is on the par of an Eddie Taylor or Bugs Rucker... Yes, in bank pool he is just that good! I watched him at Toby's take on all comers in any game they chose to play. When he left, he had so much money in his pockets that they were all bulging.

Cross Side Larry
Click to expand...
 
CrossSideLarry said:
Yes, in bank pool he is just that good! I watched him at Toby's take on all comers in any game they chose to play. When he left, he had so much money in his pockets that they were all bulging.
Click to expand...

He's also very good at OnePocket. I'm surprised he prefered US open to DCC. But sure he can live in USA till January, if his game's well. He rarely plays pool here in Russia. In Russian Cup final lately he won over Stepanov 9-3 with no single mistake.
 
CrossSideLarry said:
mjantti said:
Yep, Stalev's skills are really something to be seen, but he has lacked mental composure to take important victories. I think he's more a gambler than a tournament player.

Let us not forget that he sent Archer to the one loss side in the 2003 Connecticutt Open and then after going through the winner's bracket unbeaten, he faced Archer again in the finals. It was a race to nine and the score was 2 games apiece with Stalev winning the fourth game. Over and over again Stalev refused the referee's rack until finally the Ref told him to accept the rack and break or forfeit the tournament. Stalev proceeded without hesitation to take down his cue. The Ref reminded him that if he took down his cue he would be out of the entire tournment and would forfeit even second place. Whereupon, Eugene Stalev screwed his cue back tight and with his 23 ounce break cue just crushed evry rack to run seven consecutive racks and beat Archer by a score of 9 to 2. To my knowledge
that is the only U.S. Tournament the Russian Magician has ever won. He did I believe place second in another?

His bank game is on the par of an Eddie Taylor or Bugs Rucker... Yes, in bank pool he is just that good! I watched him at Toby's take on all comers in any game they chose to play. When he left, he had so much money in his pockets that they were all bulging.

Cross Side Larry
Click to expand...

I never heard that story but it seems you have the date and State wrong-Musta been this one.

http://www.azbilliards.com/thepros/2000showtourney2002.cfm?eventnum=50

Anyway 17th not bad at the Open and with a little luck, he could have gone a bit further
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top