The number ONE problem for my American Pool players in the Mosconi Cup is their inability to fade the crowd.
Even the very young guys whose nerves are still nice and smooth have trouble with the hooligans hooting, hollering, yelping, insulting, sharking, and boisterous singing and chanting. They get under the skin of our players and they under perform.
Those YOU-RUPP HOOLIGANS have got a heck of thing going on over there and even here in America. They've honed their skills and are some of the best distraction artists anywhere on the planet. THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE so don't expect it to.
The 9 Ball on the spot and lack of Americans to perfect the cut break, the lack of 9 ball events on 9 foot tables in America, the loose pockets, the short races, and the lack of American players traveling across the planet to compete in International events are all secondary to fading the crowd.
By saying this I'm not discounting Europe's prowess at potting, safety play, breaking ability and kicking ability. They proved they have awesome skills in all of these areas. A little fine-tuning in kicking and safety play by the Americans and the YOU-RUPPS will find the gap closing rather quickly.
Without professional help (sport psychologist(s) and regularly immersing themselves in a similar environment and similar playing conditions my American players will continue to suffer at the Mosconi Cup.
My American professional players just have to learn how to play better in the Mosconi Cup SPECTACLE.
The Mosconi Cup is a GREAT SPECTACLE but it is not a tournament that determines who are the best pool players. It only determines who are the best players under those conditions and for several events now, Europe has had the upper hand.
JoeyA