I watched the Final match of the World Cup of Pool between China and Finland the last 2 days on TV.
I noticed quite a few 'mistakes', either in postional play or strategic errors by both sides.
First, I thought it was interesting that both Chinese players were playing with Southwest cues, and Mika with a Mezz, and Juva with a Josey with Predator shaft.
1) When the score was 10-7 China (going to 11), and China had a slight back cut on the 8 to the side, could you ever decide to play match ball as an upcorner shot past the side pocket, especially with the angle that it ended up. He could have gone 2 rails with upper right english to get on the 9 on the rail opposite side, or draw the cue down to end rail and back up to shoot the 9 down corner.
2) With score 10-9, China shoots the 6 down corner, stops for slight backcut on 8 in adjacent corner pocket, and he 'overpowers' the 8 ball to come back and scratch in the side pocket. Who wouldn't have shot that shot softer? He had angle on the 8 and would have been above the 9 on the long rail from where the cue ball started out.
3) 1st game, Mika cuts 8 ball in corner and slides cue ball well below the 9 almost to the end rail to leave a 75 degree backcut for Juva to the corner.
Juva should not have missed it, but did, and ended up giving China the first game. I think that set the tone for the match, especially the next few games. Mika should have held the cue much more, a big mistake on his part.
4) Finland ties it up 10-10, playing case game, breaks makes ball, and has a 2 out of 100 combination shot on the 1-9, but has a 90% safety chance, and Juva goes for the combination. Are you crazy? You shoot the safety Dummy, and might even get ball in hand from it on the final game of the match. China ran out after he missed the combo and won. BIG BIG mistake on Finland's part, and I am totally surprised they were that stupid about that shot.
China about blew it twice, but Finland's stupid decision ended up costing them the match and $60,000.
Anyone else watch this match on TV?
I noticed quite a few 'mistakes', either in postional play or strategic errors by both sides.
First, I thought it was interesting that both Chinese players were playing with Southwest cues, and Mika with a Mezz, and Juva with a Josey with Predator shaft.
1) When the score was 10-7 China (going to 11), and China had a slight back cut on the 8 to the side, could you ever decide to play match ball as an upcorner shot past the side pocket, especially with the angle that it ended up. He could have gone 2 rails with upper right english to get on the 9 on the rail opposite side, or draw the cue down to end rail and back up to shoot the 9 down corner.
2) With score 10-9, China shoots the 6 down corner, stops for slight backcut on 8 in adjacent corner pocket, and he 'overpowers' the 8 ball to come back and scratch in the side pocket. Who wouldn't have shot that shot softer? He had angle on the 8 and would have been above the 9 on the long rail from where the cue ball started out.
3) 1st game, Mika cuts 8 ball in corner and slides cue ball well below the 9 almost to the end rail to leave a 75 degree backcut for Juva to the corner.
Juva should not have missed it, but did, and ended up giving China the first game. I think that set the tone for the match, especially the next few games. Mika should have held the cue much more, a big mistake on his part.
4) Finland ties it up 10-10, playing case game, breaks makes ball, and has a 2 out of 100 combination shot on the 1-9, but has a 90% safety chance, and Juva goes for the combination. Are you crazy? You shoot the safety Dummy, and might even get ball in hand from it on the final game of the match. China ran out after he missed the combo and won. BIG BIG mistake on Finland's part, and I am totally surprised they were that stupid about that shot.
China about blew it twice, but Finland's stupid decision ended up costing them the match and $60,000.
Anyone else watch this match on TV?
