Who were/was the first European player(s) to make huge international waves?

[Positively Ralf]

We always talk about the Philipino invasion and how guys like Efren, Bustamante, Parica and Alcano came over and were doing amazing. I know, and from watching, early mosconi videos that there were still predominantly snooker players playing in the event with pool players like Tom Storm in the fray.

But who were the first big time European players to come over and show that Europe was here to play with the big boys of America and the Philippines? Was it a wave of players or was it one at the beginning who opened the door for many more to come?

 

[Maniac]

Oliver Ortman comes to mind.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Oliver Ortman comes to mind.

Oliver Ortmann won the US Open 14.1 seemingly from nowhere. Beat Mizerak in the 1989 finals.

 

[telinoz]

Oliver Ortman, Ralf Souquet won World 9 Ball in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

Early 2000's is when Mika Immonen, Thorsten Hohmann made their marks.

Asian and European players dominated since 2003, with the only American being Shane Van Boening to win World 9 Ball in 2022 (20 years since Earl Strickland).

 

[jtaylor996]

Mary queen of Scots.

 

[telinoz]

Mary queen of Scots.

She was rather good!

 

[Maniac]

She was rather good!

View attachment 685354

Hard to make a decent bridge with no thumb on her left hand (if she's plays righty)! LOL

 

[sjm]

Ortmann and Souquet were the trailblazers, the only ones who made real waves before1995. Then came Immonen, Lely, Feijen, and Chamat, all of whom came to America in the late 1990s.

In women's pool, Ewa Mataya was here in the 1980's, followed by Gerda Hofstatter in 1992, and Helena Thornfeldt and Allison Fisher by the mid-1990s.

 

[skogstokig]

ortmann for sure. swedish player tom storm was over before ortmann, in the 80's i think, but i assume this was more for action. i don't know much about it, would be cool if anyone did

 

[jay helfert]

On the tournament scene Oliver came first, followed closely by Ralf. The first successful European money player was Steve Knight (may he rest in peace) who blazed a trail along the East coast in the 1990’s beating everyone in his path. He won over 60K on his extended vacation here.

 

[garczar]

Mary queen of Scots.

yeah, but could she draw her ball??

 

[garczar]

On the tournament scene Oliver came first, followed closely by Ralf. The first successful European money player was Steve Knight (may he rest in peace) who blazed a trail along the East coast in the 1990’s beating everyone in his path. He won over 60K on his extended vacation here.

SK came to tulsa one yr for a camel event. guy could flat play. he'd bet with both hands and back it up on the table.

 

[Stevexjfe]

Ewa Laurance know as Ewa Svennson at the time, went to the U.S in 1981, she became one of the first European players to win a professional pool tournament, when she won the 1983 Clyde Childress 9-Ball Open.

 

[Chip Roberson]

I know the post is about European players , but the following Gent played extremely well also and made his bones here.

Alfredo de Oro - BCA Hall of Fame Inductee - 1967 - Pool & Billiard Magazine

— Each week Pool & Billiard Magazine DAILY is spotlighting a player or promoter who has been previously inducted into the Billiard Congress of America’s HALL OF FAME. To date (through 2014) a total of 65 individuals have been inducted;

poolmag.com

 

[poolnut7879]

We always talk about the Philipino invasion and how guys like Efren, Bustamante, Parica and Alcano came over and were doing amazing. I know, and from watching, early mosconi videos that there were still predominantly snooker players playing in the event with pool players like Tom Storm in the fray.

But who were the first big time European players to come over and show that Europe was here to play with the big boys of America and the Philippines? Was it a wave of players or was it one at the beginning who opened the door for many more to come?

Can not forget Leonardo Andam as part of the Filipino invasion. Many players from Philippines came before Alcano. Santos, Marlon, Edgar Acaba, Luat, Gallego, and Lining just to name few.

 

[Dan_B]

I'm surprised not seeing Ronnie O'Sullivan having made a mark, leaving the mark and the current mark up at #1.

 

[Cornerman]

I'm surprised not seeing Ronnie O'Sullivan having made a mark, leaving the mark and the current mark up at #1.

???

The post is about european pool players coming to the US and leaving a mark. Ronnie O. does not qualify.

 

[Dan_B]

...oh, that is surprising.

 

[hotelyorba]

OP's username gives it away.

 

[hang-the-9]

I did a post on the US Open winners, first player outside of the US and Philippines to get 2nd was in 2000, first winner from Europe was in 2002, Ralf.

US Open titles and stats by region through the years

While checking on some stats for the best 9 ball player ranking, I stuck the US Open results in Excel to sort them and here are some stats about represented countries. I expect to see a few more German and Slavic area winners in the next 10...

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