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Tempers flared at the Mosconi Cup press conference between Team Europe and Team USA!
Tempers flared at the Mosconi Cup press conference between Team Europe and Team USA!
Captain Jason Shaw says Team Europe is in London to “win” the Mosconi Cup and claims the USA are here “to get paid” as they vow to “crush” the visitors at Alexandra Palace.
Team Europe will be aiming for a sensational six straight wins having won 15 of their last 18 Mosconi Cup matches since 2007 – they also surpassed the all-time record by winning the coveted silverware on 17 occasions – three more than the United States’ 13 times.
Speaking with Ski SportsScotland ace Shaw said: “I don’t think it’s going to stop the rot. The same five last year were soundly beaten so I think we know what to do.”
“We play our game and go ahead, they’re going to collapse. They do it all the time. We see it on their faces – that’s the difference between us and them! When we’re down we keep fighting, when they’re down they let up and we can smell it and see it. If we start well, we’ll stomp them.
“You’re going to see me strutting around and doing my thing. I’m going to do my thing with Jason Shaw. We’re going to win 11-6. I can’t see it going past six.”
“We’re here to win – they’re here to get paid.”
Team Europe
Winning the Mosconi Cup: 17* (1995, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 202).
captain: Jason Shaw (Captain)
Team: Moritz Neuhausen, Pius Labutis, Joshua Filer, David Alkaide
Shaw returns as the captain of Team Europe, seeking to extend European dominance in the transatlantic battle.
Two new faces make their Mosconi Cup debuts – Premier League champion Moritz Neuhausen and Hanoi Open champion Pius Labutis – both of whom have excelled on the World Tour this season.
They join the returning Joshua ‘Killer’ Filler, along with David Alcaide, who recently won the Philippine Open title.
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Francisco Sánchez Ruiz sealed the victory for Team Europe which led to their incredible celebration at the top of the table after winning the Mosconi Cup
Team USA
Winning the Mosconi Cup: 13* (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2018, 2019).
captain: Skyler Woodward (captain)
Team: Fedor Gorst, Shane Van Boening, Tyler Steyer, Billy Thorpe
Woodward once again leads the charge as captain, leading a powerful American side poised to reclaim the Cup.
World No. 1 Fedor Gorst returns along with five-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening to compete in a record 19th Mosconi Cup. Complementing the roster are Tyler Steyer and Billy Thorpe.
* 2006 Moscow Cup ended 12-12, Team USA retained the trophy
Matches on the first day
Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer is aligned with Team Europe and Team USA
Match 1: Team match: Europe vs USA
Match 2: Doubles: Joshua Filer and David Alcade vs. Fedor Gorst and Shane Van Boening
Match 3: Singles: Jason Shaw vs. Skyler Woodward
Match 4: Doubles: Moritz Neuhausen and Pius Labutis vs. Tyler Steyer and Billy Thorpe
What is the Mosconi Cup?
Who will take home the famous Mosconi Cup at the Alexandra Palace?
Similar to golf’s Ryder Cup, the Mosconi Cup – named after American pool icon Willie Mosconi – brings together the best nine-ball players from Europe and the US to compete against each other in a four-day battle for supremacy.
The event started in 1994 at the Roller Bowl in Romford and featured snooker greats Steve Davies and Jimmy White as part of an eight-man European team.
The Americans dominated the Mosconi Cup in its early years, winning 10 of the first 13 editions with one draw. However, Europe has had the upper hand since 2007 and has only been beaten three times since then.
The Europeans go into this year’s event at Alexandra Palace as reigning champions and are aiming for a sixth straight triumph, having won 11-6 in Orlando, Florida last year.
What is the format?
Will Jason Shaw make another appearance for Team Europe?
The format of the Mosconi Cup has varied over the years, but the current format sees each side with five players, competing in singles, doubles and team matches over four days.
Three players automatically qualify for their teams through the race to qualify for the Mosconi Cup, based on their performances on the World Nineball Tour throughout the year, while the other two spots are filled by wildcards from their respective captains.
The $300,000 event will begin in traditional fashion with the opening teams on Wednesday night and will conclude with singles matches on the final day. The captain’s pick will determine the final match if it is tied 10-10.
All matches will be run to five, alternating breaks and will be played under World Nineball Tour rules, with the winning team receiving $40,000 per player.
Prize fund
Champions – $40,000 per player
Runner-up – $20,000 per player
Total – $300,000,000 per player
Runner-up – $20,000 per player
Total – $300,000
How to watch
Every Mosconi Cup ball will be shown live Ski Sportswith coverage starting at 6.30pm on Wednesday 3 December and continuing at the same time every day until Saturday 6 December.
Watch the Mosconi Cup, live on Sky Sports or stream from NOW and the Ski Sports applicationgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 percent more live sports this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.