Mosconi Cup

Last updated

Logo of the Mosconi Cup Mosconi Cup logo.jpg
Logo of the Mosconi Cup

The Mosconi Cup is an annual nine-ball pool tournament contested since 1994 between teams representing Europe and the United States. Named after American pool player Willie Mosconi, the event is comparable to the Ryder Cup in golf and the Weber Cup in bowling.

Contents

Team composition and formats have varied over the years. Currently,[ as of? ] each team has five playing members. Each team also has a captain and vice captain, who may be among the players, or may be non-playing additional members of the team. The teams compete over one team match, several doubles matches and singles matches, with the first team to win 11 matches claiming victory.

On 9 December 2023, Team Europe beat Team USA 11–3, kept the title and took an overall series lead of 16–13, with one tie.

History and player selection

First staged in 1994 by Sky Sports and Matchroom Sport as an exhibition event to increase public awareness of pool in the United Kingdom, the Mosconi Cup was named to commemorate the legacy of American pool player Willie Mosconi, who died in 1993.

In the first year of competition, each team featured six men and two women, with Germany's Franziska Stark and England's Allison Fisher on Team Europe, and Jeanette Lee and Vivian Villarreal on Team USA. No women appeared after the initial event, although Kelly Fisher in 2021 called on organizers to reinstate female players. [1] In the event's early years, professional snooker players Ronnie O'Sullivan, Jimmy White, Alex Higgins, and Steve Davis all competed on Team Europe.

Staged in England for its first nine years, the Mosconi Cup from 2003 to 2020 alternated annually between the US and Europe, with all US-based tournaments taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada and most European tournaments taking place in England. The Mosconi Cups of 2004 and 2006 were held in the Netherlands and the 2008 event was held in Malta. In 2020 and 2021, two consecutive Mosconi Cups were held in England.

As time progressed, the event evolved from its exhibition nature into a much more serious and professional tournament. Among the snooker players, only Davis continued into the event's more serious era, competing in the first eleven Mosconi Cups and bowing out only when the event began to clash with snooker's UK Championship, at which he appeared as both a player and a BBC commentator. After Davis's withdrawal, all players had to earn an invitation through their performances at other pool events, meaning that no more snooker players appeared until 2007 when Tony Drago earned a place by virtue of his performance on the European Pool Tour.

Both teams have dominated the tournament for extended periods. Team USA won ten of the first twelve tournaments between 1994 and 2005, including six consecutive victories. The 2006 tournament was a tie, and Team Europe then won ten times in eleven years between 2007 and 2017, including eight consecutive victories. The overall series record now stands at 16–13 to Team Europe.

Joshua Filler of Germany became the youngest player to participate in the Mosconi Cup at 20 years old, in 2017. Earl Strickland of the United States became the oldest player to participate in the Mosconi Cup at 61 years old, in 2022. [2]

The record for the most Mosconi Cup appearances is 17, held jointly by Germany's Ralf Souquet and the USA's Johnny Archer. The record for the most Mosconi Cup wins is 9, held jointly by USA's Johnny Archer and the USA's Earl Strickland.

Player appearances

The players to have appeared in the Mosconi Cup: [3]

LegendP = playing team memberNP = non-playing member

Player wins

The players to have been on a winning team in the Mosconi Cup: [3]

LegendW = winning team memberWNP = winning non-playing member

Player representation

European nations

Players from sixteen nations have represented Europe. Sorted by number of different people, (number of appearances), and alphabetically, these are:

Number of players by country
15 (44) Flag of England.svg  England 6 (36) Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 4 (23) Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2 (12) Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
2 (4) Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 1 (15) Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 1 (6) Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 1 (5) Flag of Austria.svg  Austria
1 (4) Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 1 (3) Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1 (2) Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 1 (1) Flag of France.svg  France
1 (1) Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 1 (1) Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 1 (1) Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 2 (2) Flag of Russia.svg  Russia

American states

Players from twenty-two states have represented the United States (Charlie Williams and Johan Ruijsink were both born outside of the US). Ordered as above, these are:

Number of players by state
4 (28) Flag of California.svg  California 4 (16) Flag of Texas.svg  Texas 4 (8) Flag of Illinois.svg  Illinois 3 (18) Flag of North Carolina.svg  North Carolina
3 (14) Flag of Kentucky.svg  Kentucky 3 (8) Flag of New York.svg  New York 3 (7) Flag of Pennsylvania.svg  Pennsylvania 2 (6) Flag of Ohio.svg  Ohio
2 (2) Flag of New Jersey.svg  New Jersey 1 (17) Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg  Georgia 1 (16) Flag of South Dakota.svg  South Dakota 1 (5) Flag of Missouri.svg  Missouri
2 (5) Flag of Oklahoma.svg  Oklahoma 1 (4) Flag of Maine.svg  Maine 1 (4) Flag of Wisconsin.svg  Wisconsin 1 (2) Flag of Michigan.svg  Michigan
1 (2) Flag of Mississippi.svg  Mississippi 1 (2) Flag of Tennessee.svg  Tennessee 1 (1) Flag of Florida.svg  Florida 1 (1) Flag of Kansas.svg  Kansas
1 (1) Flag of Maryland.svg  Maryland 1 (1) Flag of Virginia.svg  Virginia

Tournament modifications

There have been rule changes and format changes throughout the tournament's history. These include, but are not limited to: "Non-playing captain" roles were introduced in the 2003 event; however these were removed in the 2004 tournament. In 2004 the doubles matches were re-formatted to be scotch doubles . In 2005, a 30-second shot clock was introduced, and caused controversy due to timing malfunctions. The 2006 tournament started with a team-versus-team match followed by two trebles matches. That year also saw the reintroduction of the non-playing captain role.

The 2009 tournament included several new features: [5]

Results by year

YearVenueWinnersScoreLosers MVP Ref
1994 Romford, London, England Flag of the United States.svg  USA 16–12Flag of Europe.svg  Europe [6]
1995 Basildon, Essex, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 16–15Flag of the United States.svg  USA [7]
1996 Dagenham, London, England Flag of the United States.svg  USA 15–13Flag of Europe.svg  Europe [8]
1997 Bethnal Green, London, England Flag of the United States.svg  USA 13–8Flag of Europe.svg  Europe [9]
1998 Bethnal Green, London, England Flag of the United States.svg  USA 13–9Flag of Europe.svg  Europe [10]
1999 Bethnal Green, London, England Flag of the United States.svg  USA 12–7Flag of Europe.svg  Europe [11]
2000 Bethnal Green, London, England Flag of the United States.svg  USA 12–9Flag of Europe.svg  Europe [12]
2001 Bethnal Green, London, England Flag of the United States.svg  USA 12–1Flag of Europe.svg  Europe [13]
2002 Bethnal Green, London, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 12–9Flag of the United States.svg  USA [14]
2003 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of the United States.svg  USA 11–9Flag of Europe.svg  Europe Flag of Finland.svg Mika Immonen [15] [16]
2004 Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands Flag of the United States.svg  USA 12–9Flag of Europe.svg  Europe Flag of the United States.svg Rodney Morris [17] [18]
2005 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of the United States.svg  USA 11–6Flag of Europe.svg  Europe Flag of the United States.svg Earl Strickland [19] [20]
2006 Rotterdam, Netherlands  Tied12–12 Tied Flag of the United States.svg Corey Deuel [21]
2007 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–8Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of Malta.svg Tony Drago [22] [23]
2008 St. Julian's, Malta Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–5Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of Finland.svg Mika Immonen [24] [25]
2009 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of the United States.svg  USA 11–7Flag of Europe.svg  Europe Flag of the United States.svg Dennis Hatch [26] [27]
2010 Bethnal Green, London, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–8Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of England.svg Darren Appleton [28]
2011 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–7Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of the Netherlands.svg Niels Feijen [29] [30]
2012 Bethnal Green, London, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–9Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of England.svg Chris Melling [31] [32]
2013 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–2Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of the Netherlands.svg Niels Feijen [33] [34]
2014 Tower Circus, Blackpool, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–5Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of the Netherlands.svg Niels Feijen [35] [36]
2015 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–7Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of the Netherlands.svg Niels Feijen [37]
2016 Alexandra Palace, London, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–3Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of Austria.svg Albin Ouschan [38]
2017 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–4Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of Germany.svg Joshua Filler [39]
2018 Alexandra Palace, London, England Flag of the United States.svg  USA 11–9Flag of Europe.svg  Europe Flag of the United States.svg Skyler Woodward [40]
2019 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of the United States.svg  USA 11–8Flag of Europe.svg  Europe Flag of the United States.svg Skyler Woodward [41]
2020 Ricoh Arena, Coventry, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–3Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of Scotland.svg Jayson Shaw [42]
2021 Alexandra Palace, London, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–6Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of Scotland.svg Jayson Shaw [43]
2022 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–7Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of Germany.svg Joshua Filler
2023 Alexandra Palace, London, England Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 11–3Flag of the United States.svg  USA Flag of Germany.svg Joshua Filler

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Strickland</span> American pool player

Earl Strickland is an American professional pool player who is considered one of the best nine-ball players of all time. He has won over 100 championship titles and three world titles. In 2006 he was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame. In 1996, Strickland won the largest cash prize to date winning the PCA $1,000,000 Challenge by being the first player to run 10 consecutive racks in a tournament. He is also known as one of the sport's most controversial players for his outspoken views and his sometimes volatile behavior at tournaments.

Matchroom Sport is a UK-based sporting event promotions company founded by Barry Hearn and run by him and his son Eddie Hearn. It first came to attention in the sports of snooker and boxing and is also involved in pool, bowling, golf, fishing, darts, table tennis, poker and gymnastics. The company is based in Brentwood, Essex. Matchroom has broadcasting agreements in the United Kingdom with DAZN, Sky Sports, ITV and the BBC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Lely</span> Dutch pool player

Alex Lely is a Dutch former professional pool player. Lely won the 1999 World Pool Masters after defeating Efren Reyes 7–5, and reached the final in 2000 but lost to Ralf Souquet 7–3. He is a two-time European champion having won the nine-ball and eight-ball at the 2005 European Pool Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Alcaide</span> Spanish professional pool player

David Alcaide Bermúdez is a Spanish professional pool player. He is a two-time winner of the World Pool Masters, winning the 2017 event, defeating Jayson Shaw 8–7 in the final, and again in 2019 defeating Alexander Kazakis 9–8. Alcaide is a three-time world championship semi-finalist having reached the stage at the WPA World 10-ball Championship, in 2009 and 2015, and the WPA World Eight-ball Championship in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick van den Berg</span> Dutch pool player

Nick van den Berg is a Dutch professional pool player. He was the runner up at the 2005 WPA World Eight-ball Championship, where he lost to Wu Chia-ching 11–5 in the final. He is a multiple time winner of events on the Euro Tour, winning 10 tournaments between 2002 and 2017, the fourth highest in the history of the tour. A six-time winner of the European Pool Championships, Van den Berg has represented Europe at the Mosconi Cup on eight occasions, winning the event on six occasions as well as tying the event in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Chamat</span> Swedish pool player, born 1975

Marcus Chamat, is a Swedish professional eight-ball and nine-ball pool player. He was nicknamed "Napoleon" due to his personality and standing at 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) tall. He is a two time European Pool Championships winner, and one of the most successful players on the Euro Tour, winning four events, and finishing runner-up on twice. Chamat reached the semi-finals of the 2004 WPA World Nine-ball and the 2008 WPA World Eight-ball Championships, but did not reach the final of a world championship event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Ortmann</span> German three time world champion pool player

Oliver Ortmann is a German professional pool player from Gelsenkirchen. Ortmann is a three-time world champion, winning the 1995 WPA World Nine-ball Championship and the 2007 and 2010 World Straight Pool Championship. Ortmann became the second player to win three WPA world championships. With fourteen wins, he the second most successful player at the European Pool Championships. Ortmann is also the second most successful player on the Euro Tour, winning fourteen events. Ortmann was the first non-American player to win the BCA U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship, in 1989.

Daryl Peach is an English professional pool player, from Lancashire, who resides in Blackpool, England. He won the 2007 WPA World Nine-ball Championship, where he defeated the Philippines' Roberto Gomez 17–15 in the final to become the first British player to win the WPA World Nine-ball Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Appleton</span> English pool player

Darren Appleton is an English professional pool player, best known for playing Eight-ball, Nine-ball and Ten-ball pool.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Melling (pool player)</span> English pool and snooker player

Christopher Melling is an English professional pool and snooker player from Keighley, Bradford, West Yorkshire. He's a former world number 1 at World Rules British Eight-Ball. He won the WEPF World Eightball Championship twice, in 2001 and 2003. He was ranked #1 in 2003 by the World Eightball Pool Federation. Melling has also twice won the International Pool Masters and the European Professional title (2002). He was the first player to win two International Tour events back to back. His entrance by walk-on music is from the song “Wannabe” by Spice Girls. Melling is also the only cue sports player to hold professional status in English 8 ball, American pool and snooker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Mosconi Cup</span>

The 2009 Mosconi Cup, the 16th edition of the annual nine-ball pool competition between teams representing Europe and the United States, took place 10–13 December 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Gray (snooker player)</span> British pool and snooker player

Mark Gray is an English professional pool player and former professional snooker player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Mosconi Cup</span>

The 2010 Mosconi Cup, the 17th edition of the annual nine-ball pool competition between teams representing Europe and the United States, took place 9–12 December 2010 at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Mosconi Cup</span>

The 2011 Mosconi Cup, the 18th edition of the annual nine-ball pool competition between teams representing Europe and the United States, took place 8–11 December 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Mosconi Cup</span>

The 2013 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup, the 20th edition of the annual nine-ball pool competition between teams representing Europe and the United States, took place 2–4 December 2013 at the Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 2015 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup, the 22nd edition of the annual nine-ball pool competition between teams representing Europe and the United States, took place 7–10 December 2015 at the Tropicana in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 2018 Mosconi Cup, was the 25th edition of the annual nine-ball pool competition between teams representing Europe and the United States. It took place between 4–7 December 2018 at the Alexandra Palace in London, England and was sponsored by partypoker.

The 2019 Mosconi Cup was a team nine-ball tournament. The event is the 26th Mosconi Cup event, first held in 1994. The competition features matches between teams of five representing Europe and the United States. The event was held at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, United States from 25 to 28 November 2019. The event is based on the similar Ryder Cup series of events held in golf.

The 2020 Mosconi Cup was a team nine-ball tournament, between teams representing Europe and the United States. It was the 27th edition of the competition and took place between 1–4 December 2020. The event was originally scheduled to be held at the Alexandra Palace in London, however it was moved to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry with the whole event behind closed doors in a COVID-19 secure bubble. The coronavirus pandemic also affected the team selection, with Corey Deuel replacing Justin Bergman for Team USA after Bergman tested positive for COVID-19. Team USA were defending champions, having won the two previous tournaments. After a close first day, Team Europe were 3–2 ahead but only lost one further match, winning the cup 11–3. Jayson Shaw won the Most Valuable Player award for the first time after winning all his singles and doubles matches.

The 2021 Mosconi Cup was the 28th edition of an annual nine-ball pool tournament between teams representing Europe and the United States. It took place between 7 and 10 December 2021 at the Alexandra Palace in London, marking the second consecutive year that the tournament had been staged in England, and the first time since 2002 that the event did not alternate annually between the US and Europe. Sponsored by British online car retailer Cazoo, it was broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and on networks worldwide.

References

  1. "Pool star Kelly Fisher wants women to compete at the Mosconi Cup again". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  2. "Mosconi Cup: Earl Strickland out of annual 9-ball pool event due to possible exposure to COVID-19". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Tournament History". Matchroom Pool. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Paul Gerni". Official website. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  5. "Mosconi Cup Event Information: Format". Matchroom Pool. 2 December 2009. Archived from the original on 12 December 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  6. "Europe 12–16 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  7. "Europe 16–15 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  8. "Europe 13–15 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  9. "Europe 8–13 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  10. "Europe 9–13 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  11. "Europe 7–12 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  12. "Europe 9–12 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  13. "Europe 1–12 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  14. "Europe 12–9 USA". Mosconi Cup. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  15. "Results". Mosconi Cup. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  16. "U.S. Surge, Regain Mosconi Cup". Billiards Digest. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  17. "Europe 9–12 USA". Mosconi Cup 2004. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  18. "I'm So Proud Of The Guys". Mosconi Cup 2004. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  19. "Europe 6–11 USA". Mosconi Cup 2006. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  20. "Archer: We Showed Our Heart". Mosconi Cup 2005. Archived from the original on 20 September 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  21. "Europe 12–12 USA". Matchroom Pool. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  22. "Europe 8–11 USA". Matchroom Pool. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  23. "Delight for MVP Drago and Europe". mosconicup.com. Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  24. "Europe 11–5 USA". Matchroom Pool. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  25. "Mika: Victory banishes ghosts of 06". Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  26. "Europe 7–11 USA". Mosconi Cup. 13 December 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  27. "USA describe their pride at regaining Mosconi Cup". Matchroom Pool. 14 November 2009. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  28. "Europe win the 2010 Mosconi Cup". Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  29. "Feijen brings it home for Europe". Inside Pool. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  30. "Europe hit the jackpot in Las Vegas". matchroompool.com. Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  31. "Mosconi Cup moves to a midweek slot". Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  32. "Europe retain Mosconi Cup". Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  33. "Mirage named as 2013 venue". Kozoom.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  34. "Mosconi Cup XX Live Blog". matchroompool.com. Matchroom Sport. 4 December 2013. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  35. "Blackpool Tower Circus to host 2014 Mosconi Cup". matchroompool.com. Matchroom Sport. 15 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  36. "Mosconi Cup: Europe wrap up victory over USA in Blackpool". Sky Sports. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  37. "New Tropicana in Las Vegas to host 2015 Mosconi Cup". Sky Sports. 19 March 2015. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  38. "EUROPE WIN BETFAIR MOSCONI CUP XXIII". Matchroom Pool. 9 December 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  39. "Europe are partypoker Mosconi Cup XXIV Champions". Matchroom Pool. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  40. "USA are partypoker Mosconi Cup Champions". Matchroom Pool. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  41. "USA are partypoker Mosconi Cup Champions". Matchroom Pool. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  42. "Europe regain partypoker Mosconi Cup". Matchroom Pool. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  43. "Europe Win 2021 Cazoo Mosconi Cup". Matchroom Pool. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2022.