2010 World Cup European Qualifier Announced

Two Spots in Main Event Available in Austria

MATCHROOM SPORT can announce that there will be a European qualifying event offering two spots in the 2010 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool. Taking place on Sunday 11th July at the Sporthotel Alpina in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria, the tournament will be open to pairs from nations not otherwise represented in the competition.

Taking place directly after the Austrian Open on the Euro Tour, as in the main event, all matches will be scotch doubles, races to 8, with the winner breaking. The format will be double elimination until the last four and then single elimination.

Organised by the EPBF, the tournament will offer two spots directly into the World Cup of Pool, which takes place in Manila, Philippines from 7th to 12th September and carries a prize fund of $250,000.

The European teams already selected are Austria, Croatia, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Russia, Spain and Sweden so players from all other European nations are eligible to apply for entry.

There will be a maximum of two teams per country in the event and precedence will be given to the current Euro Tour rankings (after the German Open). Obviously, no two pairs representing the same countries can qualify.

Commented a spokesman for Matchroom Sport, ‘With there being so many countries in Europe competing regularly to a high standard, it seemed only fair that we introduced a qualifying event for the World Cup.

‘No one can argue that the ‘big guns' of England, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain etc should be in the starting line up but over the past few years, more and more countries are upping their respective games and they should all be given a chance to compete in the World Cup.'

The entry fee is €100 per pair, and payable to organizers prior to the tournament. Players should register their interest with either luke.riches@matchroom.com or gre.leenders@planet.nl

*All teams will appear subject to confirmation and contract.