Matchroom Sport can announce that Alex Lely of Holland is returning in his role as captain of the European team for the forthcoming PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup which takes place at the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada from December 10 – 13.
The Flying Dutchman took over the role for the first time in Malta last year when he guided his team to a record-breaking 11-5 victory over their American opponents.
“I knew I was in a good position to be honoured with the captaincy for this year's event and I'm delighted that it is now official!” said Lely.
“There are still two months to go, but the vibes are already there. Also in Camp USA, on the forums that is, you can discern some strong American discomfort with the actual balance of power in the Mosconi Cup, but that is a good thing.
“The Mosconi Cup is like the Olympics of pool, where the elite players of two continents battle for a year's reign. I say let things heat up, let there be big crowds for Team USA, let there be European pool hooligans, let it be the toughest battle in the history of the Cup!”
Lely, 35, no longer plays but through the late 90's he established himself one of Europe's top tournament players.
He took three Euro Tour titles and in 1999 he achieved a career-best victory when he won the World Pool Masters title which included wins against Francisco Bustamante and Kunihiko Takahashi, and an epic win in the championship match against Efren Reyes.
He has played twice himself in the Mosconi Cup and both times he was on the losing side; firstly in 1999 at the York Hall in London, and then again in 2006 in at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Lely is highly knowledgeable, a shrewd tactician and possessor of great motivational skills but was happy to let his players take the plaudits. In fact he modestly explained away his success last year; “They're a machine, all I had to do was push the button, make the sandwiches and rack the balls."
This year, three of his five man team have been named and they are Niels Feijen (Holland), Germany's Ralf Souquet and Darren Appleton of England.
“The players of Team Europe have worked hard for years to acquire their status. As for the status quo and its extension, they will be prepared and be able to dig very deep when the heat is on.
“Souquet and Feijen are just the core of any European team. They are the values of European Pool personified; professional and disciplined, headstrong and technically sound. Appleton will make his debut and is sure to stand tall in the limelight. His all-round game and temperament will be a valuable addition to the European gang.”
Live in its entirety on Sky Sports in the UK, the event features two five-man teams representing Europe and the USA doing battle in a series of singles and doubles matches. Now in its 16th year, the Americans hold a 10-5 lead with one tied match in 2006.
The remaining two European players will be named in October, while the members of the Team America will be named over the coming weeks and then at the conclusion of the US Open at the end of October as well as a public vote.
Tickets for the Mosconi Cup are available from:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/2009-Mosconi-Cup-tickets/artist/1334375
Or 1-800 745 300 or from the MGM Grand on 1-800 929 1111 or 702 891 7777.
