A Look Back at the 2011 Mosconi Cup (Day 4)

 

Do or die is somewhat of an under statement in the predicament that Team USA faces on the last day of the 2011 Mosconi Cup, if they want to stop the trophy returning yet again to the other side of the pond. With the score at 10 - 5 to Team Europe, and the winner needing to get to 11 points. Team USA cannot afford to lose any of the five matches scheduled for Sundays line up.

 

They certainly face a giant task, but not an impossible one. Who knows, they may get on a roll and get the job done. The USA fans are certainly fired up, and Team manager Charlie Williams was trying his best to look confident, as he rallied his team just before the proceedings were about to get underway.

 

Shane who possesses one of the best breaks around makes the 1, 4 and 6 balls on the break, but misses a long 2 ball - Nick runs out to make it Europe 1 - USA 0.

 

Nick makes the 1 ball on the break - then runs out to the 7 ball, but has tough shot, and has to go three rails to get on the 8 ball. He leaves a long shot, which he wobbles in the pocket. Shane mops up and the score is now tied at Europe 1 - USA 1.

 

Shane makes 1 and 8 ball on the break. Proceeds to make an easy run out to the seven. However, the 7 ball is a long shot, which he play perfect with a slow roll the length of the table, and with reverse to land perfect on the 9 ball. Europe 1 - USA 2.

 

Nick breaks and runs out. Europe 2 - USA 2.

 

Shane is one of, if not the best player on this planet when he is on, and let me tell you the real Shane showed up in this match.

 

He broke and ran game five. Then in game six Nick breaks and makes a ball, but has no shot. He pushes, and Shane takes it. He takes on a long slow shot on the 1 ball to get perfect on the 3 ball. Then runs out.

 

In game seven Shane breaks and runs out, in what was a display of positional play rarely seen.

 

In what was to be the last game of this match Nick broke and misses the 3 ball as he begins his run out. Shane was left a tough bank on the 3 ball, which he makes and runs out the rack Europe 2 - USA 6.  Overall score now Europe 10 - USA 6. Still alive and fingers crossed.

 

Johnny who is the veteran of the USA Team, having deservedly been picked fifteen consecutive times to play on the Mosconi Cup (1997 to 2011), really dug deep in this match, and was a great example of both skill and determination!!!

 

Johnny break and runs out the first game. Europe 0 - USA 1.

 

Darren does not manage to get three ball past the head string, and makes an illegal break. Johnny pounces and makes the run out. Europe 0 - USA 2.

 

Johnny makes the 4 ball on the break, but misses the 5 ball as he is attempting the run out. Darren quickly runs out to put his first bead on the wire. Europe 1 - USA 2.

 

Darren comes up dry, and Johnny pushes. Gets it back, and gets the run out. Europe 1 - USA 3.

 

Johnny broke and made four balls on the break, and most importantly it included the 9 ball. Europe 1 - USA 4.

 

Darren breaks and has to play safe. Johnny manages to start his run out, but misses the 5 ball. Darren mops up to put the score at Europe 2 - USA 4.

 

Johnny makes the 8 ball on the break, starts his run out and once again misses the 5 ball. Darren takes advantage of this untimely miss, and runs out. Europe 3 - USA 4.

 

Darren makes the 1 and the 3 ball on the break, but misses a tough cut on the 2 ball causing Johnny to jump out of his chair in a flash (Two seconds earlier Johnny had thought the score would be leveled at 4-4). However, he makes the run out, but not before dealing with a tough cut on the 8 ball into the side pocket, and landing perfectly on the 9 ball. Europe 3 - USA 5.

 

Johnny breaks for what would be the last game of this match, and makes the 2 and 8 balls on the break. Unfortunately he has to play safe of the 1 ball.

Darren plays a not so good safe, and Johnny gets the run out. This is all the team and team manager Charlie Williams could ask for, as they kept their chances alive!!!  Europe 5 - USA 6. Overall score now Europe 10 - USA 7

 

Rodney wins the lag, breaks and has no shot on the 2 ball and pushes. Niels takes it and plays a good safe. Rodney can see a sliver of the ball and plays a not so good safe. Niels attempts a safe and scratches. Rodney rune out to the delight of the home fans. Europe 0 - USA 1.

 

Niels makes the 1 ball on the break, and plays a great safe off the 2 ball. Rodney who is not looking as sharp as he usually does, plays a bad safe and gives Niels the run out. Europe 1 - USA 1.

 

Rodney scratches on the break, and Niels runs out. Europe 2 - USA 1.

 

Niels breaks dry, and Rodney runs out to put the score at Europe 2 - USA 2.

 

Rodney breaks, and makes a ball, but plays a careless shot on the 2 ball and misses. Niels cleans up, but had to make a great long shot on the 8 ball, and a tough cut on the 9 ball. Europe 3 - USA 2.

 

Niels breaks, but has no shot and has to play a safe. Rodney plays a foul attempting the hit. Niels runs out. Rodney looks like he is unraveling before our very eyes. Europe 4 - USA 2.

 

Rodney breaks game seven, making the 1 and 6 balls, but has no shot and has to push. Niels gives it back, and Rodney kicks of the bottom rail, and gets some luck as the 2 ball goes in the side pocket. Unfortunately Rodney was not having the best of days and missed the 5 ball to end his run and allow Niels a gift of the seventh game. Europe 5 - USA 2.

 

Niels comes up dry, and gives Rodney the run out. Europe 5 - USA 3.

 

Rodney breaks and starts his run out, but surprisingly misses the 2 ball. Niels also immediately misses the 2 ball. Rodney plays a bad safe on the 2 ball, and leaves Niels the run out. Europe 6 - USA 3.

 

Now with the overall score at 11 points to Europe and 7 points to the USA, the Mosconi Cup had been won by the European side for the second year running. The last ditched effort by the USA side unfortunately lasted for just two matches, before Niels Feijen came through to get the final “W” for the Euro boys.

 

Niels deservedly received the MVP Award for his stella play throughout the event. “This is my biggest achievement in my pool career” said Fiejen (A seven time member of the Mosconi Cup side) when being interviewed at the presentation.

 

In summing up the 2011 Mosconi Cup, I have to say that the best team won, and that the US Team just did not seem to gel together as well as the Euro Team. The European Team seemed to want the prize more than the USA Team, and finding out the answer as to how this can be remeded may be a mystery at this point.

 

There is no question that the US Team was packed with talent, but one must remember that the Mosconi Cup is a Team event, and that is the area that has to be dealt with if they want better results next year.

 

I must once again comment on just how well the Mosconi Cup is organized by Matchroom Sport. It is no doubt the slickest and well run event on the calendar. It is a unique format that has established itself as the team that everybody strives to make each year.

 

We will have to wait another year to see if the USA Team can do something about the strangle hold that the Europeans have on the trophy. Maybe next year the European side will only be allowed to pick their players from Luxenburg, Iceland and the Channel Islands. There I have come up with the solution!!!!