MATCHROOM SPORT can announce the first three players to make up the five man European side to compete in December's PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Following the conclusion of the Dutch Open at the weekend, Germany's Ralf Souquet retained his position as European No.1 and thus becomes the first name on the team sheet.
It will be the German globe-trotter's record equalling 13th appearance in the competition, and he has helped create an undefeated European run of three Mosconi Cups.
“I am very happy and glad to be chosen again to play for Team Europe in the Mosconi Cup. It will be, apart from the World Games in Kaohsiung, the highlight of the year for me and it's an honour to represent Europe for the 13th time since it started back in 1994,” said a delighted Souquet.
“I have only missed three events - 1995, 2004 and 2005 – and it will be once again a tough battle with Team USA and we are ready for it.”
Presently ranked No.2 in Europe is Dutch power house Niels Feijen, who will be stepping up to the plate for his sixth outing in a European shirt.
The 32 year-old from The Hague made his debut in the event in the humiliating 12-1 defeat in 2001 but has made amends in recent years with a brace of Cup-winning performances.
“I'm over the moon to be playing in the Mosconi Cup again. I've had a solid season and made nine major finals of which I've won two,” said Feijen.
“It's a bit of a surprise but a deserved one and this will be my third Mosconi Cup in a row and sixth overall. This is super news and has really made my day!” he added.
Considered by many to be hugely unlucky not to have got the nod last year, England's Darren Appleton finally gets his chance following a superb 12 months that has seen him take the World 10 Ball title, win the World Pool Masters and rise to the dizzy heights of No.1 on the WPA World Rankings.
“I sort of expected it but after last year's disappointment, I didn't want to get my hopes up. I think winning the World Pool Masters was massive for me this year and I'm chuffed to bits to be playing in the Mosconi Cup,” said a clearly delighted Appleton.
“It's the biggest event of the year and one I've watched every year on TV since 1994. I'm really excited to be playing in it and it's a great honour to play alongside the likes of Niels and Ralf.”
The 2009 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup takes place from Thursday to Sunday 10-13 December at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
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.
