FINLAND'S record-breaking Mika Immonen and 2003 World Champion Thorsten Hohmann will fill the final two spots on Team Europe as they ready themselves for the 2009 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup which takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas from 10th to 13th December.
For Immonen, a recent back-to-back victor at the US Open, winning a record 16 matches, and Challenge of Champions winner, it will be his 13th appearance in a European shirt and it would take a brave person to argue that he is not the greatest 9 ball player in the world today.
“I'm delighted to once again be playing in the Mosconi Cup. After years of being on the losing side, it's nice to be part of confident winning set-up,” said Immonen.
“Despite our two recent wins in the competition, I am sure it will be one hell of a struggle in December and we will all need to be at the top of our games to have a chance of retaining the Cup,” he added.
Joining Immonen, Niels Feijen, Ralf Souquet and Darren Appleton in the five-man European team will be 30 year-old Hohmann who will be making his third appearance in the Mosconi, having been on the losing team in 2003 and 2005.
"The Mosconi Cup creates a unique, sizzling atmosphere that brings out rarely seen emotions and excitement in both players and spectators,” said a delighted Hohmann.
“I have played twice at the MGM Grand before and I think to describe this year's European Mosconi Cup Team there is only one word: WOW!
“Ralf is the reigning World 8-Ball Champion and World Games Champion, Darren the reigning World 10-Ball Champion and World Pool Masters Champion, Niels has played in seven major finals this year, winning two and Mika I believe has been abducted by aliens and cannot be beaten this year by any human!
“I am very happy with my past performances as well, winning major events in China and Korea plus several other US tournaments and I cannot wait to return to Vegas."
For the European captain Alex Lely, these two complete what is a dream team and one that is sure to start as betting favourites.
“Our line-up is starting to look the strongest ever to unite in the Mosconi Cup. If we manage to come together as a real collective, as Europe has done so well in the past three years, then we have a real chance.
“Hohmann, Immonen, Feijen, Appleton and Souquet are five of the strongest pool players on the planet. The Mosconi Cup demands a team effort though and we will work on that,” said Lely.
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 10-4 lead with one tied match in 2006.
With the European side now named, the next three players to join Johnny Archer on the American side will be disclosed this week. They will be the #1 & 2 players atop the BCA Points List as well as one wild card pick. The remaining spot will go to the player who amasses the most votes in a public poll set to take place on the pages of www.matchroompool.com
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.
