Matchroom Sport can announce that the captain of the American team at this year's PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup will be four-time event winner Nick Varner.
Varner, 60, has successfully captained America to Mosconi Cup victory, initially as a player and then as non-playing skipper in 2003, when he inspired a famous last day comeback to secure victory.
The 15th annual PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup takes place at the Hilton Hotel, Portomaso, St Julians, Malta from December 11 – 14.
‘The Kentucky Colonel' made his debut in the competition in the winning side of 1997 and was also on the winner's rostrum the following year and in 2001.
He was a member of the side that lost in the event's last ever staging at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London in 2002 but returned the following year in Las Vegas to lead his side to victory.
Overall, Varner carries an eight wins from 19 matches record and will have plenty of experience to draw on when battle commences on Thursday 11th December.
Varner has enjoyed a long-standing and fruitful career at the top level and is still the only man ever to win back-to-back US Open titles, a feat he achieved in 1989/90.
“I am very excited about the Mosconi Cup and looking forward to regaining the trophy, something we achieved in 2003,” said Varner.
“We've got a fantastic team this year, with plenty of experience and we will fight to the finish,” he added.
Varner heads up a very strong team comprising Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Rodney Morris, Jeremy Jones and Shane Van Boening.
Commented Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn, “Nick is one of the great names of American pool and besides being a true gentleman of the game, has a steely determination to get things done.
“In 2003, he picked his team up off the floor after they lost all six of the Saturday matches and inspired them to win five out of six Sunday games to lift the cup. I think that speaks volumes.”
This year will see the 15th running of pool's answer to the Ryder Cup and the current score stands at 10 ½ - 3 ½ to the Americans.
The official sponsors of the 2008 Mosconi Cup are PartyCasino.com, Brunswick Tables, Simonis Cloth, Super Aramith Pro Balls and Predator Cues.
A range of superb value hotel and ticket packages are available from the Official Mosconi Cup Travel Agents www.alleventsmalta.com
For tickets only please go to www.maltacup.org
