Johan Ruijsink
MATCHROOM SPORT can announce that Holland's Johan Ruijsink will return this December as captain of defending PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup defending champions, Europe. Ruijsink, 45, will be taking the helm for his fourth Mosconi Cup, and he has the enviable record of being undefeated thus far in the competition.
He captained the side for the first time in December 2006 in Rotterdam and stopped the rot after three successive American wins when the match was tied at 12-12. The following year was perhaps his greatest triumph when he took a team of underdogs to the MGM Grand and thumped America 11-7.
Ruijsink stepped down for a couple of years but returned to the fray at the York Hall in December 2010, when he galvanised a strong team and they emerged 11-8 champions after an epic four days.
"As you can imagine I am very proud and honoured to be asked to lead the European team to yet another victory," said a delighted Ruijsink.
"Although the team has not been announced in full yet, I have full confidence in the European team and its players.
"I'm very excited about the form that Chris Melling has shown this season and I know that every player that makes it on our team will have fully deserved it and will give, just as I will do, his maximum effort to make sure that we will dominate the Mosconi Cup.
"Since the draw in 2006, Europe has shown that we can break through the former dominance of the USA in the Mosconi and as far as I am concerned, Europe will keep on fighting to get the overall score in the event to a more acceptable level."
With Chris Melling (England) and Germany's Ralf Souquet already qualified for the team, there is just one more qualifying event for both sides – the US Open which concludes on 22nd October. Taking place from 8-11 December at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, the Mosconi Cup features two five man teams representing Europe and America.
Other players in the frame for Team Europe include last year's MVP, Darren Appleton and the Dutch pair Nick van den Berg and Niels Feijen.
"We know that we are the underdogs since we will be playing a very solid and strong American team on their home ground. Surely they will be wanting revenge for 2007, so we will prepare for a tough battle. We will be ready!" added a fired-up Ruijsink.
Tickets are priced at $35 per day or $120 for the four day season passes and booking charges will apply.
Currently the Mosconi Cup is sold through Ticketmaster (1-800-745-3000) or MGM Resorts Contact Center (1-866-740-7711).
Visit www.ticketmaster.com and search 'Mosconi Cup'
Official websites: www.matchroompool.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mosconi-Cup/399176270114
The 2011 Mosconi Cup is PartyPoker.net, the world's leading online poker school. Cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis, Super Aramith balls by Saluc and the Official Cue is Predator.
