Nick van den Berg
HOLLAND'S Nick Van Den Berg, a recent winner of the Finnish Open on the Euro Tour, is today named as the fifth and final member of the team to represent Europe at December's PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup.
Taking place at the historic York Hall, East London from 9-12 December, the event will signal Van den Berg's fourth appearance in the competition following a win in 2002, a defeat in '03 and a draw in ‘06.
“I'm over the moon about this, it's so good to be back in the team,” said a thrilled Van den Berg.
The 30 year-old from Amsterdam received a Mosconi baptism of fire as a 22 year-old in 2002 when he was part of that magnificent team that triumphed for the first time since 1995.
“I never thought it would be that big and me teaming up with the Nugget, Steve Davis was unbelievable. I remember the fans singing songs with my name in it during the time outs - that was crazy!
“The York Hall arena was something else. You could still smell the blood and tears that the boxers and pool players had spilled over the years and the atmosphere was just unbelievable.
Van den Berg won three points from five matches in ‘02 but was part of the European side that flopped in Las Vegas the following year.
He returned in 2006 in Rotterdam when the match was tied for the first and only time; “2006 was great and horrible at the same time. 12-12 never felt like losing the Cup, but there were the Americans holding the trophy.”
Van den Berg is on a good run of form currently; he has played in the last two Euro Tour finals, winning the last one in Finland and has a chance to take the No.1 spot on the rankings when the Portuguese Open concludes this weekend.
The Dutchman is confident that the York Hall crowd will be an extra weapon in the European arsenal.
“The European team has a very big and loud fan squad and I know for sure it will be even louder this year. It gives us players that little extra we need and will be like a sixth man on the team.
“The Americans are nice guys but during the Mosconi Cup we don't have much to do with them. The only thing we want is to beat them because the Mosconi Cup is coming home!” he added.
Team European
Ralf Souquet (Germany)
Mika Immonen (Finland)
Nick Van den Berg (Holland)
Darren Appleton (England)
Karl Boyes (England)
Captain: Johan Ruijsink (Holland)
Taking place at East London's famous York Hall, following an eight year absence, the PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup features two five man teams representing Europe and the USA competing over four days from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th December.
All tickets for the 2010 PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup are available exclusively from www.seetickets.com/mosconicup
