Yes folks it is the return of the Mosconi Cup again this weekend and Team Europe fly out to the USA to try and defend the trophy they won on home soil last year.
Again the European team consists of two British players in Darren Appleton and Mosconi rookie Chris Melling. Appleton has once again had a stellar year culminating with his defence of the US Open title.
Melling has also produced some superb pool this season and won his first major when lifting the China Open title. Melling, for those that have not seen him before, has the most amazing cue action ever! He is a twice WEPF World 8-ball Champion and has also competed on snooker’s main professional tour. He certainly has the pedigree to compete on this level.
Incidentally both of the Brits are from that ‘Cuesporting Mecca’ called Yorkshire and have been friends off the table for some years.
These two ‘heavyweights’ of the pool shooting world are joined by the unbreakable Ralf Souquet of Germany, a member of last years victorious European team, Nick van den Berg of Holland, also part of that winning team in 2010 on his return to the Mosconi Cup and finally Niels Fiejen, also of Holland, making a Mosconi Cup return after missing out in 2010.
The team is also captained by Dutchman Johan Ruijsink for the second time in succession thus giving, in my opinion, the European Team the upper hand and some invaluable continuity.
Team USA will be skippered for the first time by Mosconi Cup veteran Charlie Williams, his team is made up of the ever-impressive Johnny Archer, the very exciting Rodney Morris, probably the best money player in the world, Shane van Boening, Shawn Putnam and debutant Mike Dechaine.
With the number of high level titles won this season the European Team looks much more likely to lift the trophy for the second time in succession, however, the last time the event was held on US soil it was the Americans that did the business with that man Shane van Boening potting the winning 9-ball.
My opinion (and that of Mosconi Cup player Karl Boyes) is Europe to win!
