SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 34

Ally Bally

By Mark White

Just to clarify a few things from the start, although I’m European, ultimately, I am a pool fan, I want to see as many racks as possible, whatever the tournament. It’s the same when in the booth. I actually get upset when anyone loses, and I was hoping the 2022 Mosconi would gogo hill-hill too.

There had been more hype about this year’s battle than any I can remember, there was just as much interest from the Americans, if not more, about whom Alex Lely or Emily Frazer hadn’t picked, as Fedor Gorst was left out in the cold, and El Matador was thrust back into the bull ring at Bally’s Casino in Las Vegas.

The highly fancied team Europe was an odds-on favorite to make it a hat-trick of wins as the pundits gave what seemed like a makeshift team of misfits making up team USA zero chance of upsetting the trend of the previous two years in the gambling capital of the world.

Team USA had a good first day winning the team match 5-3. In the 2nd match, the dream team of the Spaniards FSR and David Alcaide swept aside Dominguez and Earl the Pearl 5-1 as the capacity crowd of red, white, and blue led by one of their Mosconi cup winners Billy Thorpe as he kept the crowd upbeat and the bars in Bally’s busy.

Next up, we had a treat in store as one of the great Mosconi rivalries were pitched against each other Bad Ass Blue Grass, against the Killer from Germany, Joshua Filler, and what else would you expect from these two legends? I use the term legends although they are only

Team USA & Team Europe Mosconi Cup 2022

Photo by Matchroom Multisport's Taka Wu

kids, Sky, only 29, and Josh, a baby at 25. It followed a typical script, just like a Christmas movie on Hallmark, and went to hill-hill with a fairytale ending for America as Sky put the underdogs 2-1 up in a race to 11.

That would be a hard act to follow, but there are few bigger stars in the world of pool than the next four protagonists, Tyler Styer and Shane Van Boening, against Albin Ouschan and Jayson Shaw, and again, this went all the way with Tyler and SVB closing out day one with team USA leading 3-1.

Day 2 began with fans’ choice singles, and it came as no surprise when Earl Strickland and Jayson Shaw received the most votes, and it looked like a shock was on the cards as the Pearl raced off to a 3 zero lead, but that was to be Earl’s last rack as the Scot residing in West Haven, Connecticut, but is residency to one side by celebrating with such veracity it had the Americans damming him for overzealousness. however, the comeback was onand the gap was closing at 3-2.

Josh Filler was up next against SVB in his 15th Mosconi cup, which saw Van Boening completing his 100th match in the event, but it wasn’t to be a celebration as SVB lost to Filler 5-3, and we were all square at 3-3.

Shane Van Boening & Earl Strickland Mosconi Cup 2022

Photo by Matchroom Multisport's Taka Wu

Ouschan and Filler then put Europe ahead for the first time in a scotch double beating Dominguez and Styer 5-3, and then a bizarre incident when the main feed around the world, crashed not only on DAZN but Sky TV also, with Sky leading Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 4-2, we were all left in the dark, and the match was held up until the feed was restoredallowing the 2 players to leave the arena and go to the practice tables. When they returnedit was Sky who came back the strongest and secured a massive point for the Americansand we were again level at 4-4.

Match 9 was held over to the following day because of the power outage which meant play overran and next up was a titanic battle between Strickland and SVB against Eagle eye and El Matador. It seemed like Shane assumed the position of babysitter to Earl as shot after shot went awry. The 61-year-old could be heard on the player’s mics ruing his bad run and could often be heard complaining, ‘I have never seen so much badluck in all my days playing this sport’. It all came out all right in the end, Shane puffing out his cheeks as he’d just been through hell, and with that team, USA again regained the lead at 5-4.

Mercurial Alcaide then put on a Matador master class taming Tyler 5-2 to level once again.

The oldest man was back at the table for the 3rd time tonight with Sky in a doubles

against Ruiz and Filler, and it was fitting that it was the golden boy of the moment to make a golden break into the side pocket that secured a 5-2 win for Europe and take them back into an overall lead again 6 to 5.

Earl looked tired and drained, although he did start off going 2-0 up, but Albin rattled off 5 in a row and dealt out a 5-2 win to go 7-5 up, and it was starting to look like team USA’s challenge was beginning to fade, not even the Thorpedo could put a dent in Team Europe’s sturdy structure, but you could certainly bank on Billy having a good night, whatever the score, love that guy; surely he is team Americas Eagle eye.

Then just when you thought it couldn’t get any better SVB and Sky clash with Shaw and Filler and it got off to an absolute flyer as Filler overcut a long one ball, and with the nine-ball hanging on the edge of the middle pocket Sky played an outrageous billiard on

the nine and team Europe never really got a look in after that, and the ‘Beached whale’ was served up a donut, I’m sure Earl will get Jayson on the sit-ups, yes Earl had a go at Jayson, but it was all in good fun between 2 former house mates. I’m not sure if you have

Billy "thorpedo" Thorpe at Mosconi Cup 2022

Photo by Matchroom Multisport's Taka Wu

‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here in the US, but if the producers get to see Earl in action, he is a perfect contestant for the jungle.

So, 7-6 behind, it’s up to Oscar to play a leading role and level up this year’s Mosconi but Jayson was too strong for Dominguez, and the man from Glasgow shows true grit and takes Europe just 3 from the magic 11 points.

The final day started with the fan’s choice doubles, and they wanted to see Sky and Shane once again, but this time, they’d be up against the current US Open champion and just weeks before the Mosconi, he added the Predator World 8 Ball title to that taking his

Skyler Woodward & Shane Van Boening

Photo by Matchroom Multisport's Taka Wu

earnings for just 2 events to $110,000, and if he could add the Mosconi title, he would take his personal earnings to $140,000 in 3 tournaments, there is money in pool if you are good enough and are willing to sacrifice everything else and every other temptation in life.

Van Boening and Sky managed to win a hard-fought battle to get back to 8-7, but you just got the feeling this was all leading up to a possible Filler Fairytale, and when Alcaide made an excellent recovery from behind to beat Sky, if Jayson could beat Shane, it would all come down to Filler versus Tyler, with the man from Oshkosh having to beat the Killer to keep America’s hopes alive, but in a bizarre 8th rack with the match poised at 4-3 to

Joshua and Tyler at the table; the American was feeling the heat and played 2 of the craziest shots I have ever seen. An attempted four-railer when there was an easy safety alternative, a thunderous attempt at a full length of the table bank and then an 8-ball, you’d expect any BCA league player to make blind drunk.

So, it was left to Joshua Filler to make the winning 9 ball and, at the same time claim the title of MVP.

As expected, Europe defended the Mosconi cup trophy, and it’s now 3 in a row, but it wasn’t an easy win walkover like many people predicted. It must be said the US put up a brave fight, but I think team USA was a couple of players short at handling those big crucial moments, to be honest. Europe had quality all the way through their team, and even with a very biased loud crowd, Europe handled the pressure when it mattered most at those key moments.

Neither team really took hold of the match by the scruff of the neck, and there were times when it looked like it was going all the

way, but uncharacteristic misses from Sky, particularly on that 5 ball then he hooked himself and had to jump and lost the cue ball off the table, having said that El Matador took the bull by the horns and came with some great clearances to beat Sky after being behind.

The singles matches were where the cup was decided this year, with Team Europe winning all but 2 of them.

I think it’s back to the drawing board for team USA, Earl, I’m sure has played his last Mosconi cup. I don’t think we’ll see Oscar

Joshua Filler Mosconi Cup 2022

Photo by Matchroom Multisport's Taka Wu

traveling around the world to hopefully get a shot at 30,000 next year, he has a very successful business and a lovely family, and I’m sure he will pick up a few dollars gambling in those longer races which I think suits him a lot better than races to 5 alternate breaks.

A few words about the break, I actually love this break as a fan, I’m not sure the players do, it has turned the break into a bit of a lottery, but that adds to the excitement for the viewer.

Breaking from the box, nine on the spot with the triangle rack, it’s really tough to make a ball on the break and get position on the lowest ball. It leads to some great safeties, jumps, and kicks, and more often than not, there is a little cluster or a ball that needs nudging out, so I think this format for Mosconi is perfect.

I loved Emma, the main presenter for Matchroom; the MC was lively and fun, and the coverage was good, although I’m not a fan of having to pay for it, it’s not the money as I did pay for it, but I just think you reach more people if they can just stumble across it.

I still think there is a divide in pool, with various organizations not wanting to work with others, Matchroom clearly wants to run the sport and use their own ranking system, I thought it was ridiculous the way the commentators failed to mention Ruiz winning the Predator World 8 ball Championship just days before, and they don’t want to admit that there is any other game played with a cue other than nine-ball.

But take nothing away from them; they know how to put on a show. I liked hearing Allison Fisher, M.B.E., in the booth. She is super knowledgeable, very eloquent, and delivers well. I liked Karl Boyes doing the interviews in the practice room, and the one with JJ and Alex Lely was fun. The event

Team Europe Mosconi Cup 2022

Photo by Matchroom Multisport's Taka Wu

certainly was never boring, apart from when that guy kept shouting out BORINGGGGG every time a safety was played but overall, a terrific event.

As for Team USA’s chances next year, well, I honestly don’t know where the players are going to come from; Bergman, the guy everyone always talks about when the word Mosconi is mentioned, is a definite no for Ally Pally, as he won’t travel, I’m guessing SVB, Sky, and Tyler, as he travels to most of the tournaments, and you’d think he’ll pick up enough Matchroom vouchers, but who else? Is Chris Reinhold back? What about a youngster, Joey Tate, Shane Wolford, or Nicolas De Leon?

Oscar Dominguez & David Alcaide Mosconi 2022

Photo by Matchroom Multisport's Taka Wu

I really think it’s time to start introducing some younger players, the next generation, especially while we have greats such as SVB, Sky, and JJ around to teach them, but Greg Hogue has promised to fight again for his spot, and what about a change in captaincy?

I’m not saying JJ isn’t the man for the job, but there have been some social media chats offering this as an option, but let’s face it, whoever captains the Americans, they have a limited number of players to choose from. I’d be interested to see what Alex Lely would change if he were USA’s captain, and with news out of Lely’s resignation, maybe he will captain America next year, or how about Sky Woodward moving up from vice-captain?

And it leaves another question unanswered, what about a return of Johan Ruysink?

It’s clear something has to change in the whole American pool infrastructure, I think they need to look at what some European countries have done, setting up academies and giving financial support to players, but the American players really need to start taking technique, fundamentals, and proper training more seriously if they are to quell the European invasion from across the pond. If you want my advice, take advantage of a lot of good coaches who have instigated the European onslaught in recent years, not just in 9-ball but 8-ball, 10-ball, one pocket, and banks. We may not have the moves just yet, but they shoot straighter and more consistently, and there lies our advantage. The Europeans are looking strong, with plenty of other youngsters eager for a Mosconi team spot. Wiktor Zielinski will surely be one of the favorites to swap that famous red T-Shirt for a blue one next year if he has another season as he did in 2022 if he does get in, and presuming Fedor will as well, whoever takes over will have a different type of problem, whom to leave out? Albin, David, Jayson, Josh, Ruiz?

It’s going to be an interesting 2023. All said and done, it was tighter than last year’s event, it was hugely entertaining, and the US fans were loud and entertaining too. I thought I would mark both team’s performances out of 10

Shaw, I thought, was under par overall but came with the goods when needed 7 Ruiz, the rookie overall, I thought was our most consistent 8 Alcaide also came with a good win when needed 7 Albin is always Albin, steady a deserved 8 Star of the show and MVP Josh Filler, a 9

As for the USA, I felt Earl was a liability; he needed a lot of babysitting a poor 4

Oscar is a great player, but, in this format, he fell short 5

Tyler had his moments on day 1, but I got the feeling he got a little overconfident, was always out in between racks trying to do Sky’s job 5 SVB, I thought, had quite a good tournament marking his 100th match in Mosconi cups 7 Sky was the best of the Americans and, apart from that, missed five and a couple of small positional errors; I thought he gave everything. 8

USA 29 Europe 39

So, it’s off to Ally Pally next year, but who will make the trip across the pond for Team USA? I’m guessing Team Europe will be more or less the same; maybe Fedor will be in for Alcaide if he doesn’t turn red. Leave your comments on this post, guys, and thanks for watching. Happy holidays and see you in 2023

Eurooopppppppe Eurrrrooopppppe

Team Europe Mosconi Cup 2022

Photo by Matchroom Multisport's Taka Wu

Photos From Matchroom Multisport by TakaImages