Europe win 17th annual Partycasino.com Mosconi Cup - 20/12/2010
EUROPE won the 2010 PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup after a convincing 11-8 victory over holders USA after four intense days play at the York Hall, East London.
The winning five man team made up of Englishmen Darren Appleton and Karl Boyes, Finland’s Mika Immonen, Ralf Souquet (Germany) and Nick Van den Berg of Holland, outplayed their American rivals down the home straight, in what was the noisiest atmosphere ever experienced at a Matchroom pool tournament.
Played out in front of capacity crowds at the legendary London venue, this was the 17th running of the Mosconi Cup and since its humble beginnings in 1994, it has steadily grown into the biggest event brand in pocket billiards.
The 2010 event broke the box office record for the competition and the tournament was live on Sky Sports in its entirety for a total of 20 hours. In addition, the event was seen live throughout the Middle East and Australia.
Matchroom Sport will produce 19 x one hour highlight programmes of the Mosconi Cup for international syndication.
It was Europe’s third win in the annual event in four years, following a long period of US dominance since its inception. At the midway point, it was finely poised at six points apiece before the Europeans pulled away to open up a three point lead.
Although America pulled the scores back to 8-9, Darren Appleton and Ralf Souquet closed the match out as they won the requisite two points for a famous victory. Reigning US Open champion Appleton was named Most Valuable Player.
Commented Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn, “The Mosconi Cup has established itself now as the biggest brand in pool. There is no event like it in the sport and it brings out all the drama and emotion that other events can only envy.
“We will be returning once again to Las Vegas in December 2011 and the buzz about next year’s event has already started.
“Over the past few years, the Mosconi Cup has established itself as the best pool event in today’s TV market and we are now ready to take it to the next level,” he added.
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