The Dynamic Billard Leende Open (20-23 September) will welcome the visiting PartyPoker Mosconi Cup hopefuls from America. Team captain, Johan Ruysink, will bring his team to the Eurotour in preparation for the 25th edition of the Mosconi Cup this December where the squad of eight players will be reduced to five.
The Eurotour is used to players from other continents and has welcomed Shane Van Boening a few times in the past. However, this situation where the entire team from the USA Mosconi Cup will compete on the Eurotour, is unique.
The USA Mosconi hopefuls consist of, Shane Van Boening, Billy Thorpe, Skyler Woodward, Oscar Dominquez, Tyler Styer, Mitchell Ellerman and Shane McMinn and for many it will be their first taste of the Eurotour. Team USA Mosconi Cup captain, Johan Ruysink had this to say about their visit.
“The Euro Tour has been the foundation for the European players for heavy and tough competition. It has been there for a considerate time now and is always well organised. Playing on good material in a good set up against the best European player gives us a great chance to play all the players that are competing for the European squad. Being out of their comfort zone, the American players can have a taste of the level and tenacity that they will encounter on the Mosconi Cup, so it is probably the best practice we can get.”
Johan was also asked, if one of your players reach the semi-finals, does that make him automatic choice for the team come December or do you have other goals set for this event? “Of course, the results during the European trip will be considered once we will pick the final 5 players, but I don’t want to commit myself to promises that might be overruled. Results are not the only criteria for qualifying, but it would be great to see some of the players rise to the occasion and do well, as I expect them to do. This trip is a big part of our preparation, so I am grateful that we got a chance of playing this Euro Tour. I am very curious to see how things will work out in the Netherlands.”
David Morris, IBPF President said “It will be a great test for the visitors and a unique opportunity for some of our less established players to take some big scalps. We have some excellent players who don’t make the European team, and they will be out to prove a point if they’re paired against a USA team member. It will be tough for team USA but it will be interesting, that’s for sure”
When asked if this trip would help the Americans halt the European dominance of later years? Matchrooms, Luke Riches had this to say;
Anything that brings the team together for meaningful preparation is always a good thing. There’s been a feeling that in recent times, Europe has been more of a team compared to the Americans and the fact that they play throughout the year on the Eurotour is a big contributing factor.
Hopefully, Team USA’s preparation in Europe will make a big difference for them and we will see the results in December.
The Dynamic Billard Leende Open takes place at the Golden Tulip Jagershorst hotel in Leende NL, starting on the 20th September and will be streamed live on www.kozoom.com
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organised by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.eurotouronline.eu or visit us on Facebook for regular news clips or contact our press office [email protected].