The Mosconi Cup is back for its 30th edition, and we have all you need to know as the best nine-ball players from Team Europe and Team USA face off at Alexandra Palace from December 6 to 9, live on Sky Sports…
Meet the teams
Team Europe
Mosconi Cup wins: 15* (1995, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Captain: Ralph Eckert (Ger).
Team: Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (Spa), David Alcaide (Spa), Jayson Shaw (Sco, playing vice-captain), Albin Ouschan (Aut), Joshua Filler (Ger).
One to watch: Ranked No 5 in the world and a two-time Mosconi Cup Most Valuable Player, Scotland’s Jayson Shaw will surely be one of the key players for Europe if they are to retain the trophy this year.
The 33-year-old claimed his first Nineball World Tour tournament win in October too as he beat Europe team-mate Albin Ouschan 13-12 in an epic final to be crowned the first Hanoi Open champion, celebrating in equally spectacular style.
Team USA
Mosconi Cup wins: 13* (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2018, 2019).
Captain: Jeremy Jones.
Team: Skyler Woodward (playing vice-captain), Fedor Gorst, Shane van Boening, Tyler Styer, Shane Wolford.
One to watch: Had things been different, Fedor Gorst would most likely have been representing Europe at this year’s Mosconi Cup. Instead, the Russia-born 23-year-old will be turning out for the USA after recently being granted permanent residency in America.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Skyler Woodward raised the roof in Las Vegas as he called a time extension, took a sip of water and then downed the 9-ball at the 2022 Mosconi Cup.
Gorst, who was sitting No 2 in Europe’s Race to the Mosconi Cup standings prior to his switch of allegiance, won the 2019 World Nine-ball Championship and his performances this year have ensured he will be making his debut for the Americans in the clash between the best players from Europe and across the Atlantic.
* The 2006 Mosconi Cup finished in a 12-12 tie, Team USA retained the trophy
What is the Mosconi Cup?
In a similar manner to golf’s Ryder Cup, the Mosconi Cup – named after American pool icon Willie Mosconi – brings together the best nine-ball pool players from Europe and the USA to compete against each other in a four-day long battle for supremacy.
This year’s tournament marks the 30th edition of the event, which began in 1994 at the Roller Bowl in Romford and included snooker greats Steve Davis and Jimmy White as part of the eight-player European team.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Europe made no mistake on the final day of the 2022 Mosconi Cup as they took home the trophy once again.
The Americans dominated the Mosconi Cup in the early years, winning 10 of the first 13 editions outright with one tie. However, since 2007, Europe has had the upper hand and only been beaten three times since then.
The Europeans head into this year’s event at Alexandra Palace as reigning champions and aiming for a fourth-consecutive triumph, having won 11-7 in Las Vegas this time last year.
What is the format?
The format of the Mosconi Cup has varied throughout the years, but the current format sees each side with a non-playing captain and five players, including a playing vice-captain, competing in singles, doubles and team matches across four days.
Three players automatically qualify for their teams through the Race to the Mosconi Cup standings, calculated on their performances on the World Nineball Tour throughout the year, with the other two places being filled by wildcard picks by the respective captains.
All matches are best of nine, and the winner of the Mosconi Cup is the team which triumphs in 11 matches first.
Along with claiming the trophy, every player on the winning team receives $40,000 (£31,556) prize money, with the runners-up being awarded $20,000 (£15,778) per player. The total prize fund for this year’s event, including bonuses, is $370,000 (£291,893).
What they’re saying
“You can be captain of a local team or squad or national team but to be captain of a whole continent is something special. The atmosphere and the flashing lights of the Mosconi Cup is special. It’s an honour to follow in the footsteps of Oliver.”
– Team Europe captain Ralph Eckert, who follows compatriot Oliver Ortmann (captain in 2003 and 2004) in skippering the continental squad
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jayson Shaw stoked the fires by mimicking his opponent Earl Strickland as Team Europe took day two of the 2022 Mosconi Cup against the USA.
“It’s something I really wanted to do again – I want to get better at what I’ve done over the last few years… I’ve looked at a lot of things already in anticipation of being captain again.”
– Team USA captain Jeremy Jones on leading his nation’s side for a fourth year
“Since I moved to the USA in February of last year, I’ve been welcomed with open arms everywhere I’ve been. The people of America have treated me like one of their own. I have felt this for months, and especially with the support I received at the US Open. I felt like I was truly home.”
– Team USA’s Fedor Gorst on switching allegiance to represent the American side
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Skyler Woodward nailed a golden break for USA as the hosts opened up a 3-1 lead against Europe on the opening day of the 2022 Mosconi Cup.
How to watch
Every ball of the Mosconi Cup will be shown live on Sky Sports, with coverage starting from 6.30pm on Sky Sports Arena on Wednesday, December 6 and continuing at the same time every day until Saturday, December 9.
Reports from each day will be available on the Sky Sports website and app along with the best video from the tournament. You can also stream the 2023 Mosconi Cup and more of the best sport without a contract with NOW.