A bit early I know but I thought as the Teams have just been confirmed I'd post them.

[uEurope[/u

Chris Melling
Darren Appleton
Ralf Souquet
Nick Van Den Berg
Niels Feijen


[uUSA[/u
Shane Van Boening
Shawn Putnam
Mike Dechaine
Johnny Archer
Rodney Morris

A great mix of form and experience for both teams. Appleton won the US Open last week for the 2nd year in succession with Feijen, Putnam and Archer all having good tournament's also.

The fun starts on December 8th from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Come On Europe!

Surprised at Van Den Berg being picked over Immonen tbh.

Do you have any idea what's happened to Karl Boyes? He seems to have dropped off the radar completley, didn't even feature in the final rankings.

Come on Europe!

I played Chris Melling about 10 years ago when he was world 8 ball champ as the prize for winning Keighley College's Student Union pool tournament.

I lost 8-2 and was 7-balled 7 times! And the 2 I did win were clearances from the break!

They are just so good at that level.

No Earl Strickland !!!!!

Whats happened to Corey Duel ?

JUUUSTIIIIICE!

What a cock that bloke is!

Immonen wasn't even close to getting the 4th/5th spots. It was pretty close between VDB, Feijen, Peach and Huidji See with the first two having good US Open's. Even though they were called wildcard spots - they went to the two players on the points list. As for Boyes - had a tough year really, took time off early in they year to look after his new baby, I've played with him a few times since and he was beginning to hit form again late in the year, lost to Feijen in the US Open, so look out for him in 2012.

As for the USA - Putnam and Dechaine have been brilliant throughout the year. Hatch had a great US Open getting to the Semi's but just missed out in 6th place on the rankings. Deuel was on course to be in the Team but had a shocking US Open albeit with a nightmare 1st round draw against Li Wen Lo. Earl the Pearl finished 10th on the list but it's doubtful that he'd have accepted the invite anyway - he asked not to be considered for the last two years as to help the team.

Bit of a weird year for Pool with a few protests from the top players. Because of this Matchroom decided to just go with the Top 5, instead of allowing two Captain's Picks.

Did you go last year? I went on Saturday night, absolutely incredible evening, never experienced an atmosphere like it.

Booooo !!!!!

Yep, couldn't miss the event on British soil for the first time since 2002. I went Saturday and Sunday - like you said Saturday night was just an incredible atmosphere and hopefully Matchroom will have the common sense to bring it back to the UK next year.

Determined to get to Vegas eventually for it - maybe 2013

.

No Strickland and no Corey Deuel.

I shall be enjoying this years tournament even more now after seeing that!

No Hatch either. Probably be fairly dull, especially as it's in Vegas.

Talking of dull when was the last time Steve Davis qualified?

Not watched the Mosconi cup properly for a while because I always seem to be busy when it's on.

Davis was always "picked", he never qualified. Hasn't played for a few years. Now, the teams are selected on the basis of rankings. A system is set up for both teams that incooperates a set number of events. There are wildcards, but as has been alluded to already, they are dished out to those who finish just outside the rankings, and were probably only there in case one of the big names, e.g. Archer, van Boening, Appleton etc managed to cock up in the ranking system.

As Dave Lister said - Davis/White never actually qualified, but were picked as 'Wildcards'. The reason his appearance in the Mosconi came to an abrupt end is because for the last few years a major Snooker tournament has always been held at the same time, and Tony Drago I think missed it one year to play.

As for no Strickland, Deuel and Hatch - Putnam and Dechaine have been in frighteningly good form this year, and Morris and Van Boening have both won lately aswell. Think it's going to be very close- two teams with players on form.

Charlie 'The Dragon' Williams will captain the USA team, with Johan Ruijsink again captaining Europe.

Less than a month to go now.

Just a few days away now - and the build-up has been dominated by a bit of storm regarding Captains. Williams was chosen to captain the US team ahead of more established names such as Davenport and Varner, and despite a reputation as a good coach, he plays most of his pool on gambling terms. Personally I don't really see much value of coaches in a tournament like the Mosconi but Ruijsink on the European side seems to be well respected.

Starts tonight at 7pm on Sky Sports.

Preview show is at 3pm!

Come On Europe!

Tonight's Order of Play:

Thursday, December 8, 2011
Match 1 Team match (all 5 to play) - USA v Europe
Match 2 Doubles match - Johnny Archer / Shawn Putnam v Chris Melling / Nick van den Berg
Match 3 Singles match - Rodney Morris v Niels Feijen
Match 4 Doubles match - Shane van Boening / Mike Dechaine v Darren Appleton / Ralf Souquet
Match 5 Singles match - Shane van Boening v Chris Melling

Come On Europe!

Results so far:

Team Match: USA 3 - 6 Europe
Doubles: Archer & Putnam 6 - 3 Melling & Van Den Berg
Sngles: Rodney Morris 0 - 6 Niels Feijen.

Currently 2 -1 to Europe, with Feijen destroying Morris. And tbh it could have even been 3 - 0 with Melling & VDB up 3 -1 in the second match. Ah well, Europe will feel confident in ending Day 1 ahead.

Ole!

Feijen batters Morris 6-0. The best I've seen him play in quite a while. USA dominating the 2nd doubles game, Van Boening and Dechaine currently 4-1 up on Appleton and Souquet.

Well it was 4 - 0 to VB and Dechaine, but what a fightback that was from Appleton and Souquet.

Big match here between Shane Van Boening and Chris Melling. A 3pt overnight cushion would be golden for Europe.

Could be over tonight if it carries on like this

Brilliant win for Team Europe. 11 - 7 it ended up and a completely deserved victory it was.

Feijen has always looked a bit suspect in the Mosconi on his previous appearances, but was near faultless this week and was my definite MVP.

York Hall next year please!

I have heard rumours that it is definitely at York Hall next year, mate.

If it is, I will most certainly be going!