Who hasn’t enjoyed the odd game of nine-ball in their local pub? A pool table is standard equipment in most bars and can be the perfect accompaniment to a mid-day pint but the Mosconi Cup is on a whole different level to the game enjoyed by millions on both sides of the Atlantic.
No background of clinking glasses and murmured conversations for the professionals of Team Europe and Team USA in this annual match-up. This is a serious business and the Americans’ victory at Ally Pally 12 months ago was treated with the same enthusiasm their countrymen normally reserve for a Ryder Cup. And with good reason as that win was Team USA’s first since 2009!
Las Vegas has always staged home matches for the Americans and the teams are back at the Mandalay Bay Resort this week with Europe looking to wrest back control of the transatlantic challenge.
Winners of the Mosconi Cup
| 1994 Romford, England | USA | 16-12 | Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Basildon, England | Europe | 16-15 | USA |
| 1996 Dagenham, England | USA | 15-13 | Europe |
| 1997 Bethnal Green, England | USA | 13-8 | Europe |
| 1998 Bethnal Green, England | USA | 13-9 | Europe |
| 1999 Bethnal Green, England | USA | 12-7 | Europe |
| 2000 Bethnal Green, England | USA | 12-9 | Europe |
| 2001 Bethnal Green, England | USA | 12-1 | Europe |
| 2002 Bethnal Green, England | USA | 12-9 | Europe |
| 2003 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | USA | 11-9 | Europe |
| 2004 Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands | USA | 12-9 | Europe |
| 2005 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | USA | 11-6 | Europe |
| 2006 Rotterdam, Netherlands | Tied | 12-12 | Tied |
| 2007 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | Europe | 11-8 | USA |
| 2008 St. Julian’s, Malta | Europe | 11-5 | USA |
| 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | USA | 11-7 | Europe |
| 2010 Bethnal Green, England | Europe | 11-8 | USA |
| 2011 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | Europe | 11-7 | USA |
| 2012 Bethnal Green, England | Europe | 11-9 | USA |
| 2013 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | Europe | 11-2 | USA |
| 2014 Tower Circus, Blackpool, England | Europe | 11-5 | USA |
| 2015 Tropicana, Las Vegas | Europe | 11-7 | USA |
| 2016 Alexandra Palace, London | Europe | 11-3 | USA |
| 2017 Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas | Europe | 11-4 | USA |
| 2018 Alexandra Palace, London | USA | 11-9 | Europe |
Team USA has won 13 times to Europe’s 11 with one tie but the away team are determined to close that gap again this year, led by one of the sport’s biggest names.
Jayson Shaw may be based in Las Vegas but the 31-year-old’s allegiance is to the flag of St Andrew and, for the last four years, the flag of Europe.
Shaw, a talented snooker player in his teens, is playing in his fourth Mosconi Cup and is a born entertainer, though won’t be risking too many trick shots in Las Vegas with points at stake.
Sweden’s Marcus Chamat is Team Europe’s non-playing captain this year. The Netherlands’ Niels Feijen is the most experienced among the players and is joined by Shaw, Alexander Kazakis of Greece, Albania’s Eklent Kaci and Germany’s Joshua Filler.
Team USA are coached by Johan Ruijsink and Jeremy Jones and they field Mosconi Cup veteran Shane van Boening, Skyler Woodward, Tyler Styer, Billy Thorpe and Justin Bergman.
There seems to be an increased animosity between the two camps this year and that will stoke up fans ahead of the opening clashes.
| Team |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 8/11 | 5/6 | 8/11 |
| USA | Evs | Evs | Evs |
(Betting Odds were taken from Bet365, William Hill & Paddy Power on November 25, 2019 at 9.45am)
Team USA look the value in the desert
I have to say I’m not convinced by Europe’s picks this year. They have a couple of rising stars among the ranks but the Mosconi Cup is all about pressure and Team USA have experience on their side as well as home advantage, though the away team will also have plenty of supporters.
Team USA have to be the valuable at a general Evens to retain the trophy, however. The Americans are 15/2 with Williams Hill to win 11-9 in their Correct Score betting. Jayson Shaw is a tempting 2/1 with BetVictor to be Europe’s top points scorer, though the hosts will be targeting Europe’s main man.
