Europe take three point lead into final day

Europe take three point lead into final dayEurope 9 – 6 USAThe European billiards team will enter the final day of the 2006 PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup with a valuable three point advantage over their American counterparts after another day of high drama at the Cruise Terminal in Rotterdam.Discuss the PartyPoker.com Mosconi CupLeading by three at the close of play on Friday, team coach Johan Ruijsink set his side a minimum target of sharing the day’s points and maintaining their lead and this was exactly as it unfolded.
Johnny Archer’s American side have an uphill struggle tomorrow as play commences with the team game followed by three trebles matches.The evening started well for the Americans as a fired up Rodney Morris dispatched Mika Immonen 7-5 in a match that they really had to win. ‘The Rocket’ looked composed throughout whilst his opponent struggled at the critical moments.All the controversy happened in the next game as Mosconi veteran Earl Strickland took on Germany’s Thomas Engert. Strickland was wound up from the start and gave the most cursory of interviews to Sky Sports presenter Andy Goldstein.His play though was impressive but interspersed with his customary spats with members of the audience.Leading 6-3, Strickland missed the brown 7 and such was his annoyance that he smashed his cue into the floor, splintering the shaft of his cue into pieces.The crowd gave him a rousing boo but Engert composed himself to take the rack but he was too tentative throughout and Strickland ran out a 7-4 winner. The final match of the day, Nick van den Berg v Mike Davis, was critical. An American win would leave them trailing overnight by just a single point, whilst a European win would restore their three point lead.Neither player was at the top of their respective games but it was the Dutchman, roared on by a sell-out home crowd who had too much for Davis and it was Europe who prevailed.

Pool Balls and Billiard Balls at LOW PRICES!!!

About the Author:
Inside Pool Magazine publishes billiard news. Definitive Synergy creates pool and billiard management software.