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]]>Shane Van Boening is the champion of the world after beating Albin Ouschan in the 2022 World Pool Championship final at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes. Coverage live on Sky Sports in the UK/Ireland, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria as well as Viaplay and networks worldwide.
Van Boening won the lag before taking the opening rack in a comfortable fashion. The American was pegged back in the second though after missing a routine 2 ball to the bottom pocket. At that, Ouschan found his groove to put daylight between them both at 3-1 after four racks. At 3-1, Van Boening got some table time and made the most of it as he twisted the screw with a pinpoint jump shot on the 3 followed by a raking effort to pot the 4 and make it 3-2.
Ouschan did reassert a two-rack different in the sixth rack but it was short-lived after scratching on the break in the resulting rack. It was a case of blink and you miss it as Van Boening turned the contest on its head to take the eighth rack to level at 4-4 before a simple 1-9 combo put him in front for the first time since 1-0.
A tie between two modern greats was always going to deliver with very little to separate the pair. As quick as Van Boening took the lead at 5-4, it was soon Ouschan back ahead at 6-5 with a break and run. The crowd was kept entertained throughout and the duo put on a clinic in safety play with a standout moment coming in the 12th as Ouschan found himself with no eye on the pocket on the 1, he played a sweet safety to tuck the cueball behind the 4 and 6 ball whilst leaving the 1 ball near the bottom pocket. Despite what looked like an effortless safety, Van Boening kicked out like the demon he is to make the 1 ball and soon level again at 6-6.
Van Boening’s cue action has delighted many for so long and it was a case of it being as clean as ever and no better rack showed that than the way he kept the cue ball on a piece of string. From 6-6, it was the American who quite literally ran home with an expert performance and deliver his first-ever world title leaving Ouschan with very few opportunities at the table as he wrapped up an emotional 13-6 win.
An emotional Van Boening said: “I have been trying for years. Two times I’ve been in the final and two times in the final. I just knew I was going to win the World Pool Championship. I dreamed I would be World Champion. It teaches you to work hard, follow your dreams and never give up.”
“It was just a fantastic week. That match for me against Mika, changed things. I could’ve been going home at 10-3 down. But I fought my way through. I am lost for words. I am so happy for myself, thank you to all the fans in this sport.
I put in so many hours in my career. I dreamed of being world champion. Today is that moment.”
“Matchroom is the best thing to happen to this sport. Without them, this would never even be possible. A big thank you to Matchroom and the whole team. It is a dream come true. It makes me hungry for more, I will go home and go fishing for a bit but then I will be working hard again.”
“To the middle of the match, it was back and forth. I played a safety then didn’t make a shot for the rest of the match. Shane played a great tournament with great comebacks. He deserved it today. I am disappointed, but it is fair to say he played better. He had some rolls but without that, you cannot be world champion” – Ouschan said.
Van Boening’s win sees the American shoot up to the Live 2023 Nineball World No.1 with over £60,000 in prize money. The win putting Van Boening in a commanding position to keep his place in the Team USA Mosconi Cup team this November 30-3 December at Bally’s Las Vegas.
Next up, fans can expect news in the coming days of the four wild cards for the upcoming World Pool Masters at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar from May 5-8 with tickets available from only £7.
Copyright © 2008 - 2022 Matchroom Multi Sport Ltd all rights reserved.
]]>Niels Feijen, the 45-year-old multi-titled Dutch star, added another championship to his resume as he over-powered Austria’s Daniel Guttenberg in the final match of the Men’s 9 Ball Division at the Dynamic Billard European Championships in Lasko, Slovenia. It was the Terminator’s second gold medal in 9-ball and 11th overall.
Coming into the match as a big underdog, Guttenberger made just too many mistakes and against a player of Feijen’s calibre, they were ruthlessly punished. The Dutchman’s confidence was in full bloom from the very start of the match and it grew with every successive rack won.
Commented Feijen, “People say it’s a young man’s game and it is and it isn’t. As long as you stay fit and keep improving and you stay hungry, then it’s anybody’s game. The older you get, the commitment changes a little bit. I’m a family man and I have other things on the side, so my commitment and drive are not like it was in my 20’s and 30’s.
“But I’m going to enjoy this now. We’re going to jump in the river across from the hotel and enjoy the night. It’s an amazing feeling and it’s not getting any easier, the level of play is so high. But to win two bronzes and to finish it off with a gold is a great feeling.”
“But I’m going to enjoy this now. We’re going to jump in the river across from the hotel and enjoy the night. It’s an amazing feeling and it’s not getting any easier, the level of play is so high. But to win two bronzes and to finish it off with a gold is a great feeling.”
Feijen won the lag and saw the 1 ball drop into the corner pocket and quick-fire combination on the 2/9 gave him the opening rack. Guttenberger, playing in his first ever European Championship final, looked very comfortable as he ran through the balls to level the score at 1-1.
Feijen pushed out in the next after five balls were locked together around the head rail. The Austrian gave the table back and both players went back and forth with safeties. Guttenberger looked in the ascendancy after Feijen left the 3 ball out which Guttenberg potted. He did all the hard work but missed a relatively simple 5 into the centre pocket and The Terminator took his chance and the lead at 2.1.
A dry break from the Austrian left a messy table as the rack became tactical. Feijen, though, failed to put the 1 ball safe and
Guttenberger, rather than pot it, laid an easy snooker that left Feijen few options. He went for a one rail escape but missed to give ball in hand. Guttenberger, though, missed the 5 ball when the run out looked favourite and Feijen once again, took the opportunity to increase his lead. 3-1.
Feijen made the 1 and 2 balls on the break and with a makeable shot on the 3 ball, managed the run out to give himself a very tidy 4-1 lead. Guttenberger was under some pressure now. Coming into the match as the underdog, he really needed to stick with Feijen but a few needless mistakes had let the Dutchman forge ahead. Another bad error from the Austrian handed the table back to Feijen, and looking the picture of determination, he cleared up to take a 5-1 lead in the race to 9.
Feijen looked unstoppable in the next as he ran out, executing shots to perfection, to move his lead to 6-1. It looked like mission impossible for Guttenberger, and it became worse when he scratched pocketing the 2-ball and handing an open table to his opponent. Feijen though made an uncharacteristic slip as he missed the 6 ball and Guttenberger wrapped it up to trail 6-2.
Three balls went down for Feijen on the break and with a shot on the 3 ball, the run out looked a certainty and he increased his lead to 7-2. Guttenberger made two balls on his break and with the 3-ball available into the centre pocket, it was a golden chance to stop the rot. Holding off his nerves, he ran out as the score moved to 7-3.
Another crushing break from the veteran Dutchman saw two balls drop and he made no mistakes as he quickly ran out to reach the hill. In the next, with no pocket available for the 2 ball, Guttenberger tied the cue ball up behind the 4 ball. Feijen’s escape left a long pressure 2-ball which the Austrian potted and held himself together well to take the rack.
With the title a rack away, Feijen played a perfect break. The balls were all out in the open, and the master Dutchman ran out for his 11th European Championship Individual gold medal.
“The Europeans hold Olympic status for the Dutch players and it’s super important. I got that right away in straight pool and then I went all out for the 10 ball – if I’m still in, I want to get a gold medal, then bronze again, I lost in the 8 ball; I got a bit tired but then I said, one more time, all-in because I want to hear that national anthem and that was an amazing feeling!” added the champion.
Final
Niels Feijen (NED) 9 – 4 Daniel Guttenberger (AUT)
Semi Finals
Daniel Guttenberger (AUT) 9 – 1 Jakub Koniar (SVK)
Niels Feijen (NED) 9 – 6 Jani Uski (FIN)
The 2022 Dynamic Billards European Championship sees 15 separate events across four disciplines – 8, 9 and 10 ball as well as straight pool – plus the men’s and women’s team competitions. In total there are four divisions; men, women, under 23 men and wheelchair users.
All matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com
Results, live scoring and draw are available at
www.epbf.com/tournaments/europ
© AZBilliards.com EPPA inc. 1998-2022 All Rights Reserved
]]>This is a documentary about the the legendary 6 x world snooker champion Ray “The Welsh Master” Reardon. It's a short documentary well worth watching
]]>The truth is many beginner pool players go about it the wrong way. Far too often, they skip the fundamentals and jump right into advanced concepts, like cue ball spin techniques and draw shots.
For more tips and techniques keep an eye on this Media tab.
]]>Whether you have visions of becoming the second coming of Paul Newman in The Color of Money or simply want to sharpen your skills and beat your mates down at the pub, you need to practice, and do it the right way.
The truth is many beginner pool players go about it the wrong way. Far too often, they skip the fundamentals and jump right into advanced concepts, like cue ball spin techniques and draw shots.
You wouldn’t drive a classic Ferrari without learning to work a clutch and shift gears, so why would you practice difficult rail combos without first learning fundamental pool mechanics and techniques?
Sure, you’ll need to practice technical strategies and thoughts if you want to become an advanced billiards player.
However, for most of us, becoming a better pool player starts with consistently practising basic, fundamental pool mechanics, techniques, and shots.
Regardless of where you want to take your pool game, mastering the basics will make you a much better player.
Whether you’re playing 8-Ball, 9-Ball or any other billiards game, here are some fundamental tips and drills to instantly improve your pool skills.
1. Practice Your Grip
Many pool and billiard beginners make the mistake of gripping the cue much too tight.
While it’s natural to think gripping the cue harder will give you better precision and control over your shot, this is the wrong approach.
You should use a loose, light grip instead. Why?
For starters, gripping the cue too tightly can cause the butt of the cue to rise when shooting, making it much more difficult to execute a straight, accurate shot.
An overly tight grip can also increase your odds of hitting the cue ball too low, causing it to jump right off of the table.
Instead of giving the cue a death grip, lighten it up a bit so that you’re able to pick up the cue from the table. Hold it lightly as you rest it on your fingers.
When practising, make sure to spend some time focusing on your grip too. Try to keep your grip light and soft while shooting with total control.
Once you find the right balance, keep practising until gripping the cue both lightly and in control becomes second nature.
2. Work on Your Shooting Stance
Aside from your grip, your stance is one of the most essential and fundamental aspects of your shot to practice.
Generally, your front foot and rear foot should be shoulder-width apart. Your back foot should also be at a 45-degree angle, and your front foot pointed straight. Practice shooting in this stance. You should feel comfortable and stable.
A lot of pool players place too much weight on their front or rear foot. Your weight should be equally balanced and dispersed evenly on both feet.
When leaning forward to take a shot, make sure to keep your head stable, low and level over your cue. Also, transfer some of your weight to your bridge hand to form a tripod with both of your feet.
While this is the ideal stance and body position, it’s crucial for it to feel comfortable.
Once you have the proper stance down and it feels low, balanced, and comfortable, practice moving around the pool table and keeping the stance the same as you shoot from different spots.
As is the case with the other parts of your shot, consistency is key.
3. Align Your Body Properly
Like your grip and stance, proper body alignment is a must when it comes to accurate pool shooting.
For proper alignment, your head, eyes, stroking arm and cue should all be lined up straight in the direction of your target ball. Many avid billiards players call this the “vision centre.”
When practising your body alignment, try keeping your head low and straight with your aiming line and your eyes level. Meanwhile, like the cue up so its tip is centred with the cue ball.
When your cue and sightline are aligned, turn your attention to your forearm and make sure it is in line with the cue.
Practice setting up your alignment and then take some practice shots until it feels right. You can hit the cue ball across the table to the opposite corner pocket or stroke straight shots to the opposite cushion while trying to stay perfectly aligned and dead centre.
Keep doing this over and over until proper alignment becomes an unconscious aspect of your shot.
4. Imagine an Aiming Line
From combo and bank shots to complicated angles, the path to your chosen pocket isn’t always obvious. However, you should always know which pocket you’re aiming to sink and find the centre of the target pocket when lining up for a shot.
Envision a line running from the pocket’s centre to the centre of the ball you plan on sinking in it. This imaginary aiming line should continue right through the target ball all the way to the cue ball, allowing you to line up and make contact with the centre point of the target ball.
With your eyes, follow this line all the way from the centre of the target pocket through the target and cue ball. When you’re ready to shoot, follow the line and focus your eyes on the centre of the target ball.
When practising, try making these imaginary aiming lines a regular part of your pre-shot routine. Soon, they become a natural aspect of your routine and virtually every shot you take.
5. Practice swinging like a pendulum
As you now know, it’s vitally important to align your body with your aiming line when shooting. However, to stay in alignment, your shooting arm must be still.
Many newcomers to billiards and pool move their upper arms way too much when shooting. You can avoid this problem by envisioning the upper and lower parts of your shooting arm as a swinging pendulum.
Below your elbow, your shooting arm should swing back and forth to drive the cue and take a shot. Your upper arm, however, should remain still and even throughout the shooting process. To do this, keep your shooting hand directly under your elbow when holding the cue.
The lower part of your arm should swing past your elbow when striking the cue ball, creating a pendulum-like movement.
Practice making these smooth pendulum strokes with shots of all different lengths until you get it right. Your backswing should always be slow, but you can completely control your shot speed with your arm’s forward swing.
6. Work on your bridges
If you’re new to pool, your bridge is your non-shooting hand, which you use to slide and guide the cue into the cue ball. Needless to say, it’s one of the most critical components of your shot and overall pool game.
You can master everything above, but if you’re inconsistent or clumsy with your bridge, your game will suffer.
For most players and shots, there are two primary types of bridges: the closed bridge and the open bridge.
Working on Your Open Bridge
Work on your open bridge until it becomes comfortable and consistent. When you master the open bridge and continue improving your pool skills, you can then move on to the closed bridge and other bridges, such as the rail bridge and over-the-ball bridge.
7. Develop a Pre-Shot Routine
A pre-shot routine will help you get in rhythm and pace yourself throughout a game when you’re in between shots. Unlike your bridge, alignment, stance, grip, and other aspects of your game, your pre-shot routine is completely personal.
That being said, many players use this time to survey the table, chalk the tip of their cue, focus on the target pocket, and get lined up for their shot.
To do this, align your rear foot, place the cue directly behind the cue ball, square your head, and focus your eyes toward the centre of the target ball before you get in your shooting stance.
With a little practice, this aspect of your pre-shot routine will become fluid and happen naturally and rhythmically before every shot. Whatever it is, developing a pre-shot routine and consistently doing it will significantly improve your pool game.
A great pool table will improve your pool game as well. Excellence Billiards will have the equipment and the pool tables available to purchase now. Come in and have a look at our range of high quality slate pool tables.
Copyright © 2022 Quedos Billiard Tables.
]]>Matchroom is delighted to present the 2022 Nineball schedule sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association with for the first time ever the inclusion of tournaments promoted by some of the most established and professional event organisers in Diamond Billiards, Pat Fleming, the EuroTour, and more.
Seeding for tournaments in 2022 will be based off the Matchroom Nineball World Rankings as decided by the Rankings Committee who will continue to monitor the status throughout 2022 to ensure they fairly reflect performance.
The 2023 rankings will take shape from the first tournament on the 2022 schedule with Diamond Billiards’ Derby City Classic, Nineball event in Kentucky, USA on January 26. After the conclusion of the Nineball tournament, the 2023 rankings will start to take shape and be available to see at www.matchroompool.com
Matchroom’s first tournament of the season will be the newly named Premier League Pool from February 13, to February 20 at the Morningside Arena in Leicester. Premier League Pool will be a non-ranking event where 16 players will compete in a league format with a prize fund of $100,000 with a guaranteed payout for last place of $2,500 and the winner taking home $20,000. It will see the top 12 players on the Matchroom Nineball World Rankings plus four wild cards invited.
The EuroTour will have five events on the schedule starting with the Lasko Open (February 26-28) in Lasko, Slovenia.
The first Blue Ribbon (an event with over $300,000 in prize money) tournament of the season follows with the World Pool Championship from April 5-9 with World No.1 Albin Ouschan out to defend his title in a fierce field of 128.
After the World Pool Championship, the EuroTour visits Treviso for the first of two Treviso Open tournaments from April 29 to May 2.
Alexander Kazakis will head to Gibraltar for the World Pool Masters (May 5-8) as the defending champion with the top 20 players on the Matchroom Nineball Pool World Rankings, along with four wildcards invited. Tight pockets, an elite field, and a bruising single-elimination format means only a player at the very top of their game can walk away with the World Pool Masters title.
The first-ever UK Open Pool (May 17-22) will follow with a bumper field of 256 out to claim the inaugural crown and a slice of the $200,000 prize pot. With an entry fee of only $250, it offers the perfect opportunity for a breakout star to make their mark and stake their claim on the Nineball World Rankings. Entries will open for the UK Open on Friday, January 14 at 2 pm UK time.
The World Cup of Pool (June 13-18) is one of Pool’s most unique events and Germany will be out to defend their title at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, England.
There’s a EuroTour doubleheader in June and August with trips to Salzburg, Austria and Petrich, Bulgaria on June 24-27 and August 6-8 respectively.
The US Open Pool Championship will return to the Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City from October 10, to October 15 with reigning champion World No. 2 Carlo Biado looking to take home one of the biggest titles on the schedule once again.
At the conclusion of the US Open Pool Championship, both Team USA and Team Europe will know their first three players for the Mosconi Cup with both teams taking the top two players off the 2023 rankings along with a wildcard each.
Pat Fleming’s International Open Nineball tournament (30-5 November) will feature for the first time where Ouschan will look to replicate what was an incredible year in 2021.
Another new event promoted by Matchroom will take place in Germany with the European Open (November 15-20) with an open field of 256 set to battle for the first-place prize of $30,000.
At the end of the European Open, the 2023 rankings will be known with the final two players for both Europe and the USA’s Mosconi Cup rosters to be announced with one further player coming off the rankings for each side and one further wild card by both respective captains.
The final EuroTour to feature on the calendar will be in Treviso (25-27 November).
The 2022 Mosconi Cup (November 30-5) promises to be one of the spectacles of the year as the USA look to bounce back on home soil at Bally’s Resort, Las Vegas after just missing out 11-7 at Alexandra Palace in 2021.
Copyright © 2008 - 2022 Matchroom Multi Sport Ltd all rights reserved.
]]>Australia’s Neil Robertson landed his second Cazoo Masters crown, ten years after his first, with a 10-4 defeat of Barry Hawkins in the final at Alexandra Palace.
The Melbourne cueman beat Shaun Murphy 10-6 in the 2012 title match, but was runner-up to Mark Selby the following year. His most recent appearance in the final was in 2015, again up against Murphy, when he fell to a heavy 10-2 defeat. Today’s victory ends his decade long wait for Alexandra Palace glory.
This is 2010 World Champion Robertson’s sixth Triple Crown title, moving him ahead of Alex Higgins into eighth position on the all-time list. Only Ray Reardon, Mark Williams, Selby, John Higgins, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan have won more.
Robertson had an impressive path to lifting the Paul Hunter Trophy and securing the £250,000 top prize. After a 6-3 defeat of Anthony McGill in the opening round, he scored a 6-4 win over O’Sullivan. He then secured a thrilling 6-5 defeat of Williams in the semi-finals, where he came back from requiring two snookers in the decider.
Hawkins will be disappointed to succumb to another defeat in a Masters final. He lost out 10-1 against O’Sullivan in 2016. The three-time ranking event winner leaves with the consolation of a £100,000 runner-up prize. He enjoyed a superb week, defeating Murphy, Selby and Judd Trump en route to today’s showpiece showdown with Robertson.
This afternoon saw 21-time ranking event winner Robertson take control of proceedings, establishing a 5-3 cushion heading into the final session.
World number four Robertson kept pressing forward when the concluding session got underway and moved three ahead at 6-3, with the help of a 50 break.
The Hawk clawed his way back within two when he composed a break of 69 to make it 6-4. However, that would prove to be his final frame of the evening.
Robertson surged for the finish line and crafted breaks of 68 and 114 on his way to four frames on the bounce, which secured him the 10-4 win and his second taste of Masters glory.
“I’m so happy to win this wonderful title again. I had my first win after Alexander was born at this event back in 2012. I always wanted to do a repeat with Penelope here as well, so I’m happy to do that,” said 39-year-old Robertson.
“Barry was the underdog tonight and I felt like I was the villain spoiling the fairytale at some points. He is such a wonderful player. He really deserves to win one of the big titles. I had to stay focussed with the job at hand. I knew that the majority of the crowd were with him. Luckily with my experience I knew how to silence that a little bit, play well and get a good lead.
“When I won my first title I thought I’d be able to go back to Australia happy. Who’d have thought I’d still be living here 16 years later. I think a lot of things have happened since Barry Hearn took over and gave us more opportunities to play. He has been a massive part of allowing myself and all of the great players in the game to win as much as we have.
“So many people have said they’ve never seen anything like my deciding frame with Mark Williams in sport, let alone snooker. I was absolutely dead and buried and all of a sudden it was like a phoenix rising from the ashes.”
Hawkins said: “It’s a bit disappointing. I expected to go out there and play well. I was over the moon to be 5-3 down after this afternoon. I felt better tonight, but Neil played stronger. I just made too many mistakes overall. Neil is a fantastic player and a fantastic cueist. You just can’t do that at this level.
“This has been one of the best weeks of my life. The atmosphere at every match has been phenomenal. There aren’t many snooker players that will have experienced that. I am going to remember all of those cheers and they will stay with me for a while.”
**** WORLD SNOOKER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
]]>Matchroom is thrilled to announce the inauguration of the Nineball World Rankings. The rankings will become the cornerstone of the game globally to recognise Nineball as the primary discipline of pool, sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association. The establishment of the Nineball World Rankings propels Matchroom’s further commitment to the growth of pool globally.
The Matchroom Nineball World Rankings will promote clear, fair, and concise rules to develop the professional aspect of the sport across the world and will:
Promote pool as a major professional sportMatchroom’s recent expansion into Open fielded Nineball events is with the aim to increase participation numbers on the professional side of the sport and across the world, with further additions to the roster: US Open, UK Open, and the European Open. Field sizes of 256 players, guaranteed prize money, and now a seeding structure, as well as ranking points earnt, strengthens Matchroom’s commitment to the sport of Pool.
Matchroom President Barry Hearn said: “We are going to make Pool a major global sport and together we’re going to show what can be achieved and what dreams can be created for the players all around the world already playing this wonderful game.”
“For the first time, you have a major global company looking after players and making sure the opportunities are second to none. Get involved either as player or fan. We need everyone to pull in the same direction and under Matchroom’s leadership Nineball Pool will shock the world over the next few years.”
“The game needs to make that quantum leap into the big time and Matchroom are ready to take it there in 2022. This is going to be electric.”
From January 2022, the Matchroom Nineball World Rankings will:
Feature the primary rankings list of an initial Top 32 ranked players with a top-up of a further 8 players, this list will be used throughout the 2022 events for qualification and seeding to the Matchroom Nineball schedule of events
Feature the secondary rankings list of live actual ranking points of prize money earnt that will come into effect December 2022 as well as contribute towards the Mosconi Cup 2022 team qualification
Feature 8 Matchroom promoted events
Have a Rankings Committee who together initiated the official Top 32 of players and will continue to monitor the status of the primary rankings throughout 2022 to ensure they fairly reflect performance
Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director Emily Frazer explained: “Finally players have a clear and transparent entry system to the biggest staged events in the world. With the support of the WPA, the Nineball world rankings is the perfect opportunity to bring together the whole pool community. It is time we create structure and organisation in this sport.”
“This announcement of structure is exactly what the sport of pool has needed to push forwards and commercialise. Now there will be a clear structure on our website, that will be detailing our schedule of events, how you qualify, how you earn ranking points, and when the cut-off is. Tournament seedings is a key part of the Nineball world Rankings; an advantage and benefit to the players tis to be ranked in events on order of merit.”
“In the last couple of years, we have gone from three events to eight in 2022. It was vital and integral to the sport of pool for us to bring the pool community together and to work with other event organisers as part of our Nineball World Rankings. Thanks to the likes of Diamond Billiards for the Derby City Classic. Pat Fleming for the International Open. EPBF President Gre Leenders for the EuroTour to create a bigger ranking system for our players.”
“In 2022, we are bringing you a total of $1.7million of prize money. What a journey we are on and what a journey we are starting. This announcement of the Nineball World Rankings is exactly what pool has needed to turn this into a global recognised sport. This is the motivation that every single person that loves this game just as much as we do to pick up a cue and start playing. This is time for everyone in the community to come together and professionalise this sport.”
From December 2022, the Matchroom Nineball World Rankings will:
Be formed on prize money won at events with ranking status set out as part of the Matchroom Nineball Schedule
Be based on a 2-year rolling period to ensure a fair sample size
Be displayed on the Matchroom Pool website throughout 2022 and see how it will impact the 2022 Mosconi Cup
Ranking status will be awarded by prize money and therefore events will be categorised into the below tiers, this will establish a clear Tour for the players to participate in:
Event Status (subject to change and review on a yearly basis)
Blue Ribbon > $300,000 +
Major Events > $150,000 – $299,999
Ranking Events > Up to $149,999
The Matchroom Nineball World Rankings are open to any tournament recognised by Matchroom and given the approval of Matchroom and sanction of the WPA. To be a part of the rankings, tournament organisers must follow the overall standards set out by the Matchroom Nineball World Rankings to raise the profile of the sport. Whilst this will be flexible for 2022, the aim will be to standardise the professional rules of the game of Nineball producing fairness for players throughout all organised events as well as generating an easy understanding of the game: increasing awareness across the globe.
The 2022 Matchroom Nineball schedule will begin with the Diamond City Classic 9-Ball on January 26 promoted by Diamond Billiards before Matchroom’s first-ever Premier League Pool at the Morningside Arena, Leicester in England from Sunday, February 13 to Sunday, February 20.
Copyright © 2008 - 2022 Matchroom Multi Sport Ltd all rights reserved.
]]>TEAM EUROPE RETAIN CAZOO MOSCONI CUP
Team Europe 11-6 Team USA
Shaw/Filler 5-4 Van Boening/Woodward
Jayson Shaw 2-5 Skyler Woodward
Joshua Filler 5-4 Shane Van Boening
Team Europe have won the 2021 Cazoo Mosconi Cup at Alexandra Palace, London to retain the cup for a second year in an 11-6 victory over Team USA.
Alex Lely and Karl Boyes’ side needed only two points on the final day of play to secure a famous win over the USA and make it 14-13 overall in the cup’s history and they delivered that in three matches sending Alexandra Palace into pandemonium.
Europe started out with the formidable duo of Jayson Shaw and Joshua Filler in action against Shane Van Boening and Skyler Woodward as the fans’ choice doubles match. Shaw seemed to start to feel the heat as he missed the five ball which allowed the USA to be on the hill first but only for that to rejuvenate Shaw and Filler as they moved within one of victory.
Woodward was in the mood to delay the party though and put up one of the showings of the week as he silenced the London crowd to down Shaw 5-2 and keep America’s faint hopes alive at 6-10 down.
There was nearly another twist in the tale late on as Van Boening took on Filler in what was ultimately the last match. Van Boening hit the front at 2-1 which is when Filler produced a 2 9 carom for a shot that delivered up to his nickname as The Killer. The match went back and forth but Filler moved to the hill first and sealed it in typical Filler fashion to the chorus of ‘Oh Joshua Filler’.
Shaw’s week of two singles wins and three doubles wins saw him pick up the Predator MVP award for the second year in a row: “It feels amazing, hats off to the team, we showed a lot of heart over the last two days. To win MVP for the second time feels incredible”
He added: “I’d advise all European fans to make the trip over to the States and give us as much support as possible next year! The more events for us are perfect for us in 2022, I am looking forward to it. Hopefully, we can all have good years next year as individuals. I can only imagine here in 2023, there could be 6,000 fans in there. That would be amazing because there is no other tournament like the Mosconi Cup. It is just the weirdest feeling; you do not experience it in any other tournament. You’re swearing all year to find out if you’re making the team. To make the Mosconi Cup is every player’s dream. This is what you look forward to all year.”
“I was expecting Jayson to get the last point! In the doubles match, I was struggling. I was waiting to play Shane and I have never lost a singles match against him. Jayson came to me at 4-4 and said ‘you’re gonna run out this rack’, and then I ran out. I should have in my mind what to say. It was a special four days in the end! Thank you so much to the team who made this happen. Jay kept the crows going nuts all the time. Alex and Karl gave me the right words at the right time. The whole team as well. We have so many champions as well. If you don’t take their advice you’re probably dumb!” said Filler.
“I am proud and satisfied. I am very happy. What I will reminisce most is the hugs and after when we finally got it done. That will stay with me for a long time. We got lucky to not fall behind 6-3. On the morning of day three, I said what I wanted to say and I should’ve said earlier. We put the leadership in the group.”
“I would love to get the chance to defend the title in Las Vegas. I would really love it. Three years stint is fine, you ask me if I would love it? The camaraderie, the togetherness, and intensity. I already know in the car, in bed, wherever I will have flashbacks. I know where my head will be for the next ten days. I enjoy it. I give 100%. It is a team of champions. The Mosconi Cup is a different beast. It isn’t mathematics. I pride myself on giving 100% and together with Karl we give a lot. Having this team makes that easier,” said Captain Lely.
Lely added: “I think having a structure when players know how to get on the team, more players will commit. My players did many things right this year. I am 100% convinced they have found it. Karl is knowledgeable and he brings a lot of passion. He brings knowledge about the game. He is a no-nonsense player. He brings that to us. Away from the table he brings fun and laughter as well as knowing his team so well. I think Jeremy has been a great captain this year. Maybe it helped them that he had to step in.”
For Albin Ouschan it capped off a historic year that saw him claim the Championship League Pool title, World Pool Championship title, and International Open title, and now the Cazoo Mosconi Cup: “Against Skyler, it was horrible. My racks I played well, his racks I played well. I am still glad we still made it as a team. It’s the perfect ending for me for this year.”
Copyright © 2008 - 2021 Matchroom Multi Sport Ltd all rights reserved.
]]>The Mosconi Cup is pool's biggest rivalry as Europe and the USA meet over four days in a race to 11 points; the action continues at 6pm on Sky Sports as Alex Lely's European side look to retain the title they won in Coventry last December
Team USA will take a surprise one-point lead against Europe into the third day of the Mosconi Cup at Alexandra Palace.
Jayson Shaw gave Europe a perfect start to the second day, before USA reeled off three straight wins.
However, David Alcaide and Eklent Kaci mounted a fabulous comeback from 4-1 down to defeat Jeremy Jones and Chris Reinhold to reduce the deficit to just a single point.
"We dodged a bullet again. We were looking to go 6-3 behind but Reinhold missed the ball and Alcaide and Kaçi showed a lot of heart and spirit and snatched that set away," said Team Europe captain Alex Lely.
"We are now trailing; we lost the session which hurts. We're under the gun and we really need to step it up.
“When the session is lost and then in the last match our two boys come out against Chris and JJ. Without disrespecting Chris and JJ, we were really hoping and expecting them to get it.
"Chris and JJ played some good shots and put them under the game. They had the win in their hands. They bottled it and we capitalised on that. It's the sort of momentum and big point that you hope to capitalise on."
Jones, the opposing skipper, said: "It's very pleasing any time you win the session. That's the goal each day. You must be happy.
"Underdog, favourite, doesn't matter in the Mosconi Cup. We're happy with the win. The talent level that kid (Skyler Woodward) has, not only the talent, but he also doesn't always express it a lot, he is very knowledgeable when it comes down to pressure and when it comes to the shot. What I should do at the time meaning him, he knows.
"Last year we lost a lot of hill-hill matches and lags. We turned that around already."
(Credit)© 2021 Sky UK
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The Australian led 5-3, with the help of two centuries, but Higgins reeled off four frames in a row at the start of the evening session to go 7-5 up.
Robertson then fought back from 8-6 down to force a decider and, after Higgins missed a red when well placed, won it with a 65 break.
"It's an unbelievable feeling winning this tournament," said Robertson.
Speaking to Eurosport, he added: "I found something from somewhere and I seemed to play my best snooker towards the end of the match."
Robertson, who lost last year's final 9-8 to Judd Trump, made breaks of 140 and 123 in building his 5-3 lead in the opening session.
He was not as fluent at the start of the final session but then improved and knocked in a 120 to force a decider.
Scot Higgins had led 8-6 in the recent Northern Ireland Open before losing 9-8 to Mark Allen and suffered the same outcome.
"The last two finals I really do think shows I've not really got it at this level," said Higgins.
"Neil was unbelievable - what a player and what a champion. "It was a great final to be involved in, I came out the loser again but every credit to him."
Source: Copyright © 2021 BBC
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Reinhold made his debut last year in Coventry, England, and joins Skyler Woodward, Earl Strickland, Tyler Styer, and vice-captain Shane Van Boening on Jeremy Jones’ side.
The Californian has been finding his feet in the professional ranks and will work closely with Jones over the next month to get ready alongside his teammates ahead of flying to London for the 27th edition of the Mosconi Cup.
“I am really excited. I have always wanted to experience a real Mosconi Cup with fans. I feel like I play better with fans there and the added pressure. Everyone who has made the team have told me it’s like nothing else. I am going to practice and be ready to go,” said Reinhold.
“I feel like I played well last year given the circumstances playing on a real slick table and even though there were no fans there, there would be pressure when you’re playing for your country, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am looking forward to it. I think my best version of me will be there in December. When you’re growing up you watch the Mosconi Cup and other big tournaments but none compare to the Mosconi Cup. I want to win for my country. It’s bigger than you just playing in a tournament, you are playing for your whole country.”
“I am as proud as I can be. I will show a lot of heart. My best game will be out there. Win or lose I will not be thinking about losing. Win or lose I will come back stronger no matter what.”
Source: Matchroom Multi Sport Ltd
Matchroom Multi Sport Ltd 2008 - 2021
But so focused was the 25-year-old on the on-going International 9-ball Open and 10-ball invitational in Virginia, United States that he had no clue of his ascension to the top of the world rankings.
Yapp only found out about his feat when contacted by The Straits Times early Monday morning (Oct 25), prompting him to check the World Pool-Billiard Association rankings. "Omg (oh my god)," said Yapp via a brief text message. "I didn't know at all. I'm still in shock. I just hope I can stay there."
Yapp has certainly come a long way since picking up a cue when he was eight and dropping out of secondary school at 14 to train full-time and work towards becoming a professional pool player.
He eventually completed his O levels at private institution Coleman College and his flair for the sport was evident by then. At 18, he won the 2014 World Junior 9-Ball Championships, three months after claiming the Asian Junior title, which set him up to turn pro. He won a SEA Games 9-ball doubles gold with Toh Lian Han in 2017 before enlisting for national service, which combined with the coronavirus pandemic resulted in limited opportunities for him to train, travel and compete.
However, two months of high-level overseas training and competition this year propelled Yapp from world No. 20 when he first arrived in the States on Aug 19 to the summit, as he overtook American Shane van Boening in the latest rankings.
In September, he finished third at the World 10-ball Championship in Las Vegas, and then second at the US Open 9-ball Championship in Atlantic City. Along the way, he beat the world's top three players, who were then three-time national 8-ball champion Van Boening, German Joshua Filler and Scotsman Jayson Shaw respectively.
On Sept 25, Yapp won the Michigan Open for his first senior international-level title after his 2017 Golden Break 9 Ball Open Championship triumph in Malaysia.
While he finished 17th at the Ohio Open in October, it was enough for him to rise to the top as the rankings take into account results and corresponding points from the 10 most recent selected events.
Cuesports Singapore congratulated Yapp for his achievement in a Facebook post, saying: "We are proud of him. He is reaping the rewards for years of dedication and hard work."
Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. 03/10/2021
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