Europe 11 – 4 USA
Josh Filler 5 – 3 Dennis Hatch
IT WAS MVP JOSH FILLER who delivered the final blow as Team Europe wrapped up a comfortable 11-4 win to retain the partypoker Mosconi Cup for a record-breaking seventh time. Needing just one point after dominating the opening two days of the tournament, it was 20-year-old Filler who beat rival Dennis Hatch to seal the deal for Europe.
Despite an ominous feel about the arena, the fans turned out in their droves to the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre to witness a glorious celebration as the European team revelled in their magnificent victory.
For European captain Marcus Chamat it was win No.3 after taking the helm in 2015 and he seems to have the magic touch.
“I am overwhelmed! The way we played, the way we came as a team and stood beside each other from the beginning,” said an emotional Chamat.
“The American team tried hard and did good. It was a battle and things could have gone the other way in the middle of yesterday.
“In the end, hard work pays off – successful people work hard and that is what these guys did.”
For Joshua Filler it was a dream end to a dream debut as his captain presented him with the Most Valuable Player Award.
Filler, who ran undefeated through the tournament, winning two doubles and two singles matches, was delighted; “It couldn’t get better than this. This is the best team with the best team spirit. I am lucky I have this team, they are always supporting me and without these guys we wouldn’t win the Mosconi Cup eight times in a row.”
For the American side, it was another humbling defeat. Captain Johan Ruijsink it was a bitter blow after putting in so much preparation with the team over the preceding months.
He said, “We took a different approach as to how we prepare and we did well but when we came out there we didn’t bring enough quality to beat Europe.”
Follow the Partypoker Mosconi Cup on www.mosconicup.com and @mosconicup across social media.
2017 partypoker Mosconi Cup is also sponsored by Rasson Billiards who supplies the Official Table; the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue of the event and Ultimate Team Gear provide all Mosconi Cup apparel. APA are the Official Team Sponsor of Team USA.