 | TEAM EUROPE DOWNS TEAM U.S.A.
IN THE WORLD CUP OF TRICK SHOTS
The WORLD CUP OF TRICK SHOTS was held November 1 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Team Europe claimed the title over Team U.S.A. in the Second Annual international team competition in the sport of Trick Shots. The prize purse was $50,000 for the event, with $40,000 and Gold Medals to the winning team.
From l-r, Stefano Pelinga, Nick Nikolaidis, and Luke Szywala with Ewa Laurance
Captain Stefano Pelinga, the 2007 Trick Shot Magic Champion, led Team Europe to victory and the Gold Medal. Other Team Europe members who were awarded the Gold Medal were Ewa Laurance, 2005 Trick Shot Challenge Champion, Nick Nikolaidis, 2006 Masters Artistic Pool Champion, and Luke Szywala, 2004 WPA World Artisitc Pool Champion. Silver Medalists from Team U.S.A. included Captain Mike Massey, 2006 World Artistic Pool Champion, Jeanette Lee, 2004 Trick Shot Challenge Champion, Tom Rossman, 2007 World Artisitic Pool Champion, and Bruce Barthelette, 2006 Masters Artistic Pool Runnerup. Their team also won $10,000.
The format for World Cup consisted of eight artistic show shots by both teams in a match. Team members executed a challenge shot of their choice, and their opponents were required to duplicate the shot or lose a point. In the semifinals, with two members from each team, the players alternated shots in four player head-to-head matches, performing intricate trick shots meant to stymie their opponents. The Championship Finals match pitted all eight members of Team U.S.A. and Team Europe in the wildest shootout of the year.
The players on Team Europe displayed their brilliance to emerge as the top trick shot artists in the world. The Championship match was poetry on green felt, with Team Europe defeating Team U.S.A. by a score of 7-4 to take the Gold Medals and $40,000. Team U.S.A., whose members were somewhat off their game, claimed Silver Medals and $10,000 second prize. In the first semifinal, Team Europe players Laurance and Nikolaidis prevailed over Team U.S.A. members Lee and Barthelette. The other semifinal saw Team Europe artists Pelinga and Szywala slip past Team U.S.A. players Massey and Rossman in a tight match. Team Europe dominated from the start, winning both semifinals by scores of 9-6 and 9-7. The team winning a semifinal carried one point forward to the finals, and thus Team Europe came into the finals with two point lead. The championship was theirs to win and they never looked back.
By contrast, Team U.S.A. began the finals with a two point deficit and never fully got their act together. The pivotal moment came on shot nine, when Mike Massey attempted an extremely difficult long shot in which a ball is made in one corner pocket and the cue ball is drawn around a blocker ball on the end rail and makes a ball in the opposite corner pocket. Massey missed on both tries and Ewa Laurance then executed the shot with cool perfection. Even though Team U.S.A. came back from a 7-2 hammering to score two additional points, victory eluded them in the end. Team Europe won the championship by a resounding score of 7-4.
The standing-room-only crowd gave Team Europe a rousing ovation at the conclusion of the Championship match. The Gold Medals and the team check were presented by Mohegan Sun and Olhausen Billiards, with "World Cup Champions" custom cues presented by Cuetec Cues. The presentations brought another round of cheers from the audience.
In addition to the fine tournament site at Mohegan Sun, the event was sponsored by Olhausen Billiards, Cuetec Cues, Aramith Super Pro Balls, Simonis Cloth, L.E.A.N.I. Italian Slate, Ozone Billiards, AcAue Shot Training Device and Silver Cup Chalk. The WPA sanctioned event was produced by Billiards International, Ltd.
KAREN CORR Wins The 2007
"Champion of Champions" Title
"I am thrilled beyond words," said an elated Karen Corr moments after capturing the 2007 Mohegan Sun International Tournament of Champions title. The pressure packed $25,000 winner-take-all event was held at the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, October 31. Corr, the defending 2006 Champion, defeated World Ranked #1 Allison Fisher 4-0 and 4-1 in the final match and was crowned the 2007 "Champion of Champions." The two semifinals and the Championship match were taped for broadcast by ESPN.
"We may look cool out there, but the pressure is just incredible," said Corr "There's no margin for error when every player is a champion. One shot missed and you can lose $25,000! Your emotions are off the chart during the entire tournament."
Indeed, of the four international champions in the event, Corr played at the top of her game and virtually blitzed the field on her way to the title. She defeated World Ranked #4 Monica Webb in the semifinal round 4-1 and 4-3. The semi and final matches require a player to win two sets, race to 4 games each set with alternate break. In the event of a tie, the pressure becomes intense with a one game sudden death shootout.
The other semifinal also brought cheers from the crowd. Allison Fisher and San Diego Classic Champion Kelly Fisher battled back and forth in a seesaw match. Kelly took the first set 4-2 and Allison regrouped to win the second set 4-1. They then played a one game sudden death, and after a brief safety duel, Allison closed out the match by running the table.
Corr's finals match against Allison Fisher featured exquisite safety play and several flawless run outs. In the first set, Corr ran four straight racks, despite the alternate break format, for a score of 4-0. The second set began much the same with Corr taking the first three racks and jumping out to an early lead. Allison Fisher, who never seemed to find her stroke, finally got her only run out of the match in game four of set two. Known for her pinpoint accuracy Corr took the next game to close out the Championship match 4-0 and 4-1.
The crowd gave Karen Corr a standing ovation when she won the final match and back-to-back Champion of Champions titles. She raised his arms in victory and then accepted the highest single winner's purse in Women's pool of $25,000. The trophy and the check were presented by Mohegan Sun and Olhausen Billiards, and Cuetec Cues presented a one-of-a-kind cue inscribed "2007 Champion of Champions."
The 2007 event was the Tenth Annual International Tournament of Champions. Bob Yalen, Director of Sports & Entertainment for Mohegan Sun, was delighted with the support displayed by the crowd of pool fans. "We will continue to host this event," he said. "The crowds were even more than we anticipated, and the players were amazing. We are extremely pleased."
In addition to the fine tournament site at Mohegan Sun, the event was sponsored by Cuetec Cues, Olhausen Billiards Tables, Aramith Super Pro Billiard Balls, Simonis Cloth, L.E.A.N.I. Italian Slate, Ozone Billiards, AcCue Shot Training Device and Silver Cup Chalk. The WPBA sanctioned event was produced by Billiards International, Ltd.
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