The Mosconi Cup heads to Orlando for its Florida debut from November 30 to December 3 as the USA host defending champions Europe in an attempt to win the title for the first time in half a decade.
Absolute Pool editor Ben Hudd provides his best bets and analysis ahead of nineball pool’s hottest rivalry, and somewhat surprisingly favours the Americans to claim the bragging rights for just the third time in 15 years.
Mosconi Cup 2024 betting tips
- USA to win 11-8 – 14/1 Bet365
- USA to win 11-9 – 11/1 Bet365
- Skyler Woodward to be top overall points scorer – 7/1 Bet365
- Mickey Krause to be top European points scorer – 6/1 Bet365
- USA to win the opening day – 1/1 Betway
Jayson Shaw’s Europe may have been installed as heavy favourites once again heading into another Mosconi Cup, although this year’s event has a rather contrasting feel surrounding it and this could be the greatest chance the Americans have of sealing silverware for quite some time.
Joshua Filler qualified but was removed from the field by organisers Matchroom due to ‘concerns over contractual obligations and team integrity’ and European mainstay Albin Ouschan is also not involved. Question marks therefore circle the European camp, especially following their Reyes Cup campaign last month.
European Open champion Mickey Krause, who becomes the first rookie since Francisco Sanchez Ruiz three years ago, and Eklent Kaci are both unproven in the Mosconi Cup, which could perhaps increase the pressure on David Alcaide and especially newly-elected skipper Shaw, both of who have been MVPs in the past.
Denmark’s Krause did adapt to the team environment relatively well on his Reyes Cup debut nonetheless and was a shining light in a dark event for the Europeans. He has arguably been Europe’s most consistent performer on the World Nineball Tour this season, reigning victorious in both Fulda and Bucharest, and him being top European points scorer may prove to be value at 6/1.
Despite the presumption that Europe will have learnt from their disastrous Reyes Cup exploits in the Philippines, where they were brushed aside by an impressive Asian outfit, American captain Skyler Woodward will be quietly confident of causing an upset in the sunshine state, especially when having world number one and world champion Fedor Gorst amongst his ranks.
Gorst has been simply sensational on the circuit this year, notably completing the unofficial nineball triple crown for the first time in history. The Ghost will only become even more dangerous when getting down on the table in front of raucous American fans, as has been proved at the US Open in recent years.
Shane van Boening, meanwhile, will break the record for the most Mosconi Cup appearances this year and, despite SVB having commonly struggled with the glitz and glamour of the event, the former world number one did win four of his six matches in Las Vegas two years ago and Gorst’s inclusion should reduce the strain on him.
Aside from the leading lights of the American team, Tyler Styer and Billy Thorpe will have determining roles to play. Individual errors were decisive when the USA held 5-4 leads in 2021 and 2022, although both Styer and Thorpe have pedigree in the trans-Atlantic battle and should be able to keep their nerves in check.
This year’s Mosconi Cup will be closely-contested you have to feel and landing a few heavy blows during the early exchanges may prove to be crucial for the Americans. They found themselves 4-0 behind after day one last time around and a repeat of that will be demoralising. They have a glaring opportunity to seal success this year and they must grasp it with both hands.
