Europe have been crowned Mosconi Cup champions for the sixth consecutive year after Jayson Shaw, Joshua Filler, Moritz Neuhausen, David Alcaide and Pijus Labutis delivered a comprehensive 11-3 rout of the USA at London’s Alexandra Palace.
German rookie Moritz Neuhausen received the newly-named Mika Immonen MVP award following a flawless debut campaign, emulating German compatriot Joshua Filler’s Alexandra Palace bow eight years ago.
European captain Jayson Shaw equalled Niels Feijen’s record for the most Mosconi Cup wins in blue and yellow, achieving his eighth success after aptly potting the winning nine ball to seal Europe the lucrative $200,000 prize.
Shaw’s Europe breezed into a 4-0 advantage following the opening day, with rookies Neuhausen and Pijus Labutis securing an impressive doubles win, and that immediately piled the pressure on the Americans.
Filler notably defeated world number one Fedor Gorst in a blockbuster showdown as Europe continued to ease towards the trophy, and they ultimately required a mere three points heading into the final day to retain the cup.
Former World Cup of Pool finalists Filler and Neuhausen partnered up in Saturday’s opener to edge Europe closer, punishing a missed nine ball and a costly scratch from Gorst and Skyler Woodward on their way to a 5-2 victory.
Hanoi Open champion Labutis then defeated Billy Thorpe to secure his first ever Mosconi Cup singles win, before the experienced Shaw and Alcaide capitalised on a couple of errors from Shane van Boening and Tyler Styer to seal the deal.
Mistakes from Styer had become a common theme across the week in the most pressured environment that the game has to offer. He missed match-winning nine balls in both Thursday’s teams match and Friday’s singles match against Neuhausen.
Europe’s triumph was their 16th victory over their American rivals in the last 18 years. Shaw, Filler and Alcaide won for the eighth, sixth and sixth time respectively, while Neuhausen and Labutis enjoyed dream debut wins.
The Mosconi Cup returns stateside next year but remains away from its spiritual home of Las Vegas. The Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida will host the transatlantic tussle from November 27-30.
