Site News
Topic: *Industry News* 2015 - 2024

2019 WPA World 10-Ball Championship

Event: 2019 WPA World 10-Ball Championship
Number of Players: 64
Location: Rio Hotel and Casino
Entry Fee: $500
Date: July 22 - 26, 2019
Event Website: World10Ball.com
BCA Allocations Available: The Billiard Congress of America has 6 allocations for this event (4 USA, 2 Canada). All players receiving a BCA allocation will start in the Stage 2 of the competition.

If you are interested and able to compete in this event please contact us (shane@bca-pool.com) immediately!

Please click: World 10-Ball Championships for more information about the event. (https://files.constantcontact.com/b3728ccb001/14033f5c-2a85-4dd9-9920-ffc9ef76b799.pdf)

You must be in good standing and have no outstanding balances with the Billiard Congress of America in order to receive a BCA allocation.

2019 Diamond Las Vegas Open

The Billiard Congress of America is thrilled to announce the addition of the Diamond Las Vegas Open to the 2019 BCA ranking events calendar.

The Diamond Las Vegas Open will be July 17 - 20, 2019 at the Rio Hotel and Casino is Las Vegas. Entry Fee is $275, and the added money is $25,000. The player field size will be limited to only 128 players, races to 7.

For more information, or to register for the event please use this link. (https://www.world10ball.com/diamond-las-vegas-open)

Click here to see a complete list of 2019 BCA ranking events. (https://bca-pool.com/page/109)

Snooker World Cup Teams Announced

The 24 teams for the Sports Lottery Cup Wuxi World Cup have been announced.

The tournament runs from June 24 to 30 in the city of Wuxi in China’s Jiangsu Province. The line-up of players for the two-man teams will be announced soon.

The event will be televised on Eurosport.

China have won the last three World Cups, with Ding Junhui and Liang Wenbo lifting the trophy in both 2011 and 2017, while Yan Bingtao and Zhou Yuelong took the glory in 2015.

The 24 teams this time are:

China A
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
England
Belgium
China B
Thailand
Iran
Cyprus
Norway
Republic of Ireland
Malaysia
Poland
Hong Kong
Germany
Israel
Australia
Saudi Arabia
Switzerland
Malta
India
Austria
United Arab Emirates

The teams will be split into four groups, each of six teams, for the round robin phase. The top two in each group will then go through to the quarter finals.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Wuxi will host the tournament every two years for the next decade. The total prize money this year will be $800,000.

East European Billiard Council and All Africa Pool Association

Would like to invite you to watch the first match between the best pool players from East Europe and Africa !!!

AFRI-EAST EURO CUP 2019

JOHNNESBURG - RSA
21-22.06.2019

21/06/19 13:00 Depart from Accommodation to Venue

Friday 14:00 Opening Address: Saths Reddy and Marcin Krzeminski
14:30 Singles Match 1 - Race to 5
16:00 Singles Match 2 - Race to 5
17:30 Doubles Match 1 - Race to 5
19:00 Depart from Venue to Accommodation

22/06/19 13:00 Depart from Accommodation to Venue
Saturday 13:30 Singles Match 3 - Race to 5
15:00 Singles Match 4 - Race to 5
16:30 Doubles Match 2 - Race to 5
18:00 Trophy Ceremony
18:30 Closing Dinner
20:00 Depart from Venue to Accommodation

Live –streaming on facebook/allafricapoll ; live-scoring www.ebc-billiard.com and facebook/ easteuropeanbilliardcouncil

Be with us !!!!


Marcin Krzeminski
President of East European Billiard Council
www.ebc-billiard.com
E-mail: ebc@ebc-billiard.com
Ul. Zagnanska 84a,
25-528 Kielce , Polska

Finland to host the 2020 European pool championships

The Finnish Billiard Federation recently signed a contract with the IBPF to stage the 2020 EPBF Dynamic Billard European Championships for Men, women, U-23’s and wheel-chair drivers. David Morris, IBPF President, put pen to paper with the president of the Finnish Billiard Federation Mr Ahola, during the European championships in Treviso Italy.

“It’s great to be going back to Tampere Finland with this event again. Finland have staged some memorable championships in the past and we look forward to another memorable championships next year” commented IBPF president David Morris.

The championships will be held in May 2020 at the sports complex in Pirkkala at the Star Arena which is located on the outskirts of the city of Tampere. The official hotel is in the heart of the city next to the railway station giving easy access to all amenities.

The recent success of the Finnish athletes at the European championships in Italy has been rewarded with the 10-ball men’s final shown on Alfa TV station in Finland.

The Finnish Billiard Federation president Mr Joni Ahola added " It’s an honour for Finnish Billiards to have the possibility to be part of arranging the European championships here in Finland. Naturally, we will give our best to achieve the highest quality for the whole event. Warm Welcome to all to Tampere next spring.”

The city of Tampere has a lot to offer for everyone and the local government are very keen on helping sports events materialize in the city. Sandwiched between two great lakes, there are plenty of places to visit during all seasons, an old industrial heartland, now a modern 21st century city.

Tampere is no stranger to the European scene as EPBF President Gre Leenders recalls. “Last time this event was in Finland was in 2002, It was the year of my election to become the EPBF President. I remember playing in a huge opera style house in the city and that everyone had a great experience back then. I really look forward to another super event and already thank the city of Tampere for their support in the staging of this event”

The Dynamic Billard European Championships are presented by Mapon and organised by IPBF/EPBF/SBIL. For more information, contact the EPBF Press office at press@epbf.com

US Open 9-ball Returns To Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino April 13 – 18, 2020

LAS VEGAS (JUNE 26, 2019)

The US Open 9-Ball Championship will return to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Convention Center April 13 – 18, 2020.

The 44th staging of the billiards major will see Joshua Filler as defending champion as promoters Matchroom Multi Sport build on the success of their maiden US Open, which saw sold-out crowds, record TV ratings and a full field of 256 players - one of the strongest line-ups ever essembled.

Ticket details and player entry information will be available in due course at matchroompool.com.

Barry Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman, said, “I am thrilled that we will bring the US Open 9-Ball Championship back to Mandalay Bay next spring.

“Our first year promoting this great, historic event was a phenomenal success, and that is thanks to the players and fans who came out to support the sport. We had over 100 players on the waiting list, on top of the 256 field we had and we achieved some really impressive viewing figures on Sky Sports and our global broadcast partners, so the game is in good health and is going to go from strength to strength.

“We were live to over 130 countries around the world who watched great pool from the City of Entertainment, and we had 47 different nations represented. As an opening year event for us it ticked a lot of boxes but the good news is we are not complacent and we can make this event bigger and even more exciting.

“Those who came in 2019 know how special this event is and we promise it will be event better in 2020. If you didn’t come in 2019 you missed out, so make sure you book your seats for 2020 because this is going to be another sold-out event.”

The 2019 US Open 9-Ball Championship saw Filler cement his position as the World No. 1 by beating China’s Wu Jiaqing 13-10 in front of a sold-out crowd of 700 pool fans at Mandalay Bay to win the Barry Behrman Trophy.

The double elimination stage of the event was broadcast free on the US Open Facebook page, with the live stream viewed over 2 million times. When the tournament moved to single elimination and onto the global TV stage, over 130 countries aired the live broadcast, including DAZN in countries such as the United States and Germany, Sky Sports in the UK and CCTV in China.

Fans can sign up to the free Matchroom Pool Club to get exclusive access to the ticket pre-sale for the 2020 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. Sign up at http://www.matchroompool.com/pool-club/.

The 2020 US Open 9-Ball Championship will be partnered by Diamond, who supply 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 Kamui are the Official Chalk and Tip.


About Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Mandalay Bay Events Center, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the recently expanded 2-million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center combine to make Mandalay Bay a distinctive Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll free at (877) 632-7800 or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

19.com To Sponsor Trio Of Snooker's Home Nations Events

World Snooker is delighted to announce 19.com as the new title sponsor of this season’s English Open, Northern Ireland Open and Scottish Open.

These three events make up the Home Nations series, alongside the Welsh Open. During the 2020-21 season, all four of these tournaments will be sponsored by 19.com.

The Home Nations series was introduced in 2016, with one world ranking tournament staged in each country in the UK. Any player winning all four events in a single season earns a bonus of £1 million.

The upcoming events in 2019 are:

19.com English Open, Crawley, October 14-20

19.com Northern Ireland Open, Belfast, November 11-17

19.com Scottish Open, Glasgow, December 9-15

Prize money for each of these events has been increased from £366,000 to £405,000. Each tournament features 128 players in a flat draw, all needing to win seven matches to take the title.

All four events are televised live by host broadcaster Eurosport, Quest, and many other broadcasters around the world.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are thrilled to be working with 19.com for the first time. This is their first venture into the snooker market and I have no doubt they will find that we can deliver top class sporting events.

“Our global reach is growing every year with half a billion viewers around the globe in over 120 countries. On the table, the level of drama and standard of play has never been better. Snooker is a fantastic product and 19.com have recognised that. From next season they will sponsor all four Home Nations events and we look forward to building a strong relationship with their team.

“Over the last three years the Home Nations series has proved a superb addition to our tour. Each of the events create stories, with up-and-coming players given their chance to compete against the top stars in the televised stages. And the chance to win an unprecedented bonus of £1 million is an extra incentive.”

19.com spokesperson Jamie Dillon said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with World Snooker and we are confident that 19.com will be a great addition to the Home Nations series. We are looking forward to bring the best to all snooker followers.”

Tickets for the Home Nations events will be available soon, details will be announced on worldsnooker.com

English Open champions

2016: Liang Wenbo
2017: Ronnie O’Sullivan
2018: Stuart Bingham

Northern Ireland Open champions

2016: Mark King
2017: Mark Williams
2018: Judd Trump

Scottish Open champions

2016: Marco Fu
2017: Neil Robertson
2018: Mark Allen

MATCHROOM SPORT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DONATIONS BREAK £1,000,000 MARK

The Matchroom Sport Charitable Foundation has now awarded over £1,000,000 in donations in the three years since it was founded.

The Matchroom Sport Charitable Foundation was created to centralise the benevolent efforts of Matchroom Sport, the global sports promotion company headed by Barry Hearn, and its subsidiaries – the Professional Darts Corporation, World Snooker and the PGA EuroPro Tour.

Matchroom Sport promotes in excess of 100 event days per year and part of the Foundation’s funding comes from a contribution equivalent to £1 for every ticket sold for these events.

A wide range of charitable causes have received donations from the Foundation since it was established in July 2016. These have included Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, who received £250,000 over three years to help cover the costs of two nurses, Haven House, who were awarded £200,000 towards the building of the Matchroom Suite, a dedicated building for fundraisers, and Saint Francis Hospice, who were pledged £220,000 to support patients with therapies and programmes of care. Many other charities have also benefited from donations from the Matchroom Sport Charitable Foundation.

Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn commented: “I am very proud of the work that Matchroom Sport Charitable Foundation has done over the past three years and extremely grateful to the Trustees of the Foundation for their hard work and enthusiasm.

“As a company Matchroom Sport have been one of the success stories in our industry over the past four decades and it is personally satisfying to see our Foundation put something back and help those in need.”

To find out more about the Foundation and the causes it has supported, please visit matchroomsport.foundation.



Barry Hearn opens The Matchroom Suite at Haven House.

EPBF Announces 2019 Atlantic Challenge Cup Location and Date

Teams and Captains to be Announced in Coming Weeks

The European Pocket Billiard Federation today announced the fifth annual Atlantic Challenge Cup will be held in Treviso, Italy 28-30th November, 2019. The BHR Bestwestern Premier hotel in Treviso will be host to this prestigious event, not far from Venice, the location will provide visitors and athletes a memorable time in Italy. Specific match times and a full schedule will be announced at a later date.

This annual event between two continents is once again in Europe after last year’s visit to Las Vegas where Europe won by a commanding 11-0 score-line. Tomas Brikmanis, EPBF youth sports director and team captain over the last few years said, “Although Europe have dominated in this event, we take nothing for granted and we know that the Americans can hurt us if we’re not ready. Europe has a strong field again and I am quietly confident that we can achieve our goal this year, too.” Asked about the captaincy Brikmanis replied, “We’ll wait and see what happens.” With a laugh, he then finished his comments stating, “I’m on a winning streak with my teams so far but nobody’s sure of their place on the team, not even the captain.”

“The ACC has provided a great opportunity for our junior players to get a taste of intense international competition in a challenging format, a chance to learn to work together as Team USA and a great reward for their hard work and dedication,” said BCA Chairman Brian Igielski. “This prestigious event has also brought many of our industry’s companies and individuals together to support our junior players in ways not previously seen and we look forward to our opportunity to again compete against Europe in the 2019 ACC. The players will have a great experience at a spectacular location in Italy.”

Both teams and team captains will be announced in the coming weeks along with the entire match schedule and the streaming details.

Launched by the European Pocket Billiard Federation and the Billiard Congress of America in 2015, the Atlantic Challenge Cup pits the best of youth from Europe and America in a Mosconi Cup style event in a race to 11 with a possible 21 matches in total. Six players on each team, four boys and two girls, will battle it out to see who will have the bragging rights across the Atlantic. Europe has captured the 2015/2016/2017/2018 titles and will be going for their fifth straight win when the ACC hits Treviso Italy this November.

More information can be found at atlanticchallengecup.com or visit the official Atlantic Challenge Cup Facebook page.

Press release issued by the EPBF Press office, contact press@epbf.com

Prize Money Leap For World Snooker Tour

Overall prize money for the World Snooker Tour’s 2019-20 season has increased to £14,431,000.

This could climb to £16,431,000 if two potential £1 million bonuses are triggered.

The new season will feature 19 ranking events plus six invitation events. The circuit will visit 11 different territories across the globe.

Prize money for the Betfred World Championship has jumped to its highest ever level of £2,395,000. The top prize of £500,000 remains the same, but the levels in the earlier rounds have been increased.

The fund for the Betway UK Championship has hit seven figures for the first time, rising to £1,009,000. The champion will bank £200,000.

The Dafabet Masters total prize money is up to £725,00, with the winner to receive £250,000. There are now five tournaments on the calendar with a top prize of at least £200,000.

Each of the Home Nations events sees an increase from £366,000 to £405,000.

High break prizes across the season have also gone up, totalling £156,000.

And there is a guaranteed £100,000 bonus for the player winning the most money across the three Coral Series events.

In addition, there are two potential £1 million bonuses. Any player winning all four Home Nations events will earn that extra windfall. And if there are 20 (or more) maximum breaks across the whole season, then the players making those 147s will share a further £1 million.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “Our sport continues to grow, our global audience has reached half a billion in over 120 countries. We have had spectacular commercial success over the past decade, bearing in mind that ten years ago the sport had six ranking events and £3.5 million total prize money.

“Our success is reflected in the prize money increases we have made this season. The top players are earning more than ever – with Judd Trump becoming the first player to earn more than £1 million last season. But we are also increasing the rewards in the early rounds of tournaments, evident in the fact that 59 players have earned over £100,000 on the two-year money list.

“We are constantly exploring ways to continue our growth, to bring more snooker to the fans and greater rewards to the players. In the coming years we will see this fantastic sport continue to flourish.”


Judd Trump earned a record £1,098,400 last season.

2019 China Open

Event: 2019 China Open    
Number of Players: 64 Men, 48 Women
Total Prize Money: TBD**
Format: 9-Ball, World-Standardized Rules
Date: September 1 - 8, 2019 (Stage 2 begins September 5th)
Location: Shanghai, China
Men's Venue: Pudong Tandzhen Culture & Sports Center Billiards Club
Women's Venue: Pudong Sanlin Sports Center Billiards Club
Hotel: Ramada Shanghai East

Allocation Confirmation Deadline: Tuesday, July 24, 2019

Click here for the 2019 China Open information packet.

**Additional Comments: At this time the total prize fund for the event has not be confirmed to the WPA, but it is believed that it will be the same as in 2018. As we get more information and details about the 2019 China Open we will update all interested players immediately.

Slots Available: The Billiard Congress of America has 6 allocations (4 USA, 2 Canada) for the men's event, and 3 allocations (2 USA, 1 Canada) for the women's event.    All players receiving a BCA allocation will start in Stage 2 of the competition.    

If there are fewer slots available than players committing to play, the BCA Ranking System will be utilized to select the players.

Players with outstanding balances with the BCA or WPA will not be provided a BCA allocation until their open invoice is paid in full.

If you are interested in competing in the event please inform Shane Tyree before the July 24, 2019 deadline at shane@bca-pool.com.

EPBF squad for Youth World Championships announced

After the conclusion of the Dynamic Billard European Youth Championships in Veldhoven, The Netherlands, yesterday, a huge BBQ party was held by the EPBF for all athletes, coaches and team. During the party, the EPBF Youth Sports Director Tomas Brikmanis announced the names of the players who qualified for this years’ World Championships to be held in Cyprus in November.

The qualified players are:

Girls

Aleksandra Guleikova RUS (European Champion 8-ball)

My Nguyen SWE (European Champion 9-ball)

Valeria Trushevskaia RUS (European Champion 10-ball)

Nina Torvund NOR (qualified through medal points)

U17

Dominik Jastrzab POL (European Champion 8-ball)

Emil-Andre Gangflot NOR (European Champion 9-ball)

Szymon Kural POL (European Champion 10-ball)

Moritz Neuhausen GER (European Champion straight pool)

U19

Christian Froehlich GER (European Champion 8-ball and straight pool)

Christoffer Lentz DEN (European Champion 9-ball)

Sanjin Pehlivanovic BIH (European Champion 10-ball)

Jonas Souto ESP (qualified through medal points)

The composition of the squad has been decided upon according §5 and §1.2 of the EPBF Qualification Criteria for WPA event.

For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.epconline.eu or visit us on Facebook for regular news clips or contact our press office press@epbf.com.

Statement of about Chinese 8-ball events in Europe

The ICEA (International Chinese 8-Ball Association) which was founded by the company JOY has just recently had several meetings with the EPBF in order to find a way to insert their tournaments into the European pool scene. While the EPBF represented by its president Gre Leenders had a meeting together with the President of the WPA and the CEO of JOY.

In that meeting, the course of action was discussed and it was highlighted by the EPBF that JOY / ICEA has to contact EPBF member federations first in order to stage any event in a respective country. While that was agreed on, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was drawn up and sent back and forth for signing.

After a few weeks, ICEA / JOY has decided to try and add many items to the MOU which were never discussed and never agreed on. That behaviour from the Chinese 8-ball representatives was very frustrating for the EPBF.

Additionally, ICEA / JOY wants to launch a Euro-Tour series in Europe and contacted private organisers directly, surpassing the respective EPBF member which was in clear contradiction to the meeting and the MOU.

Unfortunately, these events have now been announced. The EPBF has to make the following statement: Any member federation of the EPBF and / or athlete who choses to support or play in these events is deemed to not be interested in EPBF membership anymore and therefore will not be allowed into future EPBF events Euro-Tour and European Championships) until 2020.

It is with regrets that the EPBF Board of Directors needs to use this kind of strong „instruments“ but after the behaviour shown by ICEA / JOY, we feel that this is what we have to do.

Statement by the ICEA President regarding European event
August 12, 2019

We have noticed today a letter sent out by the EPBF, listing its queries to Chinese Pool in Europe and the Chinese Pool Euro tour in preparation. As newcomers to the European pool scene, we fully respect EPBF's governance in the European region and has done so by initiating meetings and consulting them concerning various matters. However, to set the record straight, we will have to counter some of the accusations in their letter that we find incorrect.

In the wake of the Amsterdam meeting as mentioned in the EPBF letter, an MOU was brought forward by both parties clearly stating all the points covered during the Amsterdam conversation.

The date clash was a major concern during the meeting. In the draft MOU, ICEA undertakes to:

"respect the EPBF tournament calendar. ICEA will not collide with the official Tournament dates of the EPBF,"

- Which we fully abide, the proposed Chinese Pool Euro Tour calendar is constructed only after carefully studying the EPBF 2019 calendar.

Also included in the minutes is what approach ICEA shall take when carrying out activities in EPBF member nations, and in the draft MOU, ICEA undertakes to:

"Inform ICEA promoters in the respective European Countries who do have an EPBF member that they are obliged to respect the National EPBF members tournament calendar and not collide with this Sports calendar, and carry out promotional activities of Chinese Pool on this condition."

- In this regard, JOY had been working with an individual promoter in one European country who later qualified as an ICEA national member. This connection was established after previous attempts to align with the country's EPBF member returned nothing. This promoter did contact his local EPBF member first, simply for requesting the approval/cooperation opportunities for the Chinese Pool event in that country, and we were told that the request is denied.

For the Chinese Pool Euro tour, We consulted with various associations, including a letter to the EPBF in this April, saying the event is still in the planning phase so we would like to ask EPBF for suggestions. In this regard, we always wanted to partner with the EPBF to bring more benefits to European players who are showing increasing interests in our sport, which is also why the Amsterdam meeting took place after continuous requests from our side.

Therefore, we are sorry to read about EPBF’s stance on an event that could be a role model for association-level cooperation based on mutual respect.

ICEA fixes our position as an organization to serve, and we will devote ourselves to better serving the players and fans of Chinese Pool. We think for every pool-billiard association it is the benefit of the players instead of personal benefits that should be of the top concern. Players are where our strength comes from, and stopping them from playing will simply do no good to them and the sport itself.

We hope this letter will help clear the air and resolve any misunderstandings, because we firmly believe the EPBF shares the same principle as we do: From the players, for the players. ICEA is and will always be ready to work with EPBF to make the European pool scene a better place for players to thrive and prosper.

With kind regards,

Qiao Bing
President/ICEA


Source: https://www.icea-pool.com

John Schmidt Breaks Willie Mosconi's 65-Year-Old 14.1 High Run Record    

Superior, Colo., August, 15, 2019 - The Billiard Congress of America would like to formally congratulate John Schmidt on his 14.1 exhibition high run of 626 balls, breaking Willie Mosconi's 65-year-old record of 526 balls.

On March 19, 1954 William J. Mosconi, playing in the East High Billiard Club in Springfield, Ohio, ran 526 balls in an exhibition match against Earl "Jake" Bruney. Mosconi's run lasted approximately 4.5 hours and was played on an oversized 4' x 8' Brunswick Exposition Table.

On May 27, 2019 John Schmidt, playing in the Easy Street Billiards Pool Hall in Monterey, California, ran 626 balls. Schmidt's run, recorded on video, lasted just over 4 hours and was played on a 4.5' x 9' Rebco Pocket Billiard Table on Simonis 760 cloth with 5" corner pocket openings, and 5.5" side pocket openings. Schmidt used Super Aramith Pro Belgian billiard balls, a Sardo rack, a Predator P3 Red Butt along with a Predator Revo 12.4 mm carbon composite shaft that weighed 19.5 oz and had a length of 58".

Mosconi's record took place during a 14.1 exhibition match. Having defeated his opponent, Mosconi kept shooting until he reached 526. Schmidt's record took place during an intentional attempt to break Mosconi's record. After viewing the unedited video, the Billiard Congress of America is proud to acknowledge John Schmidt's 626 run as the new 14.1 exhibition high run record.

About Billiard Congress of America
Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through Billiard Congress of America leadership. The Billiard Congress of America seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody's game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.

Europe Announces 2019 Atlantic Challenge Cup Team

The European Pocket Billiard Federation today announced its team to face the Americans during this year’s staging of the Atlantic Challenge Cup taking place 28th to 30th November 2019 in Treviso Italy at the BHR Premier Best Western hotel.

The European team this year consists of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Sanjin Pehlivanovic, Netherlands Jan Van Lierop, Poland’s Wiktor Zielinski, and making up the final boys spot this year is Germany’s Christian Froehlich. On the girls’ side representing Europe this year are Sweden’s My Nguyen and the Ukraine’s Darya Siranchuk. The European players are selected on their results at the European and World championships along with the highest ranked U19 player on the professional men’s Eurotour. Jan van Lierop received his spot on the team through the Eurotour rankings while the other five team members won at least one gold medal at the European Championships in 2018 to make the team.

After last year’s win, the EPBF youth sports director Tomas Brikmanis said, “It’s another amazing team that has been assembled for this year’s event in Italy. I am quietly confident of another victory, but I will not let my guard down. I know the Americans are hurting from last year’s result and I am aware of the potential of an upset. My players are as hungry as ever and will be ready when November comes.”

Team USA and both team captains will be announced soon.

Launched in 2015, the Atlantic Challenge Cup features the best youth players from Europe and America in a Mosconi Cup style event for the U19’s age category. Six players on each team, four boys and two girls, battle it out on an annual basis to see who has bragging rights across the Atlantic. The event is the result of a joint venture between the European Pocket Billiard Federation and the Billiard Congress of America.

Stay tuned to AtlanticChallengeCup.com for continuous updates on the 2019 event.

Press release issued by the EPBF & BCA.

partypoker Mosconi Cup 2019

Hi,

The final qualification period is open!

We’re offering one last player the chance to win an incredible $4,700 VIP Mosconi Cup package for two in Las Vegas!

As part of this prize package, you’ll be given a place in our inaugural Amateur Mosconi Cup, playing alongside legends of both poker and pool.

Viva Las Vegas

Firstly, remember to opt in by entering your partypoker player name via this link...

http://www.matchroompool.com/partypoker/

Once you have done this, simply play three or more SPINS games ($1 buy-in or higher) during a qualification period to qualify for the draw.

At the end of each qualifying period, a winner will be chosen at random to receive a $4,700 prize package, which consists of:
Flights + accommodation at the Mandalay Bay Resort ( November 25th-29th)
VIP tickets for each day of the Mosconi Cup
A place in the Amateur Mosconi Cup

The second qualification period is open until Monday, 31th September - make sure you’re ready to throw your name in the hat!

See you at the tables,

Mike Sexton
partypoker Chairman

HPBU and Simonis – Aramith extend their partnership

HPBU, official full EPBF member for Greek Pool and Simonis – Aramith companies agreed on extending their partnership for a period of two more years (2020 – 2021) in promoting the sport.

Bernard Bollette, Commercial Director of Simonis and Saluc/Aramith said:
"Since HPBU was created they prove to be a very reliable and successful organization in the promotion of the pool sport in Greece.

As the best and oldest billiard cloth and billiard ball manufacturers we are very proud to continue and strengthen a partnership of several years with HPBU and offer the Greek pool community top products of unrivalled quality."

Petros Andrikopoulos, President of HPBU said:

“HPBU proudly announces the extending of its official partnership with Simonis and Aramith, we will be honored to continue our collaboration in promoting the sport with companies that have a long tradition in providing products of top quality, durability, elegance and functionality at the highest level.”

ULTIMATE TEAM GEAR CONTINUE AS OFFICIAL APPAREL OF PARTYPOKER MOSCONI CUP

Ultimate Team Gear will be the Official Apparel Partner of the partypoker Mosconi Cup for a fifth consecutive year when Team USA defend their title against Team Europe at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Convention Center, Las Vegas this November 25-28.

UTG have established themselves as the number one name in tournament pool clothing. Renowned for their stylish and colourful designs, UTG will be producing two different shirts for each team. Fans will be able to purchase their official replica jerseys at the partypoker Mosconi Cup and online at ultimateteamgear.com.

Team USA will wear their new red ‘Break Camo’ jersey for the first time during this week’s Dream Challenge against Russia.

“Ultimate Team Gear is proud to extend our role as the official apparel sponsor for the 2019 partypoker Mosconi Cup,” said Charles Peterson, CEO of Ultimate Team Gear. “Continuing tradition, this year's jersey designs fuse unrivalled creativity with unparalleled comfort. Team USA & Team Europe will adorn custom 'Empire' jerseys, unveiling our 'Break Camo', as they seek to become the 2019 partypoker Mosconi Cup champion.”

Emily Frazer, COO of Matchroom Multi Sport, added: “Ultimate Team Gear are the best in the business, in both shirt design as well as comfort. Each year our events develop and grow and these creative unique designs improve with us. The partypoker Mosconi Cup is the most prestigious and popular event on the pool calendar, the USA and Europe players must look the part and with UTG on board this is an easy task.

“Together we are looking at new and different apparel across Matchroom Pool events, something both the players and fans will like!”

The 2019 partypoker Mosconi Cup will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas this November 25-28, live on Sky Sports and DAZN. Tickets are available now at www.mosconicup.com. Prices start at $48 per day with season tickets at $161 silver. Additional gold seating has now been released with day tickets at $70 and a season ticket available for $239.

VIP Platinum packages are available priced $225 per day or $950 for all four days and include a breakfast buffet, unlimited drinks, VIP seating in the front three rows and much more.

The 2019 partypoker Mosconi Cup is partnered by Rasson Billiards who supplies the Official Table; the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and Saluc is the Official Ball Provider. Predator is the Official Cue of the event, Kamui the Official Chalk and Tip and Ultimate Team Gear provide all partypoker Mosconi Cup apparel.

O’Sullivan And Trump Among Top Stars Set For Crawley

The line-up of players for next month’s 19.com English Open is now complete, with crowd favourites Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump in the field.

The tournament at K2 Crawley runs from October 14 to 20 with 128 players all starting in a flat draw. It’s the first Home Nations event of the season, followed by tournaments in Belfast, Glasgow and Cardiff, with a £1 million bonus available for any player who can win all four.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW and fans are strongly urged to book quickly because sessions will sell out now that the line-up has been released. The draw and format will be announced next week.

The best players on the planet will be heading for Sussex, including:

Five-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan

Current world number one and World Champion Judd Trump

16-time ranking event winner Neil Robertson

Three-time Crucible king Mark Williams

Defending champion Stuart Bingham

Three-time World Champion Mark Selby

Snooker legend Jimmy White

Former Masters champion Mark Allen

2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy

China’s top player Ding Junhui

Sussex’s top players Mark Davis and Jimmy Robertson

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “It’s an incredibly strong field and it’s going to be a fantastic experience for the fans who are lucky enough to get a ticket to watch it live.

“The coveted Steve Davis Trophy is up for grabs as well as a top prize of £70,000, and the winner will go to the second Home Nations event in Northern Ireland dreaming of the massive £1 million bonus.

“For anyone who loves live sport this is an opportunity not to be missed. Tickets start at just £10 and there are up to nine matches in a single session so fans can see a wide range of players. The experience of watching snooker live cannot be beaten.”

Special offers include all-day tickets for students for £8 and an event pass for every session of the tournament for just £160.

For details visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets or call 0871 620 7052.

The Home Nations events are televised on Eurosport and Quest.


O'Sullivan and Trump met in the final of the Northern Ireland Open last season.