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OVERALL MATCH SCORE: USA 7-2 EUROPE (FIRST TO 11)
(AMERICAN PLAYERS LISTED FIRST)
MATCH 6 - DOUBLES - SHANE VAN BOENING AND JOHNNY ARCHER 6-2 RALF SOUQUET AND NIELS FEIJEN
MATCH 7 - SINGLES - COREY DEUEL 4-6 THORSTEN HOHMANN
MATCH 8 - DOUBLES - DENNIS HATCH AND OSCAR DOMINGUEZ 6-4 MIKA IMMONEN AND DARREN APPLETON
MATCH 9 - SINGLES - JOHNNY ARCHER 6-5 DARREN APPLETON
TEAM USA are closing in on regaining the PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup and only need four more points for glory.
America, who have not won the cup outright since 2005, dominated the second day by winning three of the four matches and now lead 7-2 in the race to 11.
The doubles pairings of Dennis Hatch and Oscar Dominguez and Johnny Archer and Shane Van Boening won for the hosts, while Thorsten Hohmann gained some rare European success when he triumphed in his singles match with Corey Deuel.
However, a critical point of the whole competition could be in the last match when Archer, who had trailed 5-1 down, won five racks in a row to beat Darren Appleton 6-5.
4.10pm: QUOTES: JIM WYCH (COMMENTATOR) - "If Europe had any wind in their sails then Johnny Archer has knocked it out of them. It was 5-1 to Darren Appleton and with the alternate break you don't see matches won from that. Darren didn't make many mistakes, it was all Johnny.
"What do you say if you're the European captain Alex Lely? The truth is they're 7-2 down. The pressure comes from within and these guys are all champions and came here as big favourites to win. They were prepared but haven't brought that intensity, that unity and they have to show that tomorrow or they might as well pack their bags up and head across the Atlantic now."
4.03pm: QUOTES: JOHNNY ARCHER (USA) - "My heart skipped a few beats and it's tough to breathe. The Mosconi Cup brings a lot on to you.
"My crowd pulled me through, the crowd and my team mates. At 5-1 down all I could do was hope for mistakes and take it a ball at a time and maybe I could chip back. Then it was close and I got a shot to win it at the end.
"I do feel for other players and Darren is an awesome player and an awesome guy. He was putting his heart and soul into the match for his team. I've been there and made mistakes and it's hard to handle but he will come back from that I have no doubts.
"I know we were ahead but if you lose, you lose the momentum and that's a big momentum shift back in our favour."
3.57pm: Appleton leaves the 2-ball hanging and that is his last shot of the day. Archer completes a sensational fightback as he looked beaten at 5-1 but five racks in a row means he claims a fantastic 6-5 victory. The overall score is now USA 7, EUROPE 2.
3.54pm: It's a shocking start from Appleton as his dry break comes at the worst time possible.
3.51pm: The last rack of the second day could be the most important of the 2009 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup. It's either going to be 6-3 or 7-2. We'll find out very soon.
3.50pm: Appleton scratches when trying to escape an Archer safety and the Scorpion is dangerous. He wins the rack and it's hill-hill.
3.41pm: Archer, who was losing 5-1, pulls it back to 5-4 by claiming the ninth. A good break from the Scorpion with a clear shot on the 2-ball could lead to it becoming 5-5 very soon.
3.37pm: Appleton scratches into the side pocket off of the break in the ninth.
3.36pm: It becomes two in a row for Archer. He gets unlucky when he unintentionally pots the orange 5 but recovers well to down the green 6. The rest of the rack is a formality. 3-5.
3.28pm: A fine bank shot on the pink 4 from Archer keeps the American alive in this one but he still has a lot more work to do. 2-5.
3.15pm: Appleton took the next to take the score to 4-1 before another cruncher from Johnny saw three balls drop. He played a not so good safety on the red 3 and that allowed the Englishman to hook him. Archer jumped out of trouble but Appleton laid another and this time Archer failed to connect leaving ball in hand. Darren composed himself and ran the balls for a good 5-1 lead.
3.08pm: A ripper break from Archer saw four balls drop but Appleton was soon back at the table escaping from a safety. He left a tough long pot on for Archer who made it to set up a clearance and reduce the deficit to 3-1.
3.00pm: With not the best of position, Appleton missed the 3 ball but Archer could not split the 8 and 9 balls. He attempted what looked like a high percentage attempt at the carom but missed it to leave the remaining two balls on for Europe and Darren duly completed the task to take it to 3-0.
2.52pm: An outstanding long 1 ball from the Scorpion had the crowd whooping but his missed a straight 4 ball trying to force position and Appleton cashed in for a 2-0 lead.
2.45pm: Due to over-running, the last doubles match has been moved to tomorrow. So the next singles clash is the last of the day and is between Johnny Archer and Darren Appleton. Appleton, looking tense as he entered the arena, won the lag but came up dry on his break. A tight safety from Dynamite forced Archer to go off two rails but he missed and with ball in hand the Englishman took the first.
2.41pm: QUOTES: DENNIS HATCH (USA): "This means more than anything in the world. The pressure is unbelievable, you're nervous, emotional and you have to hold the tears back.
"He (Lely) said 'one plus one' after a break like I couldn't count and that was just rude so I couldn't wait to get payback for that.
"This is about playing for your country, your brothers and your fans. This is the most amazing thing I've ever done in my life - I love it."
QUOTES: OSCAR DOMINGUEZ (USA): "You're surrounded by the best players in the world and it's surreal.
"Every single shot you can trust your life with your team-mates. The Europeans are all World Champions but it's all on paper and when it comes down to it, we're playing on a pool table.
"Our whole team has a lot of heart and faith in themselves. I wish I'd put some of my prize money on us winning."
2.37pm: It's kicking-off at the Mosconi Cup and a delighted and hugely emotional Hatch picks his team-mate Dominguez up and gives him another huge bear hug. Dominguez survives without any injury and the pair get ready to be interviewed by Sky Sports' Andy Goldstein!
2.36pm: An emotional Hatch sinks the winning 9-ball and screams "one plus one" at Alex Lely, the European captain. This is a direct response to an incident in the third rack of the match when Dominguez came up with an illegal break as 3 balls didn't pass the head-string and Lely shouted "one plus one" at the Americans.
2.35pm: Immonen misses a shot with the rest and to make matters worse that clatters the rest accidentally into the 7-ball. USA have ball in hand and finish off the match.
2.31pm: Immonen's break is a good one. This could well be another hill-hill clash.
2.30pm: A cross-table bank from a fired-up Appleton on the pink 4 leads to a 5-9 combination from Immonen. Europe still alive in this one. 5-4 to Dominguez and Hatch.
2.29pm: Immonen misses a rack-winning 4-9 combination and America are closing in on the finish line in this match.
2.26pm: Dominguez misses the 2-ball but with the brown 7 in the way, Immonen has to play a kick shot to dispose of the 2-ball, which he does.
2.25pm: It's a legal break from Hatch, two balls pocketed and a shot on the 2-ball for Dominguez. It's practically perfect and USA have a chance.
2.20pm: A 5-9 combination from Hatch takes America to the hill 5-3. If USA win one more rack then it'll be 6-2 overall.
2.17pm: Appleton's break is a dry one. Hatch eyes up his shot on the 1-ball with no clear dangers for the Americans.
2.16pm: Europe take control in the next. They certainly aren't going to go down without a fight. 4-3. Appleton to break in the next.
2.07pm: A fine safety shot by Appleton, who is showing the form that won him the World Pool Masters in Las Vegas in May, leads to a shot on the 1-ball for Immonen. Europe run out the rest of the rack and are fighting hard. But they still trail 4-2 in this match and 5-2 overall.
1.58pm: A great safety by Appleton leaves the 7-ball behind both the 8-ball and 9-ball and European captain Alex Lely shouts out 'great shot'. However, Hatch responds with arguably the shot of the tournament so far as he plays off the side and top rails to hit the 7-ball and poket it. Dominguez does well to get rid of the 8-ball and Hatch, who looks like he is loving every second of the Mosconi Cup, finishes off the rack. 4-1 to the Americans.
1.49pm: It is not long before America restore their two-rack advantage. Hatch and Dominguez, Mosconi Cup debutants, look like they've been playing in this tournament for years. Hatch starts off another chant of U-S-A. The Hatchetman is certainly up for this one!
1.43pm: Dominguez comes up with an illegal break at the start of the third. He doesn't like it but referee Nigel Rees is spot on. Europe, assisted by a fine kick-shot to down the 4-ball from Appleton pull the deficit back to 2-1.
1.35pm: The crucial moment in the second rack comes when Appleton jumps over the 7-ball to hit the 1-ball but it rattles around the jaws of the pocket but doesn't fall. The Americans do the rest and it's 2-0.
1.31pm: A cross-table bank from Hatch to dispose of the brown 7 leads to America claiming the first rack with Hatch giving his smaller team-mate Dominguez a huge bear hug.
1.28pm: Hatch, who has described being in the Mosconi Cup as the best moment in his life, is pumped up and excited for this one. Immonen, the Ice Man, is well, er, like ice.
1.24pm: Next up is the doubles match between America's debutants - Dennis Hatch and Oscar Dominguez and Europe's Mika Immonen and Darren Appleton.
1.16pm: Deuel, who has struggled with his breaking in this match, comes up with a dry break and Hohmann should finish the match off. He does and it's a massive point for Europe.
1.12pm: The critical moment in the ninth comes when Deuel watches in horror as the cue ball vanishes into the side pocket after a thin cut attempt on the 2-ball. Hohmann finishes things early with a 4-9 combination.
1.06pm: Just before the start of the ninth rack an American fan, dressed up as the Statue of Liberty, runs along the crowd screaming USA. Only at the Mosconi Cup!
12.58pm: The eighth rack is a quality safety battle between both players. Deuel takes advantage, including a spectacular two-rail escape to pot the 2-ball and claims the rack. We're all square again at 4-4. This is a must-win match for Europe.
12.52pm: It's a match of high quality with neither man making many mistakes. A faultless effort from the methodical Hohmann grabs another vital rack for Europe. They lead 4-3 in this race to six.
12.44pm: But Deuel makes a fine safety and Hohmann doesn't connect with the 2-ball. Deuel has ball in hand and soon has the score tied at 3-3.
12.42pm: The German has an opportunity for 4-2 as Deuel's break is an illegal one and he then has to push out.
12.41pm: Hohmann looks business-like as a fine thin cut on the 1-ball in the next sets him off to claim another rack. 3-2 to Europe.
12.39pm: He immediately wastes it by missing that shot on the 1-ball. Deuel is as happy as a fat kid at an all you can eat buffet and he gobbles up the chance to make it 2-2.
12.38pm: A dry break from Deuel and Hohmann has a shot on the 1-ball so has a chance for 3-1.
12.32pm: There was safety from both players, before Deuel failed to connect with a kick shot to give Hohmann ball in hand. Sporting a new hairstyle, the German made a bad miss on the 6 ball but just about got away with it. There were more safeties before Hohmann came out on top. 2-1 to Europe.
12.27pm: Hohmann claims the second rack. 1-1.
12.23pm: It's not the start Europe were hoping for. Hohmann looks on course for the opening rack but hooks himself with only two balls left on the table. A fine safety from Deuel that leaves the cue ball tight behind the 9-ball paves the way for the American to win the opener.
12.20pm: Europe will now be hoping Thorsten Hohmann can bring them back into contention. He faces Prince of Pool Corey Deuel.
12.10pm: QUOTES - SHANE VAN BOENING (USA): "I'm very happy that my new team mates are Dennis Hatch and Oscar Dominugez. I don't think we're the 2-1 underdogs but we're here to play pool and here to win and we want to win this quickly.
QUOTES - JOHNNY ARCHER (USA): "We're meeting at 8.30am every morning, having a nice meeting, telling jokes, relaxing, practising for two hours and ready for action.
"So far, this is one of the best teams I've ever been in. We're all a team and all pulling and squeezing together. We're living and breathing with each other and that takes a lot of the pressure off as if they make a mistake then there's someone ready to pick them up."
12.00pm: America restore their four-point advantage. They now lead 5-1, only six more points from the Mosconi Cup.
11.58am: Archer leaves a tough escape and Souquet does well to hit and pot the 1-ball via two rails. But he has no luck and Feijen is snookered. He fouls and America, with ball in hand look well placed.
11.56am: Souquet comes up with a legal break but there's not much joy with the 1-ball.
11.55am: Europe are hanging on ... but only just. Will that miss on the pink 4 by Archer be a turning point for the whole contest? Souquet removes the 9-ball and they now trail 5-2.
11.54am: Europe get thrown an unbelievable lifeline. Archer, shooting into a blind pocket, leaves the pink 4 hanging on the edge of the corner pocket.
11.53am: Feijen's jump shot on the pink 4 leaves it in the open and could be the Europeans last shot of the match.
11.48am: Two balls off of Van Boening's break gives USA a chance. But they run out of position and have to play safe with five balls left on the table.
11.44am: Every successful shot is cheered on by an enthusiastic home crowd. One of Europe's strongest teams is fading into the distance. Van Boening and Archer now lead 5-1.
11.39am: Feijen comes up with a legal break and the 1-ball is downed but with no clear shot on the blue 2 they have to play safe, However, they later leave the same ball on. America are loking dangerous and can see the hill in the distance.
11.37am: It's 4-1 overall and 4-1 in this match. Four balls down off the break from a stunning Archer break leaves the road clear for another rack for the hosts. It's a powerful statement of intent from the USA side.
11.32am: Day two is proving as bad as day one for the Europeans. Souquet comes up with an illegal break and they don't get back to the table. The Americans have not made a mistake yet today. They lead 3-1. The European contingent sit quiet and miserable.
11.26am: Europe spend some more time sitting down. USA run out from the break. 2-1.
11.18am: Feijen scratches off the break and that leads to some bench time for the Europeans. The Americans run out the rack and it's 1-1.
11.16am: It's a good start for the Europeans. They take the first rack. They look focused and ready for action today.
11.13am: Day one was an absolute stinker for the Europeans. They need a good day today or their hopes of defending their title will be vanishing. Alex Lely has put out the doubles pairing of Niels Feijen and Ralf Souquet first out. They were insturmental in winning the Mosconi Cup last year and Lely will be hoping a repeat performance this year. Feijen and Souquet take on Shane Van Boening and Johnny Archer.
11.08am: Good morning and welcome to Day Two of the 2009 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup.
Today's fixtures are ...
Friday, December 11
Match 6 Doubles match - Shane Van Boening and Johnny Archer v Ralf Souquet and Niels Feijen
Match 7 Singles match - Corey Deuel v Thorsten Hohmann
Match 8 Doubles match - Oscar Dominguez and Dennis Hatch v Mika Immonen and Darren Appleton
Match 9 Singles match - Johnny Archer v Darren Appleton
Match 10 Doubles match - Dennis Hatch and Corey Deuel v Niels Feijen and Thorsten Hohmann
