The Mosconi Cup is pool’s biggest rivalry as Europe and the USA meet over four days in a race to 11 points; the action continues at 6pm on Sky Sports as Alex Lely’s European side look to retain the title they won in Coventry last December
Last Updated: 09/12/21 8:43am
Team USA will take a surprise one-point lead against Europe into the third day of the Mosconi Cup at Alexandra Palace.
Jayson Shaw gave Europe a perfect start to the second day, before USA reeled off three straight wins.
However, David Alcaide and Eklent Kaci mounted a fabulous comeback from 4-1 down to defeat Jeremy Jones and Chris Reinhold to reduce the deficit to just a single point.
EUROPE WIN!
Unbelievable!! From 4-1 down, Kaci and Alcaide have beaten Jones and Reinhold 5-4 to cut USA’s overnight lead to one!#MosconiCup pic.twitter.com/4YaTX3zQYC
“We dodged a bullet again. We were looking to go 6-3 behind but Reinhold missed the ball and Alcaide and Kaci showed a lot of heart and spirit and snatched that set away,” said Team Europe captain Alex Lely.
“We are now trailing; we lost the session which hurts. We’re under the gun and we really need to step it up.
“When the session is lost and then in the last match our two boys come out against Chris and JJ. Without disrespecting Chris and JJ, we were really hoping and expecting them to get it.
“Chris and JJ played some good shots and put them under the game. They had the win in their hands. They bottled it and we capitalised on that. It’s the sort of momentum and big point that you hope to capitalise on.”
Eklent Kaci with a little bit of magic ? #MosconiCup pic.twitter.com/ei0pzp29S9
Jones, the opposing skipper, said: “It’s very pleasing any time you win the session. That’s the goal each day. You must be happy.
“Underdog, favourite, doesn’t matter in the Mosconi Cup. We’re happy with the win. The talent level that kid (Skyler Woodward) has, not only the talent, but he also doesn’t always express it a lot, he is very knowledgeable when it comes down to pressure and when it comes to the shot. What I should do at the time meaning him, he knows.
“Last year we lost a lot of hill-hill matches and lags. We turned that around already.”
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