2008 Mosconi Cup - First Three Players for Each Side Named

Matchroom Sport are delighted to announce the first three players for each of the European and American teams to compete in the 15th annual Mosconi Cup which takes place at the Hilton Hotel, Portomaso, St Julians, Malta from December 11 – 14.

For Team Europe, the experienced Ralf Souquet will be making his 12th appearance in the event following on from is another match-winning performance last year in Las Vegas.

The 39 year-old German star carries a 31 wins from 54 starts record in the competition and will once again be a lynchpin for the European side in Malta.

Malta's Tony Drago who had a wonderful debut last year winning four out of five matches on his way to MVP honours will back in the fray on home soil.

Finally England's Mark Gray, the current European No.1, has dominated the Euro Tour rankings over the past 12 months and he gets a golden opportunity to show his worth in the pressurized environment of the Mosconi Cup.

Heading up the Team USA pick is the veteran Johnny Archer (Georgia) who will be making his 12th appearance in the event. Archer has won 28 from 55 matches and has captained his side to Mosconi Cup glory on previous occasions.

Rodney Morris, the Texas-based Hawaiian, has a phenomenal record in this competition with 18 victories in five Mosconi Cups and he will be looking to resume that form line if the USA are to regain the title.

Finally, Shane van Boening, the South Dakota Kid, will be making his second appearance in the competition. The reigning US Open Champion will be looking to improve on the three wins he recorded last year.

The two other players on each team will be named at the end of October.

Commented Matchroom Sport Chairman; "I am sure that the Mosconi Cup this December will be as competitive as ever. The six players named represent the cream of US and European pool and there will be more to come at the end of the month.

"Players like Ralf Souquet and Johnny Archer could write the book on the Mosconi Cup, while Shane van Boening and Tony Drago got their first taste of the passion of this event last year and will be keen to return."

This year will see the 15th running of pool's answer to the Ryder Cup and the current score stands at 10 ½ - 3 ½ to the Americans.

The official sponsors of the 2008 Mosconi Cup are PartyCasino.com, Brunswick Tables, Simonis Cloth, Super Aramith Pro Balls and Predator Cues.

A range of superb value hotel and ticket packages are available from the Official Mosconi Cup Travel Agents alleventsmalta.com.

For tickets only please go to MaltaCup.org.