32 Euro, Asian teams vie in World Cup of Pool

MANILA, Philippines - As expected, Europe and Asia have the most number of entries taking part in the 2009 PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool set Sept. 1-6 at the SM City North Edsa.

Fifteen European countries and 14 from Asia make up almost 90 percent of the total 32 teams representing 31 nations vying for the $250,000 top prize.

Teams representing Europe come from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland Italy, Malta, Poland, Russia, Spain and Sweden.

Europe has yet to win the title in this two-man team knockout tournament since its inception in 2006.

Inaugural champion Philippines leads the Asian side together with 2007 winner China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

As host, the country has the privilege to field in two teams. Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco `Django’ Bustamante, the 2006 titlists, will make up one of the two selections from the Philippines.

Others taking part are Australia (Oceania), Qatar (Middle East) and Canada and the US (North America).

The reigning champion, Americans Shave Van Boening and Rodney Morris, will be back to defend their title.

The organizing Solar Sports in cooperation with Matchroom Sports, is now completing the list of players from each nation, including the remaining team from the Philippines.

Considered the most prestigious team tournament in billiards today, the World Cup of Pool will have 31 matches to be played over six days.

Matchroom Sports will produce the meet into 31 one-hour program to be broadcast around the world. 

Solar Entertainment Corp is an established media with prominent positions in broadcast and cable television. It is the leader in the creation, promotion and distributions of entertainment and sports programming services.

Matchroom Sport on the other hand, is one of the world’s leading producers of televised sport that includes the Mosconi Cup and the World Pool Masters.