CHARLIE WILLIAMS will captain the USA team at the 18th annual PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup which takes place at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from 8th to 11th December.
It will be Williams' debut as a captain although he has played in the event five times (2001-2005) and been victorious on four occasions. He sports a playing record of 12 wins from 21 matches.
In his capacity of head of Dragon Promotions, Williams has had great success coaching individual players over the past few years and coupled with his experience as a competitor in the event, it was felt that he was the man to revive American fortunes after last year's defeat.
"I am undeniably thrilled to be chosen to captain this USA Mosconi Cup team. I've been on the team as a player five times, but in many ways this is even more of an honor,"said Williams.
"The Europeans no doubt have a solid team with Darren, Niels, Ralf, Nick and Chris, but when I look at our roster with Rodney, Shane, Johnny, Shawn, and Mike I honestly feel we are more than their match.
"Of course anything can happen in the Cup, but you have to believe in your team and I can't help but really believe in this one," he added.
Williams' job will be to gather his side in Las Vegas, put them through their paces in the build-up and then guide the team through often choppy waters once play gets underway at 11am on Thursday 8th December.
Commented Rodney Morris, who will be making his eighth appearance in Vegas; "Charlie will make a good captain. He's helped me with my game recently, he's a good motivator, and has played in Mosconi before, so he's very familiar with the team concept.â€
Johnny Archer added, "I think Charlie will bring his coaching skills to Team USA and I look forward to going after Team Europe with Charlie at the head of the team.â€
Williams is under no illusions as to what he will be up against.
"Team Europe will be a challenge, of that there is no doubt and their captain Johan Ruijsink has a strong, systematic approach with his players. He is a full-time professional Olympic-recognized coach, and he is undefeated in three Mosconi Cups.
"As a professional coach myself, I've worked with many of the world's greatest players and I understand the value of great coaching and definitely won't underestimate Europe's team or captain.
"This is why I feel Team USA deserve the same kind of fortitude and attention and my plan is to give that to them. Our USA boys this year are a close knit group that love and care about each other off and on the table and that's going to shine through in Vegas."
"These guys all know how to play already. I'm just here to try to help them get the most out of themselves and I'll do whatever the task needs of me to accomplish that."
Tickets for the Mosconi Cup are priced at $35 per day or $120 for the four day season passes and booking charges will apply.
Currently the Mosconi Cup is sold through Ticketmaster (1-800-745-3000) or MGM Resorts Contact Center (1-866-740-7711).
Visit www.ticketmaster.com and search 'Mosconi Cup'
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