Team Europe lead Team USA after day one of Mosconi Cup
By James Dielhenn
Last Updated: 08/12/15 4:31pm
Team Europe have taken a 3-2 lead against Team USA after the opening day of the Mosconi Cup in Las Vegas.
The Americans went ahead in the first leg with a victory in the team match, but Dutchman Nick van der Berg and Blackpool's Karl Boyes drew the Europeans level in the doubles.
Niels Feijen of the Netherlands beat Justin Bergman to put Europe 2-1 up, but the hosts restored parity with a doubles win for Shane van Boening and Skyler Woodward.
Yorkshireman Darren Appleton then defeated Van Boening 5-1 in the deciding leg to secure an important lead for the reigning champions.
There will be five more matches on Tuesday, but Europe's captain Marcus Chamat was pleased with his team's start.
He told matchroompool.com: "Emotions were up and down today. Every match felt like it was a tough game. It is a new situation for me as the captain but I gained a lot of confidence today.
"I got really nervous when the table was open but then I would think, this is the greatest team in the world why should I get worried? But when the balls are lying there your heart is so in it.
"Every match is big, every rack is big. We have a 3-2 lead but we know that tomorrow will be very tough again. We know we have to be really good to beat this team.
"The American team showed today that they are a very good team, stronger than they have been in the last five or six years. We have to come out strong tomorrow."
The Mosconi Cup continues on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm.
