Day Three is live on Sky Sports 2 & Sky Sports Mix from 6.30pm on Thursday
Thursday 8 December 2016 12:33, UK
Team Europe edged ever nearer to an historic victory in the Mosconi Cup after opening up a five-point lead over USA at Alexandra Palace in London on Wednesday.
Trailing 4-1 from the opening day, the Americans knew they required quick wins on the board in order to stand any chance of overhauling their opponents.
But they made the worst possible start as Niels Feijen and Mark Gray crushed Shane Van Boening and Skyler Woodward 5-2.
Rodney Morris was forced to dig deep to defeat Jayson Shaw 5-3 and give the US some hope.
The second doubles match was full of drama as Darren Appleton and Albin Ouschan overcame Justin Bergman and Mike Dechaine in a final rack decider.
"We were praying to get an opportunity in the last game because it was their break and they were unlucky not to get a shot one the 1 ball," Appleton told the official Matchroom Pool website.
"Mike played a good safety and I kicked in the ball but when I looked at the 4 ball for the next shot, I thought it was impossible to make it and get shape on the 5. When he made it, potted it clear and landed perfect, it is one of the greatest shots I have ever seen!"
Mark Gray won the fourth and final match of the night as he dismantled Justin Bergman 5-1 to ensure Team Europe enjoyed a 7-2 overnight lead.
European captain Marcus Chamat said: "The mood in the group is electric and we feel like we are on top of the world. The confidence in the guys and the charisma everybody has, it is a dream team.
"I played the Mosconi Cup for so many years and I know a lot of things can take turns, anything can happen at the Mosconi Cup. Today we showed how well the guys are playing and how well the team is grouped together.
"We will go back to what we discussed before we started - we are here to make history and tie the cup overall and for that we need to win every match, played like the score is 0-0."
Play continues on Thursday with the final doubles match that was to have taken place on the Wednesday evening.
Feijen / Gray 5-2 Van Boening / Woodward
Jayson Shaw 3-5 Rodney Morris
Ouschan / Appleton 5-4 Dechaine / Bergman
Mark Gray 5-1 Justin Bergman
All the Mosconi Cup action is live on Sky Sports from December 6-9, day three is underway on Sky Sports 2 & Sky Sports Mix from 6.30pm on Thursday night.
