2010 World Cup Of Pool To Be Held in Manila; 32 Nations To Attend

The 2010 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool will take place in Manila again this year from Tuesday, September 7 through Sunday, September 12, and will feature 32 two-player teams competing for the $250,000 prize fund.

32 nations will be represented

Europe (15 nations)

Austria, Croatia, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and two qualifiers yet to be announced

Asia (13 nations)

China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, two teams from the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam

Rest of the World (4 nations)

Australia, Canada, Qatar, USA

Big names competing for the top draw include:

Last year's winning duo Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante will be fighting again for the Philippines.

World Pool Masters Champion Dennis Orcollo will join Roberto "Superman" Gomez for the Philippines as well.

World Champions Ralf Souquet and Oliver Ortmann will fight for Germany.

Daryl Peach and Karl Boyes will do battle for England.

Johnny Archer will compete for the USA team.

Finland's own Mika Immonen will compete, as will Sweden's Marcus Chamat, Niels Feijen of Holland, and Malta's Tony Drago.

The PartyPoker.net press release is reprinted below.

2010 World Cup Nations Announced

THE PARTYPOKER.NET WORLD CUP OF POOL will once again take place in Manila following last year’s hugely successful event in the Philippines. Taking place from Tuesday to Sunday 7th to 12th September, the event will feature 32 two-player teams shooting for a $250,000 prize fund.

Leading the way will be defending champions Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante, whose heroics last year lifted the nation as they beat Germany 11-9 in one of the most exciting finals in pool history.

That was the second time in the tournament’s four year run that the Filipino veterans have lifted the coveted trophy and with the host nation having the honour of fielding two teams in the event, they will be joined by recent World Pool Masters Champion Dennis Orcollo and Roberto ‘Superman’ Gomez as Team ‘B’.

Other stars of the pool world scheduled to take part include World Champions Ralf Souquet and Oliver Ortmann (Germany), Daryl Peach and Karl Boyes of England, Johnny Archer (USA) and Finland’s Mika Immonen.

Other top draws appearing in Manila are Marcus Chamat (Sweden), Niels Feijen of Holland, Malta’s Tony Drago and a host of big names to be announced.

The entire event will be broadcast by Solar Sports live across the Philippines with the live feed of the tournament available internationally. In addition Matchroom Sport will be producing a 31 x one hour highlights package of the event.

Commented Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn, “We are delighted to be returning to the Philippines after having enjoyed last year one of the greatest pool tournaments we have ever promoted.

“Solar Sports did a fantastic job bringing all the drama and excitement of the tournament to the screen and the large, enthusiastic crowds created an atmosphere unlike any I have ever seen at a pool tournament.

“The World Cup of Pool is fast becoming the biggest pool tournament in the world and we are delighted to see its continued growth in Asia and around the world.”

Nations Represented

Europe (15)
Austria, Croatia, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Malta, Poland,
Russia, Spain, Sweden, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2

Asia (13)
China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines 1, Philippines 2, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.

Rest of the World (4)
Australia, Canada, Qatar, USA

*All teams will appear subject to confirmation and contract.
By Press Release - 2010-06-16