Weber Cup

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2005 Weber Cup logo

The Weber Cup, named after bowling legend Dick Weber, is the Ten-pin bowling equivalent of Golfs Ryder Cup. It is commonly referred to as "Ten-pin’s high octane version of the Ryder Cup" or "Ten-pin bowling's answer to golf's Ryder Cup". It consists of two teams, Team Europe and Team USA doing battle over three days in a series of singles, doubles and team (baker) matches.

1 History/Background
2 2003
3 2004
4 2005
5 2006
6 Past events
7 External links

[edit] History/Background

The Weber Cup is the annual Europe vs USA ten-pin bowling championships and is broadcast live from start to finish on Sky Sports in the UK and in many other international channels around the world. It takes place in October every year.

The Weber Cup features two five man teams representing Europe and the USA, doing battle over three days in a series of singles, doubles and team (baker) matches.

35 matches are played. Each match is worth 1 point. The first team to 18 points wins the tournament.

All matches are played in a single lane arena, which is specially constructed for the event. With banked spectators on both sides, the Weber Cup represents tenpin’s most intimidating venue.

[edit] 2003

In 2003, missing their inspirational captain Tim Mack, and up against some vociferous northern support, Team USA were never in contention as the Europeans went into the lead early on day one and never relinquished it.

After three barren years of total United States domination, Team Europe finally overcame the odds in November 2003 to lift the hallowed Weber Cup for the first time. It was a total triumph for captain Tomas Leandersson, who led from the front for all three days, putting in a sterling performance that saw his side over the line.

[edit] 2004

Following on from Europe’s recent success in golf’s Ryder Cup earlier in the year, it was the tenpin bowlers’ turn as they defeated their American counterparts in what was ultimately a one-sided battle at the Altrincham Leisure Centre.

The final score line of 18–11 was a fair reflection as Team Europe pulled away on the final day after the Americans kept them pinned back to a one point lead at 11–10 after two days of play.

[edit] 2005

In 2005, the Europeans staged a dramatic comeback after falling 14-16 behind. In front of a packed audience and live TV cameras, they won the first 4 singles games in the final session of play and took the title for the 3rd successive year, 18-16. As in the previous year, Team Europe Captain, Tomas Leandersson won the decisive point with a win over Team USAs Tony Manna Jr.

[edit] 2006

In the closest tournament to date, Team USA won on the final evening of the contest, by 18-17.

[edit] Team Europe

[edit] Team USA

Tim Mack, Garfield, New Jersey (captain)
Bill Hoffman Columbus, Ohio
Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, South Carolina
Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas
Jason Couch, Clermont, Florida

[edit] 2006 results

After the first days play, Team USA lead 4-2 and Europe's Paul Moor bowled the first perfect game in the Weber Cup to start the competition against Jason Couch. The only other European win in the first session came from Tomas Leandersson against Chris Barnes. Tommy Jones defeated Mika Koivuniemi, Tim Mack beat Tore Torgersen, Bill Hoffman triumphed over Jens Nickel and the baker system game was won by Team USA.

After day two Team USA led with what looked like an unassailable 12-6 lead. Europe took the final days first session 5-0 to get back into contention at 11-12, before leading 14-13 going into the final evening session.

Both teams were tied 17-17 going into the final decisive baker system game - at one point Team Europe led by over 30 pins, with Mack and Hoffman failing to strike. The game became close (11 pins) and then in the 9th frame Tore Torgersen left an extremely difficult split. Despite a fantastic attempt one pin remained standing giving Tommy Jones the opportunity to step up and seal the victory for the Americans, and he duly obliged.

[edit] Past events

2006 Weber Cup - Team USA Win, Barnsley Metrodome.
2005 Weber Cup [1] - Team Europe win, Barnsley Metrodome.
2004 Weber Cup [2] - Team Europe win, Altrincham Leisure Centre, Greater Manchester, England.
2003 Weber Cup - Team Europe win, Altrincham Leisure Centre, Greater Manchester, England.
2002 Weber Cup - Team USA win, Ponds Forge International Center, Sheffield, England.
2001 Weber Cup - Team USA win, Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, England
2000 Weber Cup - Team USA win, Inaugural event in Warsaw, Poland.