The countdown starts for Team Asia vs Team Europe, October 15-18.

CHUA AND KRAUSE SECOND TO SECURE SPOTS FOR THE REYES CUP IN OCTOBER 15-18

Johann Chua and Mickey Krause are the second players confirmed for the inaugural Reyes Cup in October, in partnership with Puyat Sports Inc. and Sky Sports as the broadcaster for the UK & Ireland. The Reyes Cup will follow the same four-day team format as the Mosconi Cup, pitting the best of Team Asia against Team Europe.

The 2024 European Open Pool Championship marked the second cut-off stage for determining the next two players to qualify for both Team Asia and Team Europe. Both cueists met in the final of the European Open, with Krause securing his Reyes Cup spot after defeating Chua 13-8 to win his first Matchroom Major title.

Mickey ‘The Viking’ Krause has sailed his way up the rankings this year, going from 63rd prior to the UK Open Championship to now 14th after his victory in Fulda Germany last week.

Krause said: “I never thought I would qualify this year. I went into this year with the goal of playing my best pool and expected that maybe in the next few years I would qualify for Mosconi Cup. So, it’s an unbelievable feeling to be part of the first Team Europe at the Reyes Cup.

Krause acknowledges the talent that Team Asia brings to the tournament, stating: “I played against many of them during my run in this year’s European Open, and their safety game is on another level. It will be amazing to compete against Team Asia, as they’re all exceptional competitors.”

After reaching the semi-finals of the World Pool Championship and the finals of the European Open, Johann Chua was the next qualifier for Team Asia.

“I get goosebumps every time I think about it,” Chua said. “It means the world to me, especially to be part of the first Team Asia. This is a moment of my career I will never forget. A lot of people have wanted this event for a long time, so to be the first Filipino to join Team Asia is truly special.”

Qualification for the Reyes Cup will proceed in one more stage. One player for each team will be announced following the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City, USA. These selections will be based on the WNT Professional 2024 one-year rankings for both Team Asia and Team Europe.

The inaugural Reyes Cup will be held in Manila, capital of the Philippines, in honour of pool’s greatest player and tournament namesake, Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes. A World Pool Championship and US Open Pool Championship winner, Reyes is widely regarded as the sport’s greatest-ever player, serving as inspiration for millions of pool fans across the globe.

The tournament, set for October 2024, will follow in the footsteps of the four-day team format of the Mosconi Cup, which celebrated its 30th anniversary at Alexandra Palace, London last December. Team Asia will be represented by the top three ranked players from the World Nineball Rankings one-year list, with two additional wildcards selected by the Team Asia captain.

Fans can register for ticket alerts for the inaugural Reyes Cup here. Venue and ticket details to be announced in due course.