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2007 World Cup of Trick Shots - Semifinal #2 Europe Stefano Pelinga USA Mike Massey
 Europe Shot #1 Europe - 0 USA - 1 Lukasz Szywala opened the match for Europe choosing this beautiful looking stroke shot. With the cue ball only 2mm away from the object ball, the goal is to pocket the object ball in the far corner pocket and have the cue ball draw off of two rails to get into the 2 x 2 diamond zone by the corner pocket where the object ball was pocketed, or scratch in the same pocket. Szywala was unable to get a point on the challenge falling victim to a miscue. Tom Rossman, though, made the shot with the scratch to give the USA an early lead. USA Shot #1 Europe - 1 USA - 2 Trying to extend the lead, Rossman pulled out this speed control prop shot. He shot the cue ball into a bag, which flipped over, letting the cue ball come out of the bag, banking of the rail and back into the bag, flipping it over again, and back out of the bag. In the meantime, he repositioned a box with a lip on it for the cue ball to roll in to and then back out of, only to roll back in the bag once again and staying there. Appearing to have practiced this shot quite a bit, he completed it rather easily. Stefano Pelinga came up for Europe's attempt, and while looking slightly uneasy, managed to pull it off.   Europe Shot #2 Europe - 2 USA - 3 Pelinga broke out this stunning version of the classic Over and Under shot. Like the basic shot, he attempted to pocket an object ball up in the far corner, have the cue ball jump over a bridge and then draw back underneath it, to pocket a hanging ball in the near corner pocket. The exception was the bridge was propped up about seven inches off the table surface, compared to the usualy 3 inches or so. Impressively, he managed to hit the shot with relative ease. Mike Massey came on for USA and made the shot, barely getting enough draw on the cue ball to get back for the hanger. USA Shot #2 Europe - 2 USA - 3 Continuing with extreme versions of classic shots, Massey tried a jump version of the Dipsy Doodle. He tried to jump over a small block of wood, pocket the first hanging object ball, have the cue ball hit the short rail, bounce out, and curve around the blocking object ball to pocket the second hanging object ball in the opposite corner. While he managed to pocket both balls on his first attempt, the referee ruled he had jumped over the blocking object ball rather than going around it, nullifying the points. He narrowly missed on his second attempt, just not getting enough spin on the cue ball. Szywala for Europe, was also unable to pick up the point though.   Europe Shot #3 Europe - 3 USA - 3 Szywala came back with this variation of another classic shot. The cue ball hits the object ball frozen to the rail sending it around four rails. In the meantime, the cue ball follows along the short rail to pocket the hanging ball. After going around the table, the first object ball hits the rack sending another object ball into a bottle. The final object ball falls off the top of the bottle and into the corner pocket. Szywala completed the shot tying up the match. Rossman tried to restore the lead, but couldn't get it back. USA Shot #3 Europe - 4 USA - 4 Rossman pulled out a speed shot, trying to get ahead again. Using an oversized eight ball as the pacer, he tried to rocket in four balls before the big eight ball found the pocket. Rossman was no slow poke and rocked the shot. Pelinga had to respond for Europe, but while no fan of speed shots, he was up to the task.   Europe Shot #4 Europe - 5 USA - 5 For Europe's next challenge, Pelinga pulled out this deceptive throw shot. With four balls frozen together along the centerline of the table, he tried to push the one ball through the other two object balls and down table into a corner pocket. Pelinga aimed slightly away from the line and sent the one ball straight in to the pocket. Massey, on the other hand, aimed into the long rail but was also able to make the shot keeping the score knotted. USA Shot #4 Europe - 5 USA - 5 Massey tried to use his awesome stroke to pull ahead with this massive draw shot. The objective was to send the cue ball 3/4 of the way up the table, split the setup combination into the corner pockets, draw all the way back off the rail, off to the side and ride the cue stick up to pocket the combination in the side pocket without disturbing any of the blocker balls. He was unable to pull the shot off though, leaving the door open for Europe. Szywala tried to take advantage, but the shot proved too difficult.   Europe Shot #5 Europe - 6 USA - 6 Szywala brought out a few more bottles again for his next speed shot. He jumped the cue ball over a cue stick and around the table three rails. Before the cue ball came around and was guided into the corner pocket by the cue stick, he fired five balls off of bottle tops and into the corner pocket. Getting the speed of the cue ball down is the most difficult part, but Szywayla got it down to make the shot. Massey, while not the fastest shooter, was able to make the shot keeping the score even. USA Shot #5 Europe - 6 USA - 6 In an attempt to pull ahead, Massey tried this prop-filled jump shot. Using three racks and a couple golf tees, in addition to the pool balls, this is a precision air bridge jump shot. The cue ball starts inside one of the racks. On the other side of the second rack sits an object ball. A couple golf tees sit on top of the rack with just enough room for the cue ball to pass through. The objective is to jmp the cue ball over the blocker balls and between the golf tees to hit the object ball and send it down table in the corner pocket, with possible help from the third rack. Neither Massey nor Pelinga could be precise enough though, leaving the score even.   Europe Shot #6 Europe - 6 USA - 6 Pelinga used this version of a railroad shot. With stacked balls in the side pocket, he tried to pocket the bottom one, draw back up between the cues and up the ramp, swith over to come back down the two cues stuck together to pocket the now hanging object ball in the same corner. Showing off a great stroke, he got the draw, but couldn't get the cue ball to switch tracks. Rossman had similarly unsuccessful results, increasing the tension of the match. USA Shot #6 Europe - 7 USA - 7 Rossman decided to challenge with the first partner shot of the match, the tandem cup shot. Each person had their own cue ball along one of the long rails. They kicked them off the opposite long rail, jumping them into the air. In the meantime, they each grabbed a cup to catch their ball and then dumped the ball in the side pocket. Although the shot is dangerous, both Rossman and Massey displayed their professionalism in teaming up to make the shot. Pelinga and Szywala though, were equal to the task to keep pace with the Americans.   Europe Shot #7 Europe - 7 USA - 7 Europe decided to pull out a partner shot of their own, this one including a little fitness work. Each player volleyed their own ball back and forth, running around the length of the table, four times before knocking it around the table three rails to pocket a hanging ball. Obviously, the balls couldn't stop and the players barely did either. Unfortunately, Pelinga and Szywala were unable to fully complete the shot. Rossman and Massey decided to do it a little differently instead having each player stay at their end of the table and volley each ball back and forth between each other. There was a little confusion on the first attempt on when to make the final hit, but they were unsuccessful overall as well. USA Shot #7 Europe - 8 USA - 7 For the USA's second to last challenge, Massey went back to a 2mm draw shot similar to the opening shot of the match. Instead of just getting the cue ball in a zone though, this time it needed to move a short jump cue, maneuver around a blocking ball, and pocket a ball in the side pocket. Massey was unable to make it though. Pelinga came up for Europe, presented with the opportunity to take their first real lead in the match and took full advantage, gaining a point with only two shots remaining.   Europe Shot #8 Europe - 9 USA - 7 Trying to secure at least a tie, Pelinga challenged with one of his specialties, a hit-your-hand-on-the-table draw shot. With the cue ball and object ball mere millimeters from each other and a couple of cigarettes place in between them, he attempted to pocket one object up table and draw back, without disturbing the cigarettes and pocket a second object ball hanging in the near corner pocket. With ease, he completed the shot. The pressure squarely on Rossman, needing to make the shot just to stay alive. He got some coaching from Massey but missed his first attempt, shaking off some visible pain from hitting his hand on the table. His second attempt also failed, handing Europe the match and a point heading in to the final.
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