News
CAESARS CUP II UNDERWAY IN CANNES, FRANCE
Oct 19 2011 12:00 PM EST
Cannes, France (19 October 2011) -- The trash-talking and mudslinging has been put on pause. It's time to finally get down to business. The grudge match many poker fans around the world have been waiting for is finally here.
MORE ABOUT CAESARS CUP
The inaugural Caesars Cup was played two years ago in London, England. At Caesars Cup 1, Team Europe, captained by Annette Obrestad, demolished Team America’s, captained by Daniel Negreanu.
When millions of viewers tuned into the initial broadcast of the first Caesars Cup competition they witnessed a spanking delivered by Europe’s best poker players on many living legends of the game. The defeat was a rude wake-up call for some that poker is not really just an American game, any longer.
Moreover, the global epicenter of poker has certainly shifted towards a new Euro-super continent booming with major tournaments just about every week and millions of players who are enjoying the freedom to play poker both live as well as online. Alas, the victory of Team Europe over Team Americas symbolized a number of emerging trends, in fact -- ugly realities -- if you happened to be a player from North America.
The European victory was not just endemic of a geographic shift, but a generational one. Last time out, the younger lesser-known European team not only beat an American team loaded with far more bracelet winners with loads more playing experience, they humiliated each and every player on Team Americas. Team Europe also exposed the very real vulnerability of players above a certain age and instilled seeds of doubt that they may not be quite as good as the game’s newer, younger wunderkinds.
Two years have since passed. The Europeans have rightfully been celebrating. They currently retain bragging rights as the premier poker team in the world. Conversely, Team Americas has been simmering in frustration for 24 long months. They’ve been waiting for the opportunity to exact revenge, regain their wounded pride, and restore themselves as the kings of the green felt.
TEAM AMERICAS LINEUP (challengers):
PHIL HELLMUTH, JR. (team captain)
BEN LAMB
JASON MERCIER
JOHNNY CHAN
DANIEL NEGREANU
TEAM EUROPE LINEUP (reigning champions)
BERTRAND “ELKY” GROSPELLIER (team Captain)
JAKE CODY
MAX LYKOV
GUS HANSEN
ANTANAS GUOGA, a.k.a. “TONY G.”
Note: For those unable to tune and an watch the live stream at WSOP.com, the Caesars Cup will be taped for broadcast. The finale will be shown later a few months later all over the world on ESPN and other networks.
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Poker fans everywhere can tune in to the LIVE STREAM of Caesars Cup 2. This year’s battle is the long-awaited blood-rematch of what’s becoming one of poker’s most intense rivalries – between members of Team Europe and Team Americas.
The two superstar-laden teams include powerful combinations of the world’s top poker players. Two teams of five players each will ultimately decide international bragging rights for poker supremacy. While great poker playing is to be expected, what may be most interesting to viewers is the unique personal interplay between many of the unique characters who are cast in what appears to be the perfect poker drama. Many televised final tables tend to be stately and serious. But this championship match could turn into more of a circus, given the bombastic collection of what some consider to be poker ringmasters, lions, and even a few clowns.
The bitter defeat of Team Americas at Caesars Cup 1 two years ago continues to fuel tension. Indeed, there’s a lot more at stake this time around than just a beautiful crystal trophy or a quick headline trumpeting the winner’s names.
"I know we have the best team here," said Bertrand "Elky" Grospellier, the Captain of Team Europe. "I picked out the players I think can beat each of the Americans. They have a lot of talented players. But we have the advantage. Our players are better as a team, which is very important when you are playing the team format."
Naturally, Phil Hellmuth, the captain of Team Americas took exception to Elky's views. "We're going to win this time," Hellmuth boldly stated. "Last time, there was a lack of team unity. This time around, we are much more focused. It was really humiliating to go through that two years ago. We are not going to let that happen again."
Caesars Cup 2 is just the start what is expected to be a jam-packed day of poker action. Indeed -- no matter where you are in the world, this special event is not to be missed. Be sure and tune into WSOP.com on Wednesday and follow the live streaming coverage which starts at noon. This means the grudge match will be broadcast during the afternoon in Europe and during the very early morning in North America. Viewers across the Atlantic can tune in and watch what promises to be an all-day marathon of poker action, starting at 3 am (PST). The matches are expected to last 3 to 4 hours. But anything is possible.
Live coverage is also available online, with hand-by-hand reports and written commentary of all that’s happening.
Once the Caesars Cup concludes, the live stream will shift back to Main Event coverage which is expected to run much of the night until the final table players have been determined.
The inaugural Caesars Cup was played two years ago in London, England. At Caesars Cup 1, Team Europe, captained by Annette Obrestad, demolished Team America’s, captained by Daniel Negreanu.
When millions of viewers tuned into the initial broadcast of the first Caesars Cup competition they witnessed a spanking delivered by Europe’s best poker players on many living legends of the game. The defeat was a rude wake-up call for some that poker is not really just an American game, any longer.
Moreover, the global epicenter of poker has certainly shifted towards a new Euro-super continent booming with major tournaments just about every week and millions of players who are enjoying the freedom to play poker both live as well as online. Alas, the victory of Team Europe over Team Americas symbolized a number of emerging trends, in fact -- ugly realities -- if you happened to be a player from North America.
The European victory was not just endemic of a geographic shift, but a generational one. Last time out, the younger lesser-known European team not only beat an American team loaded with far more bracelet winners with loads more playing experience, they humiliated each and every player on Team Americas. Team Europe also exposed the very real vulnerability of players above a certain age and instilled seeds of doubt that they may not be quite as good as the game’s newer, younger wunderkinds.
Two years have since passed. The Europeans have rightfully been celebrating. They currently retain bragging rights as the premier poker team in the world. Conversely, Team Americas has been simmering in frustration for 24 long months. They’ve been waiting for the opportunity to exact revenge, regain their wounded pride, and restore themselves as the kings of the green felt.
TEAM AMERICAS LINEUP (challengers):
PHIL HELLMUTH, JR. (team captain)
BEN LAMB
JASON MERCIER
JOHNNY CHAN
DANIEL NEGREANU
TEAM EUROPE LINEUP (reigning champions)
BERTRAND “ELKY” GROSPELLIER (team Captain)
JAKE CODY
MAX LYKOV
GUS HANSEN
ANTANAS GUOGA, a.k.a. “TONY G.”
Note: For those unable to tune and an watch the live stream at WSOP.com, the Caesars Cup will be taped for broadcast. The finale will be shown later a few months later all over the world on ESPN and other networks.
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