The PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup

From its humble origins in 1994 as an exhibition event for the fledging sport of 9-ball pool, the Mosconi Cup has grown to become the biggest international team event in cue sports.

In December 2008, five of the best professional players from Europe took on their American counterparts in the luxurious Hilton Hotel in Malta. The action was spread over four exciting days in a Ryder Cup-style series of singles and doubles matches, with the winning team being the first to reach 11 points.

Europe triumphed, just as they had done in Las Vegas in 2007. They’ve now won the event four times in the 15 years the competition has been running.

The teams shared the honours in the first two contests in the 90s, before Team USA embarked on an unbroken six-year winning streak when the Mosconi Cup moved to the iconic York Hall in London's East End.

The Europeans finally beat their tormentors in December 2002, when snooker legend Steve Davis sank the winning 9-ball to give his team an emotional 12-9 victory.

Their triumph was short-lived: the Americans reclaimed the trophy in December 2003 when the tournament was held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, the first time in its history it had taken place on US soil.

Team USA prevailed again in 2004 and 2005, and retained the trophy as defending champions after a 12-12 draw in 2006.