{{Infobox pool tournament |tournament_name=2008 World Cup of Pool |dates= |startdate=7 |enddate=11 October 2008 |venue= |city=Rotterdam |country=Netherlands |organisation=Matchroom Sport |format=Single-elimination tournament |Total prize fund=$250,000 |winners_share=$30,000 per player |highest_break= |defending_champion= |winner={{flag|United States}} (Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening) |runner_up={{flag|England}} (Daryl Peach and Mark Gray) |score=11–7 |previous=2007 |next=2009 }} The '''2008 World Cup of Pool''' (officially the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool) was a professional nine-ball pool tournament. It was the third edition of the World Cup of Pool, a pairs tournament for players representing national teams. The event was held again in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, from October 7–11, 2008 and organised by Matchroom Sport. There were 32 teams competing in a single-elimination tournament. The winners received $30,000 each from a total prize fund of $250,000.
The defending champions were Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo representing China, who had won the previous year's event with a 11–10 victory over Mika Immonen and Markus Juva of Finland in the final. The Chinese pair were knocked out in the semi-finals by the English team. The United States team of Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening defeated the England team of Mark Gray and Daryl Peach 11{{nbnd}}7 in the final to win the event.
==Format== thumb|right|175px|nine-ball rack The 2008 World Cup of Pool (officially the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool) was a pairs nine-ball tournament held at the Outland nightclub in Rotterdam, Netherlands.<ref name="azbi_Part"/> The tournament was played between 7 and 12 October 2008 as scotch doubles, with players taking shots alternately.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/2008-partypoker-net-world-cup-of-pool/ |title=2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool |date=Aug 13, 2008 |accessdate=Jan 24, 2026 |website=AZBilliards |archive-date=October 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003110332/https://www.azbilliards.com/2008-partypoker-net-world-cup-of-pool/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The tournament featured a single-elimination bracket consisting of 32 teams representing nations.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |title=Dutch hopeful of home glory at PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool |url=http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=870 |date=August 25, 2008 |access-date=24 January 2026 |website=Pro9.co.uk |archive-date=5 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205174655/http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=870 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/tournament/2424-partypoker-world-cup-of-pool-2008/ |title=PartyPoker World Cup of Pool 2008 - Outland Rotterdam - October 7 - 12th, 2008 - Results |accessdate=January 24, 2026 |website=AZBilliards |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118180437/http://www.azbilliards.com/tournament/2424-partypoker-world-cup-of-pool-2008/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Matches in the opening two rounds were played as a {{cuegloss|race}}-to-eight {{cuegloss|racks}}, the quarter-finals and semi-finals as a race-to-nine, and the final as a race-to-11 racks.<ref name="azbi_Part"/> Players were allowed 40 seconds per shot,<ref>{{cite web |title=Format |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/Format.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209005637/http://worldcupofpool.com/Format.htm |archive-date=9 February 2009 |access-date=25 January 2026 |website=Worldcupofpool.com}}</ref> and the event used the winner {{cuegloss|break|breaks}} system.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |title=The US team wins World Cup of Pool |url=http://www.billiardpulse.com/2008/10/us-team-wins-world-cup-of-pool.html |date=13 October 2008 |website=Billiard Pulse |first=Hermund |last=Ardal |access-date=25 January 2026 |archive-date=10 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250810102559/http://www.billiardpulse.com/2008/10/us-team-wins-world-cup-of-pool.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It was the third World Cup of Pool event, sponsored by Partypoker and hosted by Matchroom Sport.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/tournament/2424-partypoker-world-cup-of-pool-2008/ |title=PartyPoker World Cup of Pool 2008 - Outland Rotterdam - October 7 - 12th, 2008 |accessdate=January 24, 2026 |website=AZBilliards |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118180437/http://www.azbilliards.com/tournament/2424-partypoker-world-cup-of-pool-2008/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The defending champions were Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo representing China, who had won the previous year's event with a 11–10 victory over Mika Immonen and Markus Juva of Finland in the final.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-30 |title=China Take World Cup in Thriller |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/china-take-world-cup-in-thriller/ |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=AZBilliards}}</ref> The 32 sides were split into two, 16 seeded, 16 unseeded.<ref name="auto1"/>
===Broadcasting=== The event was broadcast worldwide, split into 31 one-hour episodes.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |title=Dutch duo complete World Cup of Pool line-up |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=39 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005123307/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=39 |archive-date=5 October 2008 |date=September 22, 2008 |access-date=25 January 2026 |website=Worldcupofpool.com}}</ref> Commentary in English was by Phil Yates and Jim Wych.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Video details |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/Video.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208121601/http://worldcupofpool.com/Video.htm |archive-date=8 February 2009 |access-date=25 January 2026 |website=Worldcupofpool}}</ref> Below is a list of broadcasters by territory:<ref name="auto"/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Region !! Channel |- |{{flag|Australia}} || Fox Sports |- | {{flag|China}} || CCTV-5 |- | {{flag|Germany}} || DSF |- | {{flag|Hong Kong}} || i-CABLE Sports |- | {{flag|Iceland}} || Screen One |- | {{flag|India}} || NEO Sports |- | {{flag|Indonesia}} || MEASAT |- | {{flag|Japan}} || J Sky Sports |- | {{flag|Malaysia}} || MEASAT |- | Middle East || Ten Sports / Showtime |- | {{flag|New Zealand}} || Sky Network |- | {{flag|Philippines}} || Solar Entertainment |- | {{flag|Romania}} || Telesport |- | {{flag|Russia}} || Seven TV |- | {{flag|Singapore}} || StarHub TV |- | {{flag|Taiwan}} || Videoland |- | {{flag|Ukraine}} || MMS |- | {{flag|United Kingdom}} || BSkyB |- | {{flag|United States}} || Fox |- |}
===Prize fund=== The total prize fund for the 2008 event was $250,000, consistent with the previous year's tournament. The winning team received $60,000, which was split between the two players.<ref name="Pro9_Prize">{{cite web |title=Dutch hopeful of home glory at PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool |url=http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=870 |website=Pro9.co.uk |date=15 September 2008 |access-date=24 January 2026 |archive-date=5 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205174655/http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=870 |url-status=live}}</ref> The breakdown of prize money is shown below:<ref name="Pro9_Prize"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Prize fund |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/Prize-Fund.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209004856/http://worldcupofpool.com/Prize-Fund.htm |archive-date=9 February 2009 |access-date=25 January 2026 |website=WorldCupofPool.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Stage !! Prize money (Total) |- | Winner || $60,000 |- | Runner-up || $30,000 |- | Semi-finalists || $16,000 |- | Quarter-finalists || $10,000 |- | Last 16 || $5,000 |- | Last 32 || $3,000 |- | Total || $250,000 |- |}
===Teams=== The field consisted of 32 teams. As the host nation, the Netherlands were represented by two teams (Netherlands A and Netherlands B).<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto2"/> The second Netherlands team (Roy Gerards and Gijs van Helmond) won an eight-team tournament to secure the position against other Dutch teams.<ref name="auto2"/> {{div col}} *{{flag|Australia}} (Stuart Lawler and John Wims) *{{flag|Austria}} (Martin Kempter and Jasmin Ouschan) *{{flag|Belgium}} (Serge Das and Noel Bruynooghe) *{{flag|Canada}} (Edwin Montal and Tyler Edey) *{{flag|China}} (Fu Jianbo and Li Hewen) *{{flag|Croatia}} (Philipp Stojanovic and Ivica Putnik) *{{flag|Denmark}} (Kasper Kristoffersen and Martin Larsen) *{{flag|England}} (Daryl Peach and Mark Gray) *{{flag|Finland}} (Mika Immonen and Markus Juva) *{{flag|France}} (Stephan Cohen and Vincent Facquet) *{{flag|Germany}} (Thomas Engert and Ralf Souquet) *{{flag|Hong Kong}} (Kenny Kwok and Lee Chenman) *{{flag|Iceland}} (Bjorgvin Hallgrimsson and Kristján Helgason) *{{flag|India}} (Alok Kumar and Sumit Talwar) *{{flag|Italy}} (Fabio Petroni and Bruno Muratore) *{{flag|Japan}} (Naoyuki Ōi and Satoshi Kawabata) *{{flag|South Korea|name=Korea}} (Kim Woong-dae and Jeong Young-hwa) *{{flag|Malaysia}} (Ibrahim Bin Amir and Lee Poh Soon) *{{flag|Malta}} (Tony Drago and Alex Borg) *{{flag|Netherlands}} A (Niels Feijen and Nick van den Berg) *{{flag|Netherlands}} B (Roy Gerards and Gijs van Helmond) *{{flag|Peru}} (Jhon Lopez and Juan Vega) *{{flag|Philippines}} (Francisco Bustamante and Dennis Orcollo) *{{flag|Poland}} (Radosław Babica and Mateusz Śniegocki) *{{flag|Qatar}} (Bashar Hussain and Fahad Ahmed Al Mohammadi) *{{flag|Russia}} (Konstantin Stepanov and Ruslan Chinakhov) *{{flag|Spain}} (David Alcaide and Carlos Cabello) *{{flag|Switzerland}} (Marco Tschudi and Dimitri Jungo) *{{flag|Chinese Taipei}} (Wu Jia-qing and Wang Hung-hsiang) *{{flag|Thailand}} (Dechawat Poomjaeng and Nitiwat Kanjanasri) *{{flag|United States}} (Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening) *{{flag|Vietnam}} (Lương Chí Dũng and Thanh Nam Nguyen) {{div col end}}
==Tournament summary== ===Early rounds=== {{multiple images|image1=MC2008 M15 056 - Niels Feijen.JPG|alt1=image of Niels Feijen|width1=110|footer=Third seeds (pictured) Niels Feijen and Nick van den Berg were defeated in the first round by Serge Das and Noel Bruynooghe of Belgium 8–3.|image2=Nick van den Berg.JPG}} The first round was played as a {{cuegloss|race}}-to-8 {{cuegloss|rack|racks}}. The third-seeded Dutch pairing of Niels Feijen and Nick van den Berg were eliminated by the Belgian duo of Serge Das and Noel Bruynooghe 8–3.<ref name="Pro9_Day1">{{cite web |title=2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool - Day 1 Results |url=https://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=894 |website=Pro9.co.uk |date=7 October 2008 |access-date=24 January 2026 |archive-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815031727/http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=894 |url-status=live}}</ref> Both Netherlands players were ranked in the top five in Europe at the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dutch destroyed as Belgium spring a surprise |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=47 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204050849/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=47 |archive-date=4 December 2008 |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=25 January 2026}}</ref> Netherlands B, consisting of Roy Gerards and Gijs van Helmond, advanced with an 8–5 win over Chinese Taipei, who were represented by former world champion Wu Jia-qing and Wang Hung-hsiang.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/holland-b-ousts-early-favorite-taiwan/ |title=Holland B Ousts Early Favorite Taiwan |date=Oct 8, 2008 |accessdate=Jan 31, 2026}}</ref><ref name="azbi_Part"/><ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool - Day 2 Results |url=https://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=895 |website=Pro9.co.uk |date=October 9, 2008 |access-date=25 January 2026 |archive-date=8 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208095658/http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=895 |url-status=live}}</ref> The defending champions from China, Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo were tied 5{{nbnd}}5 with India's Alok Kumar and Sumit Talwar, but won three of the next four racks to win 8{{nbnd}}6.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/defending-champs-china-advance-at-world-cup-of-pool/ |title=Defending Champs China Advance At World Cup of Pool |date=Oct 7, 2008 |accessdate=Jan 31, 2026}}</ref><ref name="azbi_Part"/><ref name="Pro9_2008">{{cite web |title=Chinese duo back to defend their PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool title |url=http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=2540 |website=Pro9.co.uk |date=6 October 2008 |access-date=23 January 2026 |archive-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815025208/http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=2540 |url-status=live}}</ref> The second seed, the Philippines team, Dennis Orcollo and Francisco Bustamante, won 8–2 against Denmark.<ref name="azbi_Part"/> The English team of Daryl Peach and Mark Gray led 5{{nbnd}}0 and eventually won 8{{nbnd}}4 over the Maltese team.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |title=England looking sharp and into the last 16 |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=46 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210200739/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=46 |archive-date=10 December 2008 |access-date=25 January 2026 |website=Worldcupofpool.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/dutch-lose-world-cup-of-pool-battle-of-lowlands/ |title=Dutch Lose World Cup of Pool Battle of Lowlands |date=Oct 7, 2008 |accessdate=Jan 31, 2026}}</ref>
The previous year's finalist, the Finnish side Mika Immonen and Markus Juva lost in the opening round 4{{nbnd}}8 to Korea. They recovered from 0{{nbnd}}4 down to trail 4{{nbnd}}5, but lost the next three racks, including a {{cuegloss|golden break}} in the last.<ref>{{cite web |title=2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool - Day 1 Results |url=http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=894 |website=Pro9.co.uk |access-date=25 January 2026 |archive-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815031727/http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=894 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Korea stun 2007 World Cup runners-up Finland |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=44 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210200719/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=44 |archive-date=10 December 2008 |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=25 January 2026}}</ref> An unwell Vincent Facquet and Stephan Cohen lost to the Canadian team 5{{nbnd}}8.<ref>{{cite web |title=French faux pas hand Canada victory |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=48 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010145441/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=48 |archive-date=10 October 2008 |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=25 January 2026}}</ref> In addition to Finland, Chinese Taipei and the Netherland A sides, two other seeded teams were defeated in the first round. The 14th seed, the Vietnamese side of Lương Chí Dũng and Thanh Nam Nguyen won just one rack as they were defeated 1{{nbnd}}8 by Austria.<ref>{{cite web |title=Classy Austrians floor Vietnam |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=50 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010145457/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=50 |archive-date=10 October 2008 |access-date=25 January 2026 |website=Worldcupofpool.com}}</ref> The 11th seed, the Spanish team of David Alcaide and Carlos Cabello led 7{{nbnd}}2 against the Croatian team. They had to {{cuegloss|pot}} only two more balls to win the match. However, they missed the pot on the {{cuegloss|8-ball}} and the Croatians won the next 6 racks to win 8{{nbnd}}7.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spain throw it away as Croatia complete fightback |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=54 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010145517/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=54 |archive-date=10 October 2008 |access-date=25 January 2026 |website=worldcupofpool.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/usa-and-germany-struggle-through-world-cup-round-two/ |title=USA and Germany Struggle Through World Cup Round Two |date=Oct 10, 2008 |accessdate=Jan 31, 2026}}</ref>
The round of 16 was played on 9 October 2008 also as a race-to-8 racks. The defending champions China were playing the Switzerland side of Marco Tschudi and Dimitri Jungo. With the scores tied at 6{{nbnd}}6, Tschudi {{cuegloss|feathered}} the {{cuegloss|cue ball}} causing a foul. China won the rack before Switzerland tied the score at 7{{nbnd}}7. For the match, Switzerland made a {{cuegloss|dry break}} and frustrated Tschudi punched the table. China ran the rest of the rack to win and take a 8{{nbnd}}7 victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=58 |title=China scrape a win and into the quarter-finals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210154949/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=58 |archive-date=10 December 2008 |access-date=26 January 2026 |website=worldcupofpool.com}}</ref> Austria and Belgium were two unseeded teams, and were tied at 6{{nbnd}}6. In rack 13, Serge Das missed a pot on the {{cuegloss|2-ball}} which allowed Austria to win the rack, and ran the next rack to win 8{{nbnd}}6.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210154954/http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=59 |url=http://www.worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=59 |title=Unseeded Austria march into the quarter-finals |archive-date=10 December 2008 |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref> The ninth seeded Italian team of Fabio Petroni and Bruno Muratore completed an 8{{nbnd}}0 whitewash victory over Korea. This was only the fourth whitewash at the World Cup of Pool.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209005316/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=60 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=60 |title=Easy for Italy as they whitewash poor Korea |archive-date=9 February 2009 |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref> The German team were behind 5{{nbnd}}6, but won the next three racks to defeat Poland.<ref>{{cite web |website=2008 World Cup of Pool - the Official Site |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=61 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209005316/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=61 |title=Nervous Germany relieved after Polish test |archive-date=9 February 2009}}</ref> The US team led 7{{nbnd}}2 over the Canadian team of Edwin Montal and Tyler Edey, but lost the next three racks before winning 8{{nbnd}}5.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209005316/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=61 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=61 |title=USA keep World Cup hopes alive in Holland |date=10 December 2008 |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=26 January 2026 |archive-date=9 February 2009}}</ref> Japan's Satoshi Kawabata and Naoyuki Ōi led 4{{nbnd}}0 over the Dutch B side, but were brought back to 5{{nbnd}}4, before eventually winning 8{{nbnd}}5.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182050/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=64 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=64 |title=Dutch hopes ended at the hands of Japan |archive-date=14 February 2009 |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=30 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/philippines-oust-disappointing-russia-at-world-cup/ |title=Philippines Oust Disappointing Russia at World Cup |date=Oct 11, 2008 |accessdate=Jan 31, 2026}}</ref>
===Later-rounds (quarter-finals—final)=== {{multiple images|image1=MC2008 M10 015 - Shane van Boening.JPG|image2=MC2008 M05 019 - Rodney Morris.JPG|footer=The American team of Shane Van Boening (left) and Rodney Morris (right) won the event for the first time.|width2=160}} The quarter-finals were played as a race-to-9 racks. The Chinese first seeds led 5{{nbnd}}1 and won 9{{nbnd}}2 against the Italian side.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/england-beats-germany-for-world-cup-semi-spot/ |title=England Beats Germany for World Cup Semi Spot |date=Oct 11, 2008 |accessdate=Jan 31, 2026}}</ref> In the tenth rack, Petroni looked close to tears after committing a few errors during the match.<ref name="auto5"/><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182101/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=66 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=66 |title=Italy's World Cup of Pool run ends in tears |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=31 January 2026 |archive-date=14 February 2009}}</ref> England led Germany 6{{nbnd}}4 but were tied at 6{{nbnd}}6, England won the next two racks to go to the hill. In rack 15, the {{cuegloss|break-off}} was deemed to be illegal by referee Michaela Tabb, allowing Germany to win the rack. However, England won rack 16 to win 9{{nbnd}}7.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182107/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=67 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=67 |title=England produce a superb performance |website=worldcupofpool.com |access-date=31 January 2026 |archive-date=14 February 2009}}</ref> After the match, the pair commented that "only a tournament win is good enough" with Gray adding "we said before that if we could beat Germany then we would fancy our chances of going all the way and nothing has changed".<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182112/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=68 |title=Peach: Anything less than the trophy is a failure |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=68 |website=worldcupofpool.com |access-date=31 January 2026 |archive-date=14 February 2009}}</ref><ref name="auto5"/> Austria and the United States team were tied at 7{{nbnd}}7. In rack 15, Austria failed to make a ball on the break allowing the US team to win the rack and go onto the hill, and they won the match after running the next rack.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182117/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=69 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=69 |title=Morris and van Boening edge tough match |website=Worldcupofpool.com |access-date=31 January 2026 |archive-date=14 February 2009}}</ref><ref>https://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=899</ref><ref>https://www.pro9.co.uk/html/article.php?sid=900</ref> The Filipino team of Dennis Orcollo and Francisco Bustamante lost just two racks as they defeated Naoyuki Oi and Satoshi Kawabata of Japan 9{{nbnd}}2. Their third match of the tournament, they had lost only seven racks, winning 25.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182122/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=70 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=70 |title=Philippines closing in on more World Cup glory |website=worldcupofpool.com |access-date=31 January 2026 |archive-date=14 February 2009}}</ref>
The semi-finals were also played as a race-to-9 racks. The England team overcame the defending champions China 9{{nbnd}}5. Gray commented "We had watched a bit of China and they are very attacking players and go for their shots but had not been under any pressure. We knew if we put them under pressure we would win."<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182139/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=71 |url-status=live |archive-date=14 February 2009 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=71 |title=Peach and Gray inflict first defeat on Chinese duo |website=worldcupofpool.com |access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref> The US team were tied at 2{{nbnd}}2 with the Filipino team, but won the next five racks. They eventually won the match 9{{nbnd}}6. This was the second time in three years that the United States team had reached the final.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182144/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=72 |url-status=live |archive-date=14 February 2009 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=72 |title=USA meet England in the 2008 World Cup final |website=worldcupofpool.com |access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref> The final was played between the English and United States teams as a race-to-11 racks.<ref name=finala>{{cite web |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=73 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182202/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=73 |archive-date=14 February 2009 |website=worldcupofpool.com |title=USA win the PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool}}</ref> The English team recovered from 0{{nbnd}}2 down to trail by one at 3{{nbnd}}4 but then lost the next four frames. The English side left the arena in rack 10 being accused of gamesmanship.<ref name=finala/> The English side won the next two racks before completing a dry break to trail 5{{nbnd}}9. England won the next two racks before the American team won rack 17 to go onto the hill, before running the 18th rack to win the match 11{{nbnd}}7.<ref name=finala/> Van Boening commented that he did not know Morris well before the tournament, but Morris commented that "it's more special for me to see Shane win and I was trying hard not to let him down."<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214182240/http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=74 |url-status=live |archive-date=2009-02-14 |url=http://worldcupofpool.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=74 |title=USA delight at their first ever World Cup success |website=worldcupofpool.com}}</ref><ref name="azbi_Team">{{Cite web |title=Team USA wins World Cup of Pool |work=azbilliards.com |access-date=7 January 2019 |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/news/stories/4874-team-usa-wins-world-cup-of-pool/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705134205/http://www.azbilliards.com/news/stories/4874-team-usa-wins-world-cup-of-pool/ |archive-date=2017-07-05 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billiardpulse.com/2008/10/us-team-wins-world-cup-of-pool.html|title=The US team wins World Cup of Pool|accessdate=Feb 7, 2026}}</ref>
==Tournament bracket== Below are the results from the event. Teams in bold denote match winners. Numbers to the left of teams represents the team's seedings.<ref name="azbi_Part">{{Cite web |title=PartyPoker World Cup of Pool 2008 |work=azbilliards.com |access-date=24 January 2026 |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/tours_and_events/177-world-cup-of-pool/2424-partypoker-world-cup-of-pool-2008/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705144825/http://www.azbilliards.com/tours_and_events/177-world-cup-of-pool/2424-partypoker-world-cup-of-pool-2008/results/ |archive-date=2017-07-05 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/>
{{32TeamBracket | RD1=Round of 32<br />Race to 8 | RD2=Round of 16<br />Race to 8 | RD3=Quarter-finals<br />Race to 9 | RD4=Semi-finals<br />Race to 9 | RD5=Final<br />Race to 11
| RD1-seed01= | RD1-team01={{flag|India}} | RD1-score01=6 | RD1-seed02=1 | RD1-team02='''{{flag|China}}''' | RD1-score02='''8'''
| RD1-seed03= | RD1-team03={{flag|Hong Kong}} | RD1-score03=5 | RD1-seed04=16 | RD1-team04='''{{flag|Switzerland}}''' | RD1-score04='''8'''
| RD1-seed05= | RD1-team05={{flag|Peru}} | RD1-score05=4 | RD1-seed06=9 | RD1-team06='''{{flag|Italy}}''' | RD1-score06='''8'''
| RD1-seed07= | RD1-team07='''{{flag|South Korea}}''' | RD1-score07='''8''' | RD1-seed08=8 | RD1-team08={{flag|Finland}} | RD1-score08=4
| RD1-seed09= | RD1-team09={{flag|Malta}} | RD1-score09=4 | RD1-seed10=5 | RD1-team10='''{{flag|England}}''' | RD1-score10='''8'''
| RD1-seed11= | RD1-team11={{flag|France}} | RD1-score11=5 | RD1-seed12=12 | RD1-team12='''{{flag|Canada}}''' | RD1-score12='''8'''
| RD1-seed13= | RD1-team13={{flag|Thailand}} | RD1-score13=3 | RD1-seed14=13 | RD1-team14='''{{flag|Poland}}''' | RD1-score14='''8'''
| RD1-seed15= | RD1-team15={{flag|Qatar}} | RD1-score15=3 | RD1-seed16=4 | RD1-team16='''{{flag|Germany}}''' | RD1-score16='''8'''
| RD1-seed17= | RD1-team17='''{{flag|Belgium}}''' | RD1-score17='''8''' | RD1-seed18=3 | RD1-team18={{flag|Netherlands}} | RD1-score18=3
| RD1-seed19= | RD1-team19='''{{flag|Austria}}''' | RD1-score19='''8''' | RD1-seed20=14 | RD1-team20={{flag|Vietnam}} | RD1-score20=1
| RD1-seed21= | RD1-team21='''{{flag|Croatia}}''' | RD1-score21='''8''' | RD1-seed22=11 | RD1-team22={{flag|Spain}} | RD1-score22=7
| RD1-seed23= | RD1-team23={{flag|Iceland}} | RD1-score23=4 | RD1-seed24=6 | RD1-team24='''{{flag|United States}}''' | RD1-score24='''8'''
| RD1-seed25= | RD1-team25='''{{flag|Netherlands}}''' | RD1-score25='''8''' | RD1-seed26=7 | RD1-team26={{flag|Chinese Taipei}} | RD1-score26=5
| RD1-seed27= | RD1-team27={{flag|Australia}} | RD1-score27=5 | RD1-seed28=10 | RD1-team28='''{{flag|Japan}}''' | RD1-score28='''8'''
| RD1-seed29= | RD1-team29={{flag|Malaysia}} | RD1-score29=4 | RD1-seed30=15 | RD1-team30='''{{flag|Russia}}''' | RD1-score30='''8'''
| RD1-seed31= | RD1-team31={{flag|Denmark}} | RD1-score31=2 | RD1-seed32=2 | RD1-team32='''{{flag|Philippines}}''' | RD1-score32='''8'''
| RD2-seed01=1 | RD2-team01='''{{flag|China}}''' | RD2-score01='''8''' | RD2-seed02=16 | RD2-team02={{flag|Switzerland}} | RD2-score02=7
| RD2-seed03=9 | RD2-team03='''{{flag|Italy}}''' | RD2-score03='''8''' | RD2-seed04= | RD2-team04={{flag|South Korea}} | RD2-score04=0
| RD2-seed05=5 | RD2-team05='''{{flag|England}}''' | RD2-score05='''8''' | RD2-seed06=12 | RD2-team06={{flag|Canada}} | RD2-score06=4
| RD2-seed07=13 | RD2-team07={{flag|Poland}} | RD2-score07=6 | RD2-seed08=4 | RD2-team08='''{{flag|Germany}}''' | RD2-score08='''8'''
| RD2-seed09= | RD2-team09={{flag|Belgium}} | RD2-score09=6 | RD2-seed10= | RD2-team10='''{{flag|Austria}}''' | RD2-score10='''8'''
| RD2-seed11= | RD2-team11={{flag|Croatia}} | RD2-score11=5 | RD2-seed12=6 | RD2-team12='''{{flag|United States}}''' | RD2-score12='''8'''
| RD2-seed13= | RD2-team13={{flag|Netherlands}} | RD2-score13=5 | RD2-seed14=10 | RD2-team14='''{{flag|Japan}}''' | RD2-score14='''8'''
| RD2-seed15=15 | RD2-team15={{flag|Russia}} | RD2-score15=3 | RD2-seed16=2 | RD2-team16='''{{flag|Philippines}}''' | RD2-score16='''8'''
| RD3-seed01=1 | RD3-team01='''{{flag|China}}''' | RD3-score01='''9''' | RD3-seed02=9 | RD3-team02={{flag|Italy}} | RD3-score02=2
| RD3-seed03=5 | RD3-team03='''{{flag|England}}''' | RD3-score03='''9''' | RD3-seed04=4 | RD3-team04={{flag|Germany}} | RD3-score04=7
| RD3-seed05= | RD3-team05={{flag|Austria}} | RD3-score05=7 | RD3-seed06=6 | RD3-team06='''{{flag|United States}}''' | RD3-score06='''9'''
| RD3-seed07=10 | RD3-team07={{flag|Japan}} | RD3-score07=2 | RD3-seed08=2 | RD3-team08='''{{flag|Philippines}}''' | RD3-score08='''9'''
| RD4-seed01=1 | RD4-team01={{flag|China}} | RD4-score01=5 | RD4-seed02=5 | RD4-team02='''{{flag|England}}''' | RD4-score02='''9'''
| RD4-seed03=6 | RD4-team03='''{{flag|United States}}''' | RD4-score03='''9''' | RD4-seed04=2 | RD4-team04={{flag|Philippines}} | RD4-score04=6
| RD5-seed01=5 | RD5-team01={{flag|England}} | RD5-score01=7 | RD5-seed02=6 | RD5-team02='''{{flag|United States}}''' | RD5-score02='''11''' }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{AZB|https://www.azbilliards.com/tours_and_events/177-world-cup-of-pool/2424-partypoker-world-cup-of-pool-2008/}}
{{World Cup of Pool}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:World Cup Of Pool 2008}} 2008 Category:2008 in cue sports Category:2008 in Dutch sport Category:International sports competitions hosted by the Netherlands Category:Sports competitions in Rotterdam Category:21st century in Rotterdam Category:Cue sports in the Netherlands Category:October 2008 sports events in Europe