With the 2011 PartyPoker.com Weber Cup taking place this weekend, English star Dominic Barrett believes Europe will have ‘a

very good year’ at this year’s Weber Cup, although he admits the American team is stronger than before.

Barrett is once again included the four-man European team that will battle to retain the PartyPoker.com Weber Cup in tenpin bowling’s version of the Ryder Cup.

This year’s event will again be staged at the Barnsley Metrodome in South Yorkshire from October 14 to October 16 with four Europeans competing against an American quartet.

However, the US side has changed this year with national team members Bill O’Neill and Mike Fagan coming in to replace Tim Mack and Pete Weber.

“Their team has probably got stronger as they have two brought in two bowlers from their national team and have gone around the world and won," said Barrett.

“But maybe they will have nerves and going on to that one lane for the first time is difficult for anybody.
Barrett, the 26 year-old from Essex, will be making his fourth Weber Cup appearance and will be looking to record his third win in the competition. He will be a member of an unchanged side that also includes the Finnish pair of Mika Koivuniemi, Osku Palermaa and countryman Paul Moor.

“I’m looking forward to it and feeling pretty good. I know the US team has changed a bit but I think we’re going to have a very good year and I feel pretty positive about it,

“Osku is playing well, Paul and myself are playing quite well and Mika won the biggest event in the world (PBA Tournament of Champions) earlier this year,” he added.

Each member of the European outfit has played in the event at least three times and Barrett believes this will help them to more glories.

“We’re a good team, all good bowlers and all trust each other,” added Barrett.

“With our past experiences we all know we can play well and win matches on that lane. We’ve had the same team for the last two or three years and that gives us a lot of confidence.

“With the atmosphere that the crowds generate at Barnsley and the event itself, it’s fantastic to be bowling on that lane and you don’t see that set up for the rest of the year.

“It’s always in the back of your mind how far the Weber Cup is away and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Teams - Europe: Osku Palermaa (Finland) (Captain); Dominic Barrett (England); Mika Koivuniemi (Finland; Paul Moor (England).
United States: Chris Barnes (Texas) (Captain); Michael Fagan (New York); Tommy Jones (South Carolina); Bill O’Neill (Pennsylvania).
www.webercup.com                                                                                                                                                                                              Luke Riches

Notes: Matchroom Sport are one of the world’s leading producers of televised sport and are responsible for over 1,100 hours of original programming across a range of nine sports. The company is based in the UK and chaired by charismatic founder Barry Hearn.