Euro Poker: Team USA Wins World Cup of Poker IV

Greg "Fossilman" Raymer led Team USA to victory in the fourth PokerStars.com World Cup of Poker at the Gran Casino Barcelona in Spain last week. Raymer, the former patent attorney who picked up $5 million for winning the 2004 World Series of Poker, was the star player of the five-man U.S. team that also included John Kenlan, Randy Principe, Shaun Deeb, and team captain Tyler Netter.

It was Deeb who closed the deal for the Americans when he busted Cristian Tardea of Team Romania in the final heat. Team USA shared the first prize of $100,000. Romania finished second ($60,000), Iceland came third ($40,000) and Canada made fourth ($20,000). Netter, 20, from Gainsville, Florida, said, "Poker brings people together like no other game. I am so excited to be captain of the team that won the World Cup."

It was Deeb who closed the deal for the Americans when he busted Cristian Tardea of Team Romania in the final heat. Team USA shared the first prize of $100,000. Romania finished second ($60,000), Iceland came third ($40,000) and Canada made fourth ($20,000). Netter, 20, from Gainsville, Florida, said, "Poker brings people together like no other game. I am so excited to be captain of the team that won the World Cup."
First up for the USA today was Randy Principe. For the 38-year-old from Pennsylvania, coming to the World Cup in Barcelona was a dream come true. Randy was a competitive swimmer until he fell ill with multiple sclerosis 10 years ago and took up poker as a way to satisfy his competitive instincts. "This has been the best day of my life," he said.

Raymer played the anchor role in the American victory, hoovering up the chips to give the USA a critical early lead. "I was happy with my decision-making. But I was really impressed by the Romanians, who had good players right through their team. I didn't see them make any obvious mistakes."

More than 75,000 players from 44 countries entered the World Cup qualifying matches on PokerStars.com. Ireland, Portugal, Germany and Mexico made up the rest of the eight teams competing at the final in Barcelona, which was recorded for broadcast on Sky Sports TV later this year.

Event host Lee Jones said, "What's really great about the World Cup is that it costs nothing to enter, so players from all over the world, whatever their experience, have a chance to take part and represent their country. The World Cup is about national pride and a chance for players to test their poker skills on an international stage."

Perhaps the best known player in the competition was Team Canada player Daniel Negreanu, the star of TV show High Stakes Poker and a three-time WPT winner. "It's been a lot of fun," he explained. "I love this kind of environment. It's not all about the money; it's about five guys sacrificing personal goals for the whole team. I've really enjoyed it."

While disappointed at Canada's fourth-place finish, Negreanu was thrilled at Romania's strong performance. His parents came from Romania and he spent much of the tournament chatting and laughing with the Romanian team in their native language.

For full tournament details, visit www.pokerstarsblog.com.

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