The best pool players in the world converge at York Hall in London from Sept 17 to 22 to decide this year’s champion in the sport at the 2013 World Cup of Pool. Once again, 32 teams from 31 nations will battle for World Cup prestige and the $60,000 top prize for the champions.

Defending champions Finland, topbilled by Mika Immonen and Petri Makkonen, look to take back-to-back titles after winning the 2012 edition.

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The Finnish duo will have their hands full against top-ranked competition like two-time champions China with Li Hewen and Liu Haitao; and the Philippines with Lee Van Corteza and Dennis Orcollo, who were rudely booted out in the first round in 2012.

The team from Finland defeated Poland's Karol Skowerski and Wojcjiech Szewcyk, 10-8 in the 2012 championship match.

Immonen and Makkonen will face Austria’s Albin Ouschan and Jasmin Ouschan in the opening round.

2013 World Cup of Pool – First Round Match-ups:
*Seeds in parenthesis

Finland (1) vs. Austria
Korea (16) vs. Estonia
England B (8) vs. Portugal
Germany (9) vs. Malta
Holland (5) vs. Scotland
canada (12) vs. India
USA (4) vs. Kuwait
Japan (13) vs. Sweden
China (3) vs. Hungary
Russia (14) vs. Hong Kong
Philippines (6) vs. Croatia
Poland (11) vs. Singapore
Chinese Taipei (7) vs. Belgium
Greece (10) vs. Australia
England A (2) vs. Indonesia
Italy (15) vs. Spain

This is the 8th edition of the World Cup of Pool with Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante winning the inaugural championship in 2006 in Wales, Newport. The pair also copped the 2009 title in the tournament held in the Philippines.

China won their first title in 2007 in The Netherlands and then the second one in 2010 in the Philippines, both times powered by the duo of Li He-wen and Fu Jian-bo. Germany, United States of America and Finland have one World Cup title each.

According to Matchroom Sport, the entire 2013 World Cup of Pool will be available on stream via livesport.tv.

2013 World Cup of Pool Live Streaming and Schedule (Links posted once available)

LINK 1 | LINK 2 | LINK 3

First Round (Race to 7) - All Australian times

September 17, 2013 (Tuesday)
9:00 p.m. Finland vs. Austria | Korea vs. Estonia | Germany vs. Malta

September 18, 2013 (Wednesday)
3:00 a.m. Holland vs. Scotland | England B vs. Portugal | Philippines vs. Croatia
9:00 p.m. Japan vs. Sweden | China vs. Hungary | Russia vs. Hong Kong

September 19, 2013 (Thursday)
3:00 a.m. USA vs. Kuwait | Poland vs. Singapore | Canada vs. India
9:00 p.m. Chinese Taipei vs. Belgium | Greece vs. Australia | Italy vs. Spain

September 20, 2013 (Friday)
3:00 a.m. England A vs. Indonesia