At the inaugural Caesars Cup in 2009, the star-studded Team Americas boasted dozens of bracelets, major tournament wins and iconic stature in the poker world. Sitting across the table was a younger Team Europe, which offered dominating online statistics and a newer, fresher approach to the game at the highest level.

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World Series of PokerTeam Americas and Team Europe will battle for the Caesars Cup in October.

Many expected a lengthy battle as the best in the same played in a variety of formats, but really, it wasn't even close. Team Europe, captained by Annette Obrestad, ran over Team Americas, captained by Daniel Negreanu, winning four matches to one. For the past two years, it seems that the trend of European dominance has continued around the world.

In October, at the 2011 World Series of Poker Europe, the teams will square off once again. On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Team Americas captain Phil Hellmuth and Team Europe captain Bertrand Grospellier will bring their teams of five to battle in a series of heads-up and partner-formatted matches. The first team to three victories will claim the Caesars Cup.

"Team Americas has a score to settle after what most considered a colossal upset in London," said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. "You see a real rivalry developing as European players continue to win more tournaments around the world."

Hellmuth has taken his thoughts on being captain to Twitter and noted that with his first selection, he chose Doyle Brunson to join the team. Hellmuth also said that with his final three spots, he's choosing from a very talented group of players that includes Phil Ivey, Erik Seidel, Johnny Chan, Huck Seed, Daniel Negreanu, Tom Dwan, Jason Mercier and Ben Lamb. If he's able to get Phil Ivey back to the table, the poker world will indeed be thrilled.

Grospellier, poker's newest triple crown winner with victories on the EPT, WSOP and WPT, felt that Europe's win a few years ago over Team Americas should've been expected. After the captain's announcement, Grospellier tweeted, "Go EUROPE GO, let's show them 2 years ago wasn't an "upset"! I'm so proud to be the chosen one!"

The full teams will be announced shortly and the battle for the Caesars Cup will air as part of ESPN's coverage of the 2011 WSOP Europe.

Small blinds: Matt Waxman, champion of the WSOP Circuit main event in December 2010, won the WPT's Grand Prix de Paris. The huge field of 312 players resulted in a $729,886 first-place prize. He became the first American to take down the event. "This is the biggest tournament I've ever won in my life," he said. "It's been a life dream of mine to win on the World Poker Tour." … The World Poker Tour announced on Monday that WPT Malta, which begins on Sept. 20, will join the recently completed Legends of Poker main event and the WPT Borgata main event in becoming a re-entry event. Phil Hellmuth, Tony Guoga, Jake Cody, Kara Scott and Marvin Rettenmaier have already confirmed for the event. … Anders "Donald" Berg won his third WCOOP title in WCOOP Event 16, six-handed $215 pot-limit Omaha. He joins Ryan D'Angelo as the only players with three WCOOP titles. … Jon Turner finished runner up in WCOOP Event 17 to "Brryann" who captured his second WCOOP title with the win. … Bluff's Jess Welman interviews Stephen Martin on the Epic Poker Standards and Conducts committee. If you're interested in knowing about how the committee will address potential concerns, give it a read. … Sorel Mizzi won the 15,000 euro buy-in high roller event at WPT Paris. He earned $338,225 as he defeated Freddy Deeb heads-up for the title. … Poker player Jim Rice is a member of this season's "Survivor: South Pacific," which premieres Wednesday. Nope, I had no idea who he was or that he played poker either, but in his profile he mentions that he's won more than 40 poker tournaments. He did win a preliminary event at the Festa Al Lago tournament series in 2006 for $116,555.