World Pool Masters
Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shane Van Boening | |
| 2 | Nikos Ekonomopoulos |
Recap
Published April 13, 2026
Shane Van Boening won the 2014 World Pool Masters in Nottingham, defeating Greece’s Nikos Ekonomopoulos in the final. The South Dakota Kid’s victory demonstrated the precision and composure that has made him one of the most feared competitors in professional 9-ball.
Van Boening’s path to the title showed his standing among the best players in the sport. Known for his powerful break and tactical skill, the American defeated an international field that featured the world’s top 16 players. His victory marked his first World Pool Masters crown, adding to his collection of invitational titles.
The final against Ekonomopoulos highlighted Van Boening’s ability to perform on pool’s biggest stages. The Greek player had shown strong form throughout the tournament, but Van Boening’s combination of powerful breaking and precise shot-making proved decisive. This 2014 triumph began what would become Van Boening’s Masters legacy. He later became the first player in the 23-year history of the World Pool Masters to successfully defend the title.
Van Boening is a hearing-impaired player who has not let his disability affect his game. The Rapid City native comes from a pool family with his grandfather Gary Bloomberg being a trick-shot artist. He has built his reputation on consistent work ethic and professional demeanor that has earned respect throughout the sport.
The 2014 World Pool Masters victory was a pivotal moment in Van Boening’s career, establishing him as a force in Matchroom events. With over 100 professional titles to his name, including five US Open Nine-ball Championships and the 2022 World Pool Championship, the Nottingham victory demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest levels of competition. Billiards Digest named him Player of the Decade for the 2010s.
Sources: Shane Van Boening – Wikipedia, Matchroom Pool, Shane Van Boening – Matchroom Pool
This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.