The USA have added another title to their long list of sporting and recreational successes with the news that Greg ‘Fossilman’ Raymer led Team USA to victory in the fourth PokerStars.com World Cup of Poker at the Casino Barcelona in Spain.

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 US 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 out Cristian Tardea of Team Romania in the final heat. Team USA shared the first prize of $100,000. Romania finished 2nd ($60,000), Iceland 3rd ($40,000) and Canada 4th ($20,000).

Tyler Netter, 20, from Gainsville, Florida: “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 ten years ago and took up poker as a way to satisfy his competitive instincts. He said: “This has been the best day of my life.”

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 will be 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, can 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”

Final results:
1st: UNITED STATES $100,000 ($20,000 per person)
2nd: ROMANIA $60,000 ($12,000 per person)
3rd: ICELAND $40,000 ($8,000 per person)
4th: CANADA $20,000 ($4,000 per person)