The 2011 Caesars Cup was yesterday won by Team America, captained by Phil Hellmuth. The Americans re-claimed the trophy from Team Europe following a 3-1 win at the WSOPE in Cannes.

The 2011 Caesars Cup was today re-claimed by Team America, following Team Europe's win in the inaugural event two years ago at the 2009 WSOPE in London.

The cup went on a break in 2010, but made a return this year as the WSOPE moved to Cannes, and although no prizes or bracelets are at stake, the Ryder Cup-inspired face-off between American and European pros today created headlines, as the Americans cruised to victory.

Team America was this year captained by Phil Hellmuth, who had chosen a team consisting of Daniel Negreanu, Jason Mercier, Ben Lamb and Johnny Chan.

On the other side, European team captain Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier had chosen Gus Hansen, Jake Cody, Maxim Lykov and Tony G to defend the 2009 title.

The match was played as best-of-five heads-up tournament, with the duo Ben Lamb and Jason Mercier squaring off with Europe's Tony G and Jake Cody in the first round.

The Americans took home the win in the first bout, following a key hand in which Lamb and Mercier made two pair against what turned out to be a busted flush draw for the Europeans.

Down 0-1, the Europeans were forced to fight back in Round 2, where Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu took on Gus Hansen and Maxim Lykov.

Team Europe managed to seal the win after making a full house with A-5 in an all-in situation against Team Americas' K-T, equalling the score to 1-1.

Following the comeback, the Europeans however had to see the Americans take over the lead once again, as captain Grospellier failed to over come Johnny Chan, who instead put his team in front by 2-1.

With a desperate need to take another point, Team Europe now chose Maxim Lykov to face Phil Hellmuth in round four, but once again the Americans proved to be too big a mouthful for the Europeans.

After half an hour's play, Hellmuth got it all-in with QT against Lykov's K9, flopped a queen and held up to take the decisive point, giving Team America the winning 3-1 lead and the trophy.

The cup was handed back to the Americans as a resigning Team Europe congratulated the winners, with the exception of Tony G, who in his usual controversial style expressed his disappointment with the result.

"I had no input in what happened here today," Tony G said, according to the WSOP website.

"Look at them overthere. All I can say is that at least Hellmuth won something this year," he added.

The cup was recorded for later broadcast, and will be aired in a few month all over the world on ESPN, and other networks.

Source: Poker.org