The celebrations are only just beginning for Chris Melling after he helped Europe retain the Mosconi Cup.

Keighley’s cue master was making his first appearance in the prestigious event, which pits the best pool players from Europe and America against each other.

The European team secured an 11-7 win in Las Vegas and Melling admits he has been overwhelmed by the response.

“I got back at 8.30 in the morning and the reaction has just been amazing from my friends and family,” he said.

“When I finished my first match, I got back to my hotel room and there were 107 messages on Facebook – it’s been horrendous!

“I’ve got loads of friends and family wanting to meet up and buy me a drink. It makes me feel like a bit of a superstar.

“I’ve got a medal which says Mosconi Cup winner 2011 and that’s better than the trophy in a way. I’ll be putting it right at the front of my cabinet.”

The pressure of competing for pool’s biggest prize appeared to have been too much for American player Rodney Morris on the second day of the tournament.

In a match that eventually saw the United States draw level at 4-4 overall, a heated confrontation almost saw two of the players come to blows.

Melling explained: “I was playing doubles with Darren Appleton against Shawn Putnam and Rodney Morris and Rodney was talking when he was playing.

“I know from being a pool player that it was so obvious that he was just releasing some nervous energy – it’s how he handles the pressure – but the crowd were giving him their thoughts about it.

“Darren told him to keep quiet and then Rodney bit back and turned to Darren and swore at him live on television, told him to keep his mouth shut and asked him if he wanted to go out into the car park!

“I think it was a bit of mind games, a bit like the weigh-ins at boxing matches. Sport is all about mind games and it’s as much mental as it is physical.

“I just ignored it and when we went back into our corner, I just told Darren to focus on the match.”

Europe eventually ended the second day 6-4 ahead and did not look back afterwards, easing to their third consecutive Mosconi Cup triumph.

That success caps what has been a remarkable year for ‘The Magician’, who won the China Open back in June and ends 2011 as the top-ranked European player.

Melling said his appearance on the big stage surpassed his expectations and the 32-year-old is already looking forward to more of the same.

He added: “It was ten-fold what I expected because I had quite a lot of support over there. I have a bit of a following in America, especially on Facebook.

“I don’t think you can really explain it until you’ve been through it.

“There’s so much pressure on you when you’re representing a team but we gelled so well. We all went out for meals and had a laugh together.

“I actually got a mention off the American captain in his television interview afterwards and he said I was absolutely exceptional, which was really nice.

“To win it in the way we did was fantastic and I definitely want more of it now.”