As the qualifying stages of the World Bridge Teams Olympiad reached half way in Maastricht yesterday, Ireland's open team suffered a setback to their ambition to reach the knockout rounds. They lost the morning match 10-20 to Denmark, a side which has become a bogey team for Ireland. Irish teams have beaten the Danes only once in the past nine years. They then went down to Canada 9-21 in the afternoon.
The Irish players did not play badly in either match. Large numbers of points swung back and forth between the teams, with our side on the wrong side of a few close decisions in each match. Tom Hanlon and Hugh McGann played in both games. Rory Boland and Niall Toibin, in against Denmark, were replaced by Gay Keaveney and Rory Timlin for the Canada match.
The second half of the qualifying rounds promised to be dramatic. Poland and Belgium, the surprise team of the championships, are clear at the top of Ireland's group, following two big wins each. Switzerland and Spain also had big wins to come into contention. Eight teams, including Ireland, have chances of getting into the top four places by Sunday. Of the eight teams still in contention, Ireland appear to have the easiest finish.
The next three matches against Colombia, Hong Kong and Tanzania are vital. Ireland need to score in the twenties in each match, but non-playing captain, Hastings Campbell, is confident his team can do it.
Ireland had no better luck in the women's event, losing 11-19 to Finland and 7-23 to New Zealand. Terry Walsh's squad is now virtually out of contention.
In the Universities Championship, the Irish representatives from UCC lost both of their matches yesterday, with scores of 11-19 to Botswana and 5-25 to Denmark.
The Irish seniors team brought the only light to an otherwise dark day when Joe MacHale, Alex Montwill, Pat Barry and David Jackson overcame Netherlands Antilles 1614. Earlier, the team lost narrowly to Netherlands 14-16 and later went down 10-20 to Aruba. USA has opened a gap at the top of this event. Scotland are hanging on to second and Egypt, which includes film star Omar Sharif on their team, have come up to third.
World Bridge Olympiad Leaderboard
Open Championship:
Group A: 1, Poland 183; 2, Belgium 181; 3, Denmark 162; 4, Austria 158; 5, Brazil 156; 6, Switzerland 148; joint 7, IRELAND and Spain 147
Group B: 1, Australia 185; 2, USA 171; 3, Netherlands 163; 4, Greece 153
Group C: 1, Sweden 187; 2, England 182; 3, Indonesia 180; 4, France 175
Group D: 1, Italy 197; 2, Norway 174; 3, Argentina 170; 4, China 165
Women's Championship
Group A: 1, Norway 214; 2, Austria 194; 3, Denmark 170; 4, Finland 169; joint 5 and 6, England and USA 168; 17, IRELAND
Group B: 1, Germany 192; 2, Canada 191; 3, France 187; 4, Netherlands 185; 5, China 170; 6, Poland 166. World Seniors Cup: 1, USA 259; 2, Scotland 240; joint 3, Egypt and Sweden 239; 18, IRELAND.
World Universities Championship: 1, Austria 257; 2, Italy 241; joint 3 and 4, Germany and Czech Republic 223; 19, IRELAND.