European Bridge Championships: Ireland took a step closer to winning a silver medal following two further rounds of the 48th Prokom Software SA European Bridge Championships in Warsaw yesterday.
In round 25, Tom Hanlon, Hugh McGann, Nick FitzGibbon and Adam Mesbur had a 24-6 victory over Denmark, putting the Danes out of the top 10.
Norway defeated Romania, but by a more slender margin. Following these results, the Irish were on the same cumulative score as the Norwegians, but Norway, having won the head-on match between the two countries last Saturday, technically held second place.
The same four Irish players lined out against Sweden in round 26 and had to contend with the most difficult set of deals of the championship. Maximum scores of 25 were recorded in seven of the 16 matches. In the most keenly-contested match of the round, Sweden won 16-14.
Ireland started with an apparent advantage, since one of the Swedish players, Peter Fredin, was sent home following unacceptable treatment of his partner. The Swedish captain was applauded for his action. Despite the loss of one of their best players, the Swedes caused problems for the Irish. The outcome was a fair result.
Norway beat Latvia 17-13 to go three points ahead of Ireland.
Italy went further ahead of the field when recording two maximum 25s against Luxembourg and Finland. Iceland started the day in fourth place but, following a bye in round 25, they lost 5-25 to Estonia and dropped to sixth.
The Netherlands made the most significant move forward, beating Estonia 25-3 and San Marino 18-12 to go fourth. The Dutch are 22 points behind Ireland. The host nation, Poland, is making a determined effort to get into the top six. Two maximum scores against Greece and Israel have moved them to seventh place, only five points behind Iceland in sixth.
The Poles were weakened by the late withdrawal through illness of their best pair, Balicki and Zmudzinski, before the event began. It is expected that they will also be forced to withdraw from the European team to compete for the Warren Buffett Cup against North America in Templeogue from September 18th to 21st.
With seven rounds left, Ireland seem assured of either silver or bronze. However, another set of cards like those in round 26 could cause upsets. Ireland's next opponents are Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Turkey.
Ireland continues to struggle in the women's championship although, having suffered a demoralising 1-25 defeat at the hands of championship leaders the Netherlands in round 14, they came back to defeat Greece 16-14 in round 15.
Ena Cleary, Jeannie Fitzgerald, Ciara Burns and Mary Finn lined out.
Germany holds second place and France has moved into third.
Ireland finished 15th of the 16 teams in the qualifying seniors round robin. The top eight begin another round robin today to compete for the medals. They carry over the scores they made against their fellow top eight teams.
The Scots survived on a split tie from the Netherlands. They had beaten the Dutch in the head-on match. Ireland lost its latest match 10-20 to Germany and will compete in the B final.
Open championship leaders after 26 rounds: 1 Italy 525; 2 Norway 477; 3 Ireland 474; 4 Netherlands 452; 5 Sweden 450; 6 Iceland 446; 7 Poland 441; 8 Germany 429; 9 England 422; 10 Hungary 420; 11 Russia 419; 12 France 418.5; 19th Scotland 384; 26th Wales 343; 33 teams are competing.
Women after 15 rounds: 1 Netherlands 277; 2 Germany 273; 3 France 266; 4 Denmark and England 259; 6 Poland 254; 7 Croatia 238; 8 Spain 233; 9 Italy 229; 10 Austria 228; 16th Scotland 206; 18th Ireland 204; 22 teams are competing.
Seniors - First round robin result: 1 Turkey 277; 2 Germany 270; 3 France 267; 4 Denmark 265; 5 Sweden 258; 6 Italy 244; 7 Poland 225; 8 Scotland 218; 10th England 217; 14th Wales 189; 15th Ireland 180.
The championships continue until Saturday.