Defending champions, Italy, have already stamped their authority on the European bridge championships in Salsomaggiore. Yesterday the Italians, easily beat Sweden and Greece before drawing with The Netherlands to go clear of the field. Iceland are second while Norway are third.
The Irish team of Nick FitzGibbon, Adam Mesbur, Rex Anderson, David Greenwood, John Carroll and Tommy Garvey had a dismal day losing all of their three games, 13-17 to Turkey, and 9-21 to both England and Bulgaria. Irish fortunes should change in the next series of matches when they meet Cyprus, Faroe Islands and Liechtenstein.
The women's and seniors (over 55) events begin today. The Irish women's team is Pat McMahon, Pat Ryan, Patsy Meehan, Petra O'Neill, Hilary Dowling-Long and Anne-Marie Horan, with non-playing captain, Mary Trench, all from Dublin.
The seniors team is Alex Montwill, Joe MacHale, Ray Fitzgerald, all Dublin, Sean Ó Lubaigh, Borris, Seamus Dowling, Kildare, non-playing captain Anne Montwill.
European Open Teams Championship. Leaders after 7 rounds: 1 Italy 146, 2 Iceland 135, 3 Norway 131, 4 Bulgaria, 130, 5-6 Netherlands and Czech Republic 128. 8th Scotland 122, 11th England 119, 29th Ireland 93, 32nd Wales 87.
Thirty eight teams compete.