Italy is well on the way to breaking all records in the European Bridge Championships. Yesterday in Salsomaggiore the Italians made light of the challenges of Ireland 21-9, Finland 19-11 and Hungary 22-8 to end the day 79 points ahead of Norway, their nearest rivals.
Five titles in a row will be a record, and at this stage they are virtually certain to set an all-time high average score per match. After 26 rounds their average stands at 21.7 points - 25 is the maximum.
Ireland could have got a better result, having led the Italians up to halfway, but an Irish collapse allowed their opponents in for an easy victory.
Ireland, represented by Rex Anderson, David Greenwood, John Carroll, Tommy Garvey, Adam Mesbur and Nick FitzGibbon, later drew with the Czech Republic 15-15, then lost to Lebanon 12-18. Only two points separate Bulgaria and Spain in the battle for third place.
The Irish women's team of Anne-Marie Horan, Hilary Dowling-Long, Petra O'Neill, Patsy Meehan, Pat Ryan and Pat McMahon fared no better, losing 14-16 to Poland and 8-22 to Norway.
In the top-of-the-table clash between England and Germany in the women's event the English got the better of their opponents to win 22-8. The Germans, however, retained their lead, but the gap has closed to four points. The Netherlands and Italy have moved into challenging positions.
Ireland's seniors (over-55s), Sean O'Lubaigh, Ray Fitzgerald, Joe MacHale and Alex Montwill,provided consolation for Irish supporters by beating medal hopefuls Poland 20-10. Earlier they had gone down 7-23 to Portugal.
Open championship after 26 rounds: 1 Italy 565, 2 Norway 486, 3 Bulgaria 476, 4 Spain 474, 5 Poland 461, 6 Sweden 458, 7 Turkey 446, 8 England 438, 9 France & Israel 437, 18th Wales 404, 24th Ireland 370, 25th Scotland 368. Thirty-eight teams compete.
Women after 15 rounds: 1 Germany 282, 2 England 278, 3 Netherlands 276, 4 Italy 266, 5 Denmark & Sweden 262. 10th Scotland 242, 20th Ireland 187. Twenty-three teams compete.
Seniors after 13 rounds: 1 France 260, 2 Denmark 251, 3 Israel 247, 4 Croatia 229, 5 Netherlands 225, 6 Poland 220. 19th Ireland 131. Nineteen teams compete.