The Irish women's team of Pat McMahon, Pat Ryan, Hilary Dowling-Long, Anne-Marie Horan, Patsy Meehan and Petra O'Neill produced a major shock yesterday at the European bridge championships in Salsomaggiore when beating Denmark 25-4 in round 11.
The Danes had been in second place.The main beneficiary was England which, despite losing to France 12-18, went second, a position it consolidated in the next round when beating Iceland 25-0.
Germany still leads, although it only drew with Austria and lost 13-17 to Italy. Ireland lost 8-22 to 2000 world champions, the Netherlands, in round 12.
The men's team had a satisfactory if not spectacular day in the open event. Nick FitzGibbon, Adam Mesbur, John Carroll, Tommy Garvey, Rex Anderson and David Greenwood beat Wales 19-11, then lost 11-19 to Scotland before ending the day with a good 18-12 win over Monaco.
Italy now leads the field an astonishing 63 points ahead of nearest rivals, Bulgaria.
Poland, who struggled early in the competition, scored 64 points from three matches and became a medal contender when moving up to fourth place, closing in on Norway. Ireland meets Italy in the next round. Ireland's seniors, Joe MacHale, Alex Montwill, Ray Fitzgerald and Sean Ó Lubaigh, are feeling the effects of the Salsomaggiore mid-30s heat. They lost 9-21 to the Netherlands and 7-23 to Austria.
Open championship after 23 rounds: 1, Italy 503; 2, Bulgaria 440; 3, Norway 427; 4, Poland 417; 5, Spain 406; 6, Sweden 400; 7, Iceland 396; 8, Turkey 395; 9, England and France 390; 19th, Wales 343; 23rd, Ireland 334; 26th, Scotland 324. Thirty-eight teams are competing.
Women after 12 rounds: 1, Germany 239; 2, England 230; 3, Denmark 227; 4, Netherlands 223; 5, Sweden 213; 6, Italy 206; 11th, Scotland 188; 19th, Ireland 154. Twenty-three teams are competing.
Seniors after 11 rounds: 1, France 214; 2, Israel 213; 3, Denmark 206; 4, Poland 200; 5, Croatia 188; 6, Netherlands 181; 9th, England 171; 10th, Scotland 165; 15th, Wales 158; 19th, Ireland 104. Nineteen teams are competing. The championships continue until June 29th.