Review

TWO HAPPY DID IT AGAIN! PRESIDENTS

ITALY is once again the European Champion! There was hair-raising suspense in the Their victory in Malta - certain before the Ladies series. With one round to go, Austria Gianarrigo Rona last round had started - was the third con- seemed certain winners, unless... It all hap- secutive one, after Vilamoura ’95 and pened, and GREAT BRITAIN piped all their Montecatini ’97. Italy has now won 14 opponents at the post. They managed to European Open titles (about one third of all retain their European Ladies title, climbing events), and if it wins the next champion- from fourth place up to the top for the first ship too, it will match its own record, held time at the very end of the game! since 1959 by the legendary ‘’. With the reigning champions in the Open It is also remarkable that the new Italian tri- and Ladies series retaining their titles, the umph was achieved without any of the play- Seniors could not be an exception. And so it ers who had succeeded in Vilamoura, and proved with the victory of FRANCE who fin- with only two from the Montecatini team. ished clear ahead of a record- field.

IN THIS ISSUE n Editorial ...... 2 Seniors, after a successful Championship in Malta. .6-7 n France & Britain share Bernard Liochon medals at GENERALI European n Interview with the President Dr Ladies Pairs Championship .2 of the Austrian Federation, NCBO Presidents Gianarri- Franz Kriftner ...... 8 n Harold Franklin, former EBL go Rona of Italy and Bernard Chief Tournament Director, n France and Poland domi- Liochon of France, have good dies ...... 2 nate 1999 European Pairs reason to be happy. Championships held in Besides having been newly n Pencharz honoured, as EBL Warsaw ...... 9 AUSTRIA WINS elected President of the EBL, gets new leadership ...... 3 WORLD JUNIOR PAIRS n Master Points ...... 10 Mr Rona celebrates Italy’s n Letter from the newË Presi- third consecutive victory at Andreas Gloyer and Bernd dent, Gianarrigo Rona . . .4-5 n Interview with a remarkable Saurer of Austria won the 3rd the European Championships, bridge family: Great Britain’s while Mr Liochon poses hold- n Italy retains European Open World Junior Pairs Champion- Hacketts ...... 11 ing the GENERALI Trophy for title, and so do Great Britain in ship, held in Nymburk, The the Ladies and France in the n Competition Calendar .12 Czech Republic, from a record France’s best overall competi- entry of 186 contestants. tion performance in 1997-99. FRANCE & BRITAIN SHARE MEDALS With the election of Gianar- rigo Rona to the presidency AT EUROPEAN LADIES PAIRS of the EBL, the League enters a new era. The outgoing President, Bill Pencharz, left the office at the end of his term with the satisfaction that he managed to keep the League in good shape, despite problems which had their roots in the sudden death of André Boekhorst in 1995. ‘Good shape’ does not only mean not losing anything. but also gaining a lot. Almost all recent European Champion- In a thrilling finish Elisabeth Lacroix and Catherine ships had record entries, Poulain of France won the GENERALI European Ladies Pairs and Malta saw 37 of the 41 EBL member countries tak- Championship. Their compatriots Nadine Cohen and ing part! At the same time, Catherine Multon were second, while the bronze medal went the League is in sound finan- to Nevena Senior and Sarah Teshome from Great Britain. cial shape, and there is unity among its officers. The 7th GENERALI European was a Turkish pair, Atalay- Ladies Pairs Championship Babag, who qualified first to The new President, was very successful, with an the final. They were followed Gianarrigo Rona, is a differ- entry of 129 competitors. It by Poland’s Harasimowicz- ent kind of person. He has was held in Malta, just before Hocheker and Sweden’s made it clear from the very the Ladies series of the Teams Flodqvist-Strandberg. beginning that he did not Championships got under way. In the final, Lacroix-Poulain come to preserve but to The tournament was played climbed to the top after being change the situation and in two stages: three sessions third at the end of the first ses- boost the League to new of qualification followed by sion. The consolation event heights. He is armed with 13 two final sessions for the top was won by Colonna-de Sario years of experience as 28 pairs. At the same time, a of Italy. President of the Italian consolation event was arrang- There were many prizes and Bridge Federation. During ed for those who had not a very warm atmosphere at these years, Italy’s member- made it to the final. the prize giving, nicely arrang- ship quadrupled and bridge Despite the traditional large ed by Ladies Committee Chair- was accepted as a sport by entry from France and Italy, it man Anna Maria Torlontano. the Italian Olympic Committee. Moreover, today, bridge is regularly taught in OBITUARY hundreds of Italian schools. Gianarrigo Rona has the HAROLD vision and the plan. He has also the will and the deter- FRANKLIN mination to succeed in his goals. The Executive (1915-1998) Committee has promised him camaraderie and unlim- Harold Franklin of Great Bri- ited support. Undoubtedly, tain, EBL Chief Tournament Di- the NCBOs and the players rector from the mid 1970s will do the same. For the until 1985, died on 23 Decem- benefit of bridge. ber 1998. He conceived, with Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, and ran the 1st EBL Tournament Directors’ Harold Franklin was the orig- Course in 1982. He was inator of the Sunday Times instrumental in introducing Pairs (now the Macallan) screens to the European which he kept organizing until Championships. his retirement. PENCHARZ LEAVES IN HONOUR NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE EBL • Elected Honourary President With the election of Gianarrigo Rona of Italy as the EBL’s new President, and • Received EBL Gold Medal with two newcomers in the Manage- ment Committee, the League enters a new era. The Congress in Malta elected Laurens Hoedemaker of The Netherlands as the League’s 2nd Vice President, and voted Belgium’s Marc de Pauw the new Hoedemaker Treasurer. 2nd Vice President Jean-Claude Beineix of France and Panos Gerontopoulos of Greece were re-elected 1st Vice President and Secretary respectively. Anna Maria Torlontano of Italy, Nissan Rand of Israel and Jens Auken of BILL PENCHARZ of Great Britain left the office of the Denmark were re-elected to serve a fur- President of the in full honour. ther 4-year term as members of the de Pauw At the end of his 4-year term, Pencharz was elected Executive Committee. Treasurer Honourary President by the Congress and received the EBL Gold Medal - the League’s highest distinction - for his outstanding services to bridge. EBL MEDAL AWARDS Pencharz served the League for 20 years. He entered the Executive Committee in 1979 at the Congress in Lausanne, and was re-elected in 1983. In 1987, he became 2nd Vice President and in 1995 Treasurer. That was the tragic year when André Boekhorst died three days after he was elected EBL President. Bill Pencharz was called upon to lead the League and was formally elected President in 1996. At the end of his term, he chose not to run again, but made his services available to the EBL. Before becoming President, Pencharz served as Chairman of the Appeals Committee and was in charge TORLONTANO: Gold OLIVEIRA: Silver of the League’s Statutes and the Rules & Regulations of the various Championships. He described his achieve- ANNA MARIA TORLONTANO of Italy and JOSÉ OLIVEIRA of ments as President in an excellent report to the Portugal were honoured in Malta for their outstanding Congress in Malta, which ended as follows: ‘Compared services to the EBL. TORLONTANO is identified with Ladies with four years ago I believe the League is a more bridge and takes care of the League’s ceremonial image, open, a more democratic and a richer place. Richer while OLIVEIRA is credited with the successful negotiations both in human resources and money in the Bank. I am that led to the dissolution of the European Union Bridge proud of all that’. League (EUBL) and its integration in the EBL. indifferent and not make the LETTER FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT most of the opportunity pre- sented. All NCBOs must be able to take advantage of this irst I would like to thank get that Europe, our countries mental predisposition, view- extraordinary opportunity. For F the Congress Delegates and the society in general are points, plans and objectives, these reasons the League who were kind enough experiencing a difficult transi- must adapt to the new course must become a solid and well to elect me President of the tion period of profound social, and new models created. organized structure, being able European Bridge League. My political and institutional trans- The primary task of the in its turn to help and support thanks also go to those who formations. League is to supply NCBOs NCBOs in their developmental supported my candidature, The status quo that guided with a model enabling them to and organizational activities. especially the Italian Federation our thinking, choices and plans attract attention and curiosity To be able to do so, the to whom I owe this new posi- in the past, has changed com- concerning the increasing League must plan a pro- tion. May I also praise my pletely. Profound political importance that bridge gramme of objectives to be illustrious predecessors who changes have overturned cul- assumes in this process of gradually reached. It would be guided the League wisely and tural and social realities, once society renewal. This can only foolish to try and do every- competently during the last regarded as irreversible. The be achieved by proposing the thing immediately. Not even if twenty years, thus reaching economic changes, beyond objectives and making avail- we had a magic wand could our present prestigious posi- recession and the employment able the techniques of a deci- we face and resolve all prob- tion in the world. I refer to crisis, are transforming struc- sive development phase. lems at once. Of course the André Lemaitre, Jimmy Ortiz- turally the same factors. The The goal is to make the fas- League does not possess a Patiño, Nils Jensen, José same is true of the demograph- cinating bridge experience magic wand; and maybe it is Damiani, André Boekhorst and ic change, with the elderly pop- available to an ever increasing better this way. I maintain that Bill Pencharz who have hon- ulation on the point of outnum- number of people. One should only fruits achieved by one’s oured me with a friendship and bering the youth; the latest start from fundamental princi- own ideas and labour are truly esteem of which I am proud. social and environmental ples which constitute the basis gratifying. Planning is synony- I hope I am worthy of the changes concerning state-citi- of bridge aggregation and mous to solidity, stability and position assigned to me and zen relationships and those of revisit and redesign a scheme development; chance is only able to fulfill your expectations. people and groups, etc. of principles, objectives and and always a carrier of super- I can assure you that I will This difficult process of directions for all those interest- ficial values in all aspects of inject into my activities all my change is not yet over; on the ed in bridge. life - not only at bridge. enthusiasm and passion and I contrary, it seems that it is At our starting point, we are The main objectives of the am confident that working being fed continuously by fortunate to be assisted by two EBL in the next four years are: together we can identify and new outbursts, spontaneously remarkable achievements: (i) 1. Above all, to create the reach all goals. I am convinced occurring, that induce anxiety the IOC recognition, whereby necessary conditions for the that if a team works, any and uncertainty and create bridge is finally considered a EBL to be able to decide its objective is attainable; I am deep and legitimate worries. true sport, soon to be given programs and achieve its sure that we are a great team. Without going too far away, Olympic dignity; (ii) the objectives efficiently. Now, I would like to explain the dramatic events in the UNESCO resolution on the 2. To do so, it is necessary how I see things, hoping that martyred Balkans are a vivid developmental, cultural and to acquire the appropriate you may agree with me and testimony which should make educational value of teaching resources which would allow share some of my ideas. us all very pensive. bridge to school children. the officers and committees to At the threshold of the third If society has changed, it is Available information indi- function together (until now millennium, we should not for- evident that also our behaviour, cates that bridge is experienc- committees have been non- ing a great increase in popular- operative groups, due entirely ity all over Europe, more in to lack of funds). We cannot some countries than in others. go on only thanks to the will- 11 PRESIDENTS FOR THE EBL The increasing demand for ingness of the chairmen who Gianarrigo Rona is the 11th person in just over 50 years bridge is in direct proportion to are not only unable to make who assumes the highest office of the League. The fol- the changes which character- the committees operative but lowing served as Presidents before him: ize our times: the progressive often need to contribute per- improvement in quality of life, sonally in order to obtain 1947-48 A.J.E.Lucardie The Netherlands the new way of dealing with results. It is therefore neces- 1948-51 Sir Noel Mobbs Great Britain free time, the increase in fe- sary that the committees have 1951-65 Baron Robert de Nexon France male participation, the in- their own budget, even a crease in bridge popularity 1965-69 Count Carl Bonte Sweden restricted one, to resolve this within social groups once situation. 1969-73 Marchese reluctant and lacking encour- 3. It is also necessary to Silvio Carini-Mazzaccara Italy agement (elderly, handi- change the acquisition criteria 1973-80 André Lemaitre Belgium capped), the increasingly posi- of membership dues, which in 1980-87 Nils Jensen Sweden tive attitude of the educational the immediate future constitute establishment towards bridge the only available resource. 1987-95 José Damiani France for young people. 4. Once funds have been 1995 André Boekhorst The Netherlands In response to this ever secured, the Executive and the 1995-99 Bill Pencharz Great Britain increasing demand for bridge,it committees must start to work would be absurd to remain immediately - work involving Gianarrigo RONA was born in in a son and a daughter by his first marriage. Under his leadership, the Italian Federation O

H 1940, but as a child he lived Pavia. He He remarried last year. was recognized by the National Olympic went to school there, and later studied law, Committee (1993), and organized numer- W In 1986 he became President of the Italian following family tradition. He was Vice ous European and World Championships. S Federation, a post he retains today. When I President of the National Foundation of he started, there were about 9,000 mem- Gianarrigo Rona entered the EBL Executive O Italian Lawyers until last April. bers of the Federation, and this number in 1997 and became Acting Treasurer at H He started playing bridge in 1974. He has has now risen to about 35,000. the end of 1998. W commitment, enthusiasm and (f) reviewing the structure of . Being an Executive the European Championships, or committee member cannot taking into account the require- be considered simply an hon- ments of all Federation mem- our: Obviously it is such, but it bers (whatever their level). We must be repaid with assiduous should offer them a competi- dedication and willingness to tive outlet and a stimulation to work as part of a team. participate. We should also Without these requirements, a offer to our players various committee will go nowhere. participatory options accord- 5. EBL work must concern: ing to their technical level, age (a) giving EBL a modern, and sex. This could create new flexible and functional statute enthusiasm and aspiration, based on the principles of and could help eliminate a openness and democracy. It sense of inferiority. Players should also reflect the IOC who have no chance whatso- spirit, now that we rightfully ever of winning, eventually get belong to this great family. fed up being the sacrificial vic- (b) creating structures and tim and distance themselves techniques that can support from competitions and per- the NCBOs in their organiza- haps even from bridge itself. tional and development efforts. (g) always guaranteeing the It is also vital to make the best service relative to logis- most of the experience of tics, costs, playing conditions those who have been success- and tournaments, as far as the ful, and make it available to competition location, staff, those who have not had the duration and level of service is possibility or capability to concerned. overcome difficult obstacles. 6. Once this environment (c) set the stage for develop- has been achieved, the League ing bridge among young peo- should turn towards develop- ple. Schools represent our real ing its own image in a correct challenge in the new millenni- professional way towards the um. We need to publicize our media and especially spon- winning image, which is a sors. It should be emphasized social, cultural and educational that while being aware of the (this should not be underval- difficulty of attracting spon- ued) one. Families, the media sors, this is the only way of and sponsors, always see obtaining external funding. It favourably educational initia- would certainly be dangerous tives involving young people. to delude ourselves and enter- GIANARRIGO (d) increasing the popularity tain unattainable expectations. of bridge among seniors, es- Of course nothing should be pecially since elderly people left unattempted and all possi- have already outnumbered the ble ways should be tried. youth. Today, life for the elder- Above all, we must work very ly can be stimulating and com- hard. The collaboration and petitive. The elderly are pre- solidarity of all officers and pared to embrace new activi- bridge players are necessary. ties which make them feel part Everyone must be convinced of a lively group. that our choices are correct (e) increasing the popularity and intended only to the bene- of female bridge, as the female fit of bridge. To be able to population now outnumbers grow together we need to give the male and today’s female is and to be given a hand. completely emancipated. Gianarrigo Rona RONA ITALY RETAINS OPEN BRITAIN & FRANCE KEEP LADIES & SENIO

alta provided a spectac- table or follow the play in the To turn to the results, it was OPEN SERIES M ular setting for the 1999 theatre where they GREAT BRITAIN, represented by 1 ITALY 702 GENERALI European Bridge had the benefit of commen- Sandra & Abbey 2 SWEDEN 667 Championships. A leisurely tary from a team of experts. Walker, Pat Davies & Nicola 3 NORWAY 665 playing schedule afforded both Every morning they could Smith and Liz McGowan & 4 BULGARIA 661 players and spectators alike catch up on events by picking Heather Dhondy who won the 5 FRANCE 659 the opportunity to explore the up a copy of the Daily News. Ladies series in a breathtaking 6 POLAND 646 historic island or simply relax Those who were further finale on the very last 7 SPAIN 639 in the idyllic surroundings and afield could still keep abreast by a single IMP and half a 8 ISRAEL 635 glorious sunshine. of what was happening. The Victory Point. It was the only 9 RUSSIA 631 10 NETHERLANDS 631 Record participation Championships Internet site time they had led the event! was constantly updated and They became the permanent 11 BELGIUM619 The number of competitors 12 GREAT BRITAIN 617 the Daily News could be read holders of the wonderful tro- and countries that took part 13 AUSTRIA 613 and downloaded long before it phy offered by Nils Jensen, demonstrated the increasing 14 GREECE 584 appeared ‘on the streets’. You President Emeritus of the EBL popularity of the game. The 15 HUNGARY 577 can now find all the informa- and his wife Bibi. GENERALI Ladies Pairs 16 PORTUGAL 575 tion relating to the tournament Championships was contest- ITALY captured the Open 17 IRELAND 573 at www.bridge.gr ed by 129 pairs, a number Series for the third time in a 18 GERMANY 568.5 It was possible to follow the only exceeded once before, row. The winning team was 19 LEBANON 565 play in the matches featured whilst the 37 teams contest- Dario Attanasio & Guiseppe 20 DENMARK 557 on Vugraph by going to the ing the GENERALI European Failla, & 21 ICELAND 547 Open Teams Championship site maintained by the Italian Norberto Bocchi, Dano de 22 CROATIA 544.5 and the 29 competing for the Bridge Federation. To all in- Falco & Guido Ferraro. 23 ROMANIA 536 GENERALI European Seniors tents and purposes this was a FRANCE1 headed the Seniors 24 FINLAND 534 Team Championship were ‘live’ presentation – the first in the guise of Claude 25 TURKEY 531.5 26 SLOVENIA 522 both new records. The GEN- time this had been achieved. Delmouly, Maurice Aujaleu, 27 MONACO 512 ERALI European Ladies Team How things change... Pierre Adad, Marc Schneider and Jean-Marc Roudinesco. 28 CZECH REP. 510.5 Championship attracted one 29 ESTONIA 510 As bridge gears itself up for Remarkably two weeks before of the finest fields ever with 30 SWITZERLAND 495 the Championships Jean- many World and European participation in the Olympic 31 LITHUANIA 468 Champions contained in the Games it was clear how seri- Marc was fighting for his life 32 YUGOSLAVIA 435.5 21 teams taking part. ously the sport is taken with against leukemia. 33 LIECHTENSTEIN 428 Spectators were able to fol- teams arriving not only with Amazing as it sounds, the 34 LUXEMBOURG 410 low the Championships in captains and coaches but also countries who had won two 35 SAN MARINO 393 many ways. Those who were with physiotherapists and years earlier in Montecatini 36 CYPRUS 363.5 in Malta could watch at the sports psychologists. had retained all three titles! 37 MALTA 284 MALTA ’99 ORS TITLES

LADIES SERIES At the closing ceremony during the European Cham- as separate Federations there- 1 GREAT BRITAIN 384 one of the highlights was the pionships. by marking the last appear- 2 AUSTRIA 383.5 presentation of the silver The President of the Fédéra- ance of Great Britain in the 3 FRANCE 382.5 medals to the Seniors team tion Française de Bridge European Championships. 4 NETHERLANDS 379.5 including . The Bernard Liochon was pre- In the rapidly expanding 5 GERMANY 365 music ‘Lara’s Theme’ from Dr sented with a gold medal in world of Seniors Bridge it was 6 DENMARK 353 Zhivago brought the audience recognition of the support of announced that next year 7 POLAND 336.5 to their feet and a lump to the the French Bridge Federation there will be a Seniors 8 NORWAY 327 throat and tears to the eyes. to the EBL. ‘’ at the 50th 9 FINLAND 324 FRANCE won the GENERALI For their work in connection anniversary Championships in 10 ISRAEL 323 Trophy awarded to the most with the organization of the Bermuda in January, and a 11 CZECH REP. 314.5 successful country in the 44th GENERALI European world event to be held in con- 12 ITALY 306 major European competitions. Bridge Championships Mar- junction with the Maastricht 13 TURKEY 305 garet Parnis-England re- 2000 Bridge Olympiad. Distinctions 14 BELGIUM303.5 ceived the silver medal of the Before then everyone could 15 RUSSIA 289 The EBL bestowed a num- EBL and Mario Dix was pre- reflect on an outstanding and 16 SWEDEN 287.5 ber of medals and awards sented with the bronze medal. innovative Championship and 17 ICELAND 279 look forward to the 2001 edi- 18 CROATIA 273 The future tion of the GENERALI Euro- 19 HUNGARY 250 The team of José Damiani with pean Bridge Championships. 20 SPAIN 244 Omar Sharif, came second in In Malta, the EBL recognized 21 GREECE 222 the Seniors series. England, Scotland and Wales

SENIORS SERIES 1 FRANCE 1 574 16 TURKEY 450 2 PRESIDENT 543.5 17 GREAT BRITAIN 2 427 3 FRANCE 2 527 18 SWEDEN 2 412 4 POLAND 1 526 19 NETHERLANDS 2 410 5 SWEDEN 1 517 20 SWEDEN 3 399 6 ITALY 1 492 21 LITHUANIA/POLAND 395 7 CZECH REPUBLIC 486 22 SPAIN 391 8 POLAND 2 482 23 BELGIUM389 9 ISRAEL 476 24 GREAT BRITAIN 1 358 10 POLAND 3 472 25 LEBANON 351 11 GERMANY. 467 26 PORTUGAL 341 12 NETHERLANDS 1 460.5 27 IRELAND 324 13 GREAT BRITAIN 3 459.5 28 AUSTRIA2 319 14 AUSTRIA 1 459 29 YUGOSLAVIA 200 15 ITALY 2 457 Last year the Austrian Bridge Most recently, during my presidency, How popular is bridge in Austria Federation ran a very have been the successes, at the world generally? successful European Youth championships in Lille last year, of our Austria is a country of card players, but Championships in . This Ladies Team, and of Franz Baratta and also a country of non-conformists. was a major achievement for Karl Rohan as members of the Seniors Bridge is very popular in our country, such a small Federation. Please Team - and, of course, the women’s but ‘organized’ bridge has always had tell us something about the gold medal at the 1992 World Team difficulty in gaining a foothold. Other Federation. Olympiad. There have also been card games are very popular, but do not The Austrian Bridge Federation has European titles for , Fritz represent serious competition for some 2,200 members. Our head office Kubak and Jan Fucik in the Mixed, bridge. Does the National Press give Interview with the President of the bridge decent coverage? AUSTRIAN BRIDGE FEDERATION We have bridge columns in most lead- by ing newspapers, but bridge events - such as the victory of our Ladies Team is located in one of the Vienna clubs, last summer - received little publicity. and we have one part-time secretary. How do you see the future in Most of the work for the Federation is Austrian bridge? done by members who volunteer their time. The future of bridge in Austria is close- ly connected with international devel- The Board is currently comprised of 5 opments. If the EBL and WBF succeed men and 2 women. We were elected in in establishing bridge as a recognized March 1998 for a two year term of international sport, then I am extremely office. optimistic as to its future here. Without this support, however, our progress will The Youth Championships were certainly be slowed. held in Vienna’s best known building, the City Hall. How did Perhaps you could finish by this come about? giving us some personal details This truly unique venue was obtained about yourself? through the hard work and excellent I am 63 years old, senior partner in a connections of our Vice President, law practice in Linz, and have been Richard Wehler-Hardt, who was also President of the Austrian Federation one of the tournament organizers. He since 1986. I have been happily mar- managed to obtain 2,500 square ried for 38 years - to the same woman metres of playing and administrative space plus support services free of charge. Normally, rental of these facili- ties alone would have cost over 1.5 Dr FRANZ KRIFTNER million Austrian Schillings (or €110,000). pairs tournaments and individual, and - and have two sons and two grand- the Juniors title won by Axel Wodnian- children. Gavriel Unger was also one of the organizers, and did a considerable sky and Tilman Seidel. I was introduced to bridge by Olivier amount of work over a very long period Does the Austrian Government Boudrand, a top ranking French player, of time to get this show up and running. recognize bridge as a sport? who recruited my entire family as bridge players over 30 years ago. I Tell us something of the history Previous efforts to have bridge recog- have a brother and a nephew who have of your Federation. nized as a sport by Austrian govern- played on the Austrian Open team. My Austria has a very long bridge history. mental organizations have been unsuc- 14 year-old grandson has just started We were one of the five countries that cessful. We have great hopes, howev- to play, and I have great hopes that he joined together in July 1932 in The er, that the EBL and WBF will be able to will continue the family tradition. Hague to form the International Bridge achieve an international breakthrough Thank you for your time. League, the first international bridge in this area, and thereby help us con- organization and forerunner of the WBF. vince the bureaucratic authorities in The very first team championship in Austria that bridge is really a sport. 1932 was won by Austria and this was Only the City of Vienna has granted us followed by many successes. this recognition to-date. ÍÌÊË EUROPEAN PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIPS FRANCE WINS OPEN BUT POLAND DOMINATES SENIORS

WARSAW STAGED RECORD EVENT

1 Chemla - Levy FRA 2 Bocchi - Duboin ITA 3 Kowalski - Romanski POL 4 Vlajnic - Zipovski YUG 5 Bompis - De Sainte Marie FRA 6 Allegrini - Palau FRA 7 Jassem - Tuszynski POL 8 Rossano - Vivaldi ITA 9 Fredin - Lindkvist SWE 10 Karaivanov - Trendafilov BUL 11 Martens - Szymanowski POL 12 Lassere - Poizat FRA 1 Lasocki - Kniga-Leosz POL SENIORS OPEN 2 Pinkiewicz - Sekowski POL he major cities of Europe Warsaw lived up to its repu- 3 Mikolajczyk - Lewandowski POL T are often associated with tation as a romantic city and 4 Moszynski - Szyndlowski POL a particular building. In Paris the various cultural delights 5 Humburg - Mattson GER it’s the Eiffel Tower, in London were much appreciated by 6 Rand - Katz ISR Big Ben. Warsaw’s Palace of players, officials and specta- 7 Kiwerski - Gruca POL Culture & Science has similar tors alike. Those who visited 8 Kluk - Wdowiak POL status and was the venue for the magnificent Opera Naro- the Prokom Software 10th dowa witnessed outstanding 9 Mykietyn - Wilkosz POL European Open Pairs Cham- performances of Swan Lake, 10 Lee - Rowlands GBR pionship and 5th European Carmen, Nabucco and A 11 Bro - Bro SWE Seniors Pairs Championship Masked Ball. 12 Roussetsky - Goudkow RUS hosted by the Polish Bridge The significance of the Union (PBU) last March. event was recognized when France’s Paul Chemla and inated the event. They took A massive 399 pairs con- the Marshall of the Polish Alain Levy were the winners the first five places! The tested the Open series whilst Parliament, Maciej Plazynski and recipients of the Giorgio medals went to Jerzy Kniga- 97 lined up in the Senior received the President of the Belladonna Trophy, adding Leosz and Krzysztof Lasocki event, both easily new José this prize to their Olympiad who finished well clear of records. Thirty-five countries Damiani, EBL President Bill and Bermuda Bowl crowns. Zbigniew Pinkiewicz and An- were represented with pride Pencharz, PBU President Jan In a breathtaking finish they toni Sekowski whilst Henryk of place going to the host Prochowski, PBU Chairman stayed just ahead of two Mjkolajczyk & Jacek Lewan- nation who had more than Andrzej Orlow and the Secre- members of the current Euro- dowski were third. 100 pairs in the lists. tary of the Organizing Com- pean Team Champions, Italy’s Italy’s Adriano Abate & The tournament proved to mittee Krzysztof Piatkowski. Norberto Bocchi and Giorgio Fabrizio Morelli captured the be outstanding from every After three qualifying ses- Duboin. Poland’s Apolinary Open B Final. Italy also pro- angle. PBU is a full member of sions, 128 pairs went into Kowalski and Jacek Roman- vided the consolation winners the Polish Olympic Committee semi-final A of the Open ski, both with world titles to - two names to watch out for and the government treats Championship. Another three their credit, ensured that the in the future - Ruggiero bridge on the same basis as rounds determined the 40 who host country would be on the Guariglia aged 21 and Stelio other sports. This ensured advanced to the final. They podium. Di Bello only 18 years old. that the Championships re- were joined by the leading 4 The Seniors played a three- The Seniors Consolation ceived regular coverage on pairs from semi-final B. The session qualifier followed by went to Sigyn Niden & Alf television from various state final was an ‘all play all’ event an ‘all play all’ final involving Sandberg of Sweden. and commercial channels. that used Barometer scoring. 42 pairs. Polish players dom- Mark Horton TOP HOLDERS / MEN 1 CHEMLA Paul FRA 1461 G 2 PERRON Michel FRA 1143 G 3 MOUÏEL Hervé FRA 1042 G POINTS 4 LÉVY Alain FRA 1036 G 5 GAWRYS Piotr POL 1017 G The European Master Points (EMP) 6 MAAS Anton NTH 999 G classification reflects a player’s life- 7 AUKEN Jens DEN 993 L time performance at bridge. Separate 8 BALICKI Cezary POL 976 G EMP lists are maintained by the EBL, 9 ZMUDZINSKI Adam POL 943 G for each category of players (Men, 10 MARTENS Krzysztof POL 920 G Women, Seniors, Juniors). 11 MARI Christian FRA 912 G In addition, the Rating Points (RP) 12 LEBEL Michel FRA 810 G classification serves as the yardstick for recent achievements. The calcula- EMP Secretary 13 KOWALSKI Apolinary POL 771 G 14 SUNDELIN Per-Olof SWE 750 G tion of the RPs is based on the EMPs Ch.P. Maris earned during the last four seasons, Karveel 46-27 15 ROMANSKI Jacek POL 748 G with emphasis on the last season. NL-8242 VG Lelystad 16 HELNESS Tor NOR 743 L l Paul Maris of the Netherlands, the The Netherlands 17 TERRANEO Franz AUT 742 G EBL Master Points Secretary, is avail- ( 31-320-242 573 18 LESNIEWSKI Marcin POL 740 G able for any matter regarding EMPs. 2 31-30-275 9900 19 LAURIA Lorenzo ITA 739 G l The Lists published here are cor- 7 m.a.maris-veldhuis 20 GULLBERG Tommy SWE 734 G rect as at 30 June 1999. @id.dlo.nl 21 KOCH-PALMUND D DEN 725 L

MASTER 22 FUCIK Jan AUT 718 G TOP HOLDERS / WOMEN TOP HOLDERS / SENIORS 23 SZYMANOWSKI Marek POL 696 G 1 VRIEND Bep NTH 1049 G 1 DELMOULY Claude FRA 117 24 LASOCKI Krzysztof POL 692 G 2 AUKEN Sabine GER 872 G 2 HUMBURG Hans GER 100 25 BOCCHI Norberto ITA 686 G 3 VAN DER PAS Marijke NTH 804 G 3 KAISER Kees NTH 92 26 GÖTHE Hans SWE 665 G 4 BESSIS Véronique FRA 770 G 4 WILKOSZ Andrzej POL 82 27 HELGEMO Geir NOR 657 L 5 VON ARNIM Daniela GER 737 G 5 ROUDINESCO Jean-Marc FRA 77 28 BLAKSET Lars DEN 647 L 6 LANDY Sandra GBR 699 G 6 ADAD Pierre FRA 75 29 MORATH Anders SWE 644 G 7 WILLARD Sylvie FRA 682 G AUJALEU Maurice FRA 75 30 VERSACE Alfredo ITA 639 G 8 D’OVIDIO Catherine FRA 679 G 8 JEZIORO Aleksander POL 74 31 BERGER Heinrich AUT 632 G 9 SMITH Nicola GBR 654 G 9 SZENBERG Stefano ITA 73 32 FALLENIUS Björn SWE 626 G 10 ERHART Maria AUT 647 G POLEC Janusz POL 73 33 WESTRA Berry NTH 625 G 11 SCHIPPERS Elly NTH 618 G 11 BARATTA FRAnz AUT 72 34 DUBOIN Giorgio ITA 624 G 12 CRONIER Bénédicte FRA 545 G ROHAN Karl AUT 72 35 FEICHTINGER Kurt AUT 616 G 13 DAVIES Pat GBR 525 G NOWAK Janusz POL 72 36 SOULET Philippe FRA 614 G 14 BAMBERGER Gabriele AUT 520 G 14 KOKKES Jaap NTH 71 37 TUSZYNSKI Piotr POL 608 G 15 BLOUQUIT Claude FRA 515 G GWIS Krzysztof POL 71 38 HÄUSLER Helmut GER 604 L 16 NEHMERT Beate GER 505 G 16 MATTSSON Göran GER 70 39 BURATTI Andrea ITA 599 G 17 BROCK Sally GBR 500 G 17 GROMÖLLER Wilhelm GER 63 40 SZWARC Henri FRA 596 G 18 WEIGKRICHT Terry AUT 484 G 18 STOBIECKI Wlodzimierz POL 62 41 BALDURSSON Jón ICE 593 G 19 CAESAR Karin GER 464 G 19 TINTNER Léon FRA 61 42 FORRESTER Tony GBR 586 G 20 ARNOLDS Carla NTH 445 G 20 GAVINO Giacomo ITA 60 43 BIRMAN David ISR 578 L 21 D’ANDREA Marisa ITA 442 G • The Seniors ranking list comprises Euro- 44 PRZYBORA Tomasz POL 572 G 22 FISCHER Doris AUT 436 G pean Master Points awarded in Seniors events, 45 QUANTIN J-C FRA 571 G MÖGEL Marianne GER 436 G and in past EUBL events. The following com- 46 SPLETTSTÖSSER Peter GER 568 L petitions have been taken into account: 24 LISE Colette FRA 431 G 47 FLODQVIST Sven-Olov SWE 561 G EBL Pairs 1991-93-95-97-99; EBL Teams 25 DELOR Elisabeth FRA 414 G 48 DE FALCO Dano ITA 557 G 1995-97-99; WBF Pairs 1990-94-98; WBF Teams 1994-98; EUBL Pairs & Teams 1991- LEUFKENS Enri NTH 557 G G: Grand Master L: Life Master 93-96-98. 50 SCHALTZ Peter DEN 551 L What about your bridge career together? Twins: We competed in the INTERVIEW British Junior Trials at the age of 12, and played in the British Junior Home Internationals four years running and won them all. WITH THE Our first world championship, at the age of 16, was the World Pairs in Miami. We represented TWINS Britain at the Junior Europeans in • 1986 1992 but just missed qualifying for the World Junior teams. Two Pairs Olympiad, years later we took the title. Miami Beach In Albuquerque, we qualified for • 1994 the World Pairs final, the young- European Junior est ever to do so. In 1995 we team champions, were in the team when Britain Arnhem won the World Juniors by a big World Pairs final, margin. In 1996 our team, with HACKETT Dad in it, was selected for the Albuquerque Rhodes Olympiad. For the first • 1995 time Britain had a team with three World Junior Team FAMILY members of the same family. Champions, Bali Last year the three of us also won the NEC Cup in Japan. Tell us about the life of a Let’s start with the elder. Olivia: The boys were born in Meanwhile, it was the bridge pro. Tell us, Paul about your 1970. Jason is 10 minutes older twins that began to make Twins: We started at the age of early family life. than Justin. the headlines in bridge. 20, with Dad doing the arranging. Paul: My father was a squadron Are you a bridge player, The twins: We started bridge at We spend almost every weekend leader in the RAF and he was Olivia? the age of 10. playing bridge. Dad plays the killed before I was born. I was most, probably six days a week, Olivia: It was only when I became educated at Marlborough Col- What were your other with Jason five, and Justin four. interested in Paul that I learned lege. I was a scratch golfer, and interests at school? Half our engagements are out- something about bridge. I hardly at the age of 19, national cham- Jason: I represented my school side Britain. Our schedule for the played at all until the twins start- pion at Eton fives (a sport like at cricket and chess, and then next six months includes Hong ed to play. Since then I have trav- squash). After I left Marlborough went to the University to read Kong, Singapore, Quebec, Bar- elled a lot with them and play in I went to Trinity College, Dublin, Russian and French. My only job bados, Boston, India, Japan and social events. But mainly I just where I read Social Studies. support the other three. has been bridge. Australia. When did you start Justin: I wanted to become a Paul, tell us about the What tip do you have for bridge? professional footballer but went time up to your success the readers of the EBL to the University to read French Paul: I wanted to be a profes- in the Europeans. Review? sional golfer, but I had started and History. I thought of going Paul: At the end of the 70s, I Paul: Don’t talk bridge when non- playing bridge, and found I into banking but soon I found bridge players are in the group. enjoyed playing bridge at the formed a partnership with John bridge had become a full-time famous Bridge Club. Soon Collings and won the British job. Patrick Jourdain I was playing more bridge than Trials with Steve Lodge & Tony anything else, and took a job at Sowter. We were joined by Rob Sheehan & the late Irving Rose the Manchester Bridge Club. PAUL HACKETT for the 1981 Europeans. Earlier My first notable bridge partner, in that year Collings and I had won • 1941 • 1981 the early 1970’s, was Martin a silver medal at the Common Born in Peshawar, European Teams, Hoffman with whom I won the Market Pairs. PHILIP MORRIS Pairs. I also India Birmingham, silver played professionally in tourna- Poland won the Europeans, but • 1969 medal ments such as Deauville, and second place gave us qualifica- Married Olivia in • 1995 tion for the Bermuda Bowl. Juan-les-Pins. Manchester European Pairs, Rome, Collings and I broke up the next What about your year and it was not until 15 years • 1970 silver medal marriage, and the arrival later that I was back in the team, Twins, Jason & Justin, • 1996 of the twins? this time with my sons. In 1995 born Rhodes Olympiad with Paul: I met Olivia in Manchester Tony Waterlow and I won the sil- twins and we were married in 1969. ver medal at the European Pairs. JULY SEPTEMBER

9-11 3rd World Junior 9-12 10th International 20-24 2nd International Pairs Championship / Nymburk, Bridge Festival ‘Minsk Cup’ / Olympic Committee Grand Czech Republic Minsk, Belarus Prix / Lausanne, Switzerland 12-20 3rd World Junior Camp 17-19 Isle of Man Congress / 25-26 Linz Pairs Tournament / Nymburk, Czech Republic Isle of Man, Great Britain / Vienna, Austria 12-25 36th World Bridge 17-19 Wesenbergh Cup / 25-26 Otono Tournament / Festival / Deauville, France Rakvere, Estonia Alicante, Spain COMPETITION CALENDAR • This is an abridged list of the tour- 17- 25 International Baltic OCTOBER naments scheduled to take place in Congress / Sopot, Poland Europe in the second half of 1999. 22- 27 33rd Interna- 9-10 7th International More information is contained in the Festival of Troyes / Troyes, comprehensive publication 1999 EBL tional Bridge Festival / Venice, France Competition Calendar. Italy Mark your diary... 15-17 EBU Autumn Con- 18 - 24 March 2000 Bellaria (Rimini), Italy AUGUST gress / Bournemouth, Great CHAMPIONSHIPS

Britain 6th EUROPEAN MIXED 1-7 31st International Bridge Week / Loiben, Austria 22-24 Ciutat de Denia 7th International FIAT Teams / 9-15 6th European Univer- Denia, Spain sity Championship / Weimar, Germany NOVEMBER

14-21 5th Red Sea Interna- 17-21 21st International tional Bridge Festival / Eilat, Bridge Festival Brasov / Polana 9-18 7th World Junior Israel Brasov, Romania Team Championship / Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA 15-21 2nd International 18-21 28th Winter Lake Bridge Festival of Madeira/ Balaton Bridge Festival / 12-21 International Solidarity Madeira, Portugal Keszthely, Hungary Festival / Slupsk, Poland 13-22 EBU Brighton Summer DECEMBER Congress / Brighton, Great Britain 6-8 Trophy Citta’ di Milano 13-19 Winter Cup / Bucha- / Bruzzano, Italy rest, Romania 19-27 49th La Baule Interna- tional Bridge Festival / La Baule, 10-12 Congress / 27-30 EBU Year End Con- France London, Great Britain gress / London, Great Britain

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