Review
EUROPEAN MIXED CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 5TH EUROPEAN MIXED CHAMPIONSHIPS, held in Aachen, Germa- ny, March 28 to April 3, 1998, was a tremendous success. Entries reached record levels with nearly 400 pairs and 100 teams taking part. Aachen, a historic town in the vicinity of Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands, provided a wonderful setting for the tournament. Eurogress Aachen, the Championships venue, was spacious and con-
GOLD IN PAIRS venient - and the organization SWEDEN of a high standard.
FRANCE, the traditional strongholder of the Mix- ed, lived up to expecta- tion collecting half the medals. But SWEDEN deprived them of the Pairs gold, and THE NETHERLANDS of the Teams silver. How- ever, the sensation came from CROATIA who won their first GOLD IN TEAMS FRANCE bridge medal.
PROKOM SOFTWARE IN THIS ISSUE 10th EUROPEAN PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIPS n Editorial ...... 2 n Interview with Andrej Orlow, Open & Seniors President of the Polish Bridge n Gianarrigo Rona takes over Union ...... 5 15-20 March 1999 EBL finances ...... 2 n Sweden & France share Palace of Culture & Science n Warsaw and Malta to host gold medals in 1998 European Warsaw, Poland 1999 EBL Championships . .2 Mixed Championships . .6-7 n European Union Bridge n Omar Sharif, famous film League dissolved ...... 2 star and top bridge player 44th GENERALI EUROPEAN interviewed ...... 8-9 n European bridge gets n Senior bridge to be boosted TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIPS smoke-free ...... 2 Ëin near future ...... 10 Open - Ladies - Seniors n 1998 World Champion- n European Ladies had a won- ships in Lille, France, August derful time at 1998 Bridge 13-27 June 1999 21-September 4 ...... 3 Jamboree ...... 11 Malta n Letter from the President .4 n Competition Calendar .12 Gianarrigo Rona This issue of EBL Review is particularly rich in takes over as material regarding activi- ties for special categories EBL Acting of players. Treasurer The report on the Ladies Jamboree reveals that The Daily Bulletin at Aachen many Lady players had a wonderful time in Buda- carried the following an- pest, in a combination of nouncement: bridge, tourism and social By a 10-0 vote (with one activities. What is most abstention), the EBL Execu- important, however, is that tive Committee resolved, on It should be noted that: this was an event for the 26th March 1998, to relieve common mortal - the Mr Feijo Durksz of all finan- 1. Mr Feijo Durksz retains average player who is not the title of Treasurer. destined to represent her cial duties. Dr Gianarrigo country internationally. Rona has been appointed 2. The decision of the Exec- The Jamboree shows that Acting Treasurer of the utive Committee does not organized bridge exists League, with full financial re- reflect any question of Mr also for her; not only for sponsibility. Durksz financial integrity. the top players. The equivalent for the youth is the Junior Camp. Warsaw and Malta to welcome EBL Here too we show that we care for the non-privi- The 1999 European Champion- The 44th GENERALI European leged. We take advantage ships will be held in two attractive Teams Championships, compris- of the social element of venues. ing Open, Ladies and Senior series bridge to support the In March, Warsaw will welcome for national teams, will be held, young people socially. In European players taking part in the June 13-27, at Maltas Corinthia this way we help bridge, European Open Pairs and Senior St. Gorg and Radisson Hotels. but - even more -we help Pairs Championships society. We are very glad . The tourna- Before the Ladies teams, the 7th that the concept is spread- ment will be held in the Palace of European Ladies Pairs Champion- ing, as Camps are held Culture & Science, March 15-20, ship will take place, also in Malta, today by individual coun- sponsored by Prokom Software. June 13-15. tries, as well as outside Europe. Bridge can and should be European Union Bridge League dissolved useful also to the Seniors The European Union Bridge Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, who comprise a very League, an organization con- Sweden) and 2 against (Great strong part of todays soci- sisting of the NCBOs of the Eu- Britain, Luxembourg). Austria ety. The Seniors have ropean Union (EU) member abstained, while Greece did not time, money and the countries, will conclude its ac- take part. desire to do something tivities at the end of this year. worthwhile efficiently and The EUBL has been serving systematically. As an intel- The decision for the dissolution European Union countries since lectual sport, bridge can was taken at a delegates meet- the early days when EU had only help them to combat social ing held on 21 April, in Salso- 6 members. Today, there are 15 isolation, keep their mind maggiore, Italy. 12 countries member countries in EU, com- alert and avoid boredom. voted in favour (Belgium, Den- prising nearly 90% of the EBL This is the idea behind mark, Finland, France, Germa- registered players. This overlap EBLs Senior program. ny, Ireland, Italy, Monaco, The led to the dissolution decision. Bridge can indeed serve all people. Bridge is really universal. Bridge goes no smoking Smoking is over at all Euro- World Bridge Federation which pean Championships as from has taken a similar decision. 1 January 1999. Smoking has already been The EBL Executive Committee banned by most European took this decision at its meet- Federations, including the ings in March, following the larger ones. Competitions Registration Par Contest: Aug 21-22 A brand new invitational event set to Registration for all events demonstrate that bridge follows and (except the Continuous Pairs) benefits from todays technology. must be made through the Mixed Pairs: Aug 21-23 Transnational event. National Federations (NCBOs) in advance. There are no restric- Knockout Teams: Aug 24 - Sep 1 Rosenblum Cup (open) & tive quotas on the number of McConnell Cup (women). Teams entrants from any NCBO. will be divided in groups and a round robin will first be played within each group. The qualifiers Hotel Reservation will advance to the knockout stage. Open Pairs: Aug 29 - Sep 4 4 qualifying sessions, followed by All reservations must be made 4 semifinal and 5 final sessions. through the Women Pairs: Aug 29 - Sep 4 4 qualifying sessions, followed by Office du Tourisme de Lille 4 semifinal and 4-5 final sessions. Tel.: 33-3-20 21 94 31 Junior Triathlon: Aug 24-28 4 team sessions, 4 pairs sessions Fax: 33-3-20 21 94 20 and 2 individual sessions with independent and overall ranking. For players born in 1973 or later. Lille Transnational event. No entry fee. Lille is the fourth largest city in Senior Swiss Teams: Aug 27-30 Transnational event. For players France, offering visitors an born before 1944. astonishing diversity of experi- Senior Pairs: Aug 31 - Sep 3 Transnational event. For players ence. The Championships will born before 1944. be played in the Grand Palais, Continuous Pairs: Aug 22 - Sep 1 2 sessions every day (total 22). a unique feat of architectural Independent and overall rankings. ingenuity, situated a short walk To be classified overall, a player from the old city. needs to play at least 4 sessions; the three best results will count, provided they have been achieved Official Carrier with two different partners. AIR FRANCE, the official carri- Transnational event. er, offers discounts and special IMP Pairs: Sep 2-3 Transnational event. rates to tournament participants. Now, here is the dilemma: ments. One suggestion to the one of the possible qualifiers problem that arose in Aachen was the holders, léquipe for- is that a team that is guaran- midable of Michel and teed to qualify should not Veronique Bessis, Paul play the final round of the Chemla and Catherine Saul Swiss. I must say that I do dOvidio. If the Serf team did not think that this is the cor- well in their twelfth round rect solution because it match the Bessis team (who removes, for one round, the were playing at another table) basic principle of the Swiss would probably qualify. If movement - namely that the they did badly Bessis would leading teams play against LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
probably not and a less for- each other. However there midable team would. It is will definitely be one small quite a temptation to dump improvement for the next your last match! In the event, Championship. Namely the the Serf team drew its last leading team will have the match and Bessis qualified in choice of opponents for the fourth position. Serfs reward semifinal, rather than auto- for its impeccable ethics was matically drawing against the to play, and lose, to Bessis in team in fourth position. the semifinal. I send my heartiest congrat- The argument advanced by ulations to all participants The Bridge World is that and medal winners in the 5th he 5th European which deserves some careful match dumping is perfectly European Mixed Champion- Mixed Championships thought. It is in the area of legitimate if it is for the ulti- ships. In particular my con- T mate benefit of your team. gratulations go to Pia An- took place in Aachen, match dumping which has dersson and Arne Larsson Germany between the 28th been debated at length in the And it is the Bridge adminis- from Sweden who won the March and the 3rd April. 398 pages of the late Edgar trators who are at fault for Pairs and the Bessis équipe Kaplans American magazine devising Championships pairs entered, which was a formidable who retained the The Bridge World and, as where dumping pays. record, and 98 teams. Teams Championship. My recently as this May, in the My response, as an adminis- lasting memory, and greatest The European Bridge League French magazine Le Bridgeur. is always looking for ways to trator, is that the European pleasure from Aachen, how- improve the standard of its The background to the case Bridge League has to strike a ever, was to see the joy on the faces of the bronze med- tournament organization. at Aachen is as follows. The balance between potentially allists in the Teams, the team Aachen, and in collaboration Teams Championship is run conflicting requirements. from Croatia of Seca Ivanc- with the Deutscher Bridge on a Swiss format for twelve What is best for the promo- ic, Davor Ruso, Izvorka Verband, two innovations matches. At that time the first tion of Bridge is not neces- four teams qualify for the sarily the best format for a Petrovic, Zoran Vukelic and were introduced which raised Bato Protega. It is Croatias semifinals and finals. After Championship. the level of the Champion- first medal in a European eleven matches one team - ship. For the first time This conflict is well illustrated Bridge Championship and captained by Madame Serf screens were used through- by the teams in Aachen. The the enthusiasm of the ap- of France - was so far ahead out the Pairs Championship. Swiss format is very popular; plause for them when they And for the first time there that they were guaranteed to very good for the promotion were on the podium made was a Vugraph presentation qualify whatever the result of of Bridge. However, on rare me proud to be a member of during the Teams Champion- their match in round twelve. occasions such as those, the European family. ship, which was well attended But obviously in round twelve which happened in Aachen - and much appreciated by all. they were drawn against it can give rise to problems. Have a good game. another contending team and An interesting, indeed per- the result of that match Of course, administrators plexing, problem arose at the would affect the identity of must not be complacent; we end of the qualifying rounds the remaining three qualify- must always listen to criti- of the Teams Championship ing teams. cism and seek improve- Bill Pencharz Please tell us some- Your players have had thing about your great international suc- Federation. cess. What stands out? The Polish Bridge Union was In the World Championships in formed in 1957 and has grown Albuquerque we won both the INTERVIEW to more than 9,000 regular Mixed Pairs and the Open members. These are organized Pairs. Our World team titles are in 42 regional areas, and three the first Rosenblum in 1978 similar areas abroad (Canada, and the 1984 Olympiad. We USA and Australia). There is a were European champions in Congress held every four years 1981, 1989 and 1993. And we to elect a Chairman, and 10 have numerous other medals, other members of the Board. including all the last five These 11 people then manage Europeans. Several of our top the Union. We have an office in players have become success- Warsaw with three full-time ful professionals in the USA. employees. The regions do not How are your relations have affiliated bridge clubs, but with the Government ? instead some 1200 sections. The Government recognized They organize local bridge bridge as a full sport as long which is played mainly in divi- ago as the sixties. Bridge can sions. Very few have their own be officially taught and played premises, mostly hiring rooms in the schools, and we have for their tournaments. agreements with the Ministry of What sort of events do Education to do so. We have you run? also been accepted as a full member by the National Olym- We have four big international pic Association, and in Warsaw tournaments each year: War- in May have our first tourna- saw, Gdansk, Slupsk, Wroclaw ment with NOC blessing and and this year, for the first time, the right to use the Olympic cir- an International Seniors Con- cles. There will be eight nation- gress in Zakopane. But almost al Junior Teams, followed by an every weekend there is a na- Open Pairs. tional tournament. We have na- tional events, Pairs and Teams, Please tell us some- in the categories: open, wom- thing about the 1999 en, mixed, seniors, individual European Pairs. What and three age groups in the jun- other World or iors (under 25, under 19, and European events have under 16). Our main activity is you hosted? the Leagues: In the first divi- The European Pairs will be held sion, played nationally, there in the Palace of Culture, a most are 14 teams. In the second impressive building in the cen- there are 48 teams divided into tre of Warsaw. We have arrang- WITHANDREJ four areas, then in the third 144 ed very cheap air-tickets with teams in nine areas and so on, LOT, the Polish airline, and a total of over a thousand some good deals with nearby teams. We have six separate di- hotels. The event is sponsored visions in the schools. by PROKOM Software. We hosted the European Teams Uniquely, I think, we run 34 Championship in the same national competitions for the building in 1966. And we also various professions. We have hosted the European Junior an annual contest for Doctors, ORLOW Camp in 1989. the Military, Miners, the Police, for Railwaymen, and also for What problems do you much technical change with the Chairman of the Polish Bridge groups such as the Disabled. face in the future? introduction of Internet. Union for nine years. My hob- Most of these players are non- Our Government is changing bies are history, particularly of members. We estimate some 3 the administrative regions of In conclusion, perhaps art, and stamp collecting. I am million people in Polands pop- Poland into twelve new ones, you could tell us some- a second division player, and ulation of 40 million are able to and most sports, including thing about yourself. have a Tournament Directors play bridge. We run a Simulta- ours, will mirror this change. I am aged 56, married to Tere- license. neous Pairs every month with That will be a major task. And se, and my job is the rehabilita- over a thousand pairs in each. of course we are undergoing tion of the disabled. I have been Patrick Jourdain SWEDEN & FRANCE THE NETHERLANDS AND SENSATIONAL MEDALS IN ENTRY RECORD BREAKIN
record number of site from all over Europe competitors trav- every day. A elled to Aachen, EBL policy is for the bul- Larsson-Andersson (SWE) Germany, at the end of letin to contain a daily March for the 5th report in the language of European Mixed Cham- the host country, and it pionships. They were re- was Stefan Back who warded with some fine compiled Die Homepage. spring weather and an outstanding venue in the The prizegiving for the shape of the Eurogress Pairs was held at the Aachen. It was situated in Albert Vahle Halle, part of a beautiful park near the the famous equestrian heart of the historic city centre, and featured the and provided excellent Rhein-Mass-Gymnasium playing conditions. school choir, the current World Latin American Chemla-Saul (FRA) The Pairs Formation Dancing Team, The Pairs Championship and displays of dressage attracted 796 players and carriage driving. who played three qualify- The new European Cham- ing sessions before the pions, Swedens Pia field divided, with the first Andersson and Arne 120 pairs contesting the Larsson, clinched the title two session final. During with a final session score play the German televi- of 63.01%. The remaining sion channel WDR made medals went to France. a film about the event Catherine dOvidio-Saul that was transmitted dur- and Paul Chemla are no ing the event. Damiani-Lise (FRA) strangers to award cere- Enthusiasts who could monies and it was a smil- not be present in Aachen ing Catherine who col- 1 Andersson - Larsson SWE could collect the results lected her first medal 2 dOvidio-Saul - Chemla FRA by visiting the World since her marriage. 3 Lise - Damiani FRA 4 Weigkricht - Terraneo AUT Bridge Federation site at Colette Lise and José 5 Hocheker - Kowalski POL www.bridge.gr. The WBF Damiani took third place. 6 Gladiator - Retzlaff GER Internet Officer, Panos The President of the 7 Panina - Rosenblum RUS Gerontopoulos was again World Bridge Federation 8 Rossano - Vivaldi ITA in the happy position of is no stranger to the podi- 9 Duguet - Duguet FRA knowing that all the um, however this time he 10 Lustin - Cronier FRA important information was receiving a medal 11 Zalewska - Golebiowki POL was available long before rather than presenting 12 Breivik - Høyland NOR 13 Manara - Attanasio ITA the Daily Bulletin one. He later confirmed 14 Gochwolz - Bitran FRA appeared the following that he will give everyone 15 Dumon - Solari FRA day! Players visited the else a chance by declin- MIXED PAIRS GET GOLD CROATIA WIN OTHER NG CHAMPIONSHIPS
ing to appear in the World Mixed Pairs Champion- ship in Lille! Future events It has become a regular feature at every champi- BESSIS (FRA) onship for important con- tracts for future events to be signed. Here, Bill The number one seeds Pencharz, President of were the holders from the European Bridge France, Paul Chemla, League, signed two. The Catherine dOvidio-Saul, first was with Mario Dix, Michel & Veronique the Vice-President of the Bessis. They started Malta Bridge Federation, slowly but got stronger which take the 1999 as the event went on. European Team Having barely made it into the knockout rounds, Championships to the WANNER (NTH) island. The second was they survived a tense semi-final and then with Andrej Orlow, the demolished their Dutch Chairman of the Polish opponents in the final, Bridge Union, for the winning the first half of Prokom Software 10th the match 85-0! That European Open Pairs meant The Netherlands Championship and 5th Martin Wanner, Ine Seniors Pairs Champion- Gielkins, Hans Begas and ship, which will be held in Ellen Bakker had to be Warsaw next March. content with the silver IVANCIC (CRO) The Seniors were much medals. in evidence in Aachen, Meanwhile great excite- and their Committee, ment was caused by the FINAL chaired by Nissan Rand success of a previously BESSIS - WANNER 103 - 32 of Israel, made unheralded team. Third 3RD PLACE PLAYOFF announcements about the placed Davor Ruso, Seka IVANCIC - SERF 107 - 85 forthcoming events in Ivancic, Zoran Vukelic, SEMI FINALS Warsaw and Malta in Izvorka Petrovic and Bato SERF - BESSIS 63 - 71 1999. Protega were winning WANNER - IVANCIC 77 - 47 Croatias first medals in SWISS The Teams International Bridge com- 5 MAURIN FRA 261 petition. A remarkable 6 BONEV BUL 260 The second half of the 7 KOCH-PALMUND DEN 255 Championships saw achievement for a coun- try with only 400 players. 8 VOLINA RUS 254 close on 100 teams in 9 PUCZYNSKI POL 254 the race for gold. Mark Horton 10 POLET BEL 253 MIXED TEAMS As a start, please tell national team against The the team called the United us something about Wanderers, a team of famous Arab Republics. We beat some Interview by your family. football players which had of the best teams: France, Patrick Jourdain I was born in Cairo, where I Stanley Matthews and Tom United States and Great have now returned to live and Finney in the team. Britain, full of famous players, have recently bought a flat. My Did you work in your but did not do well enough against the weaker teams, and father was a timber merchant. fathers firm? My mother, who is still alive, No! I did not want to do that, now lives in Spain, and I visit- and I started in film work at the ed her last week. I have a age of 21, which soon took Your winners and younger sister who lives in over from football as my main your losers do not America. My son Tariq used to interest, particularly as I was live in Montreal but he has also smoking, drinking, and wom- necessarily come to live in Cairo, so I see anizing, which was not good add up to 13. more of him now. He has been for my football. married three times, to a Jew, This will often give How did you start in a Roman Catholic, and now a you a clue bridge? Muslim! I have a grandson to the right line from his first marriage, who I was filming in Alexandria, lives with his mother in and there was much time Montreal, and I went to his Bar wasted sitting around, and I Mitzvah last year. happened to pick up a dusty old book - was it Gorens? - finished in the middle of the I know from your and read it. I was fascinated at field. bridge that you have a once by the game. There were By now you had left good brain. Did this no bridge players at the film Egypt? show at school? set, but when I got back to Yes. I went to live in Hollywood Yes. I went to an English pub- Cairo I contacted the main but then moved to Paris. There lic school in Cairo, Victoria bridge club. I had the most wonderful College, and did well academ- I started with rubber bridge, bridge training. A group of top O ically, particularly at maths, but soon played in the dupli- bridge players,(they are nearly O physics and French. I was so cate. It was a very good stan- all of them now world champi- good at maths that the head- dard club. Benito Garozzo, ons) used to play duplicate master told my parents I was a who also lived in Cairo, played bridge almost every night for genius! I was President of the there, and players like Kenneth money, so much per IMP. We Konstam, Pierre Schemeil, all had to play the same sys- Yallouze and Awad were visi- tem, and changed partners tors. regularly. I am sure this is why France has done so well. By the time I did Lawrence of Because everyone was play- Arabia in 1961, I was a com- ing the same system any error petent player, and when I visit- M you made was much more M ed London used to play rubber obvious and the players soon learned to make fewer mis- takes. I now think that But then you started standard methods the Bridge Circus with are better overall the Italians? Yes. I knew and enjoyed Blue Club partnering Garozzo. Together we made several A Debating Society, head boy bridge at the Hamilton Club improvements to the system A and, of course, acted in the with players like Rixi Markus. I which have now become stan- school plays from the age of lost money at first, but enjoyed dard. The system was a big 12. it, and was soon able to do success when the opponents alright. were vulnerable and did not I know you also did interfere, but I now think stan- well at sport. You represented your dard methods like the French country at bridge, I At school I was captain of both are better overall. If it was football and cricket, but after think. allowed you would probably school I concentrated on foot- Yes. It was the 1964 World do best playing natural meth- ball. I won one cap for Egypt, Team Olympiad in New York. I ods except at favourable vul- R playing right back in the 1952 partnered Marcel Zananiri in nerability when Strong Club is R February attracts between 150 and 200 tables with many players from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and so on. If you had a magic wand and could change something S about bridge you dont S like, what would it be? I wish some players did not take everything so personally! It is a wonderful game, and everyone makes mistakes. I certainly want a competitive partner, but one who is gentle towards me. Many of our opponents seem quite unnec- essarily aggressive towards H their partner. They would do H far better if they were more relaxed, and we would all enjoy it more. Have you a bridge tip for the many ordinary bridge-players who read the EBL Review? The basis of declarer play is counting tricks, but you must A count both your winners and A your losers. They do not nec- essarily add up to 13. This will often give you a clue to the right line. In conclusion please best. However, I approve of for a time and discuss the tell us what you enjoy moves to restrict systems in hands like the other bridge outside bridge. events like the GENERALI and players. I have finished with casinos, the MACALLAN. It makes but I still enjoy watching horse Was bridge in the Arab R bridge more understandable. racing very much. I like music R countries helped by and opera, and good meals, Also, I am now not wanting to having the World try new things so much! but I am very happy during the Championships in meals if we are discussing All bridge players find Tunisia? bridge hands at the same time! it difficult to You must understand that the concentrate if people We are very grateful standard of bridge with the top for your time, Omar. are taking photographs players is already high, though Thank you. and the like. This must bridge is not widely played, be a big problem for and it may help there. There is you? a good sign in that I see quite I a few young players in Cairo. I It is not so much the photogra- phers. They affect my oppo- Our major tournament in nents more than me. What I dislike and find very difficult is that I have no moment to relax I wish between rounds or sessions. Everyone wants autographs, some players interviews, to make arrange- did not take ments for this and that. I feel everything an obligation to do it, as that is so personally! F often why I have been invited; F but all I want to do is to relax wise represented byanationalteam. thatisnot other- given toatransnationalteam thatincludesatleasttwoplayersfromacountry compete.Thisapprovalwillbe Committee toassistEuropean countriesthatcouldnototherwise addition, sometransnational teamswillbeapproved(uponapplication)bytheEBL Seniors intheChampionship. In days). EachEuropeanNCBO can sendoneortwoteamstoparticipate championship (andsamedates) fromWednesday16JunetoThursday251999 (nine 1,1945.FullEligibility: playersbornbeforeJanuary roundrobinformat similartoLadiesTeams June1999 three finalsessionsof28to30handspersession.Dates: March15-20,1999. sessionsof26to28handspersession,and NCBOs areaccepted.Therewillbefivepreliminary 1,1945. Transnational areplayersbornbeforeJanuary pairsfromEuropean Eligible toparticipate EBL SeniorsCommittee Captains inMontecatini(June1997)andthe meetingoftheSeniorTeamsIn theformal Bridge activitiesarenotincreasing. thatSenior what disappointingtoobserve proving ourmentalfitness.Itisthereforesome- andim- citing hobbyandaidsinpreserving foranex- platform bridge providesawonderful (and worldwide)isadvancing.Competitive The averageageofbridgeplayersinEurope ers competedwithyoungerpartners. selves asseniorsbutmanyotherplay- Aachen, 40pairs(outof59)identifiedthem- they identifiedthemselvesasseniors.In senior teamwereawardedspecialprizeswhen Championships invited tocompeteinthe Inaddition,Seniorplayerswere participated. ships the two wasabout100pairs.In average participation 1991, 1993,1995and1997-inwhichthe European SeniorPairs Championships March 1999 March Pairs Championship Swiss Teams Championship 1,1944.The All senioreventsaretransnationalandopentoplayersbornbeforeJanuary August1998 , in1995and1997,only16-20teams
European SeniorTeams Champion- SENIORS . Thetoprankingseniorpairand BOOSTING SENIORBRIDGE following suitenthusiastically. President, petitions, andourcurrent seniorbridgecom- ported Damiani The EBLhasconductedfour dents, decade. Former EBLPresi- activities inEuropethelast promoting SeniorBridge EBL ExecutiveCommittee wasspentbythe Much effort from August 31throughSeptember3,1998. from August Nils Jensen FORTHCOMING SENIOREVENTS in Aachen(March have stronglysup- European SeniorTeams Championships Bill Pencharz European SeniorPairs Championship European Mixed will be held from August 27 to August 30,1998,andthe 27toAugust will beheldfromAugust World Championships and José , is in - ã ã ã ã ã improve thepopularityofSeniorBridge: 1998), somesuggestionswereproposedto Patrick Jourdain J.C. Beineix TorlontanoA.M. José Oliviera Nils Jensen Points rankingforseniorplayers willbemadetohave a Master An effort inworldevents. invited toparticipate Senior ChampionsofEuropeshouldbe screens andprizes. the competition,predealtcards, number ofhandsplayed,thevenue similar totheLadiesevents,in and Teams Championshipshouldbe The formatoftheEuropeanSeniorPairs delegate totheEBLSeniorsCommittee. Each EuropeanNCBOshouldappointa regularly conductSeniorBridgeevents. lands, Poland andtheUnitedKingdom Currently onlyFrance,Italy, TheNether- petitions inallEuropeancountries. To encouragelocalseniorbridgecom- Dr NissanRand B SeniorsCommittee EBL IBPA EBL EBL EBL EBL (Chairman) Alfred Fleischmann Andrej Orlow Paul Hackett Viktor Hess Mario Dix Warsaw, Poland Lille, France Great Britain Germany . Austria Poland Senior Senior Malta Malta nutrition, 1990-98. pean Councilofpoultry oftheEuro- Chairman as tion andserved onanimalnutri- expert is aninternational Professionally, DrRand 1996. onship titleinRhodes IBPA World Champi- Gilboa He alsowon(with Albuquerque in1994. the worldtitlein Israel. Thisteamwon The Netherlands,and of pairsfromAustria, Bridge Team ismadeup Dr Rands European on theWorld Team. Team andthreetimes times ontheIsraelOpen teams. Heplayedseven and SeniorIsraelibridge tain oftheOpen,Junior ation the asPresident of terms three Dr Rand served 1997. Committee of the Committee ber ofthe Dr NissanRand, mem- Wednesday 26August Nissan Rand Seniors Committee Israel BridgeFeder- . Hewasthecap- next meeting: Lille, France EBL Seniors of Israel)the EBL Executive , isChairman since June EUROPEAN LADIES WILL REMEMBER JAMBOREE
The European Ladies Jamboree was organized in Budapest for the second time, because Geza Szappanos, the extremely dynamic President of the Hungarian Bridge Federation wished very strongly to organize this event in Hungary and proposed a total- ly new and very exciting programme to the Ladies Committee. It is with great pleasure that I am able to tell you about it, first because it is a way to
LADIES thank Geza Szappanos, and second because all the Lady Players and the NCBOs who Anna Maria Torlontano gave us their collaboration, together with their Ladies Delegates, will know what we Ladies Committee Chairman were able to organize and above all will be able to understand the spirit of the event.
The Ladies Jamboree is ded- icated to the European Lady Bridge Players of any level The 6 top Ladies of the general ranking and rank, but above all to the between Anna Maria Ladies who would normally Torlontano and Geza be unable to participate in Szappanos. In the International Championships middle, overall winner Katalin WELKER of Hungary, holding the Anna Maria Torlontano COUNTRIES Cup. AUSTRIA CYPRUS To emphasize this presentation, I would Budapest, and then visited the big market like to report to you what two Norwegian hall, unique in Europe, where we had the FRANCE Ladies, Mrs Boe and Mrs Kavli told me, at chance to try some Hungarian cuisine for GERMANY the end of the Jamboree: Thank you, thank lunch. In the afternoon we played a one- GREAT BRITAIN you very much Anna Maria and Monique session individual tournament which gave a HUNGARY (Monique Callon was in Budapest with me) chance for everyone to meet the other par- ITALY for what you and the Ladies Committee ticipants. Then we had a leisurely dinner POLAND have given us during these days; the way to and a relaxing evening. PORTUGAL make so many new friends, to play serious On Thursday we left early and had a bridge, living a very pleasant and amusing wonderful time travelling to Vienna on the NORWAY social life. We normally play in many tour- Nostalgia train where lunch was served. SPAIN naments, but just play, without any possi- This was followed by a sightseeing tour in WINNERS bility to win or at least to be placed. We are Vienna, with a stop for a coffee and one of there only to let the top players win!! This is the special Viennese gateaux. Then it was INDIVIDUAL the real spirit that could attract the mass back to the Nostalgia train to take us back of the players like us. to Budapest for a late dinner. 1 Adelaide LEITE POR To conclude, Thank you dear ladies for Friday morning was free, so the partici- 2 Rios de SOUZA POR your kind participation, Thank you Hungar- pants could sleep late or go exploring ac- 3 Juzi SZALKA HUN ian Bridge Federation, Thank you Geza, cording to their mood. The serious bridge PAIRS Thank you to Budapest, the pearl of the started in the afternoon with the first ses- Danube, that offered us the possibility to sion of the Pairs Tournament followed by 1 A.Beck - A.Trencseni HUN spend five unforgettable days in its leg- dinner and the second session. 2 E.Zempleni - Z.Zerna HUN endary and magic beauty, and thank you to Our Saturday morning was free as well, 3 E.Biro - G.Halusz HUN Monique Callon and Anna Gudge who and then there was the third and final ses- worked hard to ensure its success. sion of the Pairs tournament in the after- OVERALL Our programme was well planned, so that noon, followed by the Prizegiving ceremony 1 Katalin WELKER HUN on arrival in Budapest everyone registered and the Victory Banquet. After this we were 2 Gianna La GALLA ITA with hospitality. We then had a welcome taken to the Buda Castle and the Casino drink before dinner, after which those who Hilton where we were offered champagne 3 Marie Amik MARDON FRA wished had the opportunity to play some and free entry to the Casino! 4 Juzi SZALKA HUN rubber bridge. We were all very sad to say goodbye to 5 Ticiny ESZIER HUN On Wednesday morning we had an our new friends on the Sunday morning, 6 Carmen RODRIGEZ SPA excellent three hour sightseeing tour of just before departure! JULY SEPTEMBER
3-4 26th International 10-13 9th International Josefi Pairs Tournament / Pört- Bridge Festival / Minsk, Belarus Í schach, Austria 12-13 Bridgekameratenes Ì 13-26 35th Worldwide Bridge International Teams / Oslo, Ê Festival / Deauville, France Norway Ë 16-26 European Youth Cham- OCTOBER pionships / Vienna, Austria 25-Aug. 2 3rd Swedish 1-4 25th International 16-18 EBU Autumn Con- Open Teams Cup / Skövde, Bridge Festival / Vilnius, gress / Bournemouth, Great Sweden Lithuania Britain 28-Aug. 2 International 3-4 6th International 30-Nov. 1 13th International Bridge Tournament / St.Moritz Bridge Tournament / Troyes, Bridge Tournament / Tenerife Switzerland France Spain COMPETITION CALENDAR AUGUST NOVEMBER
7-16 7th International Sport 31-Sept. 6 32nd International 6-8 Monte Carlo Team Bridge Festival / Slupsk, Poland Bridge Festival / La Grand- Tournament / Monte Carlo, Motte, France 14-23 EBU Summer Con- Monaco gress / Brighton, Great Britain 10-15 49th Bordeaux Inter-
national Tournament / Bordeaux Mark your diary...
14-16 TGRs International Poland Warsaw, Auction Pairs Tournament / Lac, France 15 - 20 March 1999 London, Great Britain CHAMPIONSHIPS 15-22 4th Red Sea Interna- PROKOM SOFTWARE 21-30 13th Mamaia Interna- tional Bridge Festival / Eilat, tional Bridge Festival / Mamaia, Israel Romania 19-22 21st Danubius Bridge 21-Sept. 4 10th World Festival / Keszthely, Hungary
Bridge Championships / Lille, 10th EUROPEAN OPEN & SENIOR PAIRS France DECEMBER 22-29 22nd International This is an abridged list of the tour- Bridge Festival / Varna, 14-20 Winter Cup / Bucha- naments scheduled to take place in Bulgaria rest, Romania Europe in the second half of 1998. More information is contained in the 29-Sept. 6 37th International 27-30 E.B.U. Year End Con- comprehensive publication 1998 EBL Bridge Festival / Pula, Croatia gress / London, Great Britain Competition Calendar.
Publicizing your events EBL Review
The European Bridge League provides the best media for advertising EBL Review, published bian- All correspondence should be your tournaments. nually, is the official medium of addressed to: The EBL Competition Calendar, published annually, contains con- the European Bridge League. cise information for some 100 tournaments organized across EBL Review It is distributed free of charge Europe. 4,000 copies are distributed, free of charge, to all NCBOs P. Gerontopoulos, Editor and the Press, reaching hundreds of bridge clubs and thousands of to all National Contract Bridge 154 Patission Street, individuals interested in international events. Organizations, Bridge Clubs, GR-112 57 Athens, EBL Review, is published twice a year and provides global informa- Tournament Directors, Journal- Greece. tion about what is happening in the world of bridge. It has a circula- ists, Bridge Teachers and Offi- tion of 8,000 and is also distributed free of charge to all NCBOs, cials of the 42 EBL member 2 30-1-861 3740 administrators, teachers and the Press. countries. 7 [email protected]