Bravissimo! The Italians have won gold yet again at the European Champions Cup. The event was launched in 2002, and since then Italy has won all but twice. England has never won, but as the host nation this year we got to field two teams, and they came third and fifth — not quite so magnifico perhaps, but still our best result yet. I was, as usual, glued to BBO, and saw some thrilling bridge. Almost every N–S pair managed to reach 7♠ on this deal — not all made it, but Dennis Bilde, for Italy, and David Bakhshi, for England, showed perfect technique:
Against Bilde, West led the ♠3. Bilde won with the ♠Q, cashed the ♠A, led a heart to the ace and ruffed a heart. He continued with a diamond to the ace and ruffed another heart low, then played uK and ruffed a diamond with the ♠J.
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