Bridge news

In a dramatic last-deal finish the England Womens Team won the gold medal at the European Championships in Budapest, writes Patrick Jourdain, Bridge

Correspondent. The silver went to France and bronze to Poland. The other countries to qualify for the World finals next year in France were Russia, Israel, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Twenty-three countries had played a full round robin over seven days. Going into the last day England was in bronze medal position but three straight wins over Estonia 19-1, the Netherlands 17-3 and Poland 11-9 put England into the lead at the time it mattered. The last deal of the 368 played in the week proved to be a big gain for England and a heavy loss for France.

This win gave Nicola Smith of London her 8th European gold medal in the Womens Teams, the most for any person. It overtook Sylvie Willard of France’s seven.

In the Open, with a recordequalling 37 countries taking part, France won with a match to spare. Silver went to Sweden, and bronze to the Netherlands. The other countries to qualify for the World Finals were Monaco, Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria. England fell away to 10th, Ireland was 12th, Wales 33rd, and Scotland 35th.

The Seniors, with 24 countries, was won by Israel. Silver went to Sweden and bronze to Poland. The other countries to qualify for the World Finals were Turkey, Italy, France and Austria. Ireland was 8th, England 10th, Scotland 19th and Wales 21st.

England Women: N. Smith & S. Brock; N. Senior & H. Dhondy; F. Brown & C. Draper; non-playing captain: D. Patterson; coach: D. Burn.