For the teams here in Warsaw the number seven is the one they want to avoid, as the teams in each of the competitions who finish in that position will be those for whom it will be a case of so near and yet so far.

In the Open series the race to avoid that position seems to rest between no less than six teams, while in the Women's event the situation is completely different with only Croatia appearing to have any chance to spoil the party.

There was a thrilling finish to the qualifying stage of the Seniors event, with Netherlands, England & Scotland battling for the final place in Group A. It proved to be a last board cliff-hanger, with Scotland being the one to go through by virtue of having defeated Netherlands earlier. At the moment Poland is the team holding the cursed seventh spot.