At the end of the first session, the overnight leaders in the Championship final are Austria's Terry Weigkricht and Franz Terraneo. They are followed by Sweden's Pia Andersson and Arne Larsson, whilst third place is occupied by France's Catherine d'Ovidio-Saul and Paul Chemla.

Twenty-two countries are still involved in the race for a place on the podium as we reach the final day of the Pairs competition. France has the best percentage chance of a medal in the Championship, as 33 of their pairs fought their way through to the final. Our hosts qualified 14 pairs, but Germany's hopes were severely dented when four of their 1995 Venice Cup Champions, Sabine Auken, Daniela von Arnim, Andrea Rauscheid & Karin Caesar fell by the wayside.

Of course, like the other non-qualifiers, they may consider they were unfairly handicapped by the regulation that required them to have a male partner!

Poland was the only other country to reach double figures, their total being 12.

The Malta Experience
13 - 27 June 1999

Its all smiles as the contract for the 1999 European Championships between the European Bridge League and the Malta Bridge Federation is signed. Margaret Parnis-England and Mario Dix, the Vice-President of the Federation flank EBL President Bill Pencharz