France still leads the way in the race for the semi-finals, but we have a new leader in the shape of team Serf. They are eleven points ahead of the second placed team, and more importantly, twenty clear of the fifth place team.

Yesterday's leaders, team Maurin, are second, despite winning only one of their five matches. Third place is occupied by the Polish team Siwiec, whilst the final qualifying place currently rests with Belgium's Polet. With three matches to go there are still a host of teams in with a chance.

Perhaps the most dangerous threat to the leading four will come from the number one seeds, Bessis, who only thirteen points away from fourth place. Several fancied teams already appear to have fallen by the wayside. They include Germany's Auken and Rohowsky, who between them contain five World Champions, Poland's Kowalski, Austria's Fucik and Great Britain's Smith.

If the host country is to supply a qualifier, then the most likely candidate is Dueball, who are currently ninth. We are sorry that the projected appearance of Omar Sharif did not materialise. Apparently he realised at the last moment that it would mean travelling on the 1st of April!