European Bridge Championships Form Guide

€uropean Bridge Championships
Ostend Belgium from 22nd June 2010

Analysis and Team Guide.

    39 teams are entered for this year’s tournament, one up on 2008’s 38. 3 teams have dropped out Czech Rep. , Belarus and wooden spoonists Malta. 4 teams not entered last time compete Albania, Cyprus and Ukraine. Also entered are Lebanon, but they were entered in 2008 and scratched at the last moment.

    In the first round the teams are split into 2 groups and play a round-robin. The top 9 teams from each group then progress to the final rounds. Again a round-robin format.Unlike in previous tournaments the first round scores will be carried forward. There are 30 Victory Points up for grabs in each match, a big win is awarded 30-0 a narrow victory 16-14 and a tie 15-15 etc.

Teams are listed in the order they finished 2008. Only the top 18 have a final VP rating.
The top 6 teams qualify for the Bermuda Bowl (World Championships).

NORWAY  299 Victory Points.
As previous World and current European Champions you would expect them to be top seeds, but that honour goes to Italy. On form this is a straight fight between them and Italy. Despite a loss to China in Bermuda Bowl (197-194 after being 70 down) Quarter Final I personally still rate the Norwegians just ahead. Current Price 4.00

RUSSIA 287 Vp’s
The Russians were a little flattered to finish in second. Although they are good enough to easily reach the final again a top 6 finish is unlikely. Current Price 6.80

GERMANY 286Vp’s
Always a strong team but whether they are good enough to challenge the dominance of the top 2 remains to be seen. A top 6 finish almost a certainty. Price 10.00

BULGARIA 285 Vp’s
A still improving side. Many people’s correct guess as the top outsider last time, and 3rd in the Bermuda Bowl. This time considered a likely contender. Price 7.00

ITALY 279 Vp’s
Their credentials in this tournament are impeccable. They have won 7 out of the last 8. They had a disastrous run last time and only a last round win over Germany saw them qualify for the Bermuda Bowl where they were runners up to USA.. Barring accidents its them or Norway.  Price  2.00

NETHERLANDS 273 Vp’s
They always seem to make the top 6 but without really challenging for top spot. Again a top 6 spot almost guaranteed and an improvement on 2008 likely. Price 5.50

TOP 6 Qualify for Bermuda Bowl

Denmark 269 ; A last round loss to Norway meant they missed out on Bermuda Bowl Qualification. They will qualify for final but will do well to make top6. Price 30.00

Iceland 265 ; Always the best of the small nations, a strong squad and an outside chance of a top 6 finish Price  20.00

France 263 ; much was expected of the home nation in the last championship, solid if not spectacular performance. Nearly on home soil again.  Price  10.00

Sweden 262 ; they were expected to make the top 6 and it was considered disappointing to finish 10th. A fair chance of top 6 finish. Price 7.00

Turkey 251 ; did well to make the final, they will have problems making last 18 this time Price : 14.00

England 242 ; The hype last time was for a top 6 finish. This all but disappeared when they only qualified for the final on count-back against Finland. They played better in the finals finishing a respectable enough 12th. Not guaranteed to reach final. Price 14.00

Czech Rep.. 231 NOT ENTERED.

Poland.230. After their heroics in the previous championships and Bermuda Bowl, much was expected of this team. They have the ability and are the best choice as ‘a dark horse’. Price 4.00

Latvia 224 ;  Considered the tournament a success in qualifying for the finals. Unlikely they will repeat that success again.. Price 100.00

Israel  221 ; Perennial finalists but may find finals a step too far this time Price 30.00

Portugal 202 ; Probably the least consistent team, can beat anyone or lose to them. Getting to the final will take some doing. Price 100.00

Estonia 200 : A little overawed in final, will probably not make to final rounds this time  Price 100.00

Rank 19 Finland Most dis-chuffed not to reach final rounds after qualifying 18th= with England. They will try to ensure early qualification this time and should do it. Top 6 beyond them Price 80.00

20 Belarus NOT ENTERED

21 Monaco For a nation with the same population as Barnsley they don’t do bad. May possibly qualify for final . Price 100.00

22 IRELAND. After their heroics in 2006 much was expected. Disappointed not qualify for final rounds. May well qualify this time but another top 6 finish is  beyond them. Price 30.00


23 Greece , Price 50.00 24 Austria Price 50.00 25 Switzerland  Price 50.00 All three need to improve to make the finals. That said they cannot be ruled out of making last 18.

26 Belgium All host nations seem to make a special effort. It will take some effort for them to qualify for the last 18 but they could make it Price 100.00

27 Spain Price 50.00 28 Wales Price 100.00 29 Luxembourg Price 100.00 Sorry but we’re now down to the also rans. These three have little chance of finals.

30 Hungary (40.00) 31 Croatia (100.00) 32 Slovakia (100.00) 33 Serbia (100.00) 34 Romania (100.00) The Balkan block. With the possible exception of Hungary the only interest for these nations is where they come in their own pecking order. There is an outside chance Hungary can make it to last 18.

35 San Marino (100.00) 36 Lithuania (100.00) 37 Scotland (100.00) 38 Malta (NOT ENTERED) With Malta out Scotland become favourites for the wooden spoon which they’ll want to avoid at all costs. These three will probably not trouble the scorers much.

Newbies (ALL 100.00) Albania Cyprus Ukraine and Lebanon. No known form – could be anything! Betting warning, Lebanon pulled out at last minute last time. Make sure they’re a runner before backing.

Additional Info.

Bermuda Bowl 2009

1)    USA
2)    Italy
3)    Bulgaria
4)    China

Beaten ¼ finalists
Netherlands (to USA)
Germany (to Italy)
Russia (to Bulgaria)
Norway (to China)

Bob’s Prediction
1 Norway
2 Italy
3 Bulgaria
4 Germany
5 Netherlands
6 Denmark