Giannarigo Rona EBL President

Dear friends,

As you already know, with the closing of this championship a new chapter in the history book of EBL Championships will begin.

Starting next year, 2003, a new event will be held: The European Open Championships, an event involving Mixed, Men's, Women's and Senior Pairs and Teams. "Open" because it will be open to all registered bridge players from every country, without restrictions. "Open" also because it will be open to all registered players from other Zones outside Europe. "Open", finally, because it will be completely trans-national.

The Championships will be held from Saturday 14th to Saturday 28th June 2003 in a venue to be announced shortly, but most likely they will be in France, in Cannes or Menton. We are sure the Championships will meet with favour among all bridge players and we hope they will be a great success. I can guarantee that for our part we will do our utmost on the 'technical-organisational-logistical' side to reach this objective.

Returning to Ostend, I have already thanked the Authorities and our sponsor friends for the fantastic support they have given us, allowing us to have organised this Championship and to have achieved this success. I again wish to thank them, all of them, and I again wish to thank our extraordinary staff. Our applause goes to all of them without distinction and, believe me, it would really be impossible to praise anyone of them more than another: all of them were outstanding.

I don't want to repeat what I already mentioned at the Prize-giving of the Pairs since I certainly don't want to bore you, but allow me just to repeat that we are proud of your participation, behaviour, fair play, sportsmanship; that we are proud of the friendly atmosphere you were able to create in this event following our best tradition.

I wish to thank and congratulate you again, hoping that all of you, winners or not, will be able to return home with great memories of your time in Ostend, enriched by meeting there your old friends and new ones and with hopes to see them all again soon. If so, our most important aim will have been achieved.

Thank you and safe home. Tot ziens.

Gianarrigo Rona
European Bridge League President