Welcome Message from the President

Mr Mayor, Authorities, dear colleagues and friends,

Welcome to Malmö to participate and enjoy together the 47th European Bridge Teams Championships, almost 50 years since the last time this event was held in Sweden. With teams representing some 34 countries and the Bridge Festival taking place here at the same time, this will be a truly unique and special event with thousands of bridge players involved.

I am sure that this will be a great event thanks to the Swedish Federation and the Organising Committee who have worked with such commitment, passion, professionalism and enthusiasm towards its success. To all of them go our most sincere thanks. We are also very grateful to the local Authorities for their significant and essential contribution.

I am sure that the beautiful city of Malmö, once the rains stops, will live up to its reputation for offering a great welcome and I take the opportunity to thank Mr Ilmar Reepalu, Chairman of the City Commission, the Mayor of Malmö, Mr Kjell-Arne Landgren, the Swedish Federation led by Mr Mats Qviberg, my colleague and great friend, Micke Melander, Chairman of the Organising and Championship Committees, and all our Sponsor-friends who have allowed us to organise this Championship.

Together with my colleagues from the European Bridge League I am confident in being able to count on both the dedication and professionalism of our staff, and on the cooperation of all of you. I often repeat that bridge is more than fair-play, because it is a way of thinking and not just a way of being, and I am sure that this great event will increase my conviction.

This biennial appointment represents the most important meeting in European Bridge and each time it renews a great tradition of friendship, solidarity, aggregation, without discrimination and barriers, exalting the true values of sport in general, and Bridge in particular.

At a dramatic time in history, such as the one we are living through at present, when a mad fringe wish to endanger the serenity, security and balance of the whole world, our reply, the reply of the Bridge world, must be firm and resolute. Our motto ‘Bridge for Peace’, which is our flag, must fly even higher.

I am sure that this event will reflect our way of being and thinking.
Now the curtain is raised and let’s enjoy ourselves all together.
Under these auspices I declare the 47th European Bridge Teams Championships officially open.
All the best and “un abbraccio”.

Gianarrigo Rona
EBL President