EUROPEANS TAKE REVENGE

 
Kowalski-Tuszynski, Open Pairs winners  

European top players took revenge from their American counterparts in Tenerife '05. Reversing the results of Menton '03 where American champions had collected top medals, European stars prevailed in all events comprising the 2nd European Open Championships. The competition was held in Mare Nostrum resort, in Arona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, June 18-July 2, 2005.

The first week of the Championships was devoted mainly to mixed competitions. The Mixed Teams tournament ended with a gold medal for Norway's ERICHSEN who pipped Sweden's GOLDBERG at the post, winning the final by a margin of 4.5 IMPs!

The Mixed Pairs was conducted in qualifying, semifinal and final stages. It was again a triumph for Norway, with Gunn and Tor HELNESS winning the title, followed by France's Sylvie WILLARD - Hervé MOUIËL, and ex-Scott (now US) Michael ROSENBERG partnered by his wife Debbie.

Then came the team events, played in the Open, Women and Senior series. In the Open, team 'Orange 1' from The Netherlands had no difficulty in winning the title from Italy's MIROGLIO. In the Women, France's D'OVIDIO prevailed over Germany's WEBER. Finally, in the Seniors, it was Italy's turn, thanks to FORNACIARI.

 
France's D'OVIDIO: Women teams   Senior Team Winners

At the end, the Pairs compeitions went underway. Again, it was mostly an inter-European battle. In the Open, Poland's Apolinary KOWALSKI and Piotr TUSZYNSKI had a hair-raising final session against Italy's Junior brothers Furio and Stelio di BELLO, but at the end the gold went north. In the Women, Aase LANGELAND and Tone TORKELSEN SVENDSEN took another gold for Norway - while Italy's Adriano ABATE and Fabrizio MORELLI had no problem to finish at the top.

The 2nd European Open Championships will go on record as a very well organized event which made happy players and accompanying guests alike. From this point of view, it reversed the somewhat negative feeling that had been left over from Menton's heat wave two years ago, and paved the way for an even more successful sequel in 2007.


Following the great success of the first ever European Open Bridge Championships, held in Menton, France, in June 2003, the EBL had announced that the second event of the series was to take place in Arona, Tenerife, on Spain's Canary Islands, from 18 June to 2 July 2005.

This first competition was very well received by the players thanks to the many innovations that introduced. In the European Open, European medals and distinctions are possible for all players, irrespective of level. Everybody is able to take part in the various tournaments without advance qualification. There are competitions for every taste: Pairs and Teams, open to all players or restricted to Women, Seniors and Mixed - and one may choose which to contest. Side events are also to be held every evening.

The European Open welcomes players not only from Europe, but from all over the world. In addition, all events are transnational - that is to say, everybody may play with anybody, without any nationality restrictions.

2003's venue was the luxurious Mare Nostrum Resort, known to European bridge players from the European Team Championships held there in 2001. The Mare Nostrum leaves nothing to be desired. The surrounding area offers a wide choice of restaurants and a variety of shops. There are many nice beaches to enjoy the sun and the sea, and various excursion possibilities in Tenerife as well as the other Canary Islands.

For the competition results of the 1st European Open Championship (Menton, France, 2003), click here.


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