The Swedish Junior Team

Better late than never, the story you've all been waiting for, the Swedish Vikings …

The parents are Krister Ahlesved, npc, and Lars Andersson, coach. But lets move on to something interesting for the youthful readers.

The oldest child is Johan Upmark, 25. He is undoubtedly the best player on the family, even tough he is sometimes too cautious for his own good. Despite his age he hasn't accomplished much, but currently he is studying computer science in Stockholm. Luckily his beautiful girlfriend supports him in his endeavours!

Johan is playing with the chairman of Solves BK Per-Ola Cullin, 23. P-O is the flamboyant globetrotter of the family, which makes him an attractive bachelor to all girls here in Torquay. He is doing really well maintaining the traditional strong bonding between Swedish male bridge players and Austrian females. Aside from girls and bridge, P-O studies law in Lund (the Swedish equivalence to Oxford). His third favourite pastime is music; he is an accomplished singer.

The only good-looking member of the family is Jessica Larsson, 23. She just arrived from Salsomaggiore where she played on the Swedish ladies team with Pia Andersson. The Swedish ladies finished fifth, clearly outdistancing Norway by half a victory point to qualify for the Venice Cup in Bali next autumn. Jessica is studying economics and will move to London to study there for six months. Luckily the representation rules are such that the English ladies can't steal her from us! Jessica is fond of nice boys and red wine.

Jessica is playing with the real Viking Goran Linerudt, 23. Like all the great Swedish bridge players, he is from northern Sweden. This designates him also as a real Viking. Goran works for Europcar in economics so maybe you should sell your Europcar stocks!? Goran is a nice guy but also just fell in love, so he is off that market, but maybe some girls only see this as a greater challenge (go for it!).

Our fifth member is Daniel Sivelind, 23. Rumour has it that he left his minimal bidding skills at home in Ludvika, the jury is still out on that one. Daniel is the card player of the family and definitely no bidding scientist. He is also known as "The Ludvika Axe Murderer" based on his penchant for sniffing out penalty doubles. His kid sister, Sara, plays on the Swedish schools team. They both work for the Sivelind family company.

To find a good partner for Daniel, Sara got engaged to Kjell Ericsson, 23, our final member. This is his first international championship which makes him the least experienced player. He is the bridge theorist of the partnership, which does not necessarily say much. This complements the skills of his partner and makes them a tough combination. Aside from bridge and Sara, Kjell works as a teacher (computer related stuff) and likes to listen to Johnny Cash.

Consider yourself warned now, this is a team aiming for China!

Norway Team Profile

Stig Roar Hakkebo, 24. He lives in the middle/northern part of Norway. During the winter he hopes that the economy studies are finished and will be in work. As a juniorbridger he has been around forever. His career includes both national and European championships so far.

Nils Kvangraven, 25. Together wit Gunnar he is the veteran on the team. They have represented Norway in 3 eruopean and 2 world teams championships in a row. He now lives in the south of Norway with his family. As a father he can not play as much bridge as he wants to. But still try to compete here in these championships. He works as an accountant.

Olav Ellestad, 24. Olav has just finished his economy studies and is just waiting for the perfect job offer to show up. Dreaming of becoming a financial analyst. He is European champion from Antalya, Turkey two years ago and play in the best league in Norway.

Ronny Joerstad. Ronny is the happy boy of the team. As a real estate broker he is used to "fool" people and enjoy his bridge doing the same. As a good looking blond Scandinavian he is the King of the disco. Ronny is a true champion and is working hard to gain another medal here in Torqay.

Gunnar Harr, 25. The most experienced player. He has even played on the Norwegian open team. Nobody knows how he makes his living, but he somehow manage to play bridge and enjoy life up in the cold northern Norway.

Stian Sundklakk ("The Clacc"). He has been in and out of the team since they played in the school class. Now making a hell of a comeback here in Torqay as the replacer of Thomas Charlsen. If you din not know that he is the only player on the team that did not win the European last time you would not figerure out. His bridge is as solid as his salmon fishing. Stian lives in the same city as Gunnar, Tromsoe.

Sven Olai Hoeyland (NPC, age unkwown). He has represented Norway both in juniors and open teams. Many national wins and one of the strongest norwegian players the last 20 years. "Olaien" works as a professor in computer science in Bergen.

Team Profile for Hungary

Gál Hegedüs (25), a qualified mathematician, is the most experienced player of the team, having three "caps" in the Open European Championships and a National Championship title under his belt. This is his third time in the Junior series.

Péter Marjai (21) comes from a bridge playing family and he played twice in the Schools teams, coming fifth in Antalya. Currently studying economics, he is the record holder for youngest winner in the Hungarian National Championship.

Gábor Minarik (18) started playing bridge when he was 9 years old (he even played in his dreams!). He was also member of the successful Antalya Schools team, and being only 18 and already on the Junior team he is a potential future star.

Marcell Surányi (25), studying computer science, is a very experienced team member playing in most national and many international tournaments. This is his first time on the team.

Máté Mráz (23) will eventually become a programmer (he hopes!). He already played for the Juniors in Antalya and he is one of the highest ranked juniors in this year's Hungarian master point race.

Balázs Szegedi (23) former classmate and long-term bridge partner of Máté, is a rookie on the junior circuit. He is the least experienced player on the team, but at least he organized our flight.

NPC is Péter Gál (48), mathematician, participating in his 7th consecutive European Championships as a captain. He is a multiple Hungarian Champion and has some international results too, including a sixth place from the last European Pairs Championship.

Accompanying the team are two enthusiastic scorers, Ágnes Zalai and Ágnes Minarik, and delegate Attila Minarik, the proud father of Gábor and Ágnes.

The Israeli Schools Team

Gilad Ofir (19) is a second year student and is the 'father' of the team. He is still looking for a 'mother' in Torquay (blond is the preferred colour). He partners:

Ory Assaraf (20), the 'grandfather' of the team. He is a soldier in the army and owns a production company. He is always looking for the next party.

Eran Assaraf (17) has just graduated from high school and is waiting to start his army service. Meanwhile, he is looking for new colours to dye his hair. He partners:

Idan Grunbaum (19), who is a soldier in the army. However, he would prefer to fight for his team than for his country.

Eliran Argelazi (13) is the 'charm' of the team. He is the secret weapon of all the older guys who are looking for a 'mummy' to the team. He partners:

Lotan Fisher (12.5). 'The Kid.' He is the youngest member of the team and the youngest player in the tournament. For sure he ha sthe best memory of anyone in Torquay. He can remember 150 numbers in a row in less than five minutes. Someone want to make a bet?

NPC. Yaniv Zack (27) has played for the Israeli Juniors for the last six years. He is enjoying his work here in Torquay and is a big fan of the Israeli Schools and Junior teams.