Sweden v Netherlands – Juniors Round 1

Sweden and Netherlands are two teams capable of fighting for a medal in these Championships. They met in the first Round and Sweden were on their toes immediately.

Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.
	ª 4 2 © 10 9 8 7 4 3 ¨ 9 6 5 3 § 4
ª J 9 © 5 2 ¨ K 2 § K Q J 8 7 6 3		ª A K Q 10 8 7 5 3 © - ¨ A 8 7 § 5 2
	ª 6 © A K Q J 6 ¨ Q J 10 4 § A 10 9

West	North	East	South
Buijs	Cullin	Brink	Berg
3§	Pass	4ª	Dble
Pass	5©	5ª	All Pass

West	North	East	South
Ericsson	v.Munnen	Sivelind	Groenenboom
3§	Pass	6ª	All Pass

Daniel Sivelind here showed some “Dala-Power” (Dalarna is a geographic region in mid-Sweden) when he jumped to 6ª directly over partner's pre-empt. When dummy was kind enough to produce ¨K the Swedes collected 12 tricks when Groenenboom comprehensible didn't find the §A lead. The gamble had succeeded.

Against Turkey, the Israeli, Gilad Ofir led §A then gave his partner a ruff. Well done!

Per-Ola Cullin, Sweden

In the Closed Room Cullin and Berg almost pushed their opponents to the slam. Berg's last pass was even forcing, but that Cullin wisely ignored; 13 IMPs to Sweden.

In the match between Germany and Greece, the Germans were doubled in 5ª in the Open Room and scored +1050. The Germans were not happy for long since the Greeks scored +1660 in 6ª doubled in the Closed Room.
Sweden was in lead by 20-1 IMPs after only four boards.

What's your bid when 4¨ shows hearts support and a control in diamonds, with the following cards?

ª 9 © A Q J 9 3 2 ¨ Q 10 2 § A 7 2

West	North	East	South
Buijs	Cullin	Brink	Berg
1ª	Pass	2©	Pass
3§	Pass	3©	Pass
4¨	Pass	?

Niek Brink gave it a thought for a minute and then bid 4© but 6© was cold.

Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
	ª K 10 7 6 © 7 6 5 ¨ K 9 3 § 6 4 3
ª A Q 8 4 3 © K 4 ¨ J § K Q J 10 9		ª 9 © A Q J 9 3 2 ¨ Q 10 2 § A 7 2
	ª J 5 2 © 10 8 ¨ A 8 7 6 5 4 § 8 5

West	North	East	South
Buijs	Cullin	Brink	Berg
1ª	Pass	2©	Pass
3§	Pass	3©	Pass
4¨	Pass	4©	All Pass

West	North	East	South
Ericsson	v.Munnen	Sivelind	Groenenboom
1ª	Pass	2©	Pass
3§	Pass	3©	Pass
4©	All Pass

Ericsson/Sivelind didn't manage to find the slam either, so no swing on this board.
Here the Swedes were punished badly:

Board 13. Dealer North. All Vul.
	ª 10 7 6 5 3 © K 3 2 ¨ 9 6 3 2 § 10
ª K 4 © 7 6 5 4 ¨ Q § A Q 9 7 6 2		ª A Q 9 8 2 © A 8 ¨ A 8 5 4 § 8 5
	ª J © Q J 10 9 ¨ K J 10 7 § K J 4 3

West	North	East	South
Buijs	Cullin	Brink	Berg
-	Pass	1ª	Dble
Rdbl	2¨	Pass	Pass
Dble	All Pass

West	North	East	South
Ericsson	v.Munnen	Sivelind	Groenenboom
-	Pass	1ª	Dble
2§	All Pass

	Niek Brink, Netherlands

Perhaps it's difficult not to act with South's cards, but when Kjell Ericsson bid 2§ he rescued Merijn Groenenboom from the disaster happening to Per-Ola Cullin in the Open Room. Buijs and Brink took care of the Swedes very smothly and left Cullin to play in 2¨ doubled. They followed it up with a nice defence.

Niek Brink led a low diamond and when Cullin played low from dummy the queen won the trick. Buijs cashed the ªK and continued with another spade, ruffed in dummy. Cullin played ©Q and Brink won with the ace and then played a club to the queen. Buijs tried to cash §A but Cullin ruffed, leaving:

	ª 10 7 6 © K 2 ¨ 9 6 § -
ª - © 7 6 5 ¨ - § 9 7 6 2		ª A Q 9 © 8 ¨ A 8 5 § -
	ª - © J 10 9 ¨ K J § K J

Now came a heart to the nine followed by the §K. Cullin pitched ©K but Brink ruffed, cashed the ¨A and played ªA. Cullin was already two down but he was trapped in dummy and had to lose another trick to East's ¨8; 800 to the Netherlands.

At the other table 2§ was just made and that was 12 IMPs to Netherlands who came back strongly in the end, but not enough to create a draw; 19-11 (63-42) and a good start in these Championships for Sweden.