The Norwegians showed us why they were one of the pre-tournament favourites, playing with great accuracy and a lot of well placed aggression, to defeat the Poles by a significant margin on VuGraph.

By half time they had built up a large lead and they held on to collect a 23-7 win. They started well when Brogeland - Saur made life difficult for their opponents.

Dealer East. NS Game ª A K Q 4 2 © A 9 ¨ A 9 § 9 4 3 2 ª 8 7 6 3 ª J 10 © K 8 4 © Q 10 2 ¨ 10 4 3 ¨ K Q 7 6 5 2 § 10 7 5 § K 6 ª 9 5 © J 7 6 5 3 ¨ J 6 § A Q J 8 Open Room West North East South Brogeland Grzedjiak Saur Kielichowski 1¨ Pass 1ª Pass 2¨ Pass Pass Dble Pass 2© 2NT Dble 3§ Dble 3¨ Pass Pass 3© Pass 3ª All Pass

West's initial response of 1ª was routine, the idea having been suggested by no less a figure than the Editor in his Bols Bridge Tip, 'Don't be afraid to respond.' His bid of 2NT, showing a competitive raise to 3§ or 3¨ was inspired. Grezejdziak could not bid 2ª naturally on the first round, but North-South did have the chance to bid again. The problem was that when North passed over 3¨, Kielichowski did not envisage game could be so good.

Saur soon demonstrated that his partnership's good judgement was not confined to aggression. Discretion was also the better part of valour…

Dealer West. Game All ª 9 © 6 5 2 ¨ J 10 8 4 § Q J 9 8 7 ª 8 7 4 ª A J 5 3 2 © K 10 8 7 4 © Q 9 ¨ K ¨ A Q 9 7 3 § K 10 6 3 § 4 ª K Q 10 6 © A J 3 ¨ 6 5 2 § A 5 2 Open Room West North East South Brogeland Grzedjiak Saur Kielichowski Pass Pass 1ª Pass 2§ Pass 2ª All Pass

At both tables West used Drury and Saur's decision not to drive to game facing the constructive raise was inspired. Even though he mistimed the play in 2ª to go down, he had still earned 9 IMPs for his side, as the penalty at the other table was -500.

One final good view by Charlsen cemented his team's victory.

Dealer South. EW Game ª K © K Q ¨ K 9 8 7 5 § A K Q 6 3 ª Q 9 8 7 ª 6 5 2 © A 5 4 © J 10 9 6 2 ¨ Q 10 6 2 ¨ A § 8 4 § J 10 7 5 ª A J 10 4 3 © 8 7 3 ¨ J 4 3 § 9 2

Both players felt obliged to open the South hand. Kielichowski opened a weak 2ª and played in 3ª. On a diamond lead the defence were able to get a diamond ruff and the contract went one down.

In the other room Kristoffersen opened with a multicoloured 2¨ and responded 3§ to his partner's 2NT inquiry to show a minimum hand. Charlsen now judged exceedingly well to pass this.

On a trump lead Kristoffersen drew three rounds of trumps and played a low diamond. When the ace appeared he could subsequently afford to overtake the king of spades to play diamonds to best advantage and collect +110 and 4 IMPs.