Sally Brock reports on a winning debut for Malta in the European Championships.

I am quite deliberately writing this article after the first round because it is quite possible that this is our high spot of the whole tournament. Having promised to write up something good that my team did every day, I find myself spoilt for choice as we won our first match against Croatia 20-10.

I am not a fan of the Multi Two Diamonds and if I had my way no one in my team would be playing it. I feel it makes life easier for the defending side by giving them two chances to enter the auction. So, it is with some chagrin that I must write up a hand that is a resounding success for the Multi.

Board 18. Dealer East. NS Game ª A J 5 3 © — ¨ Q 6 5 3 § K Q 5 4 3 ª Q 4 2 ª K 10 8 7 6 © K J 9 2 © 8 6 5 ¨ A 9 8 2 ¨ K 7 § 10 9 § J 6 2 ª 9 © A Q 10 7 4 3 ¨ J 10 4 § A 8 7 Open Room West North East South Pass 1© Pass 1ª Pass 2© Pass 2ª Pass 3§ Pass 3NT All Pass

North's spade bids were both relays and South's 3§ showed a three-card suit. This rather inelegant contract drifted the obvious two down after a spade lead. It is hard for North/South to stop in a making contract, though I suppose North might have passed 3§.

In the other room, South opened a Multi 2¨and this was the complete auction:

The Multi gave West the chance to enter the auction cheaply and when he decided to overcall his chunky four-card heart suit no one felt inclined to proceed further. 2© went two down for another 200 to Malta. No doubt, by the time you read this my Maltesers will have lost 25-0 to Romania and our day's performance will be slightly down on target. But just at the moment my players are all wondering if they will be able to get the time off work to play in Bermuda!