Table of Contents Page Toe to Toe in Istanbul 1 China v USA – Women Semi-final Set 1 2 Russia v Netherlands 3 Italy v China - Semi-final Set 3 4 Round 5: Turkey v USA - University 5
Players in the Transnational Mixed Teams check their scores on the motinors

After 11 days of play, the finals are set for the Open and Women’s series of the World Bridge Olympiad as Italy, the Netherlands, Russia and the USA prepare their opening shots today.

Italy, the holders, will be favoured over a young Netherlands team in the Open series, but it’s not likely the Italians will take the match for granted. After leading early in the 96-board semi-final match against Russia, the Dutch withstood a charge by their opponents and regained the momentum to win handily, thanks in part to a final 16 boards with little room for swinging.
Italy earned their final berth with a relatively easy victory over a game Chinese team.

In the Women’s series, Russia made it to the final with a surprisingly easy win over England. A veteran USA team, on the other hand, was tested by the Chinese women, carrying a tenuous 17-IMP lead into the final 16 boards. To the Americans’ relief, it was dull set.

Also today, the losing semi-finalists in both events will begin 48-board playoffs for bronze medals.
In the 3rd World Transnational Mixed Teams, the squad captained by Sabine Auken had a healthy lead after eight rounds of qualifying. Auken is playing with Zia Mahmood, Paul Chemla and Catherine D’Ovidio. Knockout play in that event begins on Friday.