Table of Contents Page Schools Are Underway 1 Girls – The Final Countdown 2 Dutch Stepping Stone The Unlucky Expert Belgian Brilliancy 3 French Toast Disaster Corner 4

The Closing Ceremony and Medal Presentation for the Girls Championship, immediately followed by the Opening Ceremony of the Schools Championship, were held outside the front of the tournament building yesterday evening. The double ceremony was short and smooth and ably run by master-of-ceremonies Stefan Back. We were pleased to see Anna Maria Torlontano playing an important part in the ceremony on an all too brief visit to these Championships.

Panos Gerontopoulos, Chairman of the European Youth Committee, said that he was very pleased to welcome the Schools players and team officials and also said farewell to those who have taken part in the Girls Championship. Panos wished a safe journey home to those departing Riccione and that our newcomers should enjoy themselves, both at the bridge table and away from it, which should not be a problem in such a superb place for young people.