Indonesia struggles into Olympic bridge final

Indonesia struggles into Olympic bridge final

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's bridge team won through to the
final of the 10th Bridge Olympics on Rhodes Island, Greece,
yesterday -- but only just.

In the most tense match of the tournament to date, Indonesia
beat Denmark 13-9 in a tiebreaker after they had finished the
regulation six sessions level on 217 points.

In its first ever final Indonesia meets defending champion
France, who came from behind to beat Chinese Taipei by 19 points
in their nail-biting semifinal. The Taiwanese put their French
opponents on the brink of an upset defeat when they took a
comfortable 22-point lead after the penultimate session.

The final will be played over eight rounds and three days
beginning this evening.

Indonesia wasted its 12-point lead going into the sixth and
final session, allowing Denmark to force the extra time.

Indonesia, fielding Hengky Lasut/Eddy Manoppo, Denny
Sakul/Franky Karwur, Sance Panelewen/Giovanni Watulinggas,
notched up 186 points after five sessions.

Denmark was represented by Lange Schaffer, Morten Andersen,
Lars Blakset, Soren Christiansen, Dennis Koch Palmund and Jens
Auken.

In the women's division, Canada gave up to China after the
Asian side built up a massive 200-point lead. The Chinese seemed
to have no trouble in disposing of its North American opponent as
they soared 186-51 after the fifth session.

China will now play Bermuda Bowl champion the United States
which demonstrated a brilliant last-ditch fightback in its
semifinal against Austria. The Americans won by 59 points after
trailing 123-145 midway through the match.

It is the first time in Bridge Olympics history that three
Asian teams, from China, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia, have
reached the semifinals since the initial Olympics in 1960 in
Turin, Italy. No Asian country has ever won the title. (arf/amd)