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)