RI third in 26th round of Bridge Olympics

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's team remains in third position after a 15-15 draw with Canada in the 26th round of the Bridge Olympics on the island of Rhodes in Greece.

The draw brought Indonesia's points balance to 501.5. Indonesia lags Group A leader and defending champion France, which garnered 518 points and Poland, which is now placed second with 502 after losing to the Ukraine 11-19.

Denmark is still in fourth place with 490, followed by Spain with 481.

In Group B, Italy leads with 518, followed by Iceland with 495.5, Israel with 494, Chinese Taipei with 482.5 and Russia with 473.

This means that Indonesia, which matched veterans Hengky Lasut and Eddy Manopo with junior players Giovanni Watulingas and Sance Panelewen in its match against Canada, is a step closer to the quarterfinals.

Four teams from each group will make it to the quarterfinals.

The Indonesian team's deputy manager Frans Waleleng said that the 25th to 28th round on Saturday and the 29th to 32nd round yesterday were crucial for the Indonesian team.

Indonesia will take on Lebanon, Malaysia, and Spain on Saturday and could add another 70 points to its tally.

If Indonesia makes the quarterfinals, a showdown with Israel, against which Indonesian athletes are not allowed to play, will be inevitable.

Indonesia's women's team, on the other hand, can no longer advance to the quarterfinals because it remains in 16th position in Group A with a meager 206 points.

China's women lead Group A with 319 followed by Germany with 310, the Netherlands with 296 and South Africa with 285.

The head of the Indonesian Bridge Association Wiranto arrived in Rhodes on Saturday to boost the Indonesian contingent's morale. (arf)