Thoughts of a Selector (4)

Congratulations to the England Under 21’s who have won Silver.

The Seniors lost their Quarter final match to Japan, but congratulations to them for getting to the last eight.

The Open and Women’s teams both won their Quarter-finals fairly comfortably and are now preparing for their Semi-final matches. If they win their Semi-final they will be guaranteed at least a Silver medal. If they lose they’ll take part in a 3th/4th place play-off for the Bronze medal.


Open team

The Open team will be playing Germany in the Semi-final. Germany were the winners of England’s group so this match will not be easy. However a 96 board head-to-head match is very different from a round robin, and the England team will raring to show the Germans who is boss. Tough a this is, it’s still preferable to taking on either of the other semi-finalists who are Norway, the 2007 World Champions and Italy the 2005 World Champions.


Women’s team

The Women’s team will be playing Turkey in the Semi-final. Turkey were 4th in their group and have got to the Semi-final by beating Finland and Russia in the knock-outs. England will be very happy with this draw, it’s preferable to taking on either of the other semi-finalists who are USA, many times world champions, and China, playing at home and one of the new forces in Women’s bridge.