Anything can happen with 48 boards to play, but the teams in the lead halfway through the semi-final round of the Bermuda Bowl are the exact same squads that met in the epic battle in Monte Carlo two years ago – Italy and USA1.

USA1 is by no means a certainty to get by their American opponents (USA2) but the Nick Nickell squad is a veteran team with vast international experience – and they hold a 45-IMP lead.

Italy lost the second set in their semi-final match against Sweden 45-20, but recovered to end the day ahead by 47 IMPs. Italy is also a seasoned squad, and they are gunning for another chance at USA1.

Another rematch is possible in the Venice Cup – this one from Paris in 2001, when Germany prevailed in an exciting match against France. The teams are slightly different than in Paris, but both are also hungry to return to the final after missing out in 2003.

Their opponents, of course, will have something to say about whether there is a rematch of teams from Paris, and neither USA1 (trailing France by 50 IMPs) nor the Netherlands (30 IMPs behind Germany) can be counted out at this point.

In the Seniors Bowl, USA1— featuring 2001 Bermuda Bowl champs Rose Meltzer, Alan Sontag, Lew Stansby and Peter Weichsel – was well ahead of the Netherlands, 159-83. The other match was much closer, as Denmark led Indonesia 96-74.5.

In the Transnational Open Teams, the leaders, by captain, were Schneider with 140 Victory Points after seven rounds, followed by Zia at 139 and Hussein with 136.