It’s a rematch!

Like two gunfighters facing each other thinking “there’s room for only one of us in this town,” Italy and USA1 will replay their dramatic showdown in Monte Carlo, one of the most exciting matches in the history of the Bermuda Bowl.

Italy , losers two years ago on the final board of the match, will be out for revenge this time. Both teams have all their players back for another go.

USA1 had to fend off the determined Russ Ekeblad team, USA2, to reach the final. USA2 had pulled to within 18 IMPs with 16 boards to play, but USA1took the final set 50-21 to win by 211-172.

Italy had a much easier time as Sweden withdrew after five sets with the Italians leading 205-131. In the final. the Americans will start with a 20-IMP carry-over.

In the Venice Cup, there were some nervous German supporters after the Netherlands had levelled their match with two sets to go, but Germany went up by 14 IMPs through five sets, and smashed the Dutch 71-8 over the final 16 boards to earn a chance at the title.

Germany will face France – easy winners over USA1 – for the championship. Although the teams have different lineups now, the match is a repeat of the Venice Cup final from Paris in 2001 (won by Germany).

The Seniors Bowl final will pit USA1 and Indonesia, who mounted a huge comeback to knock out Denmark. Indonesia trailed 81.5-120 with 32 deals to play but had a great fifth set 5, winning 57-9, to make it to the championship round with a 168.5-156 victory.

With three qualifying round-robin matches still to play in the World Transnational Open Teams, the leaders are Team 777 ( Russia) with 231 Victory Points, followed by Shugart and Hussein with 220.