It was Europe vs. North America in an intercontinental team match yesterday. This match was different because all the players were Seniors, not Juniors.

Europe, captained by Giannarigo Rona of Italy, the new president of the European Bridge League, was the victor in the 20-board match in which the same boards used in Round 10 of the Junior championship were played. Europe won in IMPs, 62-34, which translates to 21-9 in the Victory Point scale used in the Junior event.

Playing with Rona were Steen Moeller, Peter Lund and Georg Norris, all Danish internationals; and Nissan Rand and Micha Amit of Israel.

The American team was made up of Joan Gerard, Bobby Wolff, Barbara Nudelman, Gary Blaiss and Carolyn Hill, United States; Ernesto d'Orsi and Miguel Villas-Boas of Brazil, and Guillermo Poplawsky of Mexico.

The most damaging result was the big swing on Board 12.

Board 12. Dealer West. NS Game ª 8 © 7 6 5 3 ¨ K J 9 § 10 9 8 7 2 ª K Q 10 2 ª A 5 3 © 10 8 © K Q J 9 4 2 ¨ 7 6 4 ¨ Q 2 § K Q J 4 § 5 3 ª J 9 7 6 4 © A ¨ A 10 8 5 3 § A 6

The early auction was the same at both tables:

The American South sat for the double and the defense took their eight tricks to inflict an 800-point penalty.

Rand, sitting South for Europe, didn't think much of his chances in spades after the double, so he ran to 3§, the suit his partner had bid. But West doubled firmly once again. Nissan wasn't through, however - now he trotted out his diamond suit - "Three diamonds," he bid. Once again West doubled, although not as firmly.

West led a trump, but declarer managed to ruff one spade and set up his fifth spade. He took five trumps, a heart, a club, a spade ruff and the long spade for nine tricks - plus 670. This amounted to a 17-IMP swing.