On Thursday we had seen Israel produce a splendid card against their Canadian opponents. On Friday night it was Israel's turn to suffer.Italy produced a near faultless display against them - in fact, it was only two carding accidents that allowed Israel to score even a single IMP! After three well-played boards, Italy broke on top when a simple overcall jammed the Israeli works.

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

Italy bid unopposed to 4© (1¨ - 1ª - 2¨ - 2© - 4©). This contract can be beaten either on diamond ruffs or repeated trump leads. In fact, the only thing you can't do is lead the §A-K. However, Israel conceded 620. On vugraph Israel received the normal 1ª overcall and could not find the heart fit. Asaf Amit as East passed for penalties initially and then doubled 2ª (which would have been minus 870). When Yaniv Zack pulled the double to 3¨, Amit tried 3NT for minus 200, giving Italy a 13-0 lead.

The score was only 18-0 after 10 boards, but then things started to slip. Even though Board 11 was flat, it was not without interest.

Board 11. Dealer South. Love All ª J 10 6 5 4 © 9 8 7 ¨ A 9 7 § Q 3 ª K 7 3 2 ª A 8 © K Q 4 © J 10 6 ¨ 6 ¨ Q 10 5 § J 6 5 4 2 § A K 10 9 8 ª Q 9 © A 5 3 2 ¨ K J 8 4 3 2 § 7

The Open Room was unlucky that South neither opened nor overcalled - it's hard to reach clubs now. Mario D'Avossa's 3NT looks undisciplined. Both tables conceded 150 in undertricks.

When Eran Shaham-Amir Levin contracted for a hopeless slam on the next deal, the margin rose to 31 IMPs. A missed game (which could have been defeated on an unlikely combination of defensive plays) made the margin 37. Board 19 was the final nail in the Israeli coffin.

Board 19. Dealer South. EW Game ª A J 10 3 © 7 4 3 2 ¨ 9 2 § 9 8 6 ª K 8 7 5 2 ª — © 8 6 5 © J ¨ A 5 ¨ K Q 10 8 6 4 3 § K J 5 § Q 10 7 3 2 ª Q 9 6 4 © A K Q 10 9 ¨ J 7 § A 4

Shaham-Levin had a great result, buying the hand for 3©, making plus 170 when 5¨ was laydown for E/W. Amit and Zack sold out to 4© and Zack led the ©8, depriving his partner of the chance for a brilliancy. On the lead of the ¨A, playing standard signals, follow with the queen - suit preference and discouraging. If West does not shift to spades . . . find a new partner!

At least one pair managed this play, though using different signaling methods. Juan Carlos Castilla and Juanita Ochoa of CAC play systematically that in this position one follows with the second highest honor on the ¨A . . . so the ¨Q promises the king. The ¨K is reserved for a "wake-up call!" Juanita duly followed with the ¨K under the ace against 4© and Juan Carlos dutifully played a spade for down one. Well done!

Israel scored their only big pickup of the set on Board 20.

Board 20. Dealer West. Game All ª A J 6 3 © K 8 ¨ Q 8 3 § 9 7 3 2 ª Q 10 9 8 ª 5 4 2 © Q J 10 6 5 4 2 © A 3 ¨ 5 ¨ A K 10 7 6 4 § Q § K 4 ª K 7 © 9 7 ¨ J 9 2 § A J 10 8 6 5

Intonti led the ªA against 4© after an auction of 3©- 4©. That meant 10 tricks for declarer. Since the same contract had gone down one in the other room on a club lead to ace and a spade shift, Israel climbed to lose only 21-9.