The remaining match pitted China, the first winners of this event two years ago, against Italy, the holders of the IOC Trophy and the new Olympiad champions.

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

The Chinese North, Chuangcheng Ju, led his partner's suit. Giorgio Duboin captured the club queen with his ace and ran six diamond tricks. The ace of hearts was declarer's last trick - one down! North-South +50.

West began with an artificial Stong Club at this table, but the final contract and the first trick were the same. Here, though, Lixin Yang shot out the spade two immediately.

When Lorenzo Lauria followed with the four, declarer was home and the Chinese had scored a game swing. East-West +400 and 10 IMPs to China.
It was in the third match that we finally saw an East-West pair reach the top spot. It should come as no surprise that it was two multiple World Champions, and even they had a little encouragement from their opponents…

One Club was strong and artificial, which encouraged Herve Mouiel and Alain Levy to get really busy.

Bob Hamman supported diamonds and then launched into Blackwood when his partner responded with a value-showing spade bid. Paul Soloway showed three of the five key cards and Hamman potted the slam, confident that the hands would fit well after his opponents' active participation in the auction. There was no spade ruff available which meant East-West +920.

At the other table, Jean-Christophe Quantin and Paul Chemla stopped in Four Spades - an eminently sensible spot, but one that cost them 10 IMPs on this occasion.