The audience had to wait a long time to see a swing of any significance. One finally arrived on this deal.

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

Declarer made nine tricks to record +140.

Francesco Angelini: Playing captain of the Italian Team

North led the two of spades and South won with the ace. When he switched to the eight of hearts declarer was able to win with the queen and take a ruffing finesse in spades.

When North declined to cover declarer played the ace and another club, setting up the queen for a diamond discard.

The contract was safe and the USA picked up 10 IMPs to bring the teams almost level.

Just as a draw was beginning to look inevitable the match exploded into life right at the end.

Board 21. Dealer North. NS Game ª K 9 3 © 6 4 ¨ A J 2 § K J 9 3 2 ª J 8 6 2 ª A 10 5 4 © A Q J 8 7 2 © K 9 5 3 ¨ K 7 4 ¨ 10 6 § — § 10 5 4 ª Q 7 © 10 ¨ Q 9 8 5 3 § A Q 8 7 6

Declarer did not take a winning view in spades and finished one down.

East led a heart to West's ace and when his partner switched to the six of spades he went up with the ace. The outcome now revolved on how declarer viewed the diamond suit.

He drew trumps and eliminated the majors before playing the queen of diamonds, covered by the king and ace. He went back to dummy and played the nine of diamonds. When West followed with the four, Lauria, like a bullfighter, faced his 'moment of truth'.

He passed his test by rising with the jack of diamonds. +600 and 11 IMPs.

Board 22. Dealer East. EW Game ª 9 5 3 © A 5 2 ¨ K 10 5 4 2 § K 5 ª J 10 7 4 2 ª A K Q © K J 6 3 © Q 10 7 ¨ — ¨ A Q J 8 § J 10 8 4 § A Q 9 ª 8 6 © 9 8 4 ¨ 9 7 6 3 § 7 6 3 2

With the club finesse onside that was an easy +680.

East's rebid was artificial, promising a powerful hand, and a few relays later the Italians were +1430 and 13 IMPs better off.

Board 23. Dealer South. Game All ª J 6 5 © Q 7 6 4 ¨ 6 5 2 § K 10 5 ª A ª Q 4 3 © A K 10 5 3 © 8 2 ¨ A 7 3 ¨ K Q J 8 § J 8 3 2 § A 9 7 4 ª K 10 9 8 7 2 © J 9 ¨ 10 9 4 § Q 6

Declarer could only arrive at five tricks, -800.

South led the ten of spades and declarer won and played the two of clubs for the five, nine and queen. The eight tricks he could see turned into nine when South played a second spade. That must have felt like a good result, but life at the bridge table can be very tough. 5 IMPs for Italy.

Board 24. Dealer West. Love All ª J 10 5 2 © A 5 2 ¨ A 9 6 § 9 7 4 ª 6 3 ª A 9 8 7 4 © J 10 8 6 © 9 ¨ Q J 7 ¨ K 5 4 3 2 § J 8 6 2 § Q 3 ª K Q © K Q 7 4 3 ¨ 10 8 § A K 10 5

Declarer would be okay on a spade lead, but East had a nasty surprise waiting. He led the four of diamonds and declarer was doomed.

West led the six of spades and East took his ace and switched to the three of clubs. Declarer won with the ace and cashed the king and queen of hearts. He unblocked the king of spades and crossed to dummy with a heart. He could not be prevented from getting rid of two of his losers, +420 and 10 IMPs.

These last four boards left the Americans with a mountain to climb if they are to qualify. Mind you after four days walking in Lausanne, they may just be used to that by now!