United States II, the defending Bermuda Bowl champions, will take on France in the 160-board Bermuda Bowl final today. In the Venice Cup, United States I will oppose China. The American are trying to regain the Cup they won in 1993. They lost to Germany in 1995. China will try to improve on their runner-up status achieved in the World Team Olympiad in Rhodes last year.

United States II is exactly the same team that won in Beijing two years ago - Bob Hamman, Bobby Wolff, Nick Nickell, Dick Freeman, Jeff Meckstroth and Eric Rodwell. They are captained by Walt Walvick and coached by Kit Woolsey. They solidly trounced USA 1 in the semifinal, 276-157, a remarkable turnabout. When these teams played in the U.S. Trials, USA I, captained by Hugh Ross, wiped out USA II.

USA I also won their head-to-head match here in the round-robin. But it was all USA II yesterday. The match between France and Norway was closer, but it was clear very early that France was going to be the winner. The final score was 220-157, a solid victory indicating that France is ready for the Americans again. In previous final encounters, France defeated the Americans in Valkenburg in 1980, in Salsomaggiore in 1992.

Playing for France are Paul Chemla, Michel Perron, Christian Mari, Alain Lévy, Hervé Mouiel and Frank Multon, with Jean-Louis Stoppa as npc. By far the best match was the one that featured the two American Venice Cup hopefuls. USA I, captained by Sue Picus, went into the final 32 boards up by 12 - and that's how far ahead they were going into the very last board.

United States II, captained by Sue Sachs, had an outside chance to overcome that deficit, but they fell 5 IMPs short, losing a thriller, 173-168. Playing for USA I are Jill Meyers, Randi Montin, Tobi Sokolow, Mildred Breed, Marinesa Letizia and Lisa Berkowitz.

China followed up its powerful performance against Great Britain with an equally impressive showing against round-robin champion France, 241-220. The match actually wasn't that close - France recorded a major gain on the very last board. China will try to improve on their silver medal finish in last year's Women's Team Olympiad in Rhodes. Playing for China are Sun Ming, Lu Yan, Zhang Yalan, Gu Ling, Zhang Yu and Wang Wen Fei, with Hu Ji Hong as non-playing captain.