nickf, on Nov 10 2005, 01:33 AM, said:
Walddk, on Nov 9 2005, 04:26 PM, said:
Don't know about you, but as I saw it, Alfredo Versace of Italy was the outstanding individual player in Estoril.
There's no doubt all three Italian pairs are class acts. I was always impressed with Lauria when I watched him play.
On a related note, however, the discussions I've had with friends (including some who played in Estoril) is that Fantoni-Nunes are not only no longer the third-string Italian pair, but possibly the best pair in the world.
nickf
sydney
I watched the Italians quite a bit on BBO and Fantoni-Nunes certainly appeared the standout pair. Versace-Lauria played their normal solid game (bid everything, try to make it) but I thought Bocchi-Duboin had a quiet tournament given the exceptionally high standards that they all play to.
All three Italian pairs seemed to have a poor time in the slam zone, especially prior to the final, which kept their opponents interested for longer than normal. But their cardplay was kept to a very high level and I thought that, in particular, Fantoni-Nunes defence was at an unbelievably high standard.
Fantoni-Nunes also played the last four sets in the final, perhaps indication of how the Italian captain saw it too.
Meckwell were also outstanding but did not cause the "chaos" they have done in the past. Perhaps the Italians were better prepared, or more likely, better rested. I didn't get to see enough of the other USA1 pairs to comment on them.
I'm already bored waiting for the next time they will meet! Great to have the BBO coverage to see it all.
Paul