The comeback of Elena

The lead changed hands 8 times — nobody got comfortable at the top.

Last place, with dignity: Ana, with 87 points. Somebody had to do it. Leading by the book until the last of the opening eights... then the cards turned the page. Ana, hard luck.

Cretu rounds out the podium with 90 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. 10 behind Mihai, 3 ahead of Ana — right in the thick of it.

Mihai finished second, just 3 points short of the win. In the last of the opening eights: Mihai said 3, scooped 8, and Cretu was left counting the pieces. Mihai was even in front after the three-card hand on the way up.

Elena won by a whisker, with just 3 points — at whist even one point is as good as a mile. Elena was even last after the first of the middle eights, which makes the win all the sweeter. 2 hands in a row: only Elena slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Elena.

Well played everyone — and especially Elena!