The comeback of Radu

The lead passed from hand to hand, 5 times over — it was anyone's guess.

Elena closed the table from the back, on 90 points — there is always a next game. Elena had the table at their feet after the three-card hand on the way down. Whist was there to remind them nothing lasts forever. In the second of the middle eights: Elena called 1, took 4, and Radu was left out in the cold.

Ioana finishes right in the middle — neither hot nor cold — 5th, with 103 points. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Ioana didn't — but insisted, with dignity.

Mihai finished 4th with 116 points. Mihai was ahead of Daniela right up to the last hand. After the two-card hand on the way up, Mihai was leading the table — but the last hands had other plans.

Cristian Imparat rounds out the podium with 118 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. The last hand decided it: Cristian went past Mihai right on the line.

Daniela finishes second, 7 points short of gold. Silver shines, but not quite the same. Daniela got past Mihai at the very last hand. In the fourth of the middle eights: Daniela said 3, made 6, and the evening was ruined for Cristian Imparat.

First place: Radu, with 127 points. It didn't start well — only 6th after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. At one stretch, 16 good hands in a row.

Well played everyone — and especially Radu!