Elena comes back from behind

The lead passed from hand to hand, 7 times over — it was anyone's guess.

Elena wins by 28 clear. That's not whist any more, it's a parade with a brass band. It didn't start well — only 4th after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. At one stretch, 13 good hands in a row.

Ioana took second with 118 points — a fine evening, but the gods of whist were busy elsewhere. The last hand decided it: Ioana went past Mihai right on the line.

Ana rounds out the podium with 116 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. The last hand decided it: Ana went past Mihai right on the line. 2 hands in a row: Ana broke the contract each time while everyone else made theirs.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Mihai in 4th, with 113 points. The comfort zone. Mihai was ahead of Ioana 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.

Leize finished 5th with 104 points. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Leize didn't — but insisted, with dignity. After the five-card hand on the way up, Leize was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Radu closed the table from the back, on 97 points — there is always a next game. 2 hands in a row: Radu broke the contract each time while everyone else made theirs.

Well played everyone. Same table next time?