The comeback of Alice

The lead changed hands 5 times — nobody got comfortable at the top.

Petru took last place without any nerves at all, on 77 points. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Petru didn't — but insisted, with dignity.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Cristian Imparat in 5th, with 118 points. The comfort zone. Cristian was ahead of Alina right up to the last hand. Before the last eights, only 8 points off the podium — the pace just didn't hold. In the last of the opening eights the table couldn't make up its mind about Cristian: 1 chair and 1 kiss flew in within seconds 🪑💋.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Alina in 4th, with 123 points. The comfort zone. The last hand decided it: Alina went past Cristian Imparat right on the line.

Mara rounds out the podium with 125 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. Level on points with Matei, and behind only on the tie-break. Mara was ahead of Matei right up to the last hand.

Second place for Matei, with 125 points. So close to the top they can still taste it — bittersweet. Matei got past Mara at the very last hand. Matei was even in front after the seven-card hand on the way down.

First place: Alice, with 140 points. The rest, see you in the replay. It didn't start well — only 3rd after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. At one stretch, 12 good hands in a row.

Well played everyone — and especially Alice!