A tug of war, won by Elena

The lead changed hands 6 times — nobody got comfortable at the top.

Elena crossed the finish line first, on 101 points. Going into the last hand the lead was already 26 — that one was a lap of honour. At one stretch, 9 good hands in a row.

Cosmin finishes second, 19 points short of gold. Silver shines, but not quite the same. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Cosmin didn't — but insisted, with dignity. Cosmin was even in front after the last of the opening eights.

Mihai rounds out the podium with 79 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. In the second of the middle eights: Mihai called 1, took 6, and Cosmin was left out in the cold. 2 hands in a row: Mihai broke the contract each time while everyone else made theirs.

Ana took last place without any nerves at all, on 54 points. In the last of the opening eights, Ana bid 1 and took 4 — and Mihai went down with it. 2 hands in a row: only Ana slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Ana.

Well played everyone — and especially Elena!