Catalin comes back from behind

The lead changed hands 9 times — nobody got comfortable at the top.

Catalin finished level with Ana on 118 points and took the win on the tie-break: fewer broken contracts.

Ana led for 21 hands but finished second, 0 points behind. Level on points with Catalin, and behind only on the tie-break.

Mihai rounds out the podium with 103 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. Mihai was even in front after the third of the middle eights.

Claudiu finished 4th with 91 points. After the second of the closing eights, Claudiu was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans. At one stretch, 11 good hands in a row.

Elena finished 5th with 65 points. In the last of the middle eights: Elena said 1, scooped 5, and GIBO and Mihai were left counting the pieces. Elena was even in front after the first of the middle eights.

Last, but with style: GIBO, with 55 points. At least there were cards worth talking about. In the third of the opening eights: GIBO said 0, made 4, and the evening was ruined for Catalin and Elena.

Congratulations to all — see you at the next table!