EBL Press Release: ENTC Madeira 2021 Update

The European Bridge League have released the following statement regarding the European National Teams Championships, due to take place in June 2021:

"The EBL is closely following the development of the pandemic and related restrictions. At this time, we are still somewhat hopeful that the situation will improve sufficiently to allow us to arrange the championships as planned, obviously with a very rigorous safety protocol on site. However, we have to be realistic and realise that this may ultimately not be possible. We are coordinating very closely with our host, the Portuguese Bridge Federation. Together we have decided on a deadline for a decision of March 31.

The EBL is already developing a “Plan B” in case we have to cancel the Madeira event. Such a plan will likely involve play on an online platform. Various options are being considered and we are not restricting ourselves to the usual ENTC format. We need some way to determine which NBOs qualify for the World Teams Championships (which are at this point still planned to take place in August/September in Salsomaggiore) and can even consider arranging a limited event for that purpose.

In case of a cancellation, our intention is to stage the ENTC in Madeira in 2022 instead, thereby also returning to the usual rotation in our championship cycle (i.e. ENTCs in the even-numbered years)."

March 2, 2021