Source: EBL
The 13th edition of the Champion’s Cup was played from November 13th to 15th at the headquarters of the FIGB in Milan, Italy. Based on popular request the qualification stage for the first time consisted of a full round-robin between all twelve teams.
In spite of being over 20 IMPs down at halftime, Turin’s GS Allegra once again emerged victorious after the second segment of the final. They thus register their fourth consecutive (!) win in this prestigious event, and their fifth overall, still one short of Angelini’s record six wins.
In the board 9 from the First Round of the Champions Cup, only three pairs sitting E /W declared and played a Grand Slam in hearts, a fourth pair sitting N / S declared seven spades in defense and the rest of the pairs only played slam in heart.
| Table | Home Team | Visiting Team | Room | Cont. | Decl. | Lead | Tricks | NS | EW | Home Res. | Vis Res. |
| 1 | G.S. ALLEGRA ITA | ASD PESCARA BRIDGE ITA | Open | 6♥ | W | ♥2 | 13 | 1460 | |||
| Closed | 6♥ | E | ♠J | 13 | 1460 | ||||||
| 2 | BK LAVEC SMILE SWE | TITAN BUL | Open | 6♥ | E | ♥3 | 13 | 1460 | |||
| Closed | 6♥ | W | ♦J | 13 | 1460 | ||||||
| 3 | SCHALTZ DEN | RUCH SA WROCLAW POL | Open | 6♥ | W | ♥4 | 13 | 1460 | |||
| Closed | 6♥ | W | ♥4 | 13 | 1460 | ||||||
| 4 | ZALESKI FRA | ALLFREY ENG | Open | 7♠x | N | ♣K | 6 | 1700 | 11 | ||
| Closed | 7♥ | W | ♠3 | 13 | 2210 | ||||||
| 5 | HEIMDAL BK NOR | MONACO FMB | Open | 6♥ | W | ♠3 | 13 | 1460 | 13 | ||
| Closed | 7♥ | E | ♠J | 13 | 2210 | ||||||
| 6 | BAREKET ISR | BAMBERGER REITER GER | Open | 7♥ | W | ♠3 | 13 | 2210 | 13 | ||
| Closed | 6♥ | W | ♠A | 13 | 1460 | ||||||
Here is Thomas Bessis explaining how he arrived to the 7 hearts Grand Slam in Round 1, board 9:
Afterwards Simon approached Philippe Cronier and asked him what had happened in his table: