La
nascita della
International Bridge League fu decisa a Scheveninghen in
Olanda il 10
giugno 1932
durante lo svolgimento di quello che può essere considerato a tutti gli effetti
il primo Campionato Europeo della
storia del bridge.
Le nazioni aderenti furono
le stesse 6 che parteciparono al Campionato: Austria, Inghilterra, Olanda,
Norvegia, Germania e Belgio e la Lega si riunì formalmente per la prima volta a Londra l'anno successivo
quando, già nel
corso del suo primo anno di vita, si erano aggiunti: Ungheria, Cecoslovacchia e Danimarca.
Il primo presidente fu
il britannico A. E. Manning Foster, seguito dall'olandese A. J. E. Lucardie
al quale dopo un anno succedette per un quadriennio l'inglese Sir
A. Noel Mobbs, poi, per i successivi 15 anni, fu
Presidente della Federazione il
barone francese Robert De Nexon.
I successivi Presidenti furono:
Nel 1937,
quando anche l'Italia si associò per la prima volta, la Lega contava l'adesione
di 18 Nazioni tra cui gli Stati Uniti.
L'anno successivo la
EBL
partecipò con il Portland Club e con la Lega Americana alla revisione e alla
pubblicazione delle leggi del bridge e organizzò il primo Campionato
Europeo
del dopoguerra.
La
EBL che rappresenta oggi la
Zona 1 della WBF e che vede associati 47 Paesi, conta
oltre 350.000 iscritti con Francia ed Olanda che fanno la parte del leone e può
vantare un indice di crescita sempre positivo.
La
EBL opera secondo un proprio Statuto che
viene approvato dall'Assemblea Generale dei Delegati di tutti i Paesi iscritti e
la sua gestione è affidata ad un Comitato esecutivo.
La
EBL cura l'organizzazione dei Campionati Europei che nella prima parte della
loro vita si sono svolti cambiando più volte sia la formula che le norme.
Durante i
Campionati di Tenerife del 2001,
l'Assemblea Generale ed il Comitato Esecutivo della Federazione Europea hanno
deciso la ristrutturazione dei Campionati Europei in due grandi Categorie:
European Teams
Championships ed European Open Championships.
Gli
European Teams Championships si
svolgono negli anni pari a partire dal 2002 e ad essi potrà
partecipare una sola squadra in rappresentanza ufficiale del proprio Paese per
ognuna delle 3 Categorie ammesse (Open, Women, Senior), le squadre vincitrici
del titolo europeo acquisiscono anche il diritto a partecipare ai successivi Campionati Mondiali
Zonali.
Gli
European Open Championships si svolgeranno
invece negli anni dispari a partire dal 2003 e ad essi potranno partecipare un
numero illimitato di squadre che nella Categoria Open e Women dovranno essere
strettamente Nazionali ma che nelle altre due Categorie previste (Mixed e
Senior) potranno anche essere composte da giocatori di diversa nazionalità. Per
ognuna delle quattro Categorie previste i Campionati Open saranno sia a Coppie che a
Squadre.
La EBL
organizza a partire dal 1968 anche i Campionati Giovanili che si svolgono
tradizionalmente nel mese di luglio degli anni pari per le competizioni a
squadre nelle Categorie Junior e School, e in quello degli anni dispari per le
competizioni a coppie nella Categoria Juniores (Junior Camp).
Sotto
la egida della EBL si svolgono negli anni dispari anche i Campionati Europei
Universitari che nel 2003 toccheranno la loro ottava edizione e che sono
riservati alle Università ed alle Scuole Superiori europee che possono
iscrivere alla competizione un numero illimitato di squadre rispettando i
vincoli che almeno due giocatori di ogni squadra debbono appartenere alla stessa
organizzazione didattica e che ogni squadra deve essere composta da giocatori di
una medesima Nazione.
A
fianco viene fornita la
classifica dei plurivincitori dei Campionati
a squadre Europei nelle Categorie Women ed Open, la lista è gestita dalla
EBL
e gli azzurri vi figurano da primi attori.
La EBL è, tra le 8 Federazioni aderenti alla
World
Bridge Federation,
quella con il maggior numero di iscritti ed il suo attuale Presidente è
lo svedese Jan Kamras.
|
Pluricampioni Europei / Multi European Teams Champions |
|
OPEN |
WOMEN |
|
GIORGIO BELLADONNA
|
 |
10 |
1956,57,58,59,65,67,69,71,73,79 |
RIXI MARCUS |
 |
10 |
1935,36,37,51,52,59,61,63,66,75 |
|
LORENZO LAURIA |
|
9 |
1979,95,97,01,02,04,06,10 |
FRITZI GORDON |
|
8 |
1950,51,52,59,61,63,66,75 |
|
NORBERTO BOCCHI |
|
7 |
1997,99,01,02,04,06,10 |
SMITH NICOLA |
 |
8 |
1975,79,81,97,99,01,12,16 |
|
GIORGIO DUBOIN |
|
7 |
1997,99,01,02,04,06,10 |
SYLVIE WILLARD |
 |
7 |
1983,85,87,95,06,08,10 |
|
ALFREDO VERSACE |
|
7 |
1995,97,01,02,04,06,10 |
DANIELLE
ALLOUCHE GAVIARD |
|
6 |
1983,85,87,06,08,10 |
|
KENNETH W.KONSTAM |
|
6 |
1948,49,50,54,61,63 |
VERONIQUE BESSIS |
|
6 |
1983,85,87,95,08,10 |
|
EUGENIO CHIARADIA |
|
5 |
1951,56,57,58,59 |
MARISA BIANCHI |
|
5 |
1970,71,73,74,77 |
|
PIETRO FORQUET |
|
5 |
1951,56,57,58,59 |
SANDRA LANDY |
|
5 |
1975,79,81,97,99 |
|
BENITO GAROZZO |
|
5 |
1969,71,73,75,79 |
RIGMOR FRAENCKEL |
 |
5 |
1948,49,55,57,58 |
|
KRISZSTOF MARTENS |
 |
5 |
1981,89,93,2012,14 |
ANNA VALENTI |
|
5 |
1970,71,73,74,77 |
|
WALTER AVARELLI |
|
4 |
1956,57,58,59 |
SALLY BROCK |
|
5 |
1979,81,01,12,16 |
|
BENITO BIANCHI |
|
4 |
1965,67,69,71 |
HEATHER DHONDY |
|
5 |
1997,99,01,12,16 |
|
DANO DE FALCO |
|
4 |
1973,79,99,01 |
CATHERINE
D' OVIDIO
|
|
5
|
1985,95,06,08,10
|
|
LESLIE W.DODDS |
|
4 |
1948,49,50,54 |
OTTI DAMM |
|
4 |
1949,55,57,58 |
|
MAURICE HARRISON-GRAY |
|
4 |
1948,49,50,63 |
DIMMIE FLEMING |
|
4 |
1951,52,59,63 |
|
GIUSEPPE MESSINA |
|
4 |
1965,67,69,71 |
RINA JABES |
|
4 |
1970,71,73,74 |
|
RENATO MONDOLFO |
|
4 |
1965,67,69,71 |
CHRISTIANNE MARTIN |
|
4 |
1939,54,56,65 |
|
TERENCE REESE |
|
4 |
1948,49,54,63 |
M.ANTONIA ROBAUDO |
|
4 |
1970,71,73,74 |
|
BORIS SHAPIRO |
|
4 |
1948,49,54,63 |
BENEDICTE CRONIER
|
|
4
|
1987,95,06,08
|
|
GUGLIELMO SINISCALCO |
|
4 |
1951,56,57,58 |
PENGUIN EVANS |
|
4 |
1939, 1950, 1951, 1952 |
|
HENRI SVARC |
|
4 |
1966,70,74,83 |
PAT COHEN |
|
4 |
1939, 1953, 1972, 1973 |
|
RENE' BACHERICH |
|
3 |
1953,55,62 |
M.
de VRIES |
|
3 |
1953,54,56 |
|
JEAN-MICHEL BOULENGER |
|
3 |
1966,70,74 |
MARIANNE BOSCHAN |
 |
3 |
1935,36,37 |
|
MASSIMO D'ALELIO |
|
3 |
1956,57,58 |
GERTRUDE BRUNNER |
|
3 |
1935,36,37 |
|
ARTURO FRANCO |
|
3 |
1973,75,79 |
LUCIANA CANESSA |
|
3 |
1970,71,73 |
|
FULVIO
FANTONI |
|
3 |
2004,06,12 |
GINETTE CHEVALLEY |
|
3 |
1983,85,87 |
|
CLAUDIO
NUNES |
|
3 |
2004,06,12 |
PAT DAVIES |
|
3 |
1981,97,99 |
|
PIERRE GHESTEM |
|
3 |
1953,55,62 |
MARIE DE MONTAIGU |
|
3 |
1939,53,54 |
|
EDMOND R.H.POLLAK |
|
3 |
1932,33,36 |
SIMONE DE TEMMERMAN |
|
3 |
1956,65,69 |
|
|
|
|
|
ETHEL ERNST |
|
3 |
1935,36,37 |
|
|
|
|
|
NORAH EVANS |
|
3 |
1950,51,52 |
|
|
|
|
|
GRETL JOSEFFY |
|
3 |
1935,36,37 |
|
|
|
|
|
JANE JUAN |
|
3 |
1961,63,66 |
|
|
|
|
|
ANNIE POULDJIAN |
|
3 |
1939,56,65 |
|
|
|
|
|
DOROTY
SHANAHAN
|
|
3 |
1961,63,66 |
|
|
|
|
|
ANDREE SUSSEL |
|
3 |
1956,65,69 |
|
|
|
|
|
MAVI VENTURINI |
|
3 |
1970,71,73 |
|
|
|
|
|
PHILLIS WILLIAMS |
|
3 |
1950,51,52 |
| |
|
|
|
DEMLY WILMING |
|
3 |
1938,48,49 |
The British Bridge League (BBL) was formed in 1931, and many
local associations and clubs affiliated with it. In Yorkshire, for example,
Halifax, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and East Yorkshire all affiliated with the BBL.
At national level the Scottish Bridge Union was
formed in 1933 and the Welsh Contract Bridge Association the following year.
There was still no English equivalent, but area associations were being set up:
Yorkshire and the North East were formed in 1935 and the North West soon
afterward. In 1936 those three bodies proposed merging to create a single
Northern Association under the BBL.
Scottish and Irish representatives were willing to
meet on equal terms only with those from an English national organization, so it
was decided to set up an English Bridge Union, to be composed of the three
northern associations, a proposed London association and as many county
associations as could be created.
The EBU was formed on 23 May 1936. At its second
council meeting on 12 June it was decided that there should be eight constituent
area associations: North Eastern, North Western, Yorkshire, West Midlands, North
Midlands, Eastern Counties, London & Home Counties and South Western. However
the BBL and another organization, the British Bridge Association, continued to
operate in England, which restricted the development of the EBU during the next
few years. The EBU was reorganized during the 1939/40 season to involve the
counties directly, similar to the current structure.
A council meeting was held in July 1939 which led to
the new EBU organization replacing the old, with the first meeting of the "new"
EBU council being held on 15 March 1940. For the first time, those attending
were representatives of individual counties rather than regional associations.
According to the minutes, 23 counties were represented or sent their apologies
were Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, Devonshire, Essex,
Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire,
London, Middlesex, North East, North West, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Salop,
Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire and Yorkshire.
During World War Two organized bridge was in abeyance, but by 1945 seven
counties had been reformed: Gloucestershire, the North East, the North West,
Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Yorkshire; next year there were
19 newly formed or reformed county associations. The EBU had not yet resumed
operations, however, and so a new organization called the Tournament Bridge
Association was set up to organise events and congresses, including the
Crockfords Cup and the Lederer Memorial Cup. The EBU and the TBA soon realized
that a single body for duplicate bridge was needed, and all the TBA members
eventually joined the EBU. As a result, the number of county associations
affiliated with the EBU doubled to 38.
English players took part in European and World competitions as part of Great
Britain teams until 2000, when the European Bridge League accepted the EBU as a
national bridge organization (along with the Scottish and Welsh unions). Since
the selection and organization of Great Britain teams had become the BBL's main
reason for existence, it was dissolved and its remaining functions were taken
over by a new body, Bridge Great Britain.
The first EBU sub-committee was the Selection
Committee, established 28 March 1937. The Tournament Committee was set up on 8
June 1945 and the Laws and Ethics committee on 1 April 1947.
The English Bridge Union Limited (EBU)
continues to be a membership-funded organisation for promoting the game of
duplicate bridge. As of 2008 it had 39 constituent County Associations, each
with nominees holding shares.
The
tournament committee is responsible for all aspects of the EBU's
program of tournaments, other competitions and the master points
scheme. The Laws and Ethics committee is the national authority for the
game of duplicate contract bridge in England, when played under the
auspices of the EBU. It has three principal functions: it is the final
EBU appeal body for appeals arising under the laws of the game; it is
the principal disciplinary body of the EBU, hearing complaints against
members; and it organizes publication of the Orange Book, which contains
regulations for the conventions and agreements permitted in different
classes of competition, and other directives which supplement the laws
of the game.
The EBU selection committee is responsible for all
aspects of England's international representation. It determines the
format of trials for major international championships such as the
European Championship competed for bi-annually and for the annual home
international series involving England, Wales, Scotland, Northern
Ireland and Éire. The home internationals are known as the Camrose
Trophy (Open) and the Lady Milne (Women).
England currently selects for the Camrose Trophy using its
flagship event the "Premier League" which has two divisions of eight teams
playing long matches against all other teams. The winners of Division 1 are
guaranteed Camrose Selection.
The EBU Teachers' Association (commonly
known as EBUTA) promotes and supports bridge teaching by EBU qualified
members. By improving the quantity and quality of bridge teaching, it
aims to increase the number of people who play and enjoy bridge and
thereby increase membership of the EBU. EBUTA provides information,
advice and training to qualified and prospective bridge teachers.
Minibridge is used to help
introduce players into the game. It is also being introduced to Primary
Schools across England to help promote skills in Maths and English. The
EBU also promotes Really Easy Bridge to introduce newly playing bridge
players to the tournament side of play.
The EBU also co-ordinates a project in producing
teachers from their affiliated clubs.
The English Bridge Union
believes strongly in supporting and encouraging young bridge players, as
the future of the game. They have regional Youth Officers to further
service the needs of junior bridge. Junior international teams have
squad managers.
The EBU runs trials for the two
junior international series for the home (UK & Ireland) countries which
are the Junior Camrose Trophy (Under 25) and the Peggy Bayer Trophy
(Under 20). There is also a Girl's series (U25) held at European level.
The EBU Selection Committee
selects the junior teams.
The EBU master point is a means of recognizing individual
lifetime achievement in EBU organised competitions at club, county and national
level. It began in September 1956. Points are awarded to the top one third of
competitors and the higher the level of competition the greater the number of
points awarded. This scheme has been criticized for rewarding the persistent
player ("the more you play the more points you earn"). A Gold Point scheme has
been added whereby these points decay at a rate of 20% per annum and can only be
won in National Tournaments where the competitor has finished high in the
overall rankings.
The EBU launched its "Pay to Play" scheme
on April 1, 2010 to create Universal Membership. This scheme replaces its
previous method of financing by charging a small payment (29 pence from April
2010 to March 2011) each time a player plays at an EBU affiliated club.
La European Bridge League ("EBL"), créée en 1947 à Copenhague (Danemark)
par huit fédérations nationales de bridge, est la confédération des fédérations
nationales de Bridge qui organisent le jeu de cartes de bridge dans les pays
européens. Son siège est à Lausanne (Suisse), le centre administratif et de
secrétariat à basé à Milan (Italie). Depuis Juin 2010, le président de l'EBL est
Yves Aubry, ancien président de la Fédération française de bridge.
L'EBL est membre du Comité olympique européen et de la
Fédération mondiale de bridge, dont elle constitue la première des huit «zones»
dans le monde du bridge.
L'EBL s'occupe de la compétition de
bridge au niveau européen ; sa principale responsabilité est d'organiser
le championnat qui accorde le titre de champion européen.
Parallèlement à l'administration de
la compétition (au niveau européen et de la participation européenne au
niveau mondial), l'EBL fournit des services en ligne pour les joueurs,
comme un calendrier de tournois à travers l'Europe, une liste de livres
de bridge avec quelques commentaires, et un dossier de réalisations
majeures par les joueurs.
Les membres de l'European Bridge
League sont les fédérations nationales de Bridge. Les joueurs de bridge
sont adhérents aux fédérations nationales. En 2010 il y a 49 pays
membres de l'EBL, totalisant 393.164 joueurs . Près de 40% des pays et
60% des joueurs sont sous l'égide de la Fédération mondiale de bridge.
Géographiquement, les membres de l'EBL
vont de l'Islande à Malte, de Israël à l'Arménie, qui sont également
tous membres du Comité olympique européen. L'angleterre, l'écosse et le
Pays de Galles participent en tant que trois nations, le Danemark et les
îles Féroé en tant que deux nations , mais ils participent
conjointement, pour la Grande-Bretagne et le Danemark, en tant
qu'équipes olympiques. L'Andorre, l'Azerbaïdjan, la Macédoine et la
Moldavie adhèrent au comité olympique Européen mais ne participent pas
aux championnat du monde. Le Liban adhère au bridge européen, mais est
rattaché à l'Asie pour les jeux olympiques.
La France et les Pays-Bas représentent la moitié des 384 000 joueurs.
Avec environ 5% chacun, cinq autres nations constituent encore 30%:..
L'Italie, L'Allemagne, L'Angleterre, le Danemark et la Suède. Ainsi, les
sept plus grandes nations du bridge représentent 80% des joueurs
inscrits en Europe.
40 sur les 46 nations de l'EBL ont
fait entrer au moins une équipe nationale dans le dernier Championnat
d'Europe par équipes (2010): 38. Dans la catégorie Open, 28 femmes, et
23 équipes seniors.
Les joueurs des pays membres de l'EBL
ont obtenu de grands succès au niveau mondial. En 2008 à Pékin, ils ont
remporté 22 des 27 médailles au bridge lors des premiers Jeux mondiaux
des sports de l'esprit. Il y avait six membres de l'EBL parmi les 22
équipes nationales pour la finale du Championnat du monde de bridge
("Bermuda Bowl en 2009"), et toutes les six sont arrivées en huitième de
finale.
L'European Open Championnats Bridge
ont lieu tous les deux ans, les années impaires, depuis 2003.
L'EBL organise des événements jeunes
chaque année en Juillet, pour les équipes de jeunes et les paires qui
représentent les pays membres de la LBE.
Le tournoi des petites fédérations, créé en 2007, est limité aux équipes
nationales de fédérations ne comptant pas plus de 500 membres. Douze à
seize équipes ont participé dans les trois premières sessions. 19 des 49
pays EBL semblent être éligibles.
