Ireland has had a disappointing start to the 45th General European bridge championships in Tenerife.
In the opening match against France, Tom Hanlon, Hugh McGann, Padraig O Briain and Tomas Roche lined out to lose narrowly 13-17 to one of Europe's top teams. For round two, Michael MacDonagh and Brendan O'Brien joined Hanlon and McGann against Switzerland but lost 6-24.
The Swiss have surprised most at the championship. Having beaten Bulgaria 22-8 in the first round, they later scored 24 against San Marino to lead the championship.
Ireland met Poland, one of the favourites, in round three. Hanlon, McGann, O Briain and Roche were in front for 16 of the 20 deals. Then a slam bid by the Poles but not by the Irish, plus a game going down at the Irish table and made by the opponents, gave the Poles a 19-11 win.
Ireland's next two matches are against Liechtenstein and Latvia. Hanlon, McGann, MacDonagh and O'Brien play against Liechtenstein. The early shock has been the 25-2 English defeat by Belgium. England later lost to Germany and Romania and lie third from the bottom.
In the women's pairs championship Elva Gannon and Pauline Maguire failed to qualify for a second European final. Patsy Meehan and Petra O'Neill were best of the Irish but are not among the 28 finalists.
Russians Romanovska and Volina have led from the start. Favourites Auken and von Armin, Germany, chasing a third pairs title, are safely through.
Open Teams: Leaders after three rounds: 1, Switzerland 70; 2, Croatia 65; 3, Russia 64; 4, Belgium, Greece 60; 6, France 58; 7, Norway 56; 8, Poland, Wales 55; 32, Ireland 30.