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History

Chronicle of the E.U.B.L.

1966
Andre Lamaitre who had strong bonds of friendship with personalities of the European Economic Community got the idea of founding a bridge organisation containing all members of the EEC. He reported it to Count Raoul de Vitry d'Avaucourt, President of the French Bridge Federation, who was immediately enthused.

The Organisation was founded on 31st July 1966 during a meeting in Paris where all the presidents of each Bridge Federation were present : Heintz von Rotteck (Germany), Martin Stoffels (Belgium), Rene Huni (Delegate of France), Carlo Alberto Perroux (Italy), and G Kramer (Netherlands).

They formed the 1st committee of which Count de Vitry accepted the presidency; Andre Lemaitre was nominated Secretary-Treasurer; E. Heldring, Secretary of the EBL, was also a member of the Committee.

It was decided to hold the Championships every two odd years. This event would contain all disciplines, as there are a tournament in pairs, in teams for the Open, Ladies, Juniors and Mixed.

It was equally decided to create a Challenge-cup that would be awarded to the country that obtained the best results throughout all the disciplines.

1967 - 1983
Ostend hosted the first Championships in 1967, followed in 1969 by Monaco that joined the Organisation. On this occasion His Serene Highness Prince Rainier accepted the presidency of honour of the Organisation.
Also in 1969 Greece became a member. Great Britain and Ireland, and a little bit later Denmark also joined the Organisation. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg became the 11th member in 1980.

The success of these Championships was still growing considering the list of prize winners in the competitions (see below). We are rejoiced to be able to spotlight so many champions. Let us once more pay homage to him who had the idea and who, with cooperation of a few in the beginning and some more in the end, took upon himself the secretaryship until 1980: Andre Lemaitre.

The Count de Vitry handed over the presidency to Mr Kramer in 1973, who in turn assigned it to Mr Bongrand (France) in 1977. When Mr Bogrand resigned in 1981 due to his tough professional career, the Committee decided to alternate the presidency every two years.

In Birmingham, Mr C D Bowman did the honours whereas Mr P Magerman (Belgium), accepted the Vice-presidency since Belgium would organise the Championships in 1983.

Andre Lemaitre was succeeded by Guy Mintiens who was nominated in this function during the meeting of the delegates in Birmingham, where unanimously Helene Lemaitre was appointed treasurer. With the 10th Championships in sight, the committee relied upon the good advice of Mrs Anna Maria Torlontano (Italy).

1985-1996
In 1985 on the opening of the Championships in Bordeaux, Mr Georges Chevalier took the presidency. Spain and Portugal joined the Organisation.

Valkenburg (1987), instead of Italy that organized the Olympiads was the following step. On the eve an academic ceremony in Brussels (Hotel Astoria) celebrated the 20th anniversary.

In Venice in 1988 a special meeting of the delegates approved the statutes of what was called the "European Community Bridge League - ECBL". They were applied in 1989.

The discipline "Seniors" started in Ostend (1989) that hosted the Championships. The Congress decided to transfer the Championships from 1996 onwards to the even years to avoid the competition (teams) of the EBL. Also reasons of budget favoured this mutation.

Then came the Gulf war. One hesitated, but Greece presented to organise the Championships in Vouliagmeni (Astir Palace) near Athens. Despite the events the participation was satisfactory.

We were glad to receive the candidacy of Portugal (Montechoro - Algarve) for the 1993 Championships. It became a tremendous success.

In respect with the European evolution the association changed her name into EUROPEAN UNION BRIDGE LEAGUE together with the entrance of Austria, Finland and Sweden. This brings the total members to 16.

In 1996 with the 15th Championships the 30th anniversary will be celebrated in Ostend.

The continuation of the organisation of the championships will be assured by Germany. Portugal and Austria are on the list for the following years.

In 1993 the ECBL organised in Antwerp, that then was the cultural capital of Europe, the First University Championships. 9 countries participated.

Lisboa assured the second edition in 1994. Copenhagen will be next in 1996 whereas Thessaloniki, Stokholm and Weimar will have the honour the following years.

Both Championships remain for many an occasion to meet a lot of friends and to recall precious memories.