Player

Bid DKK

Fredrik Nyström, Sweden

Winner of the 1^st CBI in 2010 with Peter Bertheau and one of the heroes of Sweden's gold-winning team in Lille 2012. Professional bridgeplayer since he and former partner Peter Bertheau as juniors grasped the opportunity of a lifetime playing in the United States as professionals. Sweden owes a great deal of its fine reputation in bridgecircles to Nyström's merits.

Since 2011 he is partnering Upmark, and together the two gentlemen make the nicest pair in the world.

And, as many of his countrymen, he has always had a soft spot for Denmark.

Johan Upmark, Sweden

Having long been lurking in the shadow of the well-reputed swedish professionals, Johan Upmark has now grasped his chance and jumped a level to be among the world's best.

Winning the World Bridge Games in Lille partnering Fredrik Nyström is the provisional highlight of his bridge career.

A thoughtful declarer, who received the following remark from a BBO-commentator after a brilliant declarer play during the semifinals in Lille: "He can no longer be called a rising star, he has already risen."
Partnering Marion Michielsen more than just occasionally at the bridge table, and the couple is already searching for a larger apartment to fit their combined pile of medals and trophies.

Tosh, as he is called, became English around year 2000 when Tony Forrester asked him to be his partner. In his own words he had the choice of being the best player in Scotland with no real prospect of improvement or the worst player by far in his partnership with Forrester.

Poker star Gus Hansen's preferred partner at the CBI pro/am since their victory in 2010, why we anticipate the two to team up again in 2015.
Hanlon is a professional bridge and poker player - and according to one of his Irish teammates also quite the ladies' man (as long as he keeps his snappy remarks to himself).

He has been part of Irish national teams since his debut on the junior team as a young lad in 1986 and deserves his part of the credit for the good Irish results in recent years.
This year Tom is pairing up with his scottish counterpart both regarding humour and bridge skills, so kibitzers are guaranteed entertainment of one sort or the other.

Sabine Auken, Germany

So far the greatest female bridge star of all times. Within women's bridge she has won everything there is to win - more than once. Seeking new challenges she pursued her dream of only competing in open competitions, fighting for her sex to be acknowledged at the bridgetable. Her results in the past two years with Roy Welland, her partner both in bridge and life, have proved beyond any doubt that at least one woman is equal to any man.

Among their many victories, the highlights were capturing the Vanderbilt in 2013 along with the European Open Pairs, Sabine being the first woman ever to win the event.

No doubt Sabine's cheerful disposition takes part of the credit for their huge success despite breaking the ancient wisdom of not playing with your partner in crime.

Roy Welland, USA

Roy Welland has won all imaginable American titles and became a European Open Mix Champion in 2003. However after entering a partnership with Sabine Auken his bridge career has exploded, starting with their Vanderbilt Victory in 2013, only a month after the CBI.
Three months later the pair won the European Open Pairs, and it is difficult to find a tournament without them placing either first or second.
Well - besides in the Danish 1. Division, where they are still hoping one day to be above average in the butler...

Although a modest consumer himself Welland is a wine enthusiast with an outstanding collection and owner of a vineyard in Italy.

His soft humour and outstanding manners combined with an irrepressible will to win makes him the perfect partner for an evening.

Had his major breakthrough at the World Mind Sports Games in Lille with the gold-winning Swedish team.

Was always considered a huge talent and is right now one of the hottest names in bridge in his partnership with Peter Bertheau.

Has a fearless and unimpressed approach to the game that will place him among the best in the world during the next decade.

He has recently given up his job as a district court judge to take the leap into the world of a bridge professional. 
Per-Ola is a charmeur with excellent Danish skills and the father of two lovely children.

One of the winners of the 1^st CBI and for many years an established bridge star. However after the victory in the World Mind Sports Games his popularity exploded and his name was on all lips due to some spectacular boards, including bluffing his way to seven hearts to prevent the opponents from making a cheap save in seven spades.

Not surprisingly he is also a skilled pokerplayer, although he according to his own expression often gets "fed up" with it, which has never happened with bridge.

It is less apparent and only known in certain circles that he is also a very skilled dancer...

Partner

Nils Foss

Barel owned the CBI in 2013, winning both the pro/am and the main event and now faces the almost impossible task of defending his titles.
He debuted in 1994 on the Israeli junior team and has represented the Israeli open team on many occasions, with silver at the Open European Championships in 2009 and bronze at the European Championships in 2010 as his most remarkable results.

For many years he was the captain of the Israeli junior Team. Since 2012 he has captained the Israeli women's team, who under his guidance has gone from struggling at the bottom of the table to be in contention for the qualifying spots and even managed so during the European Championships in 2012.
A more pleasant partner is hard to find; and the results from last year speak for themselves.

A calm and focused player at the table, who has been smiling since his victory in the CBI 2013. Began his career on the Israeli junior team, his last performance on the team being the dramatic bronze match against Denmark at the World Junior Championship in 1999, which Israel lost by a margin of 1,5 imps.

Since 2004 Zack has represented Israel on the open team partnering Michael Barel resulting in silver at the Open European Championships in 2009 and bronze at the European Championships the following year.

In 2011 Zack was on the Israeli team that qualified for the quarterfinal of the Bermuda Bowl.
Despite still looking like a junior, Zack has a wife, children and a regular day time job, when not attending bridge competitions all over the world. 
 

A CBI-participant since the first event in 2010, who has checked his mailbox every day since the 2013-edition for the invitation for 2015.

Carroll has been a regular of the Irish open team since his junior days. In 2006 he was on the team when Ireland won silver at the European Championships, only surpassed by mighty Italy.

His partnership with Tommy Garvey is older than his marriage, partly due to a common interest for Danish beer and an irresistible sense of Irish humour making them the obvious choice for an evening in good company - especially since John is often surrounded by a group of fans...

Partnering John Carroll on the Irish open team for the past 17 years with European silver in 2006 as the favourite result so far.
Garvey and Carroll were part of the heroic Irish team who as underdogs battled their way to the semifinals of the 2012 World Bridge Games, only to lose their place on the podium to mighty Monaco.
As a semiprofessional bridgeplayer, Garvey is struggling to attend both his bridge and business career as well as family life with two small children.
Though struggling to hide it through sarcastic remarks, Garvey's Irish charm is irresistible...

Second in the CBI 2013 and partnering His Royal Highness the Prince Consort in the Pro/am, Thomas Bessis could hardly dream of more. Yet he is back in 2015 to climb even higher.
Despite his young age he has won more championships than the best in the world win during a lifetime.

He is a European champion, a World champion and known for his ability to win on any team with any partner due to his solid bridge, mild temper and French charm.

As a junior he won an award for the best play of a hand, and the prize was to play a tournament with the great Zia Mahmood. Rumours whisper that nowadays Zia is hoping to win a tournament with the young Thomas...

Father and partner of Thomas Bessis. Normally playing with family is not recommended for most bridge players, but in the case of Michel Bessis, playing with family has brought him three European championships and one world championship - not to mention his second place in the CBI 2013...

Partnering his wife, a former star of the French ladies' team, he has won two European mixed team championships, and with his son a European and a world team championship - in the same year!

Thomas used to be known as the son of Veronique & Michel Bessis, but in recent years they have become used to being known as the parents of Thomas Bessis...

Though he has dedicated his life to bridge, he still managed to squeeze in a psychology degree that is of much use to him at the bridge table...

The man hardly needs an introduction. The charismatic Pakistani is perhaps the most famous bridge player in the world, equally known for his imaginative play and sparkling personality.

In 1981 Pakistan, a small nation bridgewise, reached the final of the Bermuda Bowl, and it was obvious to the world to whom they owed their success.

Since the early 90'es Zia has represented the United States, winning the World Championship in 2009.

He is extremely popular among the kibitzers because he enjoys joking and involving them in his thoughts during the play.

And you can be certain that Zia is always the best-dressed mand of the room.

A Swedish bridge legend who kept his country among the world top teams during the 80'es and 90'es. In the beginning of the new millenium he settled in the USA and entered a highly successful partnership with fellow CBI-participant Roy Welland and as a consequence Fallenius represented the USA for years.

In 2009 he paired up with fellow Swedish bridgestar Peter Fredin, winning the European Open Pairs the same year in their partnership debut.
Fallenius still lives in New York where he runs the popular bridge club The Cavendish on Manhattan.

Equally known for his brilliancy and controversy. His unpredictable bidding makes him a dangerous opponent and his subtle humour a favoured partner for players with calm nerves.

He has a bunch of international silver medals, but finally struck gold in his partnership with Björn Fallenius winning the European open pairs in 2009.

Due to his former Danish girlfriend he has been a regular in Danish bridge tournaments for years and understands the language like a native, yet insists on speaking his mother tongue.

As an occupation he runs his own bridgecenter with his wife and their dog.

Askgaard is the most patient partner in Denmark and despite numerous attempts none of his partners have yet succeeded picking a fight with him at the bridge table.

Obtained his law degree last year after a 15 year-long struggle between his bridge and his studies.

 

As a junior Konow won European silver in 1998 and world bronze in 1999. In 2002 he won the World University Teams with Askgaard as a teammate.

As a bridgeplayer he is known as a skilled technician who takes it very personal if he takes a losing finesse.

Though he looks as young as ever, Brogeland's list of merits is longer than the articles he writes. Next to his career as a bridge professional he is the editor of the popular Norwegian bridge magazine Bridge i Norge.

He has been part of the team during all Norway's bridge triumphs, both as a junior and adult. He has won all imaginable titles; he is a World champion, a European champion and even a mix champion - partnering his wife Tonje, who also represents Norway on the women's side.

Boye is the perfect partner and many top players dream of the opportunity to have him at the other side of the table. This year he is playing with Alon Birman, a young Israeli World Champion.

Bring your favourite partner along to challenge the stars. Participation includes buffet and drinks before the tournament and drinks and canapées after for both players.

The spots will be sold to the highest bidder. Minimum bid for the pair is DKK 3.000

Bring your favourite partner along to challenge the stars. Participation includes buffet and drinks before the tournament and drinks and canapées after for both players.

The spots will be sold to the highest bidder. Minimum bid for the pair is DKK 3.000

Bring your favourite partner along to challenge the stars. Participation includes buffet and drinks before the tournament and drinks and canapées after for both players.

The spots will be sold to the highest bidder. Minimum bid for the pair is DKK 3.000

Bring your favourite partner along to challenge the stars. Participation includes buffet and drinks before the tournament and drinks and canapées after for both players.

The spots will be sold to the highest bidder. Minimum bid for the pair is DKK 3.000

Bring your favourite partner along to challenge the stars. Participation includes buffet and drinks before the tournament and drinks and canapées after for both players.