The European Bridge League joins the World Bridge Federation in mourning the passing of its esteemed President, Jan Kamras. Jan, the current WBF President, served as EBL President from 2018 to 2022.
Jan’s dedication to the world of bridge was truly exceptional. Despite facing health challenges throughout his presidency, he continued to serve with unwavering passion and commitment, driven by his deep love for the game.
Message from Eric Laurant, EBL President and 2nd WBF Vice President
I’m deeply saddened by this devastating news. We all knew it would happen sooner rather than later but truth is, I’m not ready.
My time with Jan goes back 20 years when we both were captain of our national open teams. There was this immediate match that sometimes happens when you meet somebody new. When you meet a Friend.
Jan was elected in the executive committee of the EBL in 2010, I followed in 2012. Already in 2013 we prepared together a program to make the administration of European bridge more democratic, more transparent, and more efficient. Furthermore we aimed to bring down cheating and to improve the quality and organization of our tournaments. First in the EBL, later also in the WBF.
We are not there yet but I can say that thanks to Jan we have made big big steps.
Dear Jan, for me it’s clear, I will continue what we started together.
Thank you buddy.
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It is with regret that we mark the passing of Jean-Christophe Quantain, former European Champion (2016) and Bermuda Bowl runner-up (2017). Jean-Christophe lived for Bridge for almost forty years, not just as a top-class player, but also as coach of the French youth and women’s team, a journalist and a writer.
Jean-Christophe was possessed of a bright mind and a keen sense of humour. A pillar of support for team-mates, he was also respected by his peers. His lost will be felt in both his native France and on the wider international scene. He fell victim to severe illness and, despite a dignified battle, succumbed in the middle of summer.
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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our friend and recent EC colleague, Jafet Ólafsson from Iceland.
Jafet joined the EBL Executive Committee in 2014 and retired in 2022. He was President of the Icelandic Bridge Federation from 2010 until 2022 and was a wonderful ambassador for Bridge both home and abroad. “Bridge makes life more pleasant” was Jafet’s favourite quote when promoting bridge.
Jafet was a kind, thoughtful and multi-talented gentle man with a wide variety of interests – he will be greatly missed by many.
We extend our sincere sympathies to his wife Hildur, their children Johanna, Sigriði and Ari, and his wider family; also to his many friends and the members of the Icelandic bridge family.
Megi hann hvíla í friði.
Yet again in such a short space of time, we are sad to report the recent passing of another Polish star, Krzysztof Lasocki.Over his international playing career from 1982 to 2016 in European and World events, Krzysztof won a Gold medal, 2 Silver and a Bronze in Open Teams, a Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze medals in Senior Teams, an Open Pairs Gold and a Gold and a Bronze Medal in Senior Pairs – a distinguished career.
Our sincere condolences go to his family and many friends at this sad time.
Krzysztof will very much missed – may he rest in peace. ]]>
We are deeply saddened to report the recent passing of yet another star in the bridge firmament, Jacek Romański from PolandJacek first appeared at the top level when winning the World Teams Olympiad in Seattle in 1984. There followed a further 7 Gold, 5 Silver, and 5 Bronze Medals at European and World Team Championships. A Gold Medal, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze in Pairs Championships rounded out a stellar bridge career
Our condolences go to his family and many friends at this sad time, in particularly to Apolinary Kowalski with whom he shared many of his successes.
A kind man – he will very much missed – may he rest in peace. ]]>
The European Bridge Community is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Jón Baldursson fom Iceland.Jón was a player of the Iceland team that won the Bermuda Bowl in Yokohama in 1991 and was part of the Iceland/Great Britain team that won the 1st World Mixed Team Championship in Rhodes in 1996. He won the 2nd Generali World Open Individual Championship in Paris in 1994.
A European Grand Master and World Life Master, Jón had played more than 600 international matches representing Iceland and was their highest ranked player and a wonderful ambassador for bridge.
Jón was inducted into the EBL Hall of Fame in 2019.
Our deepest condolences to Jón’s family, friends and colleagues. ]]>
We are deeply saddened to report the recent passing of Göran Mattsson fromGermany.
Göran was a member of the EBL Executive Committee from 2003 – 2007, a member of the EBL Senior Committee from 2001-2018 and the WBF Senior Committee from 2003-2010.
He was awarded the EBL Bronze Medal in 2010 for services to European bridge.
In a playing career stretching from 1970 to 2017, Göran won several medals in European and World teams and pairs events including Gold in both the Senior Pairs at the European Pairs Championships in Sorrento in 2001 and the Senior Teams in the European Teams Championships in Warsaw in 2006.
Göran was well known in bridge circles for his kind and friendly personality and in particular for his unfailing interest in and support for bridge in his adopted country Germany and across Europe.
He will be missed – may he rest in peace.
Our condolences go to his family and many many friends at this sad time. ]]>
Obituary courtesy of IBPA
I thank Fredrik Jarvik, who succeeded Hallén at the Scanian bridge district’s office for the permission to use his text written for the Swedish bridge magazine as basis for this obituary.
Hans-Olof, ”Hasse”, Hallén’s life was bridge. His career at the green tables started in 1948. 1953 he partnered Ulf Hegethorn and they played together at the Olympiad in Turin 1960. Their partnership ended after 70 years with a tournament at the local club only a few weeks before Hasse´s death.
In 1967 the Scanian district hired Hasse to their office. He duplicated boards, ruled the game, taught bridge in schools and at bridge courses. He worked hard, was always available (he lived three steps from the office), and he never said no.
Hasse was very active in the Swedish Bridge Federation where he was referred to as the Oracle from Scania. He was also one of EBL’s chief TDs and a long-standing member of the International Bridge Press Association.
Hasse, Olof Hanner, and I spent seven years on the book on Movements. It was great fun, but the book would have been completed much faster without Hasse. Every time I thought that we were done, Hasse came up with new, different ideas.
No label fit on Hasse, but if I had to select one word it would be Querdenker. That is a German word literally meaning cross thinker. You never knew where a discussion, or bidding, with Hasse would end. To Hasse —; QJ9xxx; 10xxx; xxx was an obvious take out double over RHO´s 1 spade opening.
Hasse was unique. He was everything; except lazy. And most of all he was an out-standing friend. We are many who miss him. A lot.
Per Jannersten
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We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Mr. Patrick Grenthe, former president of the French Bridge Federation. Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences go to his wife Dominique and his whole family. A tribute written by his good friend José Damiani, President Emeritus of the EBL, can be found here.
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