1) When did
you get acquainted with bridge? How
did this change your life?
I first met bridge when I was 10
years old. I learned watching my
father playing with his friends. At
the time it obviously did not change
my life, but it certainly did in the
following years...
2) Is there a Fantoni bridge style?
I don't think there is a Fantoni
style per se, but our system has a
very unique way of playing and is
exclusive to us. As to table
attitude it is always friendly,
except when an opponent is so
unpleasant as to deserve a real hard
time.
3) What is the competitive edge of
Italian bridge that led it to win
6 European championships?
The Italian team is incredibly
strong and I believe one of its
advantages is having 3 pairs of
professionals, people that play and
study bridge... full time...a very
unusual quality in most countries.
4) What are
the main achievements in your career?
What was your most significant
victory... and the most
painful
defeat?
So far the highlights in my career
are:
- World Pairs Championship , winner
in 2002 and third in 2006
- Olympic Teams, winner in 2004 and
2008
- European Championship, winner in
2004 and 2006
- Bermuda Bowl, winner in 2005,
second in 2003
For one reason or another, they have
all been very important.
The truth is that the World Pairs
Championship was the most exciting
because we never expected to win it.
The Bermuda Bowl was also very
exciting, Italy hadn't won it for 30
years, and we were facing the US
Nickell Team which
is surely the strongest opponents we
have ever met, so beating them made
the title even more important.
The most painful defeat was
obviously the 2003 Bermuda Bowl...
We lost for 1 Imp in the last hand.
5) Who is your partner? How much
time do you dedicate to studying?
My partner is Claudio Nunes, we
devote a lot of time to bidding and
defending.
6) What qualities should a good
bridge player have? And a champion?
Concentration is for sure the most
important quality for performance at
the table. Obviously, a good player
should also be totally familiar with
carding techniques.
A
champion should, above all, be
humble... And willing to share his
experience with others, although it
doesn't always happen...
7) How should the ideal partner be?
Are you an ideal partner?
First of all, the ideal partner
should be a friend, a person with
whom you enjoy playing, traveling
and having lunch and
dinner with. I'd rather have a
technically weaker partner (not my
case) but a friend... than the best
player in the world. I'm very
fortunate that my partner is a
friend... aside from being the best
player in the world!
8) Which bridge book would you
recommend?
I really like the Trezel bridge
books.
9) If you had to choose a convention,
which one would you pick?
Gazzilli... is a convention that I
think should be used by all who play
natural bridge.
10) What do
you think of on-line bridge? Do you
like to play it? Where do you play?
I think it's great fun to play on-line.
I only play in BBO.
11) You organize cruises, what would
you tell the Latin American public
about them?
Our Greek cruises are great fun. In
addition to beautiful locations we
have a high quality bridge festival
and amateur bridge tournaments... at
night. Which means that everyone has
fun choosing where to play. The gala
dinner is a wonderful and
unforgettable event. We owe all this
especially to our marvellous sponsor
Mr. Hassib Sabbah who funds most of
the activities... Without his help
it would be impossible to have them...
12) Is it for experts or for
intermediate and advanced players as
well?
Everyone can come and find their
ideal spot and choose the
tournaments they prefer.
13) Do you have any cruise stories
you would like to share?
I return home hoping that next year
comes fast!!! To go back!!!
14) Do you organize other
tournaments?
Yearend Holidays but without a
festival. The tournament has about
30 tables and the level is quite
mixed, you find intermediate,
advanced and expert players.
The mood is very friendly, and my
presence is constant... I'm
available to everyone on any bridge
subject they may wish to address.
15) Do you
have your own web site?
16) Is bridge part of the school
system in Italy?
Yes, it is taught in high school.
17) How do
you think we can help promote this
wonderful sport?
I don't exactly know... Probably
National Leagues and the World
Bridge Federation should pay
instructors to give free lessons to
novices. People are always busy, so
it is not easy to get them
interested in bridge. Free lessons
should encourage the young and
people in general to join and learn
the game.
18) Let's talk a little about your
personal life... Are you married?
Any children? What do you like to
read other
than
bridge? What music do you like?
Movies? Hobbies?
I've had a spouse for 5 years and I
have a 12-year old son. They both
make my life very happy. My wife
always comes with me
in my trips around the world and
this helps to keep me content and
focused. My wonderful boy is 12 and
I spend most of the time with him
when I am at home. He is doing fine
at school and gives me great
satisfaction with his football, he
is amazing at defense.
I like pop music, especially Laura
Pausini. I'm a movie fan, I've had a
small theater built at home, where I
watch films as if I were in a movie
theater.
As to hobbies I'd say my present
priority is tennis, I've taken it
up again after 8 months and really
enjoy it.
19) Does your son play bridge?
He knows a little about bridge but
doesn't play... I have decided not
to teach him until he asks me.
20) Can you tell us what you think
about these sayings:
1) The winner is the one that makes
the least mistakes...
I absolute agree with the fact that
whoever makes the least mistakes
wins.
2) Bridge is a very difficult
game...
Bridge is an extremely difficult
game... but that is what makes it
... so fascinating...
3) Women are weaker at bridge than
men...
I think so and the results prove it.
There are probably a lot of reasons,
depending on personality and
concentration differences between
men and women.
4) Bridge is a mind sport
I think that is what it is...
Exactly
5) Bridge is brain gymnastics
I've seen many people with many
problems...remain interested in life...thanks
to bridge