Scots abroad ... everywhere

Two Scottish junior teams start playing today in Istanbul in the inaugural World Youth Congress.

The U26 team are all experienced internationals but playing as a team of four will be tough. However I'm sure that Alex, Andrew, Myles and Gyles are all focused on performing well and hopefully we'll see them on vugraph at some point. The U21 team features the not so old-timers, Yvonne and Ralph, and two new pairs - I'm sure that they will all enjoy it and hopefully will make a real impression in the event.

Last night saw the start of the EBU's Summer Congress in Brighton. I'll be down next weekend for the teams but a number of Scots are already there competing in the three-day Swiss Pairs.

So far, with their overnight positions, I've spotted:

• Brian Spears and John Murdoch (8th)
• Iain Sime and Fiona McQuaker (23rd)
• David Gold* and David Bakhshi (29th)
• Nigel Guthrie and David Barnes (40th)
• Jim Forsyth and Susan Aitchison (99th)
  
• Philip Stephens and Chris Cooper (236th)
  
• Samantha Punch and Olivia Hackett** (327th)
  

* Start of my campaign to bring Scottish talent back, as David was born in Scotland and spent at least the first six months of his life here

** Sam was supposed to be playing with Alan Goodman, so I'm guessing that Olivia is substituting due to travel delays.

Of course there is a long way to go, but good luck to all.