The UK National Team performance in Kamena Vourla was a disappointing campaign to say the least.
Our team consisted of only three Grandmasters – Reece Hodges, Oliver Squire and Pete Heskett. In addition to them were myself (Chris Rogers), Geoff Hall, Lawrence Powell, Connor Dickinson, Andy Darby and Dan Rovira. Even with a number of UK Grandmasters missing due to alternative commitments, our expectations were high, as what maybe we lacked in low PRs was more than compensated for in fighting spirit.
However, our high hopes were soon to be dashed in the group stages. There were 25 nations drawn into three groups of six, and one group of seven. Each team played the other in their group, with five boards in each match. The top team in each group would automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, with the second and third placed teams entering a play-off round, the winners of which would make up the rest of the quarter final spots.
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