I agree that the behaviour of Wladow/Elinescu was not correct. The results achieved trying to recover earlier losses in the game were not based on sound judgement but lacking basic sportsmanship. However, leaving the table after four disastrous hands has to be judged against what actually happened. If the two players just left, some sort of penalty should be imminent. It should, however, only affect the players involved and not the country they were representing so poorly. Since, apart from a loss of respect, no harm was done to the opponents, penalising the entire team or even the country they played for does not feel appropriate. If some sort of ban for this pair is feasible according to the rules, the international Bridge bodies and, moreover, the Deutsche Bridgeverband should impose it right away. I personally would like to see the German Bridge Association take respective action.
