Congrats to both teams going to Moscow , but even I feel gutted for Tom , after winning all 6 games he should of been the automatic choice. Tom was defo the strongest mens team there and in my opinion should of went. They clearly need to rethink the way of doing things as all too often as in other sports the better team ends up losing.

Well, obviously not, Strathydoug, because the rules prior to the competition were clearly laid out - as they were at the European playdowns.

But, to you question directly, it seems to me that it is important for TV and for spectators, that there is a clearly defined final game at a specific time.  It was for that reason that the Scottish championship moved from a straight league format to a semi-final / final format in 1979.  I can tell you that there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth when that rule was introduced - until three teams recognised that they were still in with a shout when otherwise they would have been out!  Amazing how the reality of a situation suddenly hits home to turn "a point of principle" into a negotiating opportunity.

As for the European play-offs though, well it seems to me that that is a different story.  I understand that Soren Gran was particularly keen to have a play-off in order to mimic championship tension in a final.  There is an understandable rationale behind that.  It does seem ridiculous though that a team can go out of a play-off that is not being televised and is hardly watched, on a 7-2 record where the winner goes through on a 4-6 record.  It does seem daft that a team goes undefeated through the league, finishing four games ahead of their rivals - only to find themelves in a play-off.  But I do understand Soren's concern as well.  I wonder if there is not a middle way where you have a best of five final, in which the team with the most number of wins in the league carries forward the difference between their wins and the other finalist's wins up to a maximum of two?  So, for example, had the teams been tied, it would have been straight "best of five"; had one team been one-up in games, they would be one up in a "best of five"; in the situation that prevailed, Tom would have been two up in a "best of five".

Too complicated?  Perhaps - but at least some advantage would pass to the winner of the league and at least Soren's understandable desire to have a championship-type finale would also prevail.

Anyhow - enough of that.  I don't suppose the Swiss are too happy!  They let the Scots back into the fray, only to be put out by them in the first play-off.  Gratitude?  You must be joking!  Good luck to the two Scottish teams out there in the rest of the tournament.  They are about to take the ice against their bogey team, the Czechs.

Good luck also to the Irish team playing Hungary this afternoon and to the English who play Russia.  A lot of old mates in both these teams.  Form is temporary but class is permanent, chaps - all the best!

Seems sensible to me David

Hi John

2003 - the system that year was the same as 79 and 80. Won Scottish in Feb 2003 and went to Europeans in Courmayer in the December

Neil

Thanks Neil- probably explains why I have no results in my database for a European playdown!!