(unknown)

Sorry for the recent lack of comm. I am setting things up for my trip, and
trying to at least advance a bit on my EOG to have it sent before the end of
the week.

I'm writing with this mail account cause my office server appears not to work
with some of the players'.

Anyway,

>Congratulations to all survivors: A shared 3rd place (or better) in the
>Final is a good result.
>Julio, you have claimed victory and are now the World Masters Email
>Diplomacy 2002 Champion. Congratulations on a tournament well-played.

*******Thanks a lot, that will be something to remember ad infinitum. And the
best part - I made a lot of bright and interesting acquaintances along the way.
It's true I lost a lot of wine bottles, beer rounds, guaranas, chocolates... But
still a good trade :-)

I have to admit I am a bit surprised to see the game end at this point: a
solo victory is within Julio's grasp. I guess the extra bragging rights were
not enough to make the final push :-)

*******Ah, the bragging... :-) Not my style.

The truth is, victory is already enough in a final game, and besides my fellow
players used their dip on me and made me stop :-)

Paul, thanks for running the Final in your usual exemplary manner and for
your work on the website: This tournament wouldn't have been possible
without your efforts and time.

*******No matter how much we thank you, Paul, it won't be enough. You GM'd it
like a Swiss watch, but even so managed to talk a bit, and to put the right
flexibility to the game pace. Now you just owe me some wrestling in a game to
come.

Good luck to those of you who are playing in the 2004 Tournament: may you
reach as far/farther as you did in this tournament.

*******Uh, that's not gonna be easy in my case, especially considering how poor
I'm doing right now! :-)


It has been my honour from day one, I hope to keep in touch, and even meet some
of you guys one day. If Brazil improves its football soon enough to qualify for
WC2006, it will be a good opp; Or sooner, if any of you happen to be in DC for
the next 3 weeks.

Regards,


Julio.