Debate Championships in London.

But Premier Jennifer Smith -- in London yesterday for talks with the Foreign Office -- personally congratulated the team on their highest placement ever.

Team members Jordon Zancanella, Eli Lipschultz, Kalilah Robinson, Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch, Ryan Marshall, and Tara Kessaran were in sixth place on Wednesday after unanimous victories against Spain and the Ukraine.

But the teens lost an impromptu debate with the US in which they argued that multinationals did not represent a new imperialism.

"They did their absolute best,'' coach Gladstone Thompson told The Royal Gazette last night.

"I feel that it was a very difficult topic.'' And he pointed out many of the currently powerful teams featured mature students who would not be eligible for the next competition.

But Bermuda's team fields at least three veterans.

"I think what it says about Bermuda is that we have got a depth. Some of the stronger teams will have problems building their teams,'' he said.

"We are in a strong position for next year. It should be as good if not better.'' And he invited any young people interested in joining the team to contact him at the Spice Valley Middle School.

The team is scheduled to return to the Island on Sunday.