Actually, they are already here.  And at the rate they are going they will be the only ones left before long.  Ivan Demidov and Stanislav Alekhin are atop the chip counts, and the 4 eliminations today have all came at the hands of the Russians.  Scott “emptyseat88″ Fischman (right), Toni Hiltunen and Robin Keston have all now joined Chris Elliott on the sidelines.

Alekhin took out Hiltunen in 8th place when the two ended up all in preflop and Alekhin’s pocket queens held up against Toni’s pocket jacks.  8th place for Toni Hiltunen brings £108,600. 

Next up was Ivan Demidov’s turn at being the executioner, eliminating Robin Keston in 7th place for £135,750. Demidov had opened for 38k and Keston moved all in.  Ivan called with pocket nines and was well ahead of the A-8 for Keston.  Robin picked up a flush draw on the 9 turn which made a set for Ivan.  The river was a blank though, ending the day for Keston and puting more chips in the hands of November Niner.

 Not to be outdone, Alekhin (below) got right back to work and has sent two time bracelet winner Scott “emptyseat88″ Fischman off to collect his £171,950 for 7th place.  Ivan had started the action with a raise and both Fischman and Alekhin called.  On the AJT flop Ivan checked, Fischman bet 45k and then Stanislav took over control of the pot by raising to 135k.  Ivan got out of the way leaving the action to Fischman who moved the rest of his stack into the middle.  Stanislav was sitting on the nuts and couldn’t call quick enough.

The KQ for the Russian gave him a flopped straight while Fischman only had the AQ for top pair and a straight draw in hopes of chopping the pot.  The possibility of running cards for a full house went out the door with a 4 on the turn leaving Fischman looking for a king to split the pot and continue on.  It didn’t happen and Alekhin added another notch on his belt from this final table.

Play is now 5 handed with the two Russians leading the way.  Daniel Negreanu, John Juanda and Bengt Sonnert will have to find some way to slow the Russians down before the steamroll of this final table is complete.

• October 2, 2008 -- Elite Eight
• October 2, 2008 -- Turned Upside Down, But Still Evenish
• October 2, 2008 -- Bengt Bounced, Juanda Gains Ground
• October 2, 2008 -- Kid Poker Felted