[ritchiebaby]

Not a good day for Scotland as they lost twice, firstly being hammered 1-7 by Switzerland. Scotland lost a game-changing 4 shots in the 5th end when Sophie Jackson's last stone came up short by a couple of feet and following their 1 shot in the 6th end, the Scots conceded. In their second game, they did slightly better in a fairly close game and had a chance for glory in the last end, but still lost 6-9 to Denmark, who hadn't won any games until this morning against Japan.

As well as Denmark, today's big winners were Sweden and Switzerland. Like Scotland, two-time losers were Germany and Japan. Sweden and Russia now lead the competition on 7 wins with Korea and China on 6 wins. Switzerland sit in 5th position with 5 wins, and the 6th slot is filled by Canada, Japan, Scotland and USA.

Scotland now face leaders Sweden and Russia tomorrow, when any chance of a win must be snapped up. Friday's games will be against USA (on BBC Online from 7.45am) and Korea, an equally tough finish.

[ritchiebaby]

Scotland's recent troubles were exacerbated yesterday with 2 defeats. They were lying game until the Swedish skip played an excellent double take-out to gain 2 shots, Scotland losing 7-8 after an exciting cut-and-thrust game. Next came another tough game against Russia and again the Scots were in the game all the way to the 8th end at 4-4, but lost a poor 3 in the 9th end, allowing Russia to run the Scots out of stones in the last end.

An almost impossible task became 100% impossible after this morning's game against USA. Scotland actually scored in 6 ends to USA'a 3 ends, but a terrible loss of 6 shots in the 7th end. Amazingly, Scotland still had the conviction and skill to lie peels (tied at 9-9) with 1 stone still to come. The USA skip then took the 2 Scottish stones out to blank the end and win the game 9-7. Ironically this was Sophie Jackson's best game in what has been a real up-and-down week for her.

There's now no chance of Scotland qualifying with only 4 wins with 1 game to come. Sweden with 10 wins and Korea and Russia with 8 wins are guaranteed qualifiers. Switzerland and China are on 7 wins and should qualify. USA have 6 wins and under threat if they lose their last game and Japan on 5 wins and with 2 games to go are that threat. Unfortunately those games are against China and Sweden. Canada, also on 5 wins but with only 1 game to go are the outsiders.

[ritchiebaby]

Reporting on Scotland's results in this championship is becoming more and more like Groundhog Day. Once again Scotland competed right up to the 7th end, when they led 4-3. Unfortunately they lost the last 3 ends to succumb 4-7 to Korea. In the last end Scotland were challenging all the way and were lying the 2 shots required to take the game into an extra end with 1 stone each to play. Korea's skip played a perfect take-out to lie shot, leaving Sophie Jackson an impossible shot.

The outcome of the other games meant that, as expected, Switzerland and China qualified. They were joined by Japan, who pipped USA and Canada at the post for the final place, by virtue of their wins against them. Scotland finished in 10th place with 4 wins and had some disappointing and disjointed performances. They competed well for most of their games, but were outgunned at vital times in each of their losses.

Sweden and Korea move directly to the Semi-finals, with Switzerland playing China in the first qualifying game and Russia v Japan in the other.

[Lord Snooty]

10th? Shudda stuck with Eve's team.

[ritchiebaby]

You're living in the past, Snooty. Sophie's the new kid on the block!  

Switzerland squeezed past China in this morning's first Qualifying Game by 5 shots to 3, but Japan breezed past Russia 11-3 in the other one. The Swiss then needed an extra end to dispose of Korea in the first Semi-final this afternoon by 5 shots to 3. Sweden will play Japan tonight to finalise the Medal Game line-ups for tomorrow.

I'm off for a wee time-out (other brands are available), so I'll see you towards the end of the Men's Championships.

[ritchiebaby]

Switzerland nicked the Gold Medal away from Sweden following an 8-7 win after an extra end. Korea won the Bronze Medal, beating Japan by 7-5. No time for any more news at this stage, but I might be able to get some photos later.

[ritchiebaby]

GOLD - SWITZERLAND


SILVER - SWEDEN


BRONZE - KOREA