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Aberdeen, Scotland is the venue for these championships for both Men and Women from 18 to 25 November. Teams in the A-Division can qualify for the World Curling Championships and two teams are relegated from the A-Division each season.

The Women's teams are Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and Türkiye. The Scots gained a merited Bronze Medal last year  probably exceeding expectations, due to their relative inexperience. This year they will be challenging for a medal once again, more than likely  against their main rivals Italy, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden.

The Men's teams are Czechia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye. Defending Champions Scotland, again skipped by Bruce Mouat, will be seriously challenged by Italy, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

Scotland are represented by
WOMEN Rebecca Morrison (Skip), Jennifer Dodds (Third), Gina Aitken (Second), Sophie Jackson (Lead) and Sophie Sinclair (Alternate).
MEN Bruce Mouat (Skip), Grant Hardie (Third), Bobby Lammie (Second), Hammy McMillan (Lead) and Kyle Waddell (Alternate).

[ritchiebaby]

In the Women's competition, Scotland will start with 2 games on Saturday, the first against Turkey at 09.00, with the second at 19.30 against reigning Champions Denmark. Sunday's game is against Italy at 14.00. In the past Italy have been considered one of the weaker nations, but are now regular challengers for medals, with their skip, Stefania Constantini, being the current Olympic Mixed Doubles Champion (along with Amos Mosaner, who will be playing Vice-skip for Italy Men).

Round-robin play commences on Saturday 18 November and will continue until the afternoon of Thursday 23 November. In both events, the top four teams will progress to the semi-finals. The semi-finals will take place in the evening of 23 November, when in one semi-final the team ranked first after the round robin will play the fourth-placed team, whereas the second-placed team will meet the third-ranked team in the other semi-final. The losers of the semi-finals will play for bronze medals on 24 November with the finals on Saturday 25 November.


SCOTLAND WOMEN

Scotland's Mens' Team have won Silver, Gold, Bronze, Gold and Gold in the last 5 Championships, the Golds courtesy of Bruce Mouat's team. They are also current World Champions and must have a good chance of being one of the Medallists this year, although the competition will be fierce. No other country will want to see Scotland's dominance continue.

Round-robin play commences on Saturday 18 November and will continue until the afternoon of Thursday 23 November, after which the top four teams will progress to the semi-finals. In one semi-final the team ranked first after the round robin will play the fourth-placed team, whereas the second-placed team will meet the third-ranked team in the other semi-final, both in the morning of Friday 24 November. The losers of the semi-finals will play for bronze medals on 24 November with the finals being held on Saturday 25 November.

Scotland's first game will be against Norway at 14.30 on Saturday, followed by Olympic Champion Niklas Edin's Swedish team at 09.00 on Sunday and then Czechia at 19.00 the same day.


SCOTLAND MEN

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Scotland Women struggled through against Turkey by 8-4, being only 1 ahead with 2 ends to go. Unfortunately they came up against two of the favourites, Denmark yesterday and Italy today, losing 9-11 against the Danes, including 5 shots in the 4th end, followed by a defeat to the Italians by 6-7.

Tomorrow they play Czechia at 08.00, followed by Sweden at 16.00.

Likewise Scotland Men started off well, beating Norway 5-3, but suffered a reverse in their 2nd game this morning, losing 5-8 to Sweden, mainly due to losing 4 shots in the 1st end. They are currently palying Czechia in the final game today.

In tomorrow's game at 12.00 they play Switzerland and then Germany at 20.00.

[ritchiebaby]

Scotland Women fared much better today with wins against Czechia by 8-1, courtesy of 5 shots in the 7th end, and Sweden by 9-7, this time after 4 shots in the 5th end. They are now in 4th position on 3 wins along with Sweden, chasing Switzerland on 5 wins and both Italy and Norway on 4 wins.

Tomorrow's games are against Germany at 09.00 and Switzerland at 19.00.

Scotland Men squeezed past Czechia 6-5 last night, but were much more convincing today, beating Switzerland 9-6 in a tight game and Germany 8-2, after just 6 ends played. This leaves them 2nd in the table on 4 wins, just behind Italy on 5 wins.

Their game tomorrow is against Italy at 14.00.

[Lord Snooty]

Scotland v Germany in the women's is live on Eurosport atm. 1-1 after 2 ends.

[Lord Snooty]

Scotland won it 5-3.

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After their excellent win against Germany earlier today, the Scotland Women lost 2-5 against an unbeaten Switzerland. The Swiss are now definite qualifiers on 7 wins, as are Italy on 6 wins. Sweden on 5 wins and Scotland and Norway on 4 wins are the 3 teams battling for the remaining 2 places.

The Scots play Estonia at 14.00 tomorrow, then have a crunch game against Norway at 09.00 on Thursday.

Scotland Men were beaten 6-7 by Italy in a really tight game this afternoon, a result which leaves Italy certain qualifiers on 6 wins with 3 games still to play. Scotland are 2nd equal on 4 wins with Switzerland and Sweden, who both won today. Germany and Norway are on 3 wins.

The Scottish Men play Netherlands at 09.00 and Turkey at 19.00 tomorrow with their final game against Finland at 14.00 on Thursday. The fact that these 3 teams are the 3 bottom teams does not make life easier, as Scotland have the occasional aberration against "weaker" teams.

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WOMEN
Scotland had a tight game against Estonia, coming up trumps with a 6-4 win in the final end. With Sweden losing today, both Norway and Scotland have now caught them on 5 wins, the 3 teams fighting for 2 places. A win for the Scots will see them safely through, but even a loss might be enough if Sweden also lose against Turkey (I doubt it, but stranger things have happened).

MEN
Scotland saw off Netherlands 9-4 after 8 ends this morning and then Turkey by 10-3 after only 6 ends tonight. They now move into 2nd place with 6 wins behind Italy on 8 wins and only 1 game to play. Switzerland join them on 6 wins, with Norway and Sweden now on 5 wins. Theoretically there could be 4 teams tied on 6 wins after tomorrow with only 3 qualifying, but Scotland must be favourites to go through with their wins over Norway and Switzerland proving pivotal.

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WOMEN
Scotland were narrowly beaten 7-9 by Norway when Rebecca Morrison's last stone moved a few inches too far, just failing to take the game to an extra end. If the Scottish Women had beaten Norway, they would have been in the Semi-finals, but they did finish a very creditable 5th on 5 wins.

The Semi-finals at 19.00 tonight finished Italy 11 Sweden 2 and Switzerland 8 Norway 3. Therefore tomorrow's Bronze Medal Game at 14.00 is between Sweden and Norway. The Final at 09.00 on Saturday will be between Italy and Switzerland.

MEN
Scotland needed an extra end to shake off Finland 9-8 in a game that swung to and fro all the way. They finished (no pun intended) in 2nd place on 7 wins behind Italy on 9 wins, with Switzerland and Sweden on 6 wins.

The Semi-final Draw is Scotland v Switzerland and Italy v Sweden, both games at 09.00 tomorrow, with the Bronze Medal Game at 19.00. The Gold Medal Game will be on Saturday at 14.00.

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WOMEN
Italy had a straightforward win over Sweden by 11-2 after 8 ends, scoring in the first 5 ends to dismiss any serious challenge from the Swedes. After being only 4-3 up after 7 ends, Switzerland came good in the next 2 ends to win 8-3.

Norway play Sweden in the Bronze Medal Game this afternoon at 14.00, with the Gold Medal Game between Italy and Switzerland taking place at 09.00 tomorrow.

MEN
Scotland had a controlled win over Switzerland this morning by 7 shots to 4 with Bruce Mouat playing an open take-out with the last stone for the win. Mind you, he was facing 3 shots against him, putting a little bit of extra pressure on him.

They now play Sweden, who beat Italy 7-6, in the Gold Medal Game at 14.00. It's another guaranteed medal for the Scots, who will win medals in the last 6 Championships. Sweden are skipped by perennial rival, Niklas Edin, who also has an impressive record in these Championships.

The Bronze Medal Game at 19.00 tonight is between Switzerland and Italy.