[ritchiebaby]

Scotland Women continued to struggle today, opening with a hard-fought 9-7 win over Italy, who are yet to win a game. The Italians were in the hunt all the way and actually led with 3 ends to go. The Scots then had an horrific start, losing 5 shots in the first end to Latvia, and although they came back into it late on always had too much to do and eventually lost 7-9. Amazingly, Scotland are still in the hunt, being only one win behind Russia and Sweden who are joint 3rd. On current form, they only have a slim chance.

Scotland Men continued on their merry way, stifling Switzerland 8-4 in the morning game and demolishing Poland by 11-2 thanks to scoring 6 shots in the 6th end, prompting a concession by the Poles. The Scots lie equal 2nd along with Italy on 4 wins, with Sweden top on 5 wins.

England's Women defeated Spain 8-5 this morning and followed this with a 6-3 win over Slovenia, despite being 2-3 down after 6 ends. These wins put them right in the hunt for a qualification place as they lie in 3rd equal place with 3 wins and 2 defeats, alongside Hungary and Lithuania and behind Norway and Turkey.

In the Men's competition, England are at the top of the table following their 12-5 win over Belarus, emphatically decided with 5 shots in the 9th and final end. They have 3 wins after 4 games and are closely followed by 6 other teams on 2 wins, including Wales, who narrowly lost 7-8 to Israel this afternoon.