15-04-2019, 23:20
In Sunday's games, Ireland Men led all the way against Belgium to record an 11-8 victory at lunchtime, but fell away badly later to suffer a 1-9 defeat by Slovenia, one of the early pacemakers. Despite losing 4 shots in the 1st end, the Irishmen made a strong recovery to win 12-5 on Monday morning against Croatia. Once again though, they disappointed in their 2nd game of the day, losing 4-9 to Bulgaria, another of the leading teams.
With 2 games to go in the round-robin, they have won 4 and lost 3, but are still tantalisingly close to promotion to the B Division. France have already qualified for the play-off games with 7 wins, followed by Bulgaria, Roumania and Slovenia on 5 wins. Joining Ireland on 4 wins is Belgium. They now have to play Liechtenstein and France tomorrow to complete their round-robin games, so qualification is still in their own hands, although 2 wins might be necessary.
In the Women's games on Sunday, Ireland demolished Croatia 10-2 and then, in an amazing game against Roumania, they scored 4 shots in the last end to force an extra end and then scored 3 shots without the hammer to win 11-8. Unfortunately, despite outscoring Austria today by 6 ends to 4, they still lost the game 9-11.
This leaves them in a similar situation to the Men, still in with a chance of a top 4 finish with 2 games to go. Belarus lead with 4 wins, followed by Ireland, Slovenia and Slovakia on 3 wins. Austria, Croatia and France are just behind on 2 wins and all have a chance of getting through. Ireland have a difficult finish with Slovenia and Slovakia still to be played tomorrow, but I would hope that 1 win might be enough to progress.
With 2 games to go in the round-robin, they have won 4 and lost 3, but are still tantalisingly close to promotion to the B Division. France have already qualified for the play-off games with 7 wins, followed by Bulgaria, Roumania and Slovenia on 5 wins. Joining Ireland on 4 wins is Belgium. They now have to play Liechtenstein and France tomorrow to complete their round-robin games, so qualification is still in their own hands, although 2 wins might be necessary.
In the Women's games on Sunday, Ireland demolished Croatia 10-2 and then, in an amazing game against Roumania, they scored 4 shots in the last end to force an extra end and then scored 3 shots without the hammer to win 11-8. Unfortunately, despite outscoring Austria today by 6 ends to 4, they still lost the game 9-11.
This leaves them in a similar situation to the Men, still in with a chance of a top 4 finish with 2 games to go. Belarus lead with 4 wins, followed by Ireland, Slovenia and Slovakia on 3 wins. Austria, Croatia and France are just behind on 2 wins and all have a chance of getting through. Ireland have a difficult finish with Slovenia and Slovakia still to be played tomorrow, but I would hope that 1 win might be enough to progress.
Cabbage is still good for you