10-12-2024, 21:43
England slipped up today by losing 3-5 against Ukraine this morning and then 5-7 against Switzerland just now.
In each game their use of last stone made all the difference. Against Ukraine they had last stone in the 4th end but lost a single shot and that was the margin of the loss (-1 instead of +1). Similarly against Switzerland they had last stone on 3 occasions and scored 2 shots, but lost 5 shots. When Switzerland had last stone thrice, the Swiss managed to score 2 shots and lost 3 shots, but that again was the losing margin (5 against 7).
And that, my friends, is how easy it is to let games slip away. It happens all the time and it can happen through one shot being misplayed/misjudged by any of the players.
It's now increasingly difficult for England to qualify, as it looks like Switzerland and Ukraine will make it from Group C. They must beat New Zealand to have a chance of finishing 3rd, with the 2 best 3rd placed teams qualifying by way of their Draw Shot Challenge. Their score will be the best in their Group, but have the disadvantage of several other teams in the other Groups being placed higher.
England have a day off tomorrow and play against New Zealand on Thursday at the ungodly hour of 6am (8am Finnish time), by when they will know exactly what they will have to do, as the others will have caught up on their outstanding games. For example, a few teams have played 5 games, but China and Roumania have only played 3.
In each game their use of last stone made all the difference. Against Ukraine they had last stone in the 4th end but lost a single shot and that was the margin of the loss (-1 instead of +1). Similarly against Switzerland they had last stone on 3 occasions and scored 2 shots, but lost 5 shots. When Switzerland had last stone thrice, the Swiss managed to score 2 shots and lost 3 shots, but that again was the losing margin (5 against 7).
And that, my friends, is how easy it is to let games slip away. It happens all the time and it can happen through one shot being misplayed/misjudged by any of the players.
It's now increasingly difficult for England to qualify, as it looks like Switzerland and Ukraine will make it from Group C. They must beat New Zealand to have a chance of finishing 3rd, with the 2 best 3rd placed teams qualifying by way of their Draw Shot Challenge. Their score will be the best in their Group, but have the disadvantage of several other teams in the other Groups being placed higher.
England have a day off tomorrow and play against New Zealand on Thursday at the ungodly hour of 6am (8am Finnish time), by when they will know exactly what they will have to do, as the others will have caught up on their outstanding games. For example, a few teams have played 5 games, but China and Roumania have only played 3.
Cabbage is still good for you