[ritchiebaby]

This year's event is being held in Aberdeen, Scotland once again. It looks as though, having hosted it in the past 3 years, they're getting to keep it. The games start on Saturday 12 October.

There are 39 teams divided into the following 5 Groups. The top 3 in each Group progress to the last 16, with the best-placed 4th team making up the numbers. 2 knockout games will take place on Friday 18 October to decide the Semi-finallists, who will then play 2 games during the following day to decide the Medal Places.

Group A – Canada, Czechia, England, Hungary, Latvia, New Zealand, Philippines, Türkiye
Group B – Australia, India, Ireland, Italy, Nigeria, Poland, Puerto Rico, Sweden
Group C – Brazil, Spain, Hong Kong, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Chinese Taipei, United States
Group D – Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia
Group E – Belgium, Finland, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Switzerland, Ukraine, Wales

England's team are Andrew Woolston (Skip), Lesley Gregory (3rd), Martin Gregory (2nd) and Kirsty Balfour (Lead), who is from my local ice rink, even my local club.
Ireland are represented by John Wilson (Skip), Alison Fyfe (3rd), Craig Whyte (2nd) and Jen Ward (Lead).
Scotland are keeping it in the family with Neil Kennedy (Skip), Margaret Agnew (3rd), John Agnew (2nd) and Sheila Kennedy (Lead).
Wales have Garry Coombs (Skip), Laura Beever (3rd), Rhys Phillips (2nd) and Judith Glazier (Lead).

England play Latvia at 8am on Saturday and Phillippines at 12 noon on Sunday. Ireland play Puerto Rico at 4pm on Saturday, then Nigeria and Australia on Sunday at 8am and 8pm respectively. Scotland open their campaign against Romania at 4pm on Saturday, followed by Hong Kong at 8am on Sunday. Wales play Ukraine at 8.30pm on Saturday and Germany at 8pm on Sunday.

Amazingly, I've got photographs of all the Home Nations' players, which I'll post tomorrow.

[Lord Snooty]

Frozen windscreen yesterday morning and Ritchiebaby posts a new Curling thread. Winter is on it's way, folks.

[ritchiebaby]

ENGLAND


IRELAND

photo uploding
SCOTLAND


WALES

On the ice, the Home Nations had wildly varying results. England lost 3-5 against Latvia, only scoring on the 2nd end, Ireland demolished Puerto Rico by 19-1 after only 6 ends, Scotland beat Romania 6-2 without setting the heather on fire and Wales lost 4-10 against Ukraine, despite starting well.

[ritchiebaby]

Ireland continued their domination of the smaller teams by disposing of Nigeria by 9 shots to 1. Likewise Scotland beat Hong Kong by 7-2 thanks to a quick start. England joined in too, beating Phillippines 7-3, but taking their time to get clear in the last 2 ends played. Unfortunately Wales couldn't complete the full set, eventually losing 5-8 to Germany.

Tomorrow Scotland play against Chinese Taipei at 8am, followed by Kenya v Wales at 12 noon. England play Czechia at 4pm, with Scotland playing Slovenia alongside Ireland playing Italy at 8pm.

[ritchiebaby]

Scotland continued their winning form, dominating the game against Chinese Taipei to win 12-1 after 6 ends. However that didn't last long as they fell to a 5-6 defeat at the hands of Slovenia, after being 5-3 ahead with 3 ends to play.

It was Wales' turn to dominate in the mid-day session against weaker opposition with a 15-1 win over Kenya.

England slipped up against Czechia in a tight game, losing 6-8.

Ireland fared even worse, only scoring in one end to lose 1-9 to Italy.

Tomorrow's games start with a vital clash between Scotland and United States at high noon, the same time as Ireland take on India. At 4pm Wales play unbeaten Switzerland and England play Canada, who are also unbeaten, in the final session of the day.

The games for Wednesday are a top of the table battle between Ireland and Sweden at 8am, Wales v Belgium and Hungary v England, both at 12 noon and another important game between Spain and Scotland at 8pm.

The results of these games will give a good indication of the chances for progression with only one more day's play in the Groups.

[ritchiebaby]

The last 2 day's results for the Home Nations have been disappointingly poor to wonderfully excellent. However there is a strong possibility that none of them will qualify for the last 16.

Wales lost 3-10 against leaders Kazhakstan on Tuesday morning, then turned it around to beat previously unbeaten Switzerland 9-4 later that day. Today, they defeated Belgium 7-3 to give them a realistic chance of finishing 4th in their Group. Unfortunately, it won't be enough for the best 4th place.

Scotland fell away against unbeaten United States by 4-6 at noon on Tuesday and compounded that defeat by losing 1-8 against also unbeaten Spain tonight. They will also look to finish in 4th place and although they are currently ranked higher than Wales, I'm certain it won't be enough to qualify.

Ireland are currently in 3rd place after a win over India by 8-2 yesterday, but were beaten 5-8 by Sweden today, to leave themselves on a knife edge for qualification. Italy are also on 4 wins, but have an easier looking game tomorrow.

Like the Scots, England lost both of their games to leave themselves well out of the hunt, firstly by 3-9 against Canada and then 2-10 against Hungary. They will do well to finish 5th in their Group.

Tomorrow's final games are New Zealand v England and also Finland v Wales at 8am, with Poland v Ireland at noon, followed by England v Turkey at 4pm and finally Brazil v Scotland at 8pm.

Ireland have the best chance of the home teams to progress, but will need a win tomorrow, as I don't think 4th place will be enough.

[ritchiebaby]

It was a great day for England who won both of their games to finish 5th in their Group. Firstly they beat New Zealand 4-3 in the last end and then disposed of Turkiye (correct spelling, apparently) by 7-5 after being 3-5 down with 2 ends to play.

Wales were easily brushed aside 2-12 after only 6 ends in their final game to end up in 6th place in Group E.

At noon Ireland lost to Poland by 5-7 to dent their hopes of qualifying, but Australia also lost, by 1-7 against Sweden, leaving the Irish in 4th place.

Amazingly, the Australian loss helped Scotland because the Aussies had a much better Draw Shot Challenge, but only finished 5th. The Scots took full advantage to breeze past Brazil 12-3 after 6 ends to consolidate their 4th place, with their Draw Shot Challenge ranking making them the 16th Qualifier.

Tomorrow's games in the Last 16 are-
at 9am - Sweden v Scotland, Poland v Czechia, United States v New Zealand, Switzerland v Ukraine.
at 1pm - Norway v Slovenia, Spain v Italy, Japan v Kazakhstan, Canada v Netherlands.

There needs to be a big step-up in performance from the Scots for them to progress to the Quarter-finals at 7pm, but you just never know.

[ritchiebaby]

After 2 games of curling and my daughter's 50th birthday getting in the way, here are the final results of the Championships.

Last 16 - Sweden 4v 2 Scotland, Poland 9 v 3 Czechia, United States 6 v 1 New Zealand, Switzerland 6 v 3 Ukraine, Norway 6 v 4 Slovenia, Spain 8 v 6 Italy, Japan 8 v 5 Kazakhstan, Canada 4 v 6 Netherlands.

Last 8 - Sweden 9 v 6 Poland, United States 2 v 5 Switzerland, Norway 3 v 5 Spain, Japan 8 v 3 Netherlands.

Semi-finals - Sweden 6 v 4 Switzerland, Spain 4 v Japan 9.

Finals - Sweden 5 v 4 Japan, Switzerland 4 v 2 Spain.

Therefore (is there a "therefore" sign on a keyboard?, if so I couldn't find it.)
GOLD - Sweden
SILVER - Japan
BRONZE - Switzerland

Just as a matter of interest, Scotland finished 9th, Ireland 20th, England 25th and Wales 28th.