[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.