I enjoyed watching another webcast session from the World Junior Championships in Sweden this evening. Scotland was against Switzerland. The production was by Sweden's Livechannel team and broadcast via the World Curling Federation's YouTube Channel. Commentary again was by Logan Gray and Sara Carlsson.I remember Logan's debut as a curling commentator at the World Juniors, co-incidentally also in Oestersund, four years ago, see here.
It was not an easy game to be a Scottish supporter. Hannah's team went down to the Swiss at the last stone.
Leslie Ingram-Brown reports:
"The Scottish Junior Women's Champions were honoured this evening (see below) here at the World Junior Championships in Oestersund, Sweden, but sadly the rest of the evening was not quite such a happy affair.
Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown won the hammer which Hannah had to make good use of in the first end with a hit for one. Switzerland replied with a pair and stole a single in the third. Hannah drew for a single against two shots in the fourth and Swiss skip Melanie Barbezat tapped up for a single against three shots in the fifth to lead 4-2 at the break.
Sixth and Scotland were awarded a single on an eye measure by the umpire and Switzerland draw for a single in the seventh and stole a single in the eighth as the Scottish sweepers left Hannah's last stone draw a fraction short. On a measure the Scots were 6-3 down with two ends to go.
In the ninth Hannah drew for two but still entered the tenth end one behind and without the hammer. Hannah failed to bury behind a guard and Barbezat cooly drew for shot and the win.
With Russia beating Sweden and Japan defeating Canada, four teams now rest on six wins: Canada, Czech Republic, Russia and Scotland. Sweden and Japan are one win behind. In tomorrow's last round robin games Scotland meets Russia, Sweden plays Canada and Japan plays the Czech Republic. Scotland must beat Russia to qualify for Friday evening's Page Playoffs. If Sweden and Japan both lose Scotland qualify. Any other results will probably mean tiebreakers but how many will be decided by the game results for w9 at 12.30 hrs CET."
RESULTS: Russia 9 Sweden 7; Czech Republic 6 Italy 5; Norway 9 USA 8; Japan 6 Canada 5; Switzerland 7 Scotland 5.
STANDINGS after 8 rounds: 6/2 Canada, Czech Republic, Russia, Scotland; 5/3 Sweden, Japan; 3/5 Switzerland; 2/6 Norway; 1/7 Italy; 0/8 USA.
L-R: Debbie Knox, Jennifer Martin, Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown. Photo © Leslie Ingram-Brown.
