World Juniors: Presentations

Women's Gold Medallists Scotland: L-R Debbie Knox (coach), Jennifer Martin (alternate), Abi Brown (lead), Alice Spence (2nd), Lauren Gray (3rd) and Hannah Fleming (skip).

Men's Gold Medallists Canada: L-R Bernie Panich (coach), Parker Konschuh (alternate), Bryce Bucholz (lead), Landon Bucholz (2nd), Evan Asmussen (3rd) and Brendan Bottcher (skip).

Men's Bronze Scotland: L-R Hamilton McMillan (alternate), Robin Halliday (coach), Kerr Drummond (lead), Kyle Waddell (2nd), Thomas Muirhead (3rd) and Kyle Smith (skip).

Sportsmanship award winners as voted by the competitors: Norwegian lead Sander Rølvåg and Canadian skip Jocelyn Peterman.

Check out the video highlights of the finals and skips' interviews here. There are other presentation photos and lots of great action by Richard Gray in the official website galleries here.

Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Men's Final and Bronze

At the World Junior Curling Championships in Oestersund, Sweden, Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Kerr Drummond won the bronze medals for Scotland, in a one sided game against Norway. Well done to them. It's the first time in a while that both Scottish teams have won medals at the World Juniors.

Canada beat Sweden in the final. Brendan Bottcher (skip), Evan Asmussen, Landon Bucholz and Bryce Bucholz are the gold medallists.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports:

"The final of the World Junior Men's Championship 2012 here at Ostersund was not quite as exciting as the Junior Women's final earlier in the day. Canada's Brendan Bottcher, Evan Asmussen, Landon Bucholz and Bryce Bucholz proved for the second time in three days too strong for Sweden's Rasmus Wrana, Jordan Wahlin, Daniel Lovstrand and Axel Sjoberg, winning 10-4 in eight ends.

With Canada leading 5-3 after six ends Bottcher played one of the shots of these championships in an raise takeout to pick up five shots and the game was over.

Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Kerr Drummond picked up the Bronze Medals by winning 7-3 over Norway in eight ends. This reversed the result of the Page 3-4 game.

The Scots opened with two singles against the head and repeated the scores in ends four and five. Always in control, a three in the seventh was acknowledged by Norway who conceded after eight ends taking a single but down 7-3."

SCORELINES:

CAN* 10202 050XX = 10
SWE 01010 101XX = 4

NOR* 00100 101XX = 4
SCO 11011 030XX = 7

Kyle Smith is in charge of the head with Markus Høiberg and Magnus Nedregotten behind.

Photo © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Women's Final

Hannah Fleming (above), Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown are the World Junior Champions! Congratulations to the girls, to Debbie Knox their coach, Jennifer Martin the alternate, and all the support staff and supporters!

Iveta Janatova (fourth), Zuzana Hajkova (skip), Eva Malkova and Klara Svatonova of the Czech Republic took the Scots all the way to the last stone of an extra end. They should be very proud of a great performance, the best ever for that country. I'm sure Karel Kubeska will be a happy man. I met the team when they came over to get some experience at the Glynhill Ladies International at Braehead in January, see here.

I watched the final on the YouTube webcast, courtesy of the World Curling Federation and Sweden's Livechannel. Excellent too. Commentators Sara Carlsson and Logan Gray have done a great job all week. Logan, his sister one of the winning team, was speechless with emotion when the last Scottish stone had done its job. Not every day that Logan is lost for words! Having followed and supported Hannah and her teams all these years, I too shed a wee tear this morning.

Russia beat Sweden for the bronze.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports:

"Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence, Abil Brown, alternate Jennifer Martin and coaches Debbie Knox and Cate Brewster fly home tomorrow as the newly crowned World Junior Champions 2012 here in Ostersund, Sweden having beaten the Czech Republic's Iveta Janatova, Zuzana Hajkova (skip), Eva Malkova, Klara Svatonova, and Petra Vinsova the alternate, in a very tense, close and exciting final, 6-5 at an extra end.

Scotland held the hammer in the first end which was blanked and the Czech Republic stole a single in the second when Hannah's last stone raise take-out failed. Third end and Scotland hit for two and gave up a single in the fourth when Janatova, throwing last stones, drew for a single and the Scots blanked the fifth for a 2-2 score at the break.

In the sixth, with last stone, Hannah went for a double to count two but rolled out to count only one. This score was reversed by the Czech Republic with a hit and lie in the seventh. For the third time in the game the Scots blanked the next end, the eighth. Ninth and a little element of luck gave Scotland a two. When going to remove a short guard the shooter ran towards the wing and pushed another Scottish stone into the house to lie shot, and partially guarded. This was unfortunate for the cause of the Czech Republic who were faced by a very tricky draw to the outer twelve. The draw was good but left about nine inches of space and Hannah confidently tapped the shot at the angle to count two shots and a lead of two going down the last end.

As she threw her first stone draw in the last end Janatova split the house to lie two after Hannah had wrecked on the guard in front of the house. Hananh hit and lay as did the fourth for the Czech Republic and at 5-5 the gold medal would be won at an extra end. With skips' last stones to come the Czech Republic lie one. Janatova goes for the draw and guard but leaves the shot open. Hannah plays the takeout and hit and rolled to first shot by holding on to another Scottish stone.

Scotland had won the WJCC gold medal 6-5.

In the Bronze Medal game, it was to be a repeat of last year when Russia won 9-3. Russia once again were to claim the Bronze Medals, defeating Sweden 7-4 after nine ends. The turning point was the sixth end when Russian skip Anna Sidorova hit for three shots to lead 5-3 and then stole a single in the seventh. The teams exchanged singles over the next two ends and with a 7-4 lead Russia (Anna Sidorova, Victoria Moiseeva, Alexandra Saitova, Galina Arsenkina with alternate Olga Zjablikova) ran Sweden's Sara McManus, Anna Huhta, Marina Stener and Sofia Mabergs (with alternate Rosalie Egli) out of stones."

cze 01010 01002 0 = 5
sco* 00200 10020 1 = 6

swe* 00102 0010X = 4
rus 00020 3101X = 7

The event website is here.

Hannah delivers, Abi and Alice the sweepers.

Czech fourth Iveta Janatova delivers. Klara Svatonova and Eva Malkova are the sweepers.

Czech support.

After the final. L-R: Jennifer Martin, Abi Brown, Alice Spence, Lauren Gray and Hannah Fleming.

Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: The Semifinals

Sweden beat Norway in the men's semifinal, to set up a Sweden v Canada final tomorrow afternoon.

In the women's competition, the Czech Republic beat Sweden, to set up a rerun of the Page 1-2 game against Scotland, this time with the World Junior title at stake. That's tomorrow morning at 08:00 GMT.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports:

"Following the playing of the two semifinal games this evening the final and bronze medal games tomorrow are identical to the Page 1 v 2 and 3 v 4 for both the junior men's and junior women's divisions of these World Junior Championships at Oestersund, Sweden.

In the men's semifinal it was close for three ends only until Swedish skip Rasmus Wrana played a marvellous shot with last stone in the fourth for a four shot count. The Swedes stole a single in the fifth for a 6-1 lead and the game was virtually over.

Markus Hoiberg and his team struggled bravely on and at 7-4 down, going into the eighth, a further one shot to Wrana and Sweden were going back to have a revenge battle with Canada for gold whilst Norway would once again play Kyle Smith's Scotland for the Bronze Medal.

The junior women's semifinal was a much more entertaining game with the Czech Republic's Zuzana Hajkova leading Sara McManus's Sweden 5-4 at the fifth end break. Sweden blanked ends six, seven and eight and were forced to take a single in the ninth to be 5-5 into the final end but Czech Republic would have the last stone.

Sweden lay two shots behind guards. Iveta Janatova, playing last stones for the Czech team, made a last stone raise into the four foot perfectly. The Czech Republic will return to play Scotland in the final. Sweden will come back tomorrow morning to replay Russia for the Bronze Medal."

SCORELINES:
NOR 00100 1020X = 4
SWE* 01041 0101X = 8

cze* 01103 00001 = 6
swe 10030 00010 = 5

The event website is here. Video highlights of the men's semi are here.

Top: Czech celebrations as their last stone hits the button. Pic © Leslie Ingram-Brown.

World Juniors: Men's Pages

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from the World Junior Championships in Oestersund, Sweden:

"Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Kerr Drummond lost to Markus Hoiberg's Norway 9-8 in this morning's Page Play-off 3 v 4 game and drop into playing for the Bronze Medal tomorrow afternoon 13:00 CET.

Scotland held the hammer in the first but Norway stole one. In the second end there was a shot for five available for Smith but his hit was just off line and only a three was scored.

In the third, Norway drew for two. Then, in the fourth with a pick-up aiding their cause, Norway stole a three. In the fifth, following a Norwegian miss, Smith had an open hit for three and the score was tied 6-6 after five ends.

In the sixth, Hoiberg drew for a two after Smith had clipped a guard with his first stone. The seventh was blanked. Smith hit for a single in the eighth and stole a single in the ninth as Hoiberg failed to get round a guard with an attempted tap-back for a pair.

In the tenth Kyle was heavy with his second stone and left Norway lying shot and game.

Norway now proceeds to the semifinal to play Sweden. Scotland will play in the Bronze Medal game., against the loser of that game.

Afterwards Kyle said, "We are still playing for a medal and that is what I wanted from the start."

Sweden was broadsided 9-3 by Canada in eight ends in the Page 1 v 2 game. This game was marked by the incident where Sweden accepted defeat and shook hands with Canada after seven ends. The rules require a minimum of eight ends at this point of the Championships so the umpires sent the teams back onto the ice. To the amusement of the crowd, the first fifteen stones were thrown through, including a 360 degree slide by one player before Rasmus Wrana the Swedish skip did an end to end slide and dropped the stone right onto the pot lid. The eight end rule was brought in to satisfy television. Well, there is no television here in Ostersund so should this have been applied. That is the question many are asking.

Next session is 18:00 CET for both the Junior Men's and Women's semifinal games - NOR v SWE and cze v swe."

SCORELINES:
SCO* 03003 00110 = 8
NOR 10230 20001 = 9

SWE 01010 100XX = 3
CAN * 20103 030XX = 9

The event website is here. Watch highlights of the Page 3-4 game and interview with the winning skip here.

Top: Norway. Markus Hoiberg delivers.
Above: Scotland in action

Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Saturday

Today, follow the results from the Men's Pages on the event website here. Start time 11:00 here in Scotland. Scotland v Norway is the Page 3-4 game, Canada v Sweden, the Page 1-2. The Scotland game is set to be webcast, here.

The semifinals are scheduled for this evening, 17:00 GMT, and the finals are tomorrow.

World Juniors: Women's Pages

Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown are through to the final of the World Junior Curling Championships! In tonight's Page 1-2 game Scotland beat the Czech Republic. Very well done to the girls.

Sweden defeated Russia in the Page 3-4, which was webcast. I enjoyed watching this game, which was won at the last stone, by a fraction!

Sweden will now play the Czech Republic in a 'semifinal', the winner meeting Scotland in Sunday's championship match.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports:

"In the Page 1 v 2 game this evening the Scots beat Zuzana Hajkova's Czech Republic 6-5 with the very last stone of the game. At the first end the Czech Republic stole a single but in the second Fleming had a free draw for three shots after the Czech Republic wrecked on a guard attempting a come round draw. The third end was blanked. Fourth and the Czech Republic had a chance of going ahead but their attempt at a double takeout failed and Scotland stole a single. In the fifth the Czech Republic hit for two. The score after five ends, and at the game break, Fleming led by a single shot 4-3.

Fleming hit for a single in the sixth which Janatova reverses in the seventh. In the eighth after a hog line infringement by Fleming the Czech Republic had the chance of putting real pressure on the Scots but their last stone draw to lie two hit the hack. Fleming then had a tap back push for two shots but was wide and counted only a single shot.

In the ninth the Czech Republic hit against two shots for a single and coming home the Scottiish Junior Champions were one shot up hold last stone. With last stones to come in the tenth, the Czech Republic drew the house but there were no guards and the stone was in the open. Hannah hds to remove the stone but did not need to lie for the place direct to the final. It was good and the Scottish band of supporters, growing daily, were on their feet to acknowledge a wonderful achievement.

Afterwards Hannah commented, "That'll do, it was a tight game. We wanted to be in the top five at least and we won't be happy with a silver now."

On the next sheet in the Page 3 v 4 game Sweden and Russia had a close encounter with Sara McManus's Sweden coming back from a 4-1 deficit after five ends to have a peeled game 5-5 going into the final end. But Russia held the hammer.

McManus played a beauty of a draw round a guard to lie in the two foot and there was barely space to follow and lie shot but Anna Sidorova believed in her own ability and went for the draw, slid passed the guard by the thickness of a sheet of paper, closed down on the two Swedish stones and rolled in towards the centre. But just not enough. Sweden were the winners 6-5."

SCORELINES:

sco* 03010 10100 = 6
cze 10002 01010 = 5

rus* 10102 00100 = 5
swe 00010 11021 = 6

To-morrow at 12:00 CET (11:00 GMT) Kyle Smith's team take on Norway in the Page 3 v 4 game with the semifinal games for both genders being at 18:00 CET.

The event website is here.

Top: Abi and Alice bring Hannah's stone into the house. Lauren in the head.

The Czech Republic team in action.

Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Women Tiebreakers

Russia beat Canada and Sweden beat Japan in this morning's tiebreakers at the World Junior Women's Championship in Oestersund, Sweden. That sets up the Russia v Sweden Page 3-4 game. Hannah Fleming's team are already through to the Page 1-2 game, against the Czech Republic.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"The Sweden v Japan game on Sheet A was all about a three shot count by Sara McManus's Sweden in the fourth end against Sayaka Yoshimura which they defended with determination. There was never more than two shots between the teams with the Japanese running out of stones and having to concede the game.

The Russia v Canada game on Sheet C was more like a rugby score than a curling card. The difference was that Russia, with last stone, counted a four and two threes in the scoreline whilst Canada counted amongst its six ends won, two twos and one three.

Russia and Sweden will meet in this evening's games at 19:00 C.E.T. which will be the webcast game whilst to-morrow it is the Scotland v Norway Men's Page 3 v 4 game at 12:00 being covered."

SCORELINES:
can 10200 12031 = 10
rus* 04031 00300 = 11

jpn 02001 0010X = 4
swe* 10030 0101X = 6

The results are all here. This evening's webcast should begin at 6pm GMT.

Top photo: All of Team Sweden are involved in the discussion.

Russia in action.

Team Japan.

Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Men 9 v Czech Republic

Kyle Smith's Scottish team beat the Czech Republic in the last game of the round robin at the World Junior Championships in Oestersund, Sweden. This confirms Scotland's place in the playoffs, ranked number three in the standings, and Kyle, Thomas, Kyle and Kerr will play in the Page 3-4 game against Norway.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"Scotland won 9-4 over the Czech Republic. This was a one end game. Scotland with the hammer took a two in the first end, lost a two in the second, blanked the third, and took a two in the fourth. The Czech Republic blanked the fifth and Scotland led 4-2 at the break.

The sixth was a two to the Czech Republic and seven was blanked. The eighth had something different. With skips last stones to come, Scotland lay four as Czech Republic skip Lukas Klima played a lovely draw round three Scottish stones in the front of the house. There was a cluster at nine o'clock and it appeared, and confirmed by coach Robin Halliday after the game, that Kyle said let's go for the in-wick across the house and see if we can move the stone out of the four foot. Kyle's weight was up but his line was good and all of a sudden when the dust settled Scotland lay five shots and game.

Canada in the meantime was wrapping up a 10-7 victory over Norway. China and Finland went to an extra end as did USA and Switzerland. There was to be no joy for Finland as they had a last stone draw pick up as it approached the house, coming up short. Italy and Finland are relegated to the European Junior Challenge; venue and date to be announced.

On the other sheet all eyes were on USA as, should they win, there would be no tiebreaks for the play-offs. In the extra end USA lay two. Switzerland failed to better either of the stones in the house. USA won 7-6 and there will be no tiebreakers."

RESULTS: China 10 Finland 9 (Extra end); Canada 10 Norway 7; USA 7 Switzerland 5 (Extra end); Sweden 11 Italy 3; Scotland 9 Czech Republic 4.

STANDINGS: 8/1 Canada; 7/2 Sweden, Scotland; 6/3 Norway; 5/4 USA, Switzerland; 4/5 China; 2/7 Czech Republic; 1/8 Italy; 0/9 Finland.

The event website is here. The schedule for the remaining webcasts can be found here.

Top: L-R Robin Halliday, Hamilton McMillan, Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Kerr Drummond are presented to the fans. Photo © Leslie Ingram-Brown.

World Juniors: Women 9 v Russia

Hannah Fleming's Scottish team beat Russia, at an extra end in the last round robin game at the World Junior Curling Championships. That means that Scotland, with a record of seven wins from nine games, is in the Page 1-2 match. Five countries were tied in second place in the rankings with the same 6-3 win loss record.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports:

"Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abigail Brown did their bit by defeating Russia at an extra end 8-7 without need of their last stone. Scotland was the only team on seven wins and occupy first place. Five teams were ranked on six wins; Canada, Czech Republic, Japan, Russia and Sweden. The Czech Republic's round robin results placed them second and they will play Scotland in the Page 1-2. There will be two tie-break games to-morrow morning: Russia v Canada with the winner being ranked third, and Japan v Sweden with the winner ranked fourth.

As for the game itself Anna Sidorova drew first blood for Russia at the first end. Scotland replied with a draw for three in the second thanks to a last stone raise which could have been a four. In the third end Sidorova drew for two but the Scots replied with a takeout in the fourth, also for a two. Russia had to take a single in the fifth and Scotland led 5-4 at the break.

The teams exchanged singles over ther next five ends and with the score 7-7 it was into an extra end. With skips' last stones to come, and Russia lying, Fleming took out the Russian stone but lay in the back four. Sidorova went for the draw and was heavy - Scotland were in the Page Play-offs ranked 1."

RESULTS: Japan 8 Czech Republic 5; Italy 7 USA 5; Sweden 7 Canada 5; Italy 7 USA 5; Norway 8 Switzerland 5; Scotland 8 Russia 7 (Extra end).

STANDINGS: 7/2 Scotland (Q1); 6/3 Czech Republic (Q2); 6/3 Canada, Japan, Russia, Sweden; 3/6 Norway, Switzerland; 2/7 Italy; 0/9 USA.

Tiebreakers: Canada v Russia (Winner will be ranked 3), Japan v Sweden (Winner will be ranked 4).

The event website is here.

World Juniors: Men 8 v China

Kyle Smith's Team Scotland beat China in the eighth round of the World Junior Curling Championships in Oestersund this morning.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"The Scotland - China game was a controlled win for Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Kerr Drummond. China took a single in the first end against the hammer on a sweeping misjudgement by all the players, but the Scots struck back with a pair in the second and they stole singles in three and four. China blanked the fifth, and Scotland was 4-1 ahead at the break.

The sixth saw a second steal but this time of two shots. Seven was blanked. China was running out of options and when their skip Xiuyue Ma drew for a single in the eighth the concession was offered.

Canada on seven wins are qualified for the Playoffs. Sweden, Norway and Scotland (in game result positioning) are on six wins and the worst they can do is play a tiebreak after this afternoon's session results are known. Scotland plays the Czech Republic in the last round.

RESULTS: Sweden 8 USA 4; Scotland 6 China 2; Canada 9 Finland 2; Czech Republic 11 Italy 5; Switzerland 9 Norway 2.

STANDINGS: 7/1 Canada (Q); 6/2 Norway, Scotland, Sweden; 5/3 Switzerland; 4/4 USA; 3/5 China; 2/6 Czech Republic;, 1/7 Italy; 0/8 Finland.

The event website is here.

Top: Kyle Smith delivers. Above: Scottish support. Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown.

World Juniors: Women 8 v Switzerland

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.

World Juniors: Men 7 v Switzerland

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Kerr Drummond still need one more win here at the World Junior Championships in Oestersund, to be sure of qualifying for this weekend's playoffs. Such is the complexity and variations possible within the top six teams, only wins will do and looking for the tie-break back door entry is currently not an option.

Switzerland won the Last Stone Draw and opened with a pair with skip Dominik Marki drawing for the second. In end 2, Kyle had a hit and lie to tie the score 2-2. The Scots stole in the third and Scotland led 5-4 at the mid game break.

Switzerland blanked six and seven and in eight, against four shots, Marki played a perfect draw to the tee.

In the ninth, Marki was heavy and ran back of the house and in the open, leaving the Scots an open tap back for three to lead 8-5. That was enough for the win.

The Scots are now on five wins, and play China and the Czech Republic tomorrow."

RESULTS: Canada 9 Czech Republic 5; Sweden 8 Finland 4; Norway 7 USA 6 (Extra End); Scotland 8 Switzerland 6; China 8 Italy 7 (Extra End).

STANDINGS: 6/1 Canada, Norway; 5/2 Scotland, Sweden; 4/3 Switzerland, USA; 3/4 China; 1/6 Czech Republic, Italy; 0/7 Finland.

The event website is here.

Top photo © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Women 7 v Italy

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"At the very last stone of the tenth end I was wondering who would be suffering from the most nerves: our team of Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence, Abi Brown or the growing Scots support in the crowd here in Ostersund at the World Junior Championships. Or possibly it was the coaches, Debbie Knox and Cate Brewster, with alternate Jennifer Martin, on the bench.

Having won the last stone draw at practice it was Italy who blanked the first two ends before having to take a single in the third. Scotland bounced back immediately with a hit for three in the fourth and stole a single in the fifth to lead 4-1 and everything was looking good for the win.

But this is curling, and not for the first time at these WJCC Scotland seemed to lose its way giving up three singles on the trot and suddenly the score read ITA 4 SCO 4. The nerves were jangling; mine were anyway, as Hannah and her team tried to keep in the game.

Scotland blanked the ninth which gave them the hammer in the tenth and we were to need it. With Italy lying shot but in the open Hannah had to hit and stay anywhere in the house for the win. A sweet release and long before the stone had reached its target the Scottish supporters were on their feet cheering the victory.

With Canada beating Russia, the Czech Republic beating Norway, and Japan defeating Switzerland, with two games to go Hannah's team can, at the worst, be in a tie-break situation.

At the bottom end of the table, Switzerland, Italy, Norway and the USA cannot make the playoffs."

RESULTS: Japan 10 Switzerland 4; Scotland 5 Italy 4; Canada 10 Russia 6; Sweden 11 USA 5; Czech Republic 11 Norway 4.

STANDINGS: 6/1 Canada, Scotland; 5/2 Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden; 4/3 Japan; 2/5 Switzerland; 1/6 Italy, Norway; 0/7 USA.

The event website is here.

Top photo: Hannah Fleming. Above: Hannah and Lauren discuss options. Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown.

World Juniors: Men 6 v Norway

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"Norwegian skip Markus Hoiberg produced the shot of these World Junior Championships so far here in Oestersund, in the eighth end of the game against Scotland.

Scotland won the last stone draw and proceeded to blank the first threee ends but in the fourth, skip Kyle Smith, with Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Kerr Drummond, was forced to play a dead draw against a Swedish counter well hidden behind guards. Norway blanked the fifth but were forced to draw for a single in the sixth. Score 1-1.

In the seventh, against three, Kyle drew for one. The eighth was the defining end. Kyle was forced with his first to draw against four and lay second shot behind a medium guard. The Norwegians decided it was time to lose the guard altogether. After discussion the Scots decided to put on another guard which looked as if it had overcurled, leaving a narrow but playable port for Norway's last stone of the end.

Hoiberg played an in-turn strike to perfection and when the dust settled Norway had counted five and as a contest the game was over.

With Sweden losing to Canada, Switzerland beating Italy and the USA beating Finland, the leader board has changed dramatically since last night. Canada and Norway now lead on five wins. Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA have four wins. China is alone on 2 wins.

Tomorrow afternoon Kyle and his team must face Switzerland before China and the Czech Republic on Thursday. None of these games looks easy."

RESULTS: Norway 6 Scotland 3; Switzerland 8 Italy 3; China 8 Czech Republic 3; Canada 5 Sweden 2; USA 7 Finland 3.

STANDINGS: 5/1 Canada, Norway; 4/2 Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, USA; 2/4 China; 1/5 Czech Republic, Italy; 0/6 Finland.

The official website is here. Check out the Galleries for Richard Gray's photos.

Top photo of skips in the head is © Leslie Ingram-Brown.

World Juniors: Women 6 v Japan

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"There was nothing of beauty about the sixth round game against Japan's Sayaka Yoshimura for Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown as the Scots made it five wins defeating Japan 7-5 in the tenth end.

With the hammer and aided by a hit a roll out by Yoshimura with her second stone of the first end Hannah drew for a three. This was to be the deciding factor of the game as every other end had a score line of one shot.

Yoshimura drew for a single in the second and Hannah was forced to draw against three in the third and on a measure was awarded second shot. A steal for Japan.

Fourth and again Hannah had to draw but made sure this time and it was one shot back to Scotland. A shot was stolen in the fifth as Yoshimura could draw only second shot.

In the sixth and seventh, single shots were shared but in the eighth Japan had a chance of a three but Yoshimura was wide with her take out and counted only one. A missed last stone draw by Scotland in the ninth gave Japan a second steal of a shot.

In the tenth, with final stone Hannah hit and counts one shot and the girls win 7-5.

With Sweden losing to the Czech Republic, Canada, Russia and Scotland are sharing top spot with five wins followed by Sweden and the Czech Republic one point adrift.

Tomorrow our Junior Women Champions play Italy then Switzerland. Two wins will go a long way to qualify for the Page Play-offs but Russia awaits in their last game."

RESULTS: Russia 6 USA 4; Czech Republic 9 Sweden 8; Norway 8 Italy 4; Scotland 7 Japan 5; Canada 11 Switzerland 4.

Standings: 5/1 Canada, Russia, Scotland; 4/2 Czech Repoublic, Sweden; 3/3 Japan; 2/4 Switzerland; 1/5 Italy, Norway; 0/6 USA.

The official website is here.

Top photo © Leslie Ingram-Brown.

World Juniors: Men 5 v USA

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"With Sweden losing to Switzerland and China losing to Norway the top of the leaderboard at the World Junior Men here in Oestersund, is shared by four teams; Canada, Norway, Scotland and Sweden. Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Kerr Drummond earned their place by defeating Stephen Dropkin's USA 11-8 this morning.

Scotland had the hammer and opened with a three after Kyle had played a delicate shot into the nest of USA stones in the back four foot. But the Scots immediately gave up the same score with perhaps the wrong choice of shot in attempting a take-out on a US counter in the back eight when a draw to the face and quiet tap could have left Dropkin facing further shots.

In the third end, Kyle hit for a pair, and then the Scots stole a single in the fourth as Dropkin attempted a draw against three. In the fifth end the US were back in the game with their skip making a double to level the scores 6-6 at the break.

Sixth, and with Scotland lying three, Kyle played a hit on a US stone lying tight to the Scottish counters and made a clean hit for a four. Seventh and the U.S. halved the deficit with a hit for two shots.

Into the eighth and someone must have warned the USA about time as suddenly stones were being rocketed up the ice and the end was a blank in just under five minutes with Kyle hitting and running with last stone.

The game returned to normal in the ninth and with last stone Scotland made the hit for one, and then they ran the American team out of stones in the tenth.

Next up - Norway - in round robin game 6 and a win against a joint leader would do the cause for the Scots to qualify for the Page Playoffs no harm at all."

RESULTS: Switzerland 7 Sweden 4; Scotland 11 USA 8; Canada 8 Italy 2; Czech Republic 7 Finland 6 (Extra end); Norway 7 China 5.

STANDINGS: 4/1 Canada, Norway, Scotland, Sweden; 3/2 Switzerland, USA; 1/4 China, Czech Republic, Italy; 0/5 Finland.

The official website is here.

Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Women 5 v Czech Republic

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"Clinical and ruthless would be a fair description of the play of Scottish Junior Women's Champions Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown in the way they despatched Czech Republic's Iveta Janatova in eight ends at the World Junior Championships here at Ostersund. And it has to be remembered that the opposition had ditched team Canada 10-3 in only six ends in the opening round.

With the hammer Scotland drew for two in the first end and forced the Czech Republic to draw for shot against three counters in the second. The third end was blanked and the Scots hit for a single in the fourth which the Czech Republic reposted in similar manner in the fifth. Scotland were leading 3-2 at the break but this was in way a reflection of the increasing domination of the Fleming team which was immediately rewarded in the sixth when Hannah drew for three shots and then had a steal of two shots in the seventh to lead 8-2.

Scotland again lay two, perhaps three, in the eighth when Janatova played a last stone draw for shot and conceded the game. After the game Hannah said, "This was our best game so far and our stone placement is getting better."

Italy won its first game when they defeated Switzerland whilst Canada, Sweden and Russia were the other winners leaving Canada, Russia, Scotland and Sweden at the top of the ranking on four wins from five games. Tomorrow the Fleming team play Sayaka Yoshimura in their only game at 14:00 CET."

RESULTS: Sweden 7 Japan 6; Canada 8 USA 4; Scotland 8 Czech Republic 3; Italy 7 Switzerland 6; Russia 10 Norway 3.

Standings: 4/1 Canada, Russia, Scotland, Sweden; 3/2 Czech Republic, Japan; 2/3 Switzerland; 1/4 Italy; 0/5 Norway, USA.

The official website is here.

Photo © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Men 4 v Canada

The image above is a screenshot from this afternoon's webcast of the Scotland v Canada game at the World Junior Championships in Oestersund. It shows the coaches' bench with Nancy Murdoch, Robin Halliday and Hamilton McMillan, the Scottish alternate. In front is the commentary team, World Champion Sara Carlsson and Logan Gray. Great commentary from them. Good banter. I liked what Logan said when this screen came up in front of him. "There we are - five Scots. Well, Sara's not really Scottish, she just sounds Scottish!" Sara is Swedish of course, but spent some time in Glasgow, back in 2007.

Watching live on the WCF's YouTube channel this afternoon on my laptop at Skip was a good experience. I had to reload only once in 135 minutes, and have to say I was very impressed. If only all webcast experiences were as good. Full marks today, certainly.

I should mention of course that Kyle Smith's team beat Canada 8-4 after nine ends.

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports:

"The Scots blanked the first end but in the second Kyle had to draw against three. The next two ends were singles to Canada but in the fifth a rare mistake this game by the Scottish skip who hit on the nose when wanting to hit and run, and the scored was tied at 2-2.

The sixth was decisive and turned the game in favour of Scotland when Canadian skip Brendan Bottcher, drawing against three, came up short. In the seventh, a hit and roll by Kyle behind a single Canadian stone in the front twelve forced Bottcher to try a raise double which left a steal of one to Scotland and a four shot lead.

In the eighth, Canada hit for a two but in the ninth, when Kyle replied with a tap back for the same score, it was time to concede.

That brought Canada back into the pack. Sweden, as victors over China, are the only unbeaten team in these Junior Men's Championships here in Ostersund, Sweden. To-morrow the Scots have USA and Norway, two teams on the same ranking of three wins."

RESULTS: Sweden 8 China 4; Norway 9 Italy 3; Switzerland 8 Finland 6; USA 10 Czech Republic 3; Scotland 8 Canada 4.

Ranking: 4/0 Sweden; 3/1 Canada, Norway, Scotland, USA; 2/2 Switzerland; 1/3 China, Italy; 0/4 Czech Republic, Finland.

The official website is here.

Kyle Smith and Brendan Bottcher.

Thomas Muirhead and Kerr Drummond work on Kyle Waddell's stone.

Photos © Leslie Ingram-Brown

World Juniors: Women 4 v USA

Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:

"With a final stone draw at the eleventh end it was Scotland who secured the victory over Cory Christensen's USA 8-7 in the fourth round game of the World Junior Championships at Ostersund this morning.

With the hammer, Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown, took a single in the first end with a perfect Fleming takeout and then stole a three in the second when Christensen overplayed her takeout against four shots and rolled out. At that time it looked all over for the USA but they came back with a single in the next two ends and with the fifth blanked Scotland led 4-2 at the break.

The USA took the sixth and seventh ends with singles and now the game was tied 4-4 with three ends to go.

In the eighth, the Scots once again looked the more interested team and with last stone Fleming was left with a takeout for two shots which came good. With Scotland lying two in the ninth, Christensen went for a chap and lie, was thin, and Scotland had a steal of one, and a three shot lead with one end remaining.

In the tenth, once again the Scots were having a bit of a nightmare. Facing two shots and both guarded Fleming had to draw, trying to bury on the out-turn. But she sat in the open on the two foot. Christensen must have thought it was Christmas as she laid the perfect tap back for three shots and the extra end.

With nothing in the house and one medium guard in play Christensen drew behind, but left Fleming about six feet of the house to make the draw for the win. This was made to the very loud cheers of the small band of Scottish supporters in the arena.

In their next game Scotland will play the Czech Republic to-night at 19:00 CET.

With the Czech Republic beating Russia no team has a perfect record. Six teams are on three wins and one loss as below."

RESULTS: Japan 9 Norway 5; Czech Republic 7 Russia 6; Sweden 9 Switzerland 2; Canada 11 Italy 1; Scotland 8 USA 7 (Extra end)

STANDINGS: 3/1 Canada, Czech Republic, Japan, Russia, Scotland, Sweden; 2/2 Switzerland; 0/4 Italy, Norway, USA.

All the results and standings are here.

Top photo. Hannah Fleming's last stone in the extra end heads safely to shot position for the win. © Leslie Ingram-Brown.