Pressure heightens in day five as play-offs approach

Switzerland claimed the first play-off place from Group A in tonight’s final session after defeating United States 10-4. While Australia kept their play-off hopes alive by defeating Netherlands 12-4.

Slovenia picked up their first win of the week when they defeated Luxembourg 10-6 helped by scores of four points in the fifth and seventh ends.

Korea defeated Czech Republic 9-8 which leaves, Czech Republic in third place but needing to win their last game in order to secure a play-off place.

In the session’s final game, Denmark defeated Romania 10-6.

[Pictured below: Switzerland win and make the play-offs | Photo © WCF / Richard Gray]

Session 23 of the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2018 saw curling history made, when two member associations from South America faced each other on the ice. Guyana played Brazil and when the post-match handshakes took place Guyana had won by a score of 6-3 and picked up their third victory in a row.

In the same session all three play-off places from Group B were secured and Norway, Hungary and Turkey will progress from this group.

Norway were trailing Belarus by three points going into the eighth end, but a score of four points by them in that end gave them a 9-8 win and ensured that Belarus can at best finish fourth in the group.

Hungary beat Turkey 6-4 took claim their play-off place, and despite the loss Turkey claim the third place in the group and a spot in the play-offs.

Russia defeated Finland 9-4 in the live broadcast game and in the session’s final game Austria recorded their first win of the week when they beat Ireland 11-3 in just six ends.

[Pictured below: Brazil and Guyana prepare to make history | Photo © WCF / Richard Gray]

Italy scored four points in the eighth end to win 7-6 against previously unbeaten Switzerland. Switzerland missed their final takeout of the end, leaving Italy an open draw for the win.

Estonia claimed a place in the play-offs with six straight wins, this time against New Zealand 12-4. Estonia, though they didn’t play in the session, qualified after session 20 based on their pool results.

Japan won their fourth straight game after dropping their first two, beating Kazakhstan 11-3.

Slovakia earned their first win of the championship with a 10-5 final score against Israel.

England beat Croatia 8-4, to now win two in a row.

[Pictured below: Italy win again to qualify for the play-offs | Photo © WCF / Tom Rowland]

China, Scotland and Sweden earn play-off positions after successful games in session 21.

China faced Hong Kong where they opened with four points in the first end, follow by a steal of one in the second end. They won 12-2 after seven ends of play.

Sweden held onto their early lead against France to win 10-4, scoring two points on the power play in the seventh end.

After a tight battle, Scotland came out on top with a nose hit for the win against two Spanish counters. The scots scored four points on their power play, getting themselves back in the game to win 8-6.

Hungary crept their way up the standings with a win against Belarus 7-3, while Czech Republic beat Austria 10-1.

[Pictured below; Scotland qualify for play-offs | © WCF / Tom Rowland]

In the morning session of day five, Norway won 14-5 after 6 ends against Croatia, adding a fifth straight win to their names and putting them in strong play-off contention.

Japan won their third straight game, this time against Lithuania 6-2. Japan had single steals in four ends and ran Lithuania out of stones in the eighth end.

Italy improved their record with a victory against Latvia 7-4. A steal of three points in the third end gave the Italians a four-point advantage early on, where they managed to hold their lead.

Canada remain undefeated after their game against Germany. The Canadians scored five points in the sixth end to give themselves a strong advantage and eventually the win 9-4.

Kazakhstan were successful against Poland, earning their second win of the world championship 9-5.

Results

Session 20: Croatia 5-14 Norway; Lithuania 2-6 Japan; Latvia 4-7 Italy; Poland 5-9 Kazakhstan; Germany 4-9 Canada.

Session 21: Austria 1-10 Czech Republic; France 4-10 Sweden; Spain 6-8 Scotland; Hungary 7-3 Belarus; Hong Kong 2-12 China.

Session 22: Switzerland 6-7 Italy; Estonia 12-4 New Zealand; Israel 5-10 Slovakia; England 8-4 Croatia; Japan 11-3 Kazakhstan.

Session 23: Hungary 6-4 Turkey; Ireland 3-11 Austria; Guyana 6-3 Brazil; Russia 9-4 Finland; Belarus 8-9 Norway.

Athlete quotes from day five can be found at: http://www.worldcurling.org/wmdcc2018/day-five-quotes

For up-to-date standings from each group in the championship visit http://www.worldcurling.org/wmdcc2018/livescores

To engage with the World Curling Federation on social media in the build to the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2018 follow it on Twitter, Instagram (@worldcurling) and Facebook (/WorldCurlingFederation) and use the hashtags when posting: #WMDCC2018 #curling