Lillehammer, Norway
Monday 15 February 2016

New Zealand won their first game of the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway this morning (Monday 15 February).

The Kiwis overcame Japan 7-5, in Group A. They took a 2-0 lead in the first end, before Japan scored points in the following three ends to establish a 4-2 lead at the fourth end break. However, New Zealand came out strong in the second period, scoring three points in the fifth end and then another two in the seventh and final end.

Russia, Switzerland and USA all secured their places in tomorrow’s (Tuesday 16 February) quarter-finals with wins. Russia beat Italy, 5-3; Switzerland defeated Turkey 7-3 and USA overcame China 5-2.

Tomorrow’s quarter-finals will be played at 13.30 (Central European Time, CET).

In Group B, Canada, Great Britain and Sweden ensured their places in tomorrow’s quarter-finals.

Canada maintained their 100% record with their sixth win. They beat Korea 6-0, while Great Britain defeated Estonia 8-2 and Sweden edged past Czech Republic, 5-4, in a tense extra end game.

Hosts Norway, won their third game of the Youth Olympics Mixed curling event and play Korea tonight (at 19.30) to decide the final quarter-finalist from Group B. They beat Brazil 11-2. Brazil are growing in confidence after scoring historic first Olympic points for their country in curling.

They Said It:

Matt Neilson; skip New Zealand (after 9-6 win over Japan): “We started off not too bad, but the coach told us at half-time that we could play much better. We upped our game immensely, so we are really-really stoked about it. I think the win came down to making good shots and when they took a miss we took advantage of that."

Victor Cesar Da Chuncha Santos (after 2-11 loss to Norway): “I'm really happy that each day the scores in our games improve, it really shows that the team is getting better and growing more confident. In the first games we were scared to call take-outs, and we were pretty much just drawing in, and I think as our confidence improved, we were less scared to call take-outs and to get the rocks out of the house. I think that's why we are getting better results.”

GROUP A RESULTS, Session 11:

Italy 3-5 Russia; Switzerland 7-3 Turkey; New Zealand 7-5 Japan; USA 5-2 China

GROUP B RESULTS, Session 12:

Czech Republic 4-5 Sweden; Great Britain 8-2 Estonia; Norway 11-2 Brazil; Canada 6-0 Korea

GROUP A STANDINGS after Session 11 (W - L):

Q Russia 5-1
Q Switzerland 5-1
Q USA 5-1
Italy 3-3
Turkey 3-3
China 1-5
Japan 1-5
New Zealand 1-5

GROUP B STANDINGS after Session 12 (W - L):

Q Canada 6-0
Q Great Britain 5-1
Q Sweden 5-1
Korea 3-3
Norway 3-3
Czech Republic 2-4
Estonia 1-5
Brazil 0-6