As many cases of COVID were detected in the Japanese mission before this session, they faced Switzerland with only three players. After their defeat, they lost their last return match scheduled for Friday afternoon. It means that along with Canada, Korea, Denmark and the United States also qualified for the playoffs after this session.
Canada vs. Germany
Canada went to their game against Germany knowing that a possible victory would mean qualifying for the playoffs for them. Canada stole just one point in the first half when Germany failed to deprive Daniela Jentsch of her final draw. Germany responded with only one point in the second end. Canada played a textbook game for the next four ends, scoring two with a hammer and forcing Germany to take one only when it had the advantage of the last stone. That meant a 5-3 result after six endings in favor of Canada. At the end of the seventh, Canada put two more on the board after a perfect double take-out by skip Kerri Einarson, to the delight of its large home crowd. Germany scored two in the eighth, to reduce their deficit to two points, to 7-5. In the ninth, Canada had a chance to score two, but Einarson were heavy with their last draw and put only one single on the table. The teams went to the tenth end with 8-5, with Canada leading. Canada eventually lost to Germany in this end, making the final score 8-5 After their victory, Canadian second player Shannon Birchard said: “I think we just wanted to forget last night, obviously there were some shots we wanted back last night and that happens sometimes. So we knew we had to come out strong this morning, because Germany seems to be playing very well against us. So, I come up with ideas, and to see them flush it out, it’s really fun [in the first end] “It was great to give us a little boost early.” “I think we still want to finish strong tonight and enter the playoffs with a victory. “Well, we will be stable tonight,” he added, commenting on their last return match on Friday night against the Czech Republic. Canada vs. Germany © WCF / Jeffrey Au
Norway vs. Denmark
Both teams were on the hunt for the playoffs when they played each other in this session, Norway had a record of 5-5 wins-losses, while Denmark is sitting 6-4. Denmark took advantage of their last stone in the first end, scoring three. They forced Norway to get only one point at the second end, before putting another big score of three on the table, in the third. Denmark led the match 6-1 after three ends. A score in the fourth and a steal in the fifth from Norway reduced their deficit to three points, going to the break. In the sixth Denmark had the hammer again. Norway’s fourth player Kristin Skaslien made a great hit-and-roll with her last stone sitting two. As the Danish skipped Madeleine Dupont could not stick her shooter after the removal of the Norwegian stone, Denmark gave only one steal to Norway. Denmark scored a single in the seventh and took a three-point lead the third time in the game, 7-4. In the eighth, Madeleine Dupont made a perfect double shot with the last one to remove both Norwegian counters from the house and sit five. As Norway’s Skaslien were unsuccessful in their last attempt to hit and stay, Norway abandoned a big four-pointer. At this point Norway conceded defeat with a final score of 11-4. After the seventh success of the week, the Danish Madeleine Dupont said: “I was almost certain that this would be a closed game. And I’m almost surprised we won, how we did it, because Norway played great all week. So, I gave up hope for another eleven. “I’m just happy and surprised right now.” Contemplating their three away games earlier this week, he added, “You almost have to say to yourself, ‘Oh, another morning game’ or ‘A new day,’ even though you just played. It’s so difficult, and I think the program is quite difficult here, but we did it. “So if we can do that, I think we can do almost anything.” Norway vs. Denmark © WCF / Jeffrey Au
Switzerland vs. Japan
In the third game of this session, the already qualified Switzerland faced Japan, which was playing with only three players due to some positive COVID cases in its mission. Switzerland led the match 2-1 after two ends. In the third, a referee’s measure determined that the Swiss put no less than five on the board, in part due to two perfect take-outs by the fourth Alina Paetz. The defending Swiss world champion stole three points in the fourth and led the match 10-1. Japan scored two in the fifth and Switzerland responded with only one point in the sixth. At this point, Switzerland was 11-3 ahead of the game and it was enough for the Japanese team to concede defeat. Switzerland Team © WCF / Jeffrey Au The United States was scheduled to play Scotland in this session, but the difficulties of COVID-19 forced the Scots to withdraw, giving the United States an automatic victory. This will also happen for Scotland’s last remaining opponent, Turkey. Results of the 18th period: Norway 4-11 Denmark; Switzerland 11-3 Japan? Canada 8-5 Germany? Scotland LW United States Collaborate with the World Curling Federation during BKT Tires & OK Tire World Women’s Curling Championship 2022 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Weibo and search for the hashtags #curling # WWCC2022
