Sunday, 2nd of April 2023

GOLD FOR SCOTLAND AT WORLD MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2023

The team of Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, Hammy McMillan, and Kyle Waddell clinched Scotland’s first world men’s gold since 2009 in Ottawa, Canada. After a mixed start to the tournament, the Scots found incredibly form and finished second in the table standings. They went on to beat Italy in the semi-finals and overcame hosts Canada in the gold medal game.

Up against Joel Retornaz’ Italy team, who had been flying on the tour so far this season, in their first fixture, it was far from a straightforward start to the championship for Scotland. As expected, the Italians put up a strong challenge, but a second half charge from Scotland eventually earned them victory. It only took six ends for the Scots to see off tournament debutants Turkiye in their next game, allowing them a prolonged break before a big fixture against Sweden later the same day. The predictably high-quality encounter went down to the wire with the points even after eight. However, Niklas Edin’s title holders scored big in End 9 and Scotland could not quite retaliate, resulting in their first defeat.

Germany threatened a comeback from an early Scottish lead, but Scotland managed to keep their composure and brought their advantage over the line for win number three. It was a similar story in the next fixture though when the Scots had the brighter start but somewhat let the momentum slip away from them while United States gradually gained the upper hand. Indeed, Team USA were odds-on to win, but, incredibly, skip John Shuster missed the draw to the four foot for one with the last stone and gave away a two-points steal that decided proceedings in Scottish favour. Scotland might have got away with it on that occasion, but there was no escaping on-form Switzerland on the next one. There was nothing much separating the sides in a high-quality, tense encounter, but Yannick Schwaller’s squad had the stronger nerves in the late stages and made the difference with a big ninth end.

Scotland played a largely scrappy game versus Japan which was brought to a premature end by a massive five points for the Scots in End 6. ‘It was so nice, they did it twice,’ must have been the thinking going into the next fixture against Korea since Scotland once more scored a five, this time in End 3, to run away with proceedings. Next up were Norway whose brilliant form had been the surprise of the tournament. Indeed, Magnus Ramsfjell’s side gave the Scots a good run for their money in an entertaining back and forth game, but a three-points score in End 9 eventually decided proceedings in Scottish favour. This proved to be somewhat of a turning point since, henceforth, Scotland were unstoppable. Both skips shot over 90 per cent in a cagey encounter between Scotland and Canada, but the Scots edged out an advantage, scoring deuces twice while limiting Brad Gushue’s squad to singles, and bagged a crucial win that secured them play-off qualification. It was yet to be decided though whether Scotland would clinch a coveted direct spot in the semi-finals or if they would have to go through the qualification games. The Scots sure did their bit and concluded the round robin with two wins, taking an early advantage over Czech Republic and never relinquishing it before getting the better of world championship debutants New Zealand in the late stages. With results elsewhere going their way too, second in the table standings and with that a ticket to the semi-finals was sealed for Scotland.

A rollercoaster semi-final saw Scotland and Italy trade the momentum and it was anyone’s game until the very end. The chance to force and tie things up was there for the Scots in End 10, but when they missed the clearance, Joel Retornaz was served a shot for a multiple end. The Italian skip could have played a draw for two and levelled the game, but instead he went for the trickier split, seeking a bigger score. The strategy almost came off with two stones definitely in the rings and one close to the edge of the 12 foot. The measure came out and determined the stone just not touching the rings, meaning only two points went on the board and the game to an extra end. After a cagey 15 stones, Bruce faced two but had an open draw to the four foot to score. Cool, calm, and collected, the skip made the shot, indeed nibbling the button, and bagged a decisive point.

One couldn’t have written the script any better as, after eight days of competition, Scotland and Canada took to the ice to battle it out for gold. After blanking the first end, Scotland got their two on the board with a neat double take-out in the second. So far, so textbook, but the game would really tip in Scottish favour in End 3 when Brad Gushue’s draw was too heavy and gave away a two-points steal. The Scots remained firmly in the driving seat with a clinical performance, shooting at 96.5 per cent overall accuracy and gave the hosts hardly any chance to find their footing. Scotland blanked End 7 to maintain hammer for the even ends henceforth. End 8, however, would indeed turn out to be the last of the game when some great shots throughout served Bruce a hit for three that took proceedings out of reach for Canada.

Images: WCF / Celine Stucki, Steve Seixeiro

SCOTLAND CLINCH GOLD WITH COMPREHENSIVE SHOW AGAINST CANADA (SCO 9-3 CAN)

Shooting at 96.5 per cent overall accuracy as a team, there was no stopping the Scots as they clinched a 9-3 win over Canada and, with that, world gold. Scotland held the upper hand over Brad Gushue’s home side from the get-go and tied things up after eight ends.

After blanking the first end, Scotland got their two on the board with a neat double take-out in the second. So far, so textbook, but the game would really tip in Scottish favour in End 3 when Gushue’s draw was too heavy and gave away a two-points steal. Canada finally got on the board in the fourth, but, being forced to a take-out for one, they did little to cut their deficit. In contrast, Scotland were on a roll and, already lying one, Bruce made the draw for two and took the standings to 6-1 at the break. The Canadians got their multiple end at the restart, nice set-up work allowing Gushue to draw for two. Scotland were still in the driving seat though and blanked End 7 to maintain hammer for the even ends henceforth. End 8, however, would indeed turn out to be the last of the game when some great shots throughout from the Scots served Bruce a hit for three that took proceedings out of reach for Canada.

TENSE EXTRA END WIN OVER ITALY HAS SCOTLAND GOING FOR GOLD (SCO 9-8 ITA)

Italy played a textbook first four ends, forcing Scotland to singles and taking deuces themselves. However, when the Scots got a two on the board in End 5, it was suddenly all square again. The momentum swung early in the second half with Italy now being forced and Scotland scoring twos. With one end to go, Scotland were leading by two points up against hammer. The chance to force and tie things up was there for the Scots, but when they missed the clearance, Retornaz was served a shot for a multiple end. The skip could have played a draw for two but went for the trickier wick, hoping to get a bigger score out of it. The strategy almost came off with two stones definitely in the rings and one close to the edge of the 12 foot. However, it was just too far away, only two points being added to the tally and the game going to an extra end. After a cagey 15 stones, Bruce faced two but had an open draw to at least bite the four foot to score. Cool, calm, and collected, the skip made the shot, indeed nibbling the button, and bagged a decisive point.

SCOTS CONCLUDE ROUND ROBIN WITH WIN OVER KIWIS AND BAG SEMI-FINAL SPOT (SCO 10-4 NZL)

World championship debutants New Zealand put up a solid challenge and kept the points gap on just one after seven ends, but Scotland eventually had too much to offer for Peter De Boer’s side in the late stages and concluded the round robin with a 10-4 win. Allied with results elsewhere, the Scots finish second in the standings, securing a direct spot in the semi-finals.

Although New Zealand opened the scoring with a single in End 1, Scotland swiftly took an early hold of the game. A three-points score followed by a single steal had things very much looking in Scottish favour, but the Kiwis responded with a deuce that cut the gap down again. The sides traded singles before Scotland strategically blanked End 7 to hold hammer in the even ends with the gap sitting on only a point. Their strategy was on course when the Scots scored two in the eighth, and proceedings went even better in the ninth with a three-points steal that left nothing but handshakes.

FIFTH CONSECUTIVE WIN FOR SCOTS IN COMPREHENSIVE SHOW VERSUS CZECH REPUBLIC (SCO 9-3 CZE)

Scotland took points in the first three ends and never relinquished their advantage over Lukas Klima’s Czech Republic to bag their fifth consecutive win, making it nine overall, and kept the chance for a direct spot in the semi-finals alive.

A missed blank attempt in the first end, taking a single instead, for the Scots was quickly forgotten when they secured a two-points steal in End 2. When a single steal followed, the Scottish advantage went up to four points and already had them in a comfortable position. Czech Republic finally got on the board with a deuce in End 4, but Scotland swiftly copied the feat to keep the gap as it was at the break. Opening the second half with a single steal, Scotland’s hold of the game grew firmer and a Czech single in response did little to hurt it. It was handshakes one end later when Bruce made a straightforward take-out hit and put the game out of reach for Czech Republic.

SCOTS SEAL PLAY-OFF QUALIFICATION WITH CAGEY WIN OVER CANADA (SCO 6-3 CAN)

Both skips shot over 90 per cent in a cagey encounter, but Scotland edged out an advantage, scoring deuces twice while limiting Brad Gushue’s Canada to singles, and bagged a crucial win that booked them a ticket to the play-offs.

A well worked opening end served Bruce an open hit for two, but, incredibly, the skip missed the shot and only the single went on the board. The Scots swiftly bounced back though, forcing Canada in the second end and finally getting their two in the third. Canada managed to bail when no multiple materialised in End 4 and blanked, but there was no escape in End 5 when they were forced to the one again. The blank was there for Scotland at the restart, but a misjudged shot instead added a single to their tally. Consolation arrived swiftly though when they forced Canada in turn. After a blank eighth, End 9 turned out to be the crucial moment of the game. A tricky draw to the button was well executed by the Scots for two, extending the gap to three points with one end remaining. Eventually, Scotland arithmetically eliminated their opponents and bagged a pivotal win.

SCOTS BAG IMPORTANT, HARD-FOUGHT WIN OVER ON-FORM NORWAY (SCO 9-5 NOR)

On-form Norway gave the Scots a good run for their money in an entertaining back and forth game, but a three-points score in End 9 eventually decided proceedings 9-5 in Scottish favour, Magnus Ramsfjell’s squad opting to shake hands with an end to spare.

After blanking the opening end, Scotland dealt a big punch with three in End 2, but Norway instantly answered with a deuce. The Scots blanked once more in End 4, but there was no escaping the force an end later, making it 4-2 at the break. Going into the second half, it was Scotland’s turn to force and they followed it up with a two-points score. With the gap now up to three-points, Norway were under zugzwang and they indeed got their two in End 8. However, it was literally game over when Bruce lifted the double to score three in the ninth and the Norwegians opted to shake hands.

EARLY BIG SCORE HAS SCOTLAND CRUISING TO WIN OVER KOREA (SCO 9-3 KOR)

Scotland took the sting out of their fixture against Korea early with a massive five-points score in End 3 and never allowed Jeong Byeongjin’s side a way back in, securing a 9-3 victory after seven ends.

A quiet start to proceedings saw a blank opening end followed by a single for Korea. End 3, however, proved to be the decisive moment of the game. Courtesy of some well played Scottish stones, Bruce was served a fairly straightforward take-out hit for five and the skip converted the chance. Korea were forced to respond with a single before Scotland bagged a deuce and cemented their hold of the game going into the break. It was more of the same at the restart as the Scots first got the force, then the two. With the points gap now up to six points, Korea opted to shake hands early.

SCRAPPY GAME, COMPREHENSIVE WIN OVER JAPAN FOR SCOTLAND (SCO 9-2 JPN)

Scotland returned to winning ways with a nervy 9-2 triumph over Yanagisawa Riku’s on-form Japan team. Scrappy in places, neither side created chances in the first half, but the Scots gained a hold with several steals and killed things off with five points in End 6.

Despite Scotland starting with hammer, Japan had the better first end, forcing a tricky double run for only a point off Bruce. However, the momentum subsequently swung it Scotland gradually got a hold of proceedings. Japan missed blanks and singles in the next three ends, giving away one-point steals in each to make it a 4-0 lead for the Scots. Finally finding some form in End 5, Yanagisawa faced a chance for two and executed a full four foot draw to somewhat keep proceedings open. The effort turned out to be in vain though at the restart when End 6 went well and truly in Scottish favour. Eventually, Bruce was served an open draw for five that put the game to bed.

SWITZERLAND HOLD NERVES TO BEAT SCOTS IN CAGEY ENCOUNTER (SUI 7-4 SCO)

There was nothing much separating Scotland and Switzerland in a high-quality, tense encounter, but Yannick Schwaller’s side had the stronger nerves in the late stages, making the difference with a big ninth end for a 7-4 win.

Switzerland played an immaculate opening end to score two, but Scotland swiftly copied the feat to level. A cagey third end didn’t go anywhere, but when Benoit Schwarz’ overcurled on the blank attempt, the Swiss involuntarily took a single. Again, there was nothing in it and with no multiple score, nor force on the cards, Scotland opted to blank Ends 4 and 5 to maintain hammer into the break. However, the force at the restart had proceedings all square again and it remained that way with the sides trading singles. Some mistakes started creeping in on both sides in the crucial late stages, but Switzerland dealt a massive punch in End 9 when they got a three on the board. The Scots gave it a decent effort in the tenth, but there was nothing more they could do.

SCOTS LOSE MOMENTUM BUT STEAL IN LAST END TO BAG WIN OVER UNITED STATES (SCO 10-8 USA)

A thriller of a game versus United States saw Scotland come out on the right side of a 10-8 result. The Scots had the brighter start, but John Shuster’s side gradually gained the upper hand and it took a two-points steal in a nervy last end to clinch victory after all.

A textbook start saw Scotland score twos and force the single, but the momentum was about to swing. Shuster made a brilliant redirected triple with the last stone of End 4 to bag three points and level the scores. Subsequently, United States played a neat fifth end that earned them a single steal. Scotland regained the lead at the restart with a draw to back four for two, but the advantage was short-lived as United States immediately answered with a deuce themselves. Indeed, Team USA got a good grip of the game with another single steal that extended the gap to two points. Scotland managed to close the deficit with a deuce in End 9, but United States were coming down with hammer in the last end. The Scots were lying two, both stones on the centre line, top and back eight respectively, with one stone remaining, and, unbelievably, Shuster missed the required draw to give away a two-points steal.

GERMANY THREATEN COMEBACK BUT SCOTS MANAGE LEAD FOR WIN NO 3 (SCO 8-6 GER)

It might have been a bit too close for comfort, but Scotland bagged their third win of the tournament, seeing off Germany 8-6. Despite an early Scottish lead, Sixten Totzek’s side stayed in the game and kept things open, but the well composed Scots brought their advantage home.

Scotland looked well in control in the early stages, scoring two and stealing three consecutive singles. Germany finally got on the board in End 4 and cut the gap down with a deuce. The momentum threatened to swing at the restart when a marginal advantage had Germany steal one and subsequently get the force. A spectacular double run double from Totzek added another two to the German tally in End 8 and suddenly the gap was down to just a point. However, Scotland stayed well composed and played a neat ninth end that culminated in Bruce being served an open draw to the four foot for two. Back in the driving seat, the Scots managed the final end and ran their opponents out of stones to secure victory.

PREMIUM ENCOUNTER WITH SWEDEN HAS SCOTS FALL TO FIRST DEFEAT (SWE 7-4 SCO)

An expectedly high-quality game between Scotland and Sweden went down to the wire with the points even after eight. Niklas Edin’s squad scored big in End 9 and the Scots could not quite retaliate, resulting in a maiden 7-4 defeat.

Title holders Sweden had a textbook start; blanking End 1, scoring two in the second, and forcing Scotland to one in the third. However, the Scots fought back and got the force themselves in End 4. When they went on to score two, it was all square again at half-time. A blank sixth end was followed by the teams trading singles and there was again nothing to separate them with two to go. Choosing to score rather than blank End 9, the Swedes built things up nicely and when Bruce missed the double, Edin was served an open draw for three. Grant played a neat draw freeze that should have had Scotland in a nice position in End 10, but Edin raised the guard for a magnificent angled run double. Subsequently, Bruce’ draw attempt missed the rings completely, meaning they were arithmetically eliminated and the final stones needn’t be played.

MAGNIFICENT STATS HAVE SCOTLAND STORM TO WIN OVER TURKIYE (SCO 8-1 TUR)

Scotland took no prisoners in their encounter with world championship debutants Turkiye and stormed to an 8-1 win. Dominant from the start, it only took six ends for the Scots to see off Ugurcan Karagoz’ squad.

Three points in the opening end had Scotland off to a flyer and they kept carrying the momentum. Steals in the next three ends extended their points tally to eight and a blank fifth meant they hadn’t conceded a single point at the break. Magnificent accuracy percentages – 98, 100, 96, 88 from fourth to lead – underlined the Scots’ commanding performance at half time. Turkiye bagged a consolation point at the restart, but the game was already way out of reach and all that was left to do was shake hands.

SCOTS EDGE WIN IN TOUGH OPENER VERSUS ON-FORM ITALY (SCO 7-4)

A second half charge earned Scotland a 7-4 win over Italy to kick their worlds campaign off in style. Joel Retornaz’ side has been flying on tour this season and they delivered a tough challenge again, but the Scot had the edge in the late stages.

Italy had a bright start and led by two points after three ends. Meanwhile, it took Scotland a while to find their form, but when they finally got on the board, they did it well with a three. Another point went Italy’s way in End 5, meaning it was all square at the break. A blank sixth end was followed by Scotland being forced to one in the seventh, but the momentum subsequently started to swing towards the Scots. Bruce Mouat tapped an Italian counter with the penultimate stone and lay shot guarded on the four foot. Retornaz faced a difficult draw and just came up short, giving away a single steal. Italy could only respond with a single, meaning Scotland were a point up and coming down with hammer. Cool as you like, Bruce lifted a tricky double with the final stone and bagged two points that sealed victory.