SCOTLAND DEFEND GOLD AT EUROPEAN MEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2022
Congratulations to Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, Hammy McMillan, and Kyle Waddell who defended the title for Scotland at the European Men’s Curling Championship 2022. The team went through the round robin with only a single defeat, losing out to Switzerland, to secure a spot in the play-offs. They got their revenge against the Swiss in a tight gold medal match that was wide open until the final end.
Image: WCF/Celine Stucki
The Scots started their tournament off with a tense encounter with Germany that went all the way to an extra end before being decided in Scottish favour. They eased through their fixture against Spain, but nemesis Sweden were up next. In an expectedly tight face-off, it all came down to the final end where Scotland played an excellent defensive game to steal the win. The next couple of games gave the Scots a chance to regain some energy with early finishes to their outings against Czech Republic and Turkiye. A well-controlled match with Denmark bagged Scotland their sixth win and a place in the play-offs. They carried their momentum on to clinch a comprehensive triumph over Norway, but the high-flying Scots were subsequently brought back to the ground by Switzerland. The on-form Swiss ran away with it, leaving Scotland somewhat despondent with one round robin session to go. Up against unbeaten Italy, they bounced back in style with a fiercely contested win.
Scotland hadn’t seen the last of Italy though as the sides took each other on again in the semi-final. Once more, there wasn’t much in it for the better part of the encounter, but the game was effectively done and dusted following an incredible triple for four in End 8 that gave Scotland the edge. Heading into the gold medal game against Switzerland, the Scots had scores to settle with the only side that got the better of them throughout the tournament. The match went on for nine ends with no more than a point ever separating the teams and it was anyone’s game in the final end. Trailing by one but with hammer, Scotland made an outstanding double run double that secured the win and the title.
Relive Scotland’s #ECC2022 game by game. 
SCOTLAND DEFEND EUROPEAN GOLD WITH HARD FOUGHT WIN OVER SWITZERLAND (SCO 5-4 SUI)
The European gold medal stays with Scotland for another year as Bruce Mouat’s squad defended their title with a 5-4 win over Yannick Schwaller’s Switzerland. The game went for nine ends with no more than a point separating the sides before a deuce in End 10 decided the encounter.
Switzerland opened the game with a tactical blank, but Scotland controlled the second end to blow the Swiss strategy apart. Benoit Schwarz was left to hit against four with the final stone to score one, not the multiple points his side were looking for but enough to avoid an early disaster. Scotland copied the tactics by blanking End 3 and went for broke in the fourth. A tricky double for five was there, but the shot would not quite come off for Bruce, meaning only two points went on the Scottish counter. A messy fifth end saw nine counter in play with one shot to go and, drawing against two, Schwarz found the button to score one and level the game.
Scotland were first to score at the restart as Bruce drew the button against one. Switzerland were back on the blank in End 7 but once more, their strategy did not quite work out as Scotland limited them to a hit for one in the eighth. However, the Swiss regained the lead with a neat build-up. Bruce was forced to a raise and when the shot didn’t come off, a single steal went to Switzerland. Consequentially, Scotland were trailing by one but had hammer going into the last end. Switzerland made it difficult for the Scots, but an excellent double raise double from Bruce secured the points to win the game.
(Images: WCF/Ansis Ventins, Celine Stucki)
SEMI-FINAL VICTORY OVER ITALY HAS SCOTLAND GOING FOR GOLD (SCO 7-4 ITA)
The title defence is on for Scotland who secured themselves a place in the gold medal game courtesy of a 7-4 semi-final win over Joel Retornaz’ Italy team. There was nothing much separating the sides for the best part of the game, but an incredible triple for four in the eighth end decided the encounter.
Image: WCF/Celine Stucki
An expectedly cagey start saw the teams repeatedly force each other, interrupted only by blanks in the second and fifth end. As a result, only a single point in Italy’s favour stood between the teams at the break, making it all to play for in the second half. The momentum started to shift ever so slightly towards Scotland at the restart. Bruce Mouat drew the four foot to lie two with the penultimate stone to get the force in End 6, but Retornaz’ shot was shy and it even was the single steal for the Scots that tied the scores. Italy were quick to retaliate, Retornaz drawing the button behind cover for two, and regained the lead.
However, the game was effectively over and done with after an outstanding throw from Bruce in End 8. Having missed his previous shot, the pressure was on for the skip, but he lifted the triple with an immaculate effort that scored his side four points. Italy took on the ninth end desperately searching for a multiscore, but Scotland now looked invincible and kept limiting their opponents’ options. Eventually, Retornaz was left drawing against four and needing a nibble of the button to score. Although the Italian skip did well to get the point, the game was out of reach and they conceded subsequently.
SCOTLAND SEE OFF UNBEATEN ITALY TO FINISH SECOND IN THE TABLE (SCO 7-5 ITA)
Scotland concluded the round robin by beating so far undefeated Italy 7-5 in a fiercely contested encounter. A low scoring first half was followed by an eventful second one that had the teams level after nine ends. A deuce in End 10 gave the Scots victory of Joel Retornaz’ side and second place in the overall standings.
Image: WCF/Celine Stucki
Two blanks to start the game off with meant it took until the third end to break the deadlock. Looking to force, Bruce Mouat lifted a double and when Retornaz didn’t get the roll on his shot, a stolen point went to Scotland. Italy retaliated one end later when Retornaz made no mistake with the long run-back for one and it was all square again. Subsequently, Bruce was served a hit for two and the Scottish skip made it look effortless to give his side the advantage at the break.
What the first half missed in action and scoring came thick and fast in the second. Italy were first on the board at the restart when Bruce missed the double and left Retornaz an open draw for two that once more levelled the encounter. The Italians took the lead one end later when a tricky promotion did not come off for Bruce and gave away a single steal. However, Scotland bounced back immediately with a draw to the button that secured one at least and it was confirmed that a stationary Scottish stone, in fact, marginally outcounted two Italian stones, making it a deuce for the Scots. Retornaz made the hit for one in End 9 to tie the scores and it all came down to a tense final end. Neat play from Scotland kept them in a good position throughout and eventually, Bruce faced a hit for two which he pulled off for the win.
SCOTS FALL TO FIRST DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF ON-FORM SWITZERLAND (SUI 7-2 SCO)
Scotland’s winning streak was ended by a swinging Switzerland side that claimed victory be seven points to two. Yannick Schwaller’s team had been shooting the lights out all week and proved their gold ambitions again with a confident performance that left the Scots despondent.
Image: WCF/Ansis Ventins
A marginally better LSD saw Switzerland start the game with hammer and the assured Swiss opted for a tactical blank. There was little to fault the Scots who did a good job of asking the big questions in the second end but reckoned without Benoit Schwarz’ shot making abilities. The Swiss fourth made an incredible long run-back for two and Switzerland’s strategy stuck for the time being. Scotland themselves went for the blank in End 3, but, in contrast to their opponents, they could not follow it up with a multiscore. A decent set-up was destroyed when Schwarz lifted the double and reduced Bruce Mouat to a draw for one. Schwarz was on it again in the fifth end and made the double while keeping the back red to score two and extend the Swiss lead to three points at the break.
Scotland were first on the board at the restart, but again, Bruce was limited to a double for one, the only consolation being that a less skilled shot would have given away a steal. Meanwhile, Switzerland were on a mission and Schwarz added another great shot to his record when made a tricky take-out to score three and tighten the screw. It wasn’t that the Scots played poorly, all four sat on accuracy percentages of well over 80. The case was that Switzerland simply looked invincible, reflected in their stats of more than 90 per cent for three of the four players. Scotland were in need of a big score, but the Swiss controlled End 8 well and when it became evident that no big points were on the cards, the Scots decided to shake hands early.
IMMACULATE RECORD HOLDS WITH COMPREHENSIVE WIN OVER NORWAY (SCO 8-1 NOR)
Scotland earned themselves an early finish on Day 5 of the event with a runaway 8-1 win over Norway. Six ends were enough for the high-flying Scots to see off Steffen Walstad’s team who continued to struggle with their form.
Image: WCF/Ansis Ventins
On the case from the get go, Scotland opened the game with a deuce after Walstad didn’t get the roll and left Bruce Mouat an open hit. The Scots asked the big questions again in End 2 with a draw freeze to lie two that secured the force at least. Walstad almost made a tricky raise perfectly, but one Scottish stone lay marginally closer to the tee. There wasn’t much in it during set-up play, but Scotland made the difference with third stones, challenging the Norwegian skip time and again. Scotland gained another stolen point when Walstad’s draw was heavy by milimetres and the gap stretched further when the Scots left Norway with a near impossible run-back that gifted them a two-points steal.
The Norwegians finally got on the board just before the break, but their one point did little to cut the deficit. Scotland pounced and killed the game off in End 6. Facing a tricky promotion, Bruce made the shot nicely to score two and a despondent looking Norway side subsequently opted to shake hands.
CONTROLLED WIN AGAINST DENMARK BAGS SOTLAND PLAY-OFF QUALIFICATION (SCO 7-4 DEN)
It’s six wins in as many games and the play-off qualification secured for Scotland who played a well controlled game against Mikkel Krause’s Denmark team. Both sides scored with hammer in most ends, but Scottish deuces outcounted Danish singles and added up to a 7-4 triumph.
An excellent LSD of 27.9 gave Denmark hammer going into the game, but Scotland managed proceedings well to keep the end in check. Eventually, Krause was left with a raise that earned them no more than one point. Neat build-up play had the Scots on course for a multiscore, but Denmark at least got the consolation prize with a clean take-out that limited Bruce Mouat to a draw for one. History repeated itself as Krause drew the four foot for one before Bruce drew for two to extend the Scottish lead. Denmark were once more forced in End 5, meaning Scotland held the lead by a single point at the break.
Image: WCF/Celine Stucki
The Danes had the upper hand at the restart and brought themselves in a great position. Krause placed a guard with the penultimate stone of End 6 and got the reward when Bruce missed the run-back and gave away a single steal. A tactical blank maintained hammer for Scotland in the even ends, setting them up to strike in the eighth end. This time, Bruce made the raise and added another deuce on the board. The momentum swung towards the Scots in End 9 when Krause needed the hit and stick with last stone but lost the shooter and gifted a single steal. Trailing by three, Denmark attempted the last end, but there was no way back in and the final stones didn’t need to be played.
SCOTLAND REMAIN UNBEATEN WITH VICTORY OVER TURKIYE (SCO 10–4 TUR)
There’s no stopping Scotland who only needed seven ends to see off Turkiye 10-4. The Scots bagged multiscores throughout and gradually edged ever farther away from Ugurcan Karagoz’ side.
Image: WCF/Celine Stucki
Bruce Mouat got his quartet off to a flyer when he concluded a neat build-up with a take-out for two. The Scots remained well in control and forced the one in the second end to hold the lead in the early stages. Grant Hardie made a double in End 3 that ignited a tense drawing game between the skips. Karagoz was first and drew back 12, frozen to a Scottish stone and with no clear idea who was lying shot. In response, Bruce froze shot to the stone just played and when Karagoz tried to copy the feat, his throw feathered off the guard. An open draw for Bruce gave Scotland at least two points and the measure came out to confirm that it were, in fact, three. The blank was on for Turkiye in End 4, but Karagoz ended up with a take-out for one. In contrast, the fifth end turned into a tale of many stones in play and a big scoring opportunity. With two stones remaining, Scotland were lying three, but Karagoz lifted the double, limiting Bruce to a draw for two.
Trailing by five, Turkiye threw everything at it at the restart and played a solid tactical game that earned them two points. If the Turkish side saw a way back in the encounter though, Scotland made a swift job of eliminating it. Scottish stones dominated the rings and with one throw remaining, Turkiye were lying a lonely third shot within a bunch of reds. Rather than settling for the two, Bruce attempted the run-back with a potential for four. Although he couldn’t quite punch the yellow far enough and only scored the three points, it was enough to put the game to bed.
WINNING STREAK CONTINUES FOR SCOTLAND WITH WIN OVER CZECH REPUBLIC (SCO 11-6 CZE)
It’s winning ways all the way for Scotland who saw off Czech Republic 11-6 to bag their fourth victory in as many games. Lukas Klima’s side put up a spirited fight, but a number of multiscores decided the encounter in the Scots’ favour.
A calm enough start to the game saw the teams trade singles, but Scotland soon landed the first punch. A big take-out with the last stone in End 3 from Bruce Mouat scored four points and gave his side a commanding lead. However, Czech Republic spiked the Scottish guns and responded with a big end themselves. Although Bruce made a nice hit and roll behind cover to lie shot, Klima was up for the challenge and played a raise to hit and stick and score three. The Czechs left Bruce with a tricky shot just before the break, looking for a steal or at least the force. It would be the latter when the Scottish skip just about pulled off the double to score one.
Image: WCF/Ansis Ventins
Trailing by two points, Czech Republic were still well within a chance going into the second half. A raise from Bruce with the penultimate stone got the force in End 6 though and Klima could only draw for one, hardly cutting the gap. Scotland themselves tightened the screw in return. A draw to the button earned them two points and their hold on the game prevailed when they limited their opponents to one in End 8. The fatal blow followed an end later. Klima did a good job with a hit and roll behind cover, but Bruce pulled off a tricky take-out that kept three Scottish stones in and decided the game.
SCOTLAND COME OUT TOP OF GRIPPING ENCOUNTER WITH NEMESIS SWEDEN (SCO 8-7 SWE)
Anticipations run high whenever Scotland and Sweden meet on the ice and their Europeans encounter left naught to be desired. Nothing could separate the sides after nine ends and some tense, tactical hours, but it were the Scots who had the edge in an 8-7 result.
With Niklas Edin sidelined by injury, Oskar Eriksson took over skipping duties and got Sweden off to a solid start. Neat built-up work left him with an open draw for two and Eriksson converted without trouble. Scotland made their presence known in the second end though, culminating in Bruce Mouat using his penultimate stone for a hit and roll to lie two behind cover to lie two. Under zugzwang, Eriksson made a spectacular run-back to remove one and limit the damage, but he couldn’t take a raise for two away from Bruce. The Scots were on it again in End 3 and heading for a big steal with three stones spread across the rings. Another damage limitation job from Sweden cut the steal to one, but the lead was now with Scotland. The Swedes retaliated and equalised, but the advantage swiftly swung back when Bruce drew for one just before the break.
Image: WCF/Celine Stucki
The second half continued how the first ended with highly tactical play. Scotland had the edge initially and left Eriksson with a draw for nothing but a single point. The pendulum was firmly in the Scottish corner in End 7. Bruce set a big score up with an inch-perfect run-back to lie two and although Eriksson did well to draw for shot stone, Scotland got the take-out for three with the final stone. While the momentum crept towards the Scots, the game drifted away from Sweden. Eriksson’s squad were left looking dejected when a measure in the eight proved their double didn’t come off by milimetres and only the one point went their way. However, the Swedes once more demonstrated their lethal abilities and proved that not all was done yet. Eriksson played a quiet weight draw to lie two with his last stone in End 9, challenging Bruce to the tap-back. The Scottish skip’s shot feathered off his own stone though and the measure this time found two points in Swedish favour. It was all square again with one end to go and it remained anyone’s game all the way up to the final stones. Holding hammer and with the slightly better angles, Scotland opted for a defensive draw with their penultimate stone, eliminating all straightforward options for Sweden. Eriksson made the comearound, but with his stone slightly heavy, Scotland bagged the crucial point.
SCOTS HIT DOUBLE DIGITS IN WINNING DISPLAY AGAINST SPIRITED SPAIN (SCO 10-4 ESP)
A comprehensive 10-4 triumph over Spain made it two wins from two games for Bruce Mouat’s squad on their first day of action at the tournament. The Scots didn’t have it all their own way against a spirited Spanish side, but big multiscores proved the difference and secured victory.
The early stages of the encounter went according to plan for Scotland with them bagging a deuce themselves and holding Sergio Vez’ side to a single. However, the Spaniards swiftly showed that they had come out to play today. The formbook was flipped when they stole and levelled the scores in End 3. If the Scots were stunned, they certainly didn’t show it and instead capitalised on a few misplaced Spanish stones. Eventually, Bruce was left a straightforward run-back on his own stone to take one out and score four. Scotland went on to steal a single, giving them a comfortable 7-2 lead at the break.
Image: WCF/Ansis Ventins
A line-up change at half-time introduced alternate Kyle Waddell to the ice who slotted in at second with Bobby Lammie moving up to third and Grant Hardie sidelined. The reshuffled looked to pay off and End 6 had Scotland written all over it with red stones dominating the house. No easy shot was left for Vez with last stone, but the Spanish skip lifted a magnificent double and cut the gap to three points. Spain were on the case and guarded for their lives in the seventh end, seeking a steal or a force. Scotland read the tactics well though and played the peeling game to achieve a blank. They dealt the fatal punch in End 8 with everything going in Scottish favour. Bruce faced a hit and stick for three with the last stone and converted to bring the game to a premature end.
COMPOSED TEAM SCOTLAND EARN EXTRA END WIN OVER STRONG GERMANY SIDE (SCO 6-4 GER)
Scotland’s first game of the tournament went all the way to a nail-biting extra end against Sixten Totzek’s confident Germany side. After a low scoring regular play, the Scots remained level-headed and bagged the first multi-score of the game and with that 6-4 win.
Starting the game with hammer, Scotland opted for a tactical blank in the first end. They opened the scoring with a single in End 2, but their lead only lasted briefly as Germany responded by copying the feat and levelling again. Once more, the Scots went for the blank in a tight fourth end and with only a single going their way in the fifth, they held the advantage by a mere point at the break.
Image: WCF/Celine Stucki
The second half turned into a game of cat and mouse as the teams traded singles throughout. Going into the final end, Scotland led by a single point and it was all to play for. Bruce Mouat made a run-back with the penultimate stone that had the Scots lying first, second, third, and fourth shot and in a great position for victory. However, Totzek pulled off an incredible run double to take a single, level the scores, and take the encounter to an extra end. While Scotland managed to stay composed, Germany started to waver slightly in the crucial phase. Eventually, Bruce faced a fairly straightforward take-out for two and converted to secure the win.
TEAM SCOTLAND AT THE EUROPEAN MEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2022
Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, and Hammy McMillan, with alternate Kyle Waddell, return to the ice, ready to defend their European title. Despite a difficult start to the season, hampered by injuries and line-up reshuffles, the squad are all set for Oestersund. Back at full strength now, the Scots are once more among the tournament favourites as the team around Bruce Mouat hunt their third European crown.
Everything points towards another showdown between Scotland and Sweden. The two nations have dominated the Europeans for the past years with no other side having won the trophy since 2013. Sweden currently hold the upper hand, having won five of the last seven tournaments, and will be looking to extend that advantage at home. However, the reigning Olympic and world champions will have to do it without Niklas Edin who is still recovering from knee surgery. Instead, usual third Oskar Eriksson steps up to fourth and skipping duties while Rasmus Wrana takes his place at third from second. Christoffer Sundgren remains at lead while former alternate Daniel Magnusson is promoted to second and vice-skip.
Italy’s top tournament form has stopped being a surprise a long time ago. The squad around Joel Retornaz has become a regular medal contender and will be looking for a repeat this year. Going into his 14th Europeans, the skip is a veteran at this event and will once more have Olympic mixed doubles champion Amos Mosaner at his side.
Meanwhile, Switzerland have fallen short of their own ambition and expectation in recent years. Team De Cruz, a staple of Swiss curling for many seasons, split up during the summer and a fresh-faced line-up is tackling the Europeans. While former De Cruz players Benoit Schwarz and Sven Michel remain at fourth and second respectively, Yannick Schwaller, whose young team were one of the big surprises of the last world championship, will skip at third. Pablo Lachat joins as lead.
The refreshed Norway line-up around skip Steffen Walstad had a positive start to the season, competing regularly and strongly in Canada. Having finished fourth last season, they’ll be keen to bounce back and take momentum into the Europeans. Completing the Scandinavian contingent in Oestersund, Mikkel Krause’s Denmark side is always good to pull a great performance out the back.
Lukas Klima’s Czech squad has impressed recently with some sharp shooting and absolute fearlessness. Still searching for that final breakthrough, could this be the year for the Czech Republic? Similarly, Germany are a bit of an unknown quantity. While having come on strong in the mixed doubles and junior men’s field, the senior team around Sixten Totzek has not yet quite found the recipe to success. They will be looking to change that in Oestersund.
Elsewhere, Spain and Turkiye join the competition having gained promotion from the B-Division.
SCOTLAND’S ROUND ROBIN GAMES
19.11.2022, 8am v Germany
19.11.2022, 6pm v Spain
20.11.2022, 1pm v Sweden
21.11.2022, 7am v Czech Republic
21.11.2022, 3pm v Turkiye
22.11.2022, 8am v Denmark
22.11.2022, 6pm v Norway
23.11.2022, 1pm v Switzerland
24.11.2022, 7am v Italy
