SCOTLAND JUNIOR MEN TAKE GOLD AT #WJCC2022, JUNIOR WOMEN RELEGATED TO B-DIVISION
The Junior Men’s team clinched gold at the World Junior Curling Championship 2022 in Jönköping, Sweden and kept Scotland’s medal run at the event going for an 18th consecutive year. Fortunes were different for the Junior Women who will be back in the B-Division next season following relegation.
James Craik’s line-up had an incredible run through the round robin, losing only a single game out of nine. A few tight encounters along the way did not stop the Scots from winning their first five games, but defeat eventually came in an extra end match versus title defenders Canada. However, Scotland bounced back in the perfect fashion, securing a play-off spot in the very next game, and looked invincible from there to top the final table standings. Playing a patient and composed semi-final against Norway, Scotland stepped up their game in the final ends to progress through to the gold medal match where Germany were their final opponents. The momentum swung in Scottish favour three ends in and a clinical, well-controlled performance safely guided Scotland to gold.
Meanwhile, Fay Henderson’s squad had a tough time in Sweden. Although the team started their campaign with a great win over defending champions Canada, struggles started with an agonisingly tight defeat to United States in the next game. Three consecutive defeats made for a grim look on the table, even tough the Scots had some strong outings and only lost out by margins. Victory over Latvia had them back on winning ways, but a subsequent extra end defeat to Korea made a remaining in the A-Division an ever so tough feat to achieve. A loss to Sweden on the final day of round robin play eventually sealed relegation, but the team managed to bow out on a high by winning their final fixture against Denmark.
Relive Scotland’s #WJCC2022 day by day (all images: © WCF/Cheyenne Boone). 
SCOTLAND JUNIOR MEN SECURE GOLD WITH DAY 8 FINAL WIN OVER GERMANY
A clinical performance from the Scotland Junior Men’s team earned a 7-1 win over Germany and the 2022 World Junior Curling title. There was nothing much in it between the sides through the opening two ends – the only point on the board going Scotland’s way – but the momentum swung in Scottish favour in End 3. A two-points steal gave the Scots a more substantial lead and a chance to control the game. After forcing the one in the fourth end, they blanked the fifth to keep hammer in the even ends.
The game plan worked out at the restart with a two-points score and from there onwards, Scotland were all over Benjamin Kapp’s German side. A clinical display and well set out tactics saw the Scots steal singles in End 7 and 8, prompting Germany to concede after minimum amount of ends played.
SEMI-FINAL WIN OVER NORWAY ON DAY 7 HAS SCOTLAND JUNIOR MEN GOING FOR GOLD
The Scotland Junior Men’s team keep flying high with a 7-5 semi-final win over Norway that sends them through to the gold medal game. Scotland instantly took the upper hand with a deuce in the opening hand that Grunde Buraas’ side could not respond to. After a blank end, only a single point went on the Norwegian tally which the Scots outscored with another two points in End 4. Had the momentum not already been in Scottish favour, it certainly was following a single steal right before the break.
Scotland stole again at the restart and Norway’s deuce in End 7 did not do much damage to the Scots’ game. Another single score went to the Scottish total to stretch the advantage, but the Norwegians kept themselves within contention with two points from End 9. The teams went into the final end, but Scotland arithmetically eliminated their opponents to bag the win.
RELEGATED WOMEN’S TEAM BOW OUT ON A HIGH ON DAY 6, MEN TOP FINAL TABLE
Scotland’s Junior Women’s team will be competing in the B Division next season after a tough 11-4 defeat to Sweden that sealed relegation. Moa Dryburgh’s quartet had a perfect start to the game, scoring a deuce with hammer in the first end and following it up with two consecutives steals of two. The pressure on the Scots was mounting already, but they finally got on the board with two points themselves and trailed by four at the break. Sweden were first to score at the restart, although this time it was only the single point and a subsequent deuce from Scotland cut the gap. However, the Swedes responded once more with a score of two followed by a steal of the same amount that capped the game off.
The women’s campaign came to a somewhat conciliatory end in the evening with an 8-4 win over Denmark. Karolina Jensen’s side had the brighter start to the game with singles in the two opening ends, but Scotland copied the feat and a blank fifth end saw the teams sit level at the break. The Scots stole one at the restart, but Denmark were back in the lead with a deuce in End 7. Yet again, Scotland copied their opponents’ score before deciding the game in their favour through a three-points steal in the ninth end.
In contrast, the Junior Men’s team kept flying high and topped the final round robin table after an 8-5 win over Switzerland. The Swiss line-up around Kim Schwaller went into the game with hammer and opened the scoring with a single in End 2. Scotland responded with a deuce to take the advantage and a further two points going to each side respectively meant the Scots held a one-point advantage at the break. After another blank, the teams traded deuces at the restart, but proceedings swung in Scottish favour with consecutive single steals in Ends 9 and 10 that earned victory.
MEN’S TEAM BOOK PLAY-OFF SPOT ON DAY 5, WOMEN TO FIGHT RELEGATION
The Scotland Junior Men’s team made a dominant return to form in the morning of Day 5 with a 9-2 win over Norway. The Norwegians scored one with hammer in the opening end, but from there onwards, Grunde Buraas’ quartet was left without a chance. Scotland put a big three on the board in the second end that Norway could only respond to with another single. Again, the Scots scored three and subsequently cut the Norwegian wound even deeper with a two-points steal that had them lead by eight points to two already at the restart. It only took a single steal from Scotland in End 6 to put the game to bed and for Norway to call it a day.
In their second fixture of the day, the quartet secured an 11-4 win over hosts Sweden and a place in the semi-finals. Axel Landelius’ home team went into the game with hammer, but nevertheless, Scotland played a well controlled game and held the upper hand in the first half. Although both sides scored with hammer, Scottish deuces to Swedish singles accumulated the higher total. The Scots came out swinging at the restart and put three on the board to stretch their advantage. Sweden only managed a single in return, suggesting that a strong eighth end for Scotland could already decide proceedings. Another flawless display earned four points for the Scottish tally that were more than enough to call the game won.
The women’s team meanwhile fought hard to get some momentum going but eventually suffered a 9-8 defeat to Korea after an extra end. Nothing could separate the sides in the first half as, after a blank opening end, Kang Bo Bae’s quartet scored only for Scotland to take the same amount of points the following end. The Scots stole one at the restart to lead for the first time, but Korea in response got a three on the board. Once more, Scotland copied the feat and restored the advantage, but it was all square again when the Koreans’ deuce in End 9 outscored the Scottish single in End 10. Korea were coming home with hammer in the extra end and bagged the vital point needed to win the game.
WOMEN’S TEAM RETURN TO WINNING WAYS, MEN FALL TO FIRST DEFEAT ON DAY 4
The Scotland Junior Women’s woes continued in the morning of Day 4 with a tight 9-7 defeat to unbeaten Norway. Eirin Mesloe’s quartet had a fantastic start to the game, scoring three in the first end for an early advantage. However, Scotland too were in great shape and the sides traded deuces for the next three ends. A single for Norway in End 5 meant the scores stood at 6-4 going into the break with everything still possible in the second half. Scotland levelled at the restart, but the Norwegians swiftly restored their two-points leads. The teams mirrored each other once more with singles in Ends 8 and 9 respectively and the gap remained the same. The Scots had to score at least two in the final end, but Norway ran them out of stones to clinch victory.
However, the positive signs proved to not be deceiving when the women’s team bounced back with a 7-5 win over Latvia in the evening session. The game took a while to really get going with two blanks to start with, but Scotland finally opened the scoring with three points. Trading singles in the remainder of the first half, the gap between the sides stayed constant, but Evelina Barone’s quartet cut into their deficit with a deuce at the restart. Proceedings turned into a cat and mouse chase as, after another blank, a Scottish deuce restored the advantage before Latvia again copied the feat. This meant the Scots went into the final end a point up with hammer and made no mistake to bring the result over the line with a single score.
On the men’s side, it took an extra end to decide a tight encounter between Scotland and title defenders Canada, but the Scots eventually fell to their first defeat of the tournament on 7-6. Scotland were first on the board with a single, however, after a blank end, Owen Purcell’s team outscored them with a deuce. The Scots copied the feat to restore their advantage and a blank fifth end meant they led by a singular point at the break. The dynamics changed at the restart when three points put Canada in front, but it was all square again when Scotland first blanked and then took two. A single steal had the Scots back in the lead, but Canada scored a crucial point to level again and take the game to an extra end. In a nail-biting affair, the Canadians stole a point that decided proceedings.
MEN’S TEAM CONTINUES WINNING RUN ON DAY 3, WOMEN’S TEAM IN TROUBLE
Yet another tight game, but the Scotland Junior Men’s team kept their run going with a 6-4 win over Germany on the morning of Day 3. Benjamin Kapp’s rink caused some early frustration with a single steal in End 1, but the Scots retaliated with a deuce. Germany copied the feat to restore their advantage, but Scotland levelled and finally took the lead by stealing one in the fifth end. A point for the Germans at the restart meant it was all square again and two blank ends kept it that way. The Scottish squad stroke with a two-points score in End 9 and although Germany searched for a way back in the last end, the final stones did not have to be thrown for them to admit defeat.
The team sustained their winning run with a 10-3 triumph over Italy in the evening session. A fairly balanced start to the encounter saw the sides trade deuces in the two opening ends, but soon, Scotland were first to strike. While Giacomo Colli’s Italian squad only managed a single in End 3, the Scots outscored them with another two points before a blank fifth end meant they went into half time with a one-point advantage. Scotland came out swinging at the restart, stealing two to extend their lead and put the pressure on. The death blow followed suit in End 7 when the Scottish quartet stole a big four points that prompted Italy to concede early.
Elsewhere, tough times continued for the women’s team with a 7-4 defeat to Japan. It was far from a poor start for Scotland who, after a blank opening end, forced the one in End 2. However, the first half turned into a nightmare from there. Yamamoto Sae’s squad stole twice to stretch their advantage and subsequently held the Scots to a single in End 5, resulting in a three-points gap at the break. Japan were again first to score in the second half, but the Scottish challenge finally got going with a deuce in End 7 that cut the deficit to two points. The Japanese stayed composed though, scoring two themselves, and when Scotland only managed a single in response, the 10th end did not have to be completed for the result to be decided.
FRUSTRATION FOR WOMEN’S TEAM ON DAY 2, MEN’S TEAM STILL ON COURSE
A frustrating start to Day 2 saw Scotland’s women’s team lose out 9-8 to United States. After a blank first end, the Scots opened the scoring with three points from End 2. Another blank followed before Delaney Strouse’s rink got on the board too, although their single score did little to trouble Scotland. A further point from End 5 had Fay Henderson’s squad sitting comfortably at half time, however, the game was wide open again when a big four-points score at the restart put Team USA in the lead by a single point that would prove decisive. The sides traded singles before Scotland stroke with a three-points score in End 9. United States resisted the pressure, taking three themselves in the 10th end, and snatched victory.
Day 2 wouldn’t get any better for the women’s team and their second fixture ended in an 8-3 defeat to Switzerland. Xenia Schwaller’s rink went into the game with hammer and were first to score with a deuce in End 2. Scotland only managed a single in response and lost more ground when another two points went Switzerland’s way. The Swiss were cruising and concluded the first half with a single steal that saw them lead by five points to one. Scotland came out swinging and recorded a deuce at the restart to cut their deficit. However, Switzerland controlled proceedings and blanked End 7 to hold hammer in the even ends. Two points from the eight end put the game all but out of sight and when the Swiss team went on to steal a single in End 9, Scotland conceded early.
Meanwhile, the men’s team kept their record clean with a hard-fought 10-5 win over New Zealand. Scotland initially looked in better stead, opening the game with a deuce and stealing one to extend their lead. William Becker’s Kiwis got on the board with a single in End 4, but the Scots copied the feat to lead by four points to one at the break. The scores were even again when New Zealand started the second half with three points and eradicated Scotland’s advantage. However, the line-up around James Craik stayed composed and answered with a three-points score themselves. New Zealand only managed one in response and when Scotland added another three to their tally, they conceded with an end to spare.
DREAM START FOR BOTH SCOTLAND TEAMS ON #WJCC2022 DAY 1
Scotland’s men’s team got their Jönköping campaign up and running with an 8-5 win over Korea. In a less than ideal start, Lee Jae Beom’s Korean side stroke first and stole two points in the opening end. Scotland answered the call and both rinks went on to score with hammer in the remainder of the first half. However, Scottish deuces to Korean singles meant the Scots eliminated the early deficit and it was all square at the break. One-points scores on both sides plus a blank end kept the teams level after eight ends and made for a nail-biting finish. Scotland did what they had to in End 9, scoring two with hammer. Korea failed to respond and a single steal in the last end decided the game.
The men’s second fixture of the day was a far more straightforward 9-1 win over United States. The game started in unspectacular fashion with a blank first end, but it was all Scotland from there. Although Daniel Casper’s US team had hammer, only Scotland got on the board with steals in five successive ends. With a six points to nil advantage for Scotland after six ends, the sting was already well out of the game, but the North Americans bravely fought on and finally recorded a point in End 7. Holding hammer for the first time, Scotland added three points to their tally in End 8 and brought the encounter to a premature end.
Also starting their campaign on winning ways, Scotland’s women’s team bounced back from an early disadvantage to bag a fantastic 9-7 win over title defenders Canada. Isabelle Ladouceur’s squad had the brighter opening, scoring two and then stealing three. However, the Scots swiftly turned fortunes around with a three-points score and two successive steals that saw them lead by a point at the break. Canada were back on the board at the restart with a single, but Scotland kept the upper hand with a subsequent deuce. Another point for the Canadians cut the gap down to one, but Scotland wisely blanked End 9 to hold hammer for the finish and a single score secured them victory.
WORLD JUNIOR CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS GET UNDERWAY IN SWEDEN
Following a postponement earlier in the year, the World Junior Curling Championships 2022 are finally set to get underway this weekend. 10 teams each in the women’s and men’s section will take to the ice in Jönköping, Sweden and fight for the most prestigious prize in junior curling.
On the women’s side, Scotland will be represented by Fay Henderson, Katie McMillan, Lisa Davie, Holly Wilkie-Milne, and Robyn Mitchell. Their campaign kicks off with a tough fixture against defending champions Canada on the opening Sunday. Going into the week, they will be up against United States, Switzerland, Japan, Norway, Latvia, Korea, Sweden, and Denmark.
Scotland’s men’s team of James Craik, Angus Bryce, Scott Hyslop, Niall Ryder, and Jack Carrick will start their championship with a double fixture on Day 1, facing Korea in the morning and United States in the afternoon. Coming up later in the round robin are New Zealand, Germany, Italy, defending champions Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.
One of Team Scotland’s round robin games will be broadcast live with commentary on Recast when the men’s rink takes on Sweden at 6pm BST on Thursday 19 May – watch here.
Static camera coverage without commentary will also be available for a number of games:
Monday 16 May, 1pm BST: Scotland Men v New Zealand
Monday 16 May, 6pm BST: Scotland Women v Switzerland
Tuesday 17 May, 8am BST: Scotland Men v Germany
Wednesday 18 May, 1pm BST: Scotland Men v Canada
Wednesday 18 May, 6pm BST: Scotland Women v Latvia
Thursday 19 May, 1pm BST: Scotland Women v Korea
Friday 20 May, 1pm BST: Scotland Men v Switzerland
Friday 20 May, 6pm BST: Scotland Women v Latvia
Full results, news and photos are available on the World Curling Federation’s official event page.
