WORLD GOLD FOR SCOTLAND JUNIOR WOMEN, SCOTLAND JUNIOR MEN CLINCH BRONZE
The Scotland Junior Women’s team of Fay Henderson, Robyn Munro, Holly Wilkie-Milne, Laura Watt, and Amy Mitchell clinched glorious gold at the World Junior Curling Championships 2023 held in Fuessen, Germany. A two-points steal in the last end of the final against Japan earned them the medals, Scotland’s first world junior women’s gold since 2012. Elsewhere, Scotland’s Junior Men line-up of Orrin Carson, Logan Carson, Archie Hyslop, Charlie Gibb, and Scott Hyslop kept the Scottish world junior men medal run going, taking the lead over Norway from End 1 and never letting it go to clinch brilliant bronze.
Scotland’s junior women had a bright start to the tournament with wins over Germany, Latvia, and Japan in the early stages of the round robin. Some mixed results followed with defeats to Canada, Switzerland, and Norway just about cancelled out with victories over Sweden and Korea, meaning the Scots had to wait until the final draw for their play-off future to be decided. Fay Henderson’s squad did their bit, narrowly seeing off United States, and had results elsewhere go in their favour to progress to the play-offs as third in the standings.
Up against Norway in the semi-final, proceedings were tense throughout and Scotland went into the last end a point down but with hammer. Torild Bjoernstad threw a nice draw behind cover on back four to steal or at least get the force, but Fay Henderson countered with a great take-out that added two to the Scottish tally and gained them the win. A rollercoaster of a final against Japan followed suit. The momentum kept swinging between the sides and they eventually went into the last end all square. Japan held hammer, but Scotland managed the end, culminating in Fay drawing top eight to lie two with no double available. Miura Yuina needed full eight to score a crucial point, but her draw was shy of weight, coming to rest in front of the rings and giving away a two-points steal that bagged the Scots glorious gold.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s junior men had a similar journey through the round robin, starting the tournament with wins over Canada, Turkiye, and Italy. The high-flying Scots were brought back to the ground with a narrow defeat to hosts and title favourites Germany, followed by a comprehensive loss to China. However, they bounced back with victories over Switzerland and Korea before a win over United States secured them play-off qualification with a game to spare. Scotland concluded the round robin by seeing off Norway which had them sitting on the same seven in two record as table toppers Germany but lose out on top spot based on draw shot numbers.
On to the semi-final and China proved to be the Scots’ big nemesis this championship. Fei Xueqing’s side gradually took a slender lead in what was a largely cagey, low scoring encounter and had Scotland chasing for most of proceedings. China dealt a decisive punch with a massive four-points steal in End 9 that left nothing but handshakes and focus on what’s to come for the Scots. They showcased their ability to bounce back in the bronze medal game against Norway where they took the lead from the get-go and never surrendered it. The game tipped well and truly in Scottish favour in End 6 when Orrin Carson navigated past the guards to make a tap for three and expand the gap to five points. It was all but over after End 9 where Orrin made a take-out to lie two with the penultimate stone and Norwegian fourth Grunde Buraas missed his shot with the last, giving away a two-points steal that sealed the win for Scotland.
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SCOTLAND JUNIOR MEN CLINCH BRONZE WITH COMPREHENSIVE WIN OVER NORWAY (SCO 11-4 NOR)
Scotland’s junior men bring home bronze following a dominant display against Norway that saw them run out 11-4 winners. The Scots took a firm hold of proceedings from the get-go when Orrin Carson closed the first end with a nose hit for three. Lukas Hoestmaelingen’s side could only respond with a single which was swiftly copied by Scotland. The gap extended courtesy of a single steal for Scotland and although Norway concluded the first half with a deuce, the scoreboard was in Scottish favour by two points at the break. Scotland came out swinging at the restart and when Orrin navigated past the guards to make a tap for three, the pendulum was well and truly in their corner. The teams traded singles for the next two ends, but any hope Norway might have had left was crushed in End 9 when Orrin made a take-out to lie two with the penultimate stone, challenging Grunde Buraas to score even just one point. The Norwegian fourth opted for a draw to the button rather than a take-out, but he misjudged the weight and gave away a steal of two that sealed the win for the Scots.
SCOTLAND JUNIOR WOMEN STEAL GOLD IN TENSE FINAL AGAINST JAPAN (SCO 9-7 JPN)
It’s gold for Scotland’s junior women who decided the final against Japan 9-7 in their favour courtesy of a two-points steal in the last end. Fay Henderson’s line-up had a great start to proceedings, getting the blank in End 1 and scoring a big three in End 2 to take the lead. The Japanese team around Miura Yuina fought back though and it was all square again at the break. The momentum continued to be with Japan at the restart and they scored and stole their way to a three-points lead with two ends to go. However, it was then that the Scots found an extra gear. Fay got the angles spot-on to run the guard back and lift the double for three in End 9 and suddenly the sores were level again. Japan held the advantage with hammer in the last end, but Scotland managed the end, culminating in Fay drawing top eight to lie two with no double available. Yuina needed full eight to score a crucial point, but her draw was shy of weight, coming to rest in front of the rings and giving away a two-points steal.
CHINA PROVE TOO STRONG FOR SCOTS JUNIOR MEN WHO MISS OUT IN CAGEY SEMI-FINAL (CHN 8-1 SCO)
Scotland’s junior men will be going for bronze on finals day after missing out 8-1 to China in a largely cagey semi-final. It took until End 3 for the deadlock to be broken when the Scots got a single on the board. However, Fei Xueqing’s side responded immediately with a deuce that gave them the lead. Another two blanks followed before China started to grab the momentum and steal one to extend their advantage to 3-1 after seven ends. The game firmly tipped in Chinese favour as they went on to steal another single in End 8 and dealt a fatal punch with a massive steal on four in End 9. The only thing left to do for the Scots was to shake hands and shift the focus on what’s to come.
TIGHT SEMI-FINAL WIN OVER NORWAY HAS SCOTLAND JUNIOR WOMEN GOING FOR GOLD (SCO 6-5 NOR)
Scotland’s junior women edged the win over Norway in the last end to win their semi-final 6-5 and progress to the gold medal game. The Scots opened the scoring with a single steal in End 2, but Norway took the momentum from there. Torild Bjoernstad’s side recorded singles in the next three ends to lead by two points at the break. Scotland came out swinging at the restart though and crowned a well worked end with a nose hit for three. The Norwegians tactically blanked the seventh and indeed scored two points with a hit and roll in the eighth to regain the lead and, theoretically, hammer in the last end. However, Scotland played the same game and blanked End 9 to go into the 10th a point down but with hammer. Torild Bjoernstad threw a nice draw behind cover on back four to steal or at least get the force, but Fay Henderson countered with a great take-out that added two to the Scottish tally and gained them the win.
DAY 6 – ROUND ROBIN ENDS ON A HIGH AS BOTH TEAMS QUALIFY FOR PLAY-OFFS
Scotland’s junior men secured qualification for the play-offs with a 6-2 win over United States in the morning session. The scores were tied on one-all at the break, but the Scots embarked on a second half charge, starting with two in End 6. Ethan Sampson’s crew could only answer with a single and the gap stretched further when Scotland got another deuce on the board. End 8 proved decisive when a single steal went Scotland’s way and put the game out of reach for the opposition.
The team went on to conclude the round robin with a well managed 8-5 win over Norway in the evening. The Scots looked in cruise control, leading by five points after seven ends, but Lukas Hoestmaelingen’s Norwegian line-up soldiered on with a play-off spot at stake. Norway got a deuce on the board to cut the gap down to three, a deficit that remained as the sides traded singles over the next two ends. The game went into End 10, but Scotland arithmetically eliminated their opponents to secure victory.
It’s on to the play-offs for Scotland’s junior women too who bagged an 8-7 win over United States courtesy of a two-points steal in the last end. The Scots looked in control early on, leading 4-1 after four ends, but when Tessa Thurlow’s side got a three on the board, it was all square again at the break. Team USA looked in much better shape at the restart, forcing Scotland twice and scoring a three to lead by a single point with an end to go. They blanked End 9 to maintain hammer, but Scotland fought back in End 10, stealing two and snatching the win against the odds.
DAY 5 – TIGHT GAMES THROUGHOUT BRING TWO WINS AND ONE DEFEAT FOR SCOTS
Everything came down to the last end, but Scotland’s junior women returned to winning ways with a 6-5 triumph over Korea. It took until End 4 for the deadlock to be broken and the sides sat on one each at the break. The Scots stepped it up a notch at the restart with a three that Kang Bo Bae’s Korean team answered with a two. When Scotland only managed a single and Korea once more responded with a deuce, it was all square again with one end to go. The Scots managed their hammer advantage well and secured a crucial point to clinch the win.
The evening session stood in stark contrast as Norway snatched the win 7-6 away from Scotland with a single steal in the final end. Proceedings got off to a cagey start and the sides were tied on three-all after six ends. Torild Bjoernstad’s team took the advantage with a stolen deuce in End 7, but Scotland responded with three in End 8 to gain the lead. When Norway only managed a single in the ninth to tie the standings, everything was pointing towards the Scots who were coming down with hammer in the last end. However, it wasn’t to be when instead of a score, a single steal went to Norway and decided the encounter.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s junior men added their next win to the board with a hard-earned 7-6 triumph over Korea. A three compared to two singles (plus two blanks) had the Scots leading by one at the break. The momentum looked to swing towards Kim Eun Bin’s squad in the second half though when they kept forcing Scotland to singles and answered with deuces. This meant that going into the final end, Korea led by a point, but Scotland had hammer. Orrin Carson’s line-up stayed composed and scored two to win the game.
DAY 4 – SCOTS SEEK TO REGAIN MOMENTUM AS BOTH TEAMS FALL TO DEFEAT
Scotland’s junior men started Day 4 with a second loss to their name and while their first defeat was a tight affair, this one was fairly comprehensive. Fei Xueqing’s China squad opened the scoring with a three in End 1 and had the Scots chasing from the get-go. A stolen deuce in End 4 only widened the gap and Scotland trailed by three at the break. After a blank sixth end, China got another three on the board which was enough to prompt handshakes with the scores sitting on 9-3.
However, the squad bounced back with a well managed 8-3 win over Switzerland in the evening. Scotland were first on the board with a deuce in the opening end and held on to a slim advantage as the sides traded singles for the next seven ends. Separated by two with two ends to go, it was still all to play for, but the Scots dealt Jan Iseli’s Swiss line-up a decisive punch in End 9 when they stole three and put the game out of reach for their opponents.
The junior women’s team too faced a comprehensive defeat, missing out 10-2 to Switzerland. The Swiss had the brighter start with a single score and steal, but Scotland responded with one in End 3 and proceedings were still well open. However, Xenia Schwaller’s side dealt a massive punch with four in End 4 that the Scots could only answer with a single. When Switzerland opened the second half with another four, Scotland chose to shake hands early and conserve some energy for the games to come.
DAY 3 – HIGH-FLYING SCOTLAND BROUGHT BACK TO THE GROUND
It’s a first defeat for Scotland’s junior women who frustratingly missed out 7-6 against Canada. The Scots had the brighter start to proceedings and led 4-2 at the break, but fortunes turned in the second half. After initially trading deuces, Emily Deschenes’ Canadians blanked the eight and equalised with a two in the ninth end. Coming down with hammer, Scotland should have been in a comfortable spot, but instead, Canada went on to steal a single and with that the win.
However, Fay Henderson’s team bounced back in the evening session with an 8-6 win over Sweden. Scotland looked the stronger team and well in control early on, leading by two at the break. A couple of errors in the second half opened Moa Dryburgh’s Swedish line-up a way back into proceedings though and the fixture was tense until the end. Leading by a point and coming down with hammer, the Scots controlled the last end well to score one and bring the result over the line.
The junior men’s team too suffered their first defeat in a tense fixture against Germany. A shaky start to proceedings saw the Scots chase the game early on with Benjamin Kapp’s experienced squad leading 4-2 at the break. However, Scotland started to find their rhythm, giving Germany a good run for their money with some great shots. One point in it after nine ends meant everything was still possible, but Germany had the hammer advantage. A tight end with many stones in play culminated in Orrin Carson needing to draw the button for a chance to steal, but his stone came up marginally short and Germany clinched the win.
DAY 2 – WINNING STREAK CONTINUES FOR SCOTLAND
Scotland’s junior men continue to fly high in Fuessen with two wins on Day 2. Up against Turkiye in the morning, they stole their way to an 8-3 victory. Although Serkan Karagoz’ side opened the scoring with a single in End 2, Scotland immediately responded an took the lead with a deuce. From there, they stole singles in the next four end to extend their advantage to five points overall. Turkiye got a deuce on the board in End 8, but any hope they might have had at getting back into the game was eradicated when Scotland copied the feat.
The Scots went on to earn themselves an early finish with a 10-3 win over Italy after just six ends. Scoring and stealing one in the first two ends, Scotland swiftly took a slight advantage, but the first real punch followed suit. A massive four-points steal tipped the game firmly in Scottish favour and gave their opponents a mountain to climb. Stefano Gilli’s squad soldiered on and got a solid deuce on the board to keep them somewhat within striking distance. However, the Scots scored another four in End 5 and took the sting out of the game. Italy picked up a single at the restart but opted to shake hands after the minimum amount of ends.
Not to be outdone, the Scottish junior women too kept their winning streak going with a controlled 4-3 win over Miura Yuina’s Japan line-up. The encounter got off to a cagey start with multiple blanks and no more than a single and a deuce respectively scored by the sides. Proceedings continued in that fashion after the restart and there was nothing in it after nine ends, the scores tied on three each. The Scots had never looked fazed much throughout the game and they continued their controlled approach to score one with hammer and clinch victory.
DAY 1 – WINNING START FOR BOTH TEAMS IN FUESSEN
It’s two wins from two games for Scotland’s junior women’s team in Fuessen. Kicking proceedings off with a fixture against hosts Germany, the Scots took a firm hold of the game in the first half and brought their advantage over the line for a 7-5 triumph. It was all square after three, but when Sara Messenzehl’s squad couldn’t answer Scotland’s deuce in the fourth and instead gave away a single steal in the fifth, the Scots held a three-points lead at the break. Singles were exchanged after the restart and the home side managed to cut the gap to two with one end remaining. However, the Scots remained composed and arithmetically eliminated their opponents.
They were forced to work harder in their second fixture of the day against Latvia, but nevertheless bagged an 8-5 win courtesy of a three-points steal in End 10. Evelina Barone’s side had the brighter start and held a three-points lead after three ends, but Scotland fought back to level the scores at half time. The teams traded singles and nothing could separate them after nine ends played, but the advantage was with Latvia who held hammer. However, a stellar end from the Scots bagged them a three-points steal and a victory against the odds.
The Scottish junior men’s team too clinched a comprehensive 7-2 win over Canada on the opening day. Opening the scoring with two in End 2, that deuce held the Scots the advantage for a long time as the teams traded singles for the next four ends. Landan Rooney’s Canada line-up blanked End 7 to maintain hammer, but instead of getting on the board in the even ends, Scotland stole two to extend their advantage. When they added a single steal in End 9, there was nothing left to do but shake hands.
WORLD JUNIOR CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS GET UNDERWAY IN GERMANY
The World Junior Curling Championships 2023 are set to get underway this weekend. Ten teams each in the women’s and men’s section will take to the ice in Fuessen, Germany.
On the women’s side, Scotland will be represented by Fay Henderson, Robyn Munro, Holly Wilkie-Milne, Laura Watt, and Amy Mitchell. Their campaign kicks off with a fixture against host nation Germany on the opening Saturday. Going into the week, they will be up against Latvia, Japan, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Korea, Norway, and United States.
Scotland’s men’s team of Orrin Carson, Logan Carson, Archie Hyslop, Charlie Gibb, and Scott Hyslop will start their championship by facing Canada. Coming up later in the round robin are Türkiye, Italy, Germany, China, Switzerland, Korea, United States, and Norway.
Static camera coverage of all games as well as full coverage with commentary for select games (Scotland women v Japan, 26 February, 1pm GMT; Scotland men v Germany, 27 February, 1pm GMT; Scotland women v Sweden, 27 February, 6pm GMT) will be available via Recast here.
Full results, news, and photos will be available on the World Curling Federation’s official event page.
