Live Blog: Day five at the WWCC
Team Italy © WCF / Jeffrey Au
Good night
Before we all go to sleep in Sandviken, let’s have a look at the standings after Day 5.
We’ll be back tomorrow with three more exciting round-robin sessions.
Check out the standings after five days of round-robin play at the #WWCC2023
How do you like it?#Curling pic.twitter.com/dWhrwq7WIq
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
Shot of the day
One, two, three, four, five. A deserving ‘Shot of the Day’…
Check out our #shotoftheday 👀👀#curling #wwcc2023 pic.twitter.com/WSvsczxtqi
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
Results from session 14
RESULTS | Session 14#Curling #WWCC2023 pic.twitter.com/HviXeP2Zhz
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
Canada back to winning ways
You can’t keep the world’s best-ranked team down for long. With Canada lying three, Ha Seungyoun’s final rock doesn’t stick for Korea and Kerri Einarson’s rink win 8-6 to bounce back from their loss earlier today.
That victory puts them level in second with Italy in the standings.
We took a few more risks today, says McManus
Vice-skip Sara McManus spoke to Niklas Edin afterwards to discuss Sweden’s second win on day five.
“It was a really fun game to play,” McManus said. “We love playing those tight games against an opponent which are doing well. It was enjoyable today.
“We had a good team spirit and feeling out there. I think that’s what helped us get the win today.
“We know that the teams here are amazing. We needed to step it up and take a few more risks.”
Tirinzoni: Today was very good
Here’s Silvana Tirinzoni after her team’s eighth victory this week.
“Today was very good,” she said. “The first few ends were difficult but I’m happy with how my team played.
“We just tried to analyse the ice as quick as possible. We keep talking with each other and make sure we are on the same page.
“My team are in great shape, the level they can keep means they won’t get tired through the week. But it’s the same for all the teams with the amount of games we play.”
Two-win day for Sweden
The home fans love it. The Swedish players love it. And that’s as a good as the hosts could have asked for today – two wins. They beat United States 9-6 on Sheet C.
The Olympic champions from PyeongChang now boast a 5-3 record. A superb turnaround.
Switzerland march on
Even with the week Italy are having, not even Stefania Constantini and co can stop the world champions in Switzerland. An assured display, once again from Silvana Tirinzoni and her quartet. What a special run they’ve been on…
We’ll grab a word with the skip shortly.
Win for Denmark
It’s been a tough run of games for Denmark but the European champions have ended a streak of five defeats to beat New Zealand.
It keeps them in the hunt for a play-off spot, but they’ll need to repeat tonight’s result a few more times.
Just a couple of world champions hanging out...
Fancy seeing you here 🤷🏻♀️👋 pic.twitter.com/fTfzdmqYlF
— Joanne Courtney (@JoCourtney89) March 22, 2023
Little between them
Looks like we’re set for a tightly poised final session of the day.
All of these results have play-off repercussions. A loss for Denmark might mark the end of their campaign, a win for Switzerland or Italy and they will have one foot (and a few toes) in the play-offs, a Korean or Canadian victory puts them in a strong position – likewise for United States and Sweden.
As you can see with all that, the standings are as ever-changing as the weather.
📸 In the background...
Half-time scores
Let’s take a look at the scores on the doors halfway through this evening’s session…
New Zealand 3-6 Denmark
Bridget Becker – whose rink is down to three players this evening against the Danes – just reaches the button with her last stone to get two points but trail Denmark 6-3.
Italy 1-3 Switzerland
The Italian skip’s attempt at a triple take-out can only remove two stones, meaning Alina Paetz can draw for two. The leaders in the standings take a 3-1 advantage at the halfway point.
United States 4-5 Sweden
After trading three-enders, Tabitha Peterson’s hit sticks and gives her team a score of one to reduce to deficit to 5-4 going into the break.
Korea 3-2 Canada
Ha Seungyoun’s draw can’t reach the house so Korea settle for a single point to lead 3-2 on Sheet D.
Korea sweeping hard
Things you love to see…
Korea, desperate for their stone to reach the house, get the whole quartet to sweep into the house. When we get photographic proof, we’ll pop it here.
Shot watch
Good work by Marta Lo Desorto 🇮🇹 who runs the high guard onto the tight centre guards and sends them both flying. 🙌
Watch live on the Curling Channel at https://t.co/fy3vfdBx89#WWCC2023 #curling pic.twitter.com/JKbnzbpLl3
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
After two ends
Just the singles being scored in the opening couple of ends this evening.
Korea have added to their one from the first end with a steal over Canada. Likewise for Sweden, who have done the same in their encounter with United States.
New Zealand and Denmark have traded one-pointers, while Switzerland are forced to one after a blanked first end.
So in summary: a low-scoring start to session 14.
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What do past ties tell us?
How about it then?
On ice we have the top two teams in the standings facing off in Switzerland and Italy. In their six previous matches, Team Silvana Tirinzoni have prevailed five times with their only lost to Team Stefania Constantini coming in last year’s Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships.
Tabitha Peterson and Anna Hasselborg have taken each other on as skips on eight occasions, with the Swedish rink having the slight edge with five wins.
Korea’s Ha Seungyoun and Canada’s Kerri Einarson have met just the once at the inaugural Pan Continental Curling Championships in 2022. It was the Manitoban rink who picked up a 7-4 victory then.
That winning feeling
Some superb shots of this afternoon’s winning moments…
Get involved
Plenty of discussion about the LGT World Women’s Curling Championship on Twitter. Here’s some snippets…
Blake Thunder: The Swiss are by far the best women’s team in the world. Even if they get upset it won’t change that fact. #wwcc2023
April Beardy: C’mon Canada! Just have fun! Behind ya’s no matter the outcome!
Josh Artelle: What a game by @teamjentsch [against Canada]. Excellent shot making with the perfect weight choice 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Two ends with a chance for four and they took full advantage the second time!
Get involved by tweeting to #WWCC2023
What's coming up?
In 45 minutes’ time, the final session of day five will get underway. Here’s what we have in store for you…
New Zealand v Denmark
Italy v Switzerland
United States v Sweden
Korea v Canada
Results from this afternoon
RESULTS | Session 13#Curling #WWCC2023 pic.twitter.com/MNRM2xA46F
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
Norway bounce back
A loss earlier this morning hasn’t dampened Norway’s spirits as they defeat Türkiye 7-6 on Sheet C. Kristen Skaslien’s freeze with her last stone was so good, skip Dilsat Yildiz opted not to even throw hers.
Norway join Germany and Canada on 5-3 in tied third spot in the standings. Did we say it was tight?
Scotland edge United States
Tabitha Peterson’s last-stone hit-and-roll can’t quite stick and Scotland get the steal of one to win 8-7. That’s win number two for Rebecca Morrison’s rink – they’ll need to produce a few more to come back on Saturday.
As Eve Muirhead will testify, it ain’t over until it’s impossible. A victory for Scotland over United States keeps them in the running for a play-off spot…just!
A pleasure to play these tough teams, says Italy skip
Stefania Constantini is loving life in Sandviken. A fifth win in total and they put themselves in a terrific position near the top of the standings. Let’s hear from the Italian skip…
“We knew this game was very important for us in the standings,” she said. “We are enjoying the moment. This evening we have another tough game against Switzerland – but we want to do our best.
“The ice is fantastic for us. It is a pleasure to play against these tough teams, especially on ice like that.”
Four in a row for Italy
Stefania Constantini and co move into clear second place in the standings. This time, they’ve knocked off the two-time Olympic medallists in Japan.
A fourth victory in as many games. Italy are looking very strong. No doubt they’ll better their tenth place from last year’s event. We’ll hear from Constantini very soon.
Final ends underway
Italy collected back-to-back steals in ends eight and nine to lead 6-3 against Japan. Meanwhile Scotland and United States are tied at 7-7 going into the last end – Tabitha Peterson will have the last-stone advantage.
Türkiye, with the hammer, trail by two points after nine – can they produce something remarkable for the second time today? Let’s find out…
Jentsch: I could play any shot today
And here is the Germany skip, speaking to 2017 world champion Joanne Courtney, after her team’s 8-3 triumph.
“The way we managed the ice today was very good,” she said. “We found the spots to help us curl and where we could take the runs.
“We were on top of our game today and I knew I could play any shot. We are having a rollercoaster week so we’ll see what happens next.”
Germany get the better of Canada
Well, we mentioned earlier that Daniela Jentsch wouldn’t like to see her head-to-head record against Team Kerri Einarson before today. It doesn’t matter – Germany get a big 8-3 win over Canada and join them on 5-3 here in Sandviken.
Jentsch told us after her win this morning that they came to the rink today targeting a single win. How about two? Fantastic day for Germany. We’ll hear from her shortly…
Jentsch on fire
Anything Jentsch calls at the minute, she is executing to a tee. For the second time this afternoon, she gets through the port hole for a sublime take-out. It forces Canada to tell a single point.
That keeps Germany in the lead with the hammer going into the eighth end.
And here’s that shot…
‘That was wild!’ 😱 No hesitation from Daniela Jentsch 🇩🇪 who navigates the port to perfection, half an inch on either side, for a raise take-out.
Watch live on the Curling Channel at https://t.co/fy3vfdBx89#WWCC2023 #curling pic.twitter.com/iKRfR7DWgR
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
📸 Shots from this afternoon's session
Get involved
Things are really heating up in the race for a top-six spot – let us know who you think will finish in the play-off positions…
Get involved by tweeting to #WWCC2023
American support
🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 Cheering HARD for @TeamPetersonUSA ! #WWCC2023 pic.twitter.com/f8WmKWhePS
— Sara (Ratzki) McGuff (@SmRatz) March 22, 2023
Halfway point
Each game has reached the half-time break, so let’s take a look at the scores while they dive into their bags of goodies…
Canada 2-2 Germany
A triple take-out with her first stone from Kerri Einarson saves the day. Her second throw needs the sweepers but gets into the eight foot for one to tie things up.
Scotland 4-6 United States
Scotland force Tabitha Peterson to draw for one, which is comfortably executed to give United States a two-point lead.
Türkiye 3-4 Norway
Kristen Skaslien’s last-stone draw just stays in the house to score a deuce for Norway and gives them a 4-3 lead.
Japan 2-3 Italy
A terrific tap from Stefania Constantini ensures a score of two just before the break to give Italy the lead for the first time.
Shot watch
Daniela Jentsch threads the eye of a needle…
In the next end, Kerri Einarson is unable to get her hit to stick and gives Germany a steal of one.
It’s a tricky hit and stick against four for Daniela Jentsch 🇩🇪, but the skip makes it look easy. 😎
Watch live on the Curling Channel at https://t.co/fy3vfdBx89#WWCC2023 #curling pic.twitter.com/jiyhLmb7lK
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
States respond
And now United States register a deuce to regain their three-point lead over Scotland.
Rebecca Morrison’s rink are in desperate need of victory here. A loss might spell the end of a realistic play-off opportunity.
As for Tabitha Peterson and co, the statistics are reading well. From the 13 teams here in Sandviken, only Switzerland have a higher shot percentage. But it is the Ws that matter…
Steady starts
Scotland have responded to going 3-0 down in the opening end with a deuce after Rebecca Morrison’s nose hit. Olympic champion Jennifer Dodds remains in the line-up, in place of Gina Aitken.
Elsewhere, Canada, Türkiye and Japan are all leading 1-0 against Germany, Norway and Italy, respectively, after two ends.
Throwback to 2012
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to the 2012 edition of the World Women’s Curling Championship, held in Lethbridge, Canada.
It was 11 years ago when Switzerland’s domination at the event would begin, winning the first of seven titles to come in the next decade. Skipped by Mirjam Ott, they beat Sweden 7-6 after collecting a deuce in the tenth and final end.
An alternate on Ott’s rink that year? The one and only Alina Paetz, who is going for a sixth world title in Sandviken this year.
The only other player joining Paetz from 11 years ago this week is Tabitha Peterson, who played lead for Allison Pottinger’s American quartet.
Wednesday Afternoon Fever
Who pulls the best shapes? (Is that what the kids call it these days?)
DANCE CAM ‼️‼️ #wwcc2023 pic.twitter.com/XzBgFgxHAi
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
Head-to-heads
Shall we see what history tells us between these four match-ups?
Canada v Germany
Previous results don’t read too well for Daniela Jentsch and co, with six losses in their seven ties against Team Kerri Einarson – but they did beat them in the World Women’s Curling Championship in 2021. This is the first time the two rinks are facing off against one another this season.
Scotland v United States
No previous encounters to write home about between skips Rebecca Morrison and Tabitha Peterson.
Türkiye v Norway
These rinks have faced off four times previously with each quartet winning two apiece. However, Yildiz Dilsat got the better of her counterpart at this season’s Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships.
Italy v Japan
Just the one previous head-to-head between these two teams and it came in 2021 at the Olympic Qualification Event in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. Team Fujisawa Satsuki ran out 11-6 winners on that occasion.
Welcome back
Here’s what we’ve got coming up in the next session…
Who is ready for Session 13 at the women’s worlds?
🇨🇦 Canada v Germany 🇩🇪
🏴Scotland v United States 🇺🇸
🇹🇷 Türkiye v Norway 🇳🇴
🇯🇵 Japan v Italy 🇮🇹🕑: 2 pm (CET)
✍️: https://t.co/jBJzmix9V4
📺: https://t.co/fy3vfdBx89#Curling #WWCC2023📷 WCF / Jeffrey Au pic.twitter.com/Bpj1vnb7M8
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
See you soon
Not sure about you but the play-off permutations are already starting to look tasty.
And on that note, it’s time for a coffee and digestive biscuit. We’ll be back shortly for draw 13 on ice – which means we’ve reached the halfway point in this week’s sessions.
Ses snart (which is Swedish for see you soon)!
Let's recap the results from session 12
RESULTS | Session 12
Switzerland 🇨🇭remain undefeated after seven games 💯#Curling #WWCC2023 pic.twitter.com/k6L4gHQAzn
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
We're back in the mix, says Germany skip
And lastly, here’s the thoughts of winning Germany skip, Daniela Jentsch…
“We’re back in the mix,” Jentsch said after her rink’s hard-fought win over Denmark. “Our goal was to get one win today but after that, we hope to get another win against Canada today.
“I wasn’t thinking much in the last end. We only had one minute and 20 seconds left on the clock. We had shot rock and put up the right guards, so it worked out in the end.”
Yildiz: I believe in myself
After catching her breath, Türkiye skip Dilsat Yildiz has given her thoughts on her side’s win and that tremendous last-stone throw.
“It was an important game for us and was really close from start to finish,” she said.
And on that shot: “It was the only angle available and I knew I had to make it. I believe in myself and happy I made it.
“We have five games to go and we have a chance for play-offs still. The last two games we’ve played well so let’s see what happens.”
McManus on Sweden's triumphant morning on ice
Sweden’s vice-skip Sara McManus spoke to us after her team’s 6-3 victory over Norway.
“We want to find the balance on playing hot and conserving our energy. I think today we were smart about that.”
On her team’s relationship with coach Kristian Lindstrom, McManus said he’s been a great support for the team.
“I think we have found the way we want to handle the time-outs,” she added. “You need some time to get to know each other and he is great help for us.”
Steal to win from Germany
So close but not quite enough. Madeleine Dupont’s last-stone draw to button runs a little long and Germany steal one to take a 7-6 victory.
Daniela Jentsch’s rink improve their record to four wins and three losses. A play-off spot is definitely in sights!
Reaction to follow…
Special from Türkiye
How about that? What a way to win! Dilsat Yildiz’s angled take-out is inch-perfect. An early candidate for ‘Shot of the Day’. That ends Korea’s four-game win streak and is yet another win for Türkiye. A stunning finish.
Victory for Sweden
Pushed to the final stone, Anna Hasselborg secures the take-out to score one and give Sweden a 6-3 win over Norway. That gives the hosts a 4-3 record – another big stride made this morning.
📸 Shots from this morning
Nail-biters
The three games remaining are all going to a final end.
Denmark-Germany and Korea-Türkiye are both tied at 5-5, with Sweden leading 5-3 against Norway. All vying for a play-off spot still – varying results could swing the standings quite significantly here.
A little quieter in the arena now – the tension is palpable.
Last two ends
We’re going into the final couple of ends…
A steal of two by Denmark gives them a 6-5 lead. Germany’s skip Daniela Jentsch attempted double take-out couldn’t quite make it past the Danish guard. But they keep the hammer into the ninth.
Elsewhere, Korea are forced take one and trail Türkiye 5-4 after eight. Can Dilsat Yildiz end their winning run?
Shot watch
If Marianne Roervik keeps producing shots like this, then it’s not over for Norway.
93% accuracy so far this game from Marianne Roervik 🇳🇴 and the skip places another beautiful draw, burried on back tee. 👏
Watch live on the Curling Channel at https://t.co/fy3vfdBx89#WWCC2023 #curling pic.twitter.com/buftVmDxXx
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
Swiss on a roll
Few things are guaranteed in life but Switzerland getting a win in the World Women’s Curling Championship is about as certain as it can get at the moment. That’s victory number seven in Sandviken. Here’s skip Silvana Tirinzoni’s post-match reaction:
“A very good win today,” she said. “It’s our 28th win in a row at a worlds, which is quite an achievement – we’re very proud of that.
“We were better than yesterday but we have a lot to still improve on. After the first few ends, I think we played well.”
Germany pushing
A win for Germany this morning will definitely improve their play-off chances. Daniela Jentsch nicely judges a hit and roll to pick up two points, and most importantly, a 5-3 lead.
Meanwhile, Türkiye are giving as good as they get against Korea with the score tied at 3-3 on Sheet A. Ha Seungyoun went into today on a four-game winning streak – but opposition skip Dilsat Yildiz made it clear that her rink want to be back here on ice for Saturday’s play-offs.
Swedish fans
On commentary, Niklas Edin is loving the support from the local school children in the arena (aren’t we all?). In true Edin fashion, he says the action on ice is probably a better maths lesson, anyway…
And they have plenty to celebrate as Anna Hasselborg nails a hit-and-stick on the nose for three points. Could that prove to be the game-winning moment?
Half-time scores
Türkiye 3-1 Korea
Ha Seungyoun’s in-turn draw to the button gives Korea a deuce and a two-point lead.
Norway 1-2 Sweden
Kristen Skaslien can’t quite make her tap to lie two stick and so scores the single point just before the break.
Denmark 3-3 Germany
A double take-out attempt from Daniela Jentsch goes awry and Denmark get a steal of one in the fifth to tie things up.
Switzerland – New Zealand
Against four Swiss stones, Bridget Becker’s draw can only restrict her opponents to a steal of one.
Shot watch
No problem for Anna Hasselborg 🇸🇪 who gently taps the red for two. 😎
Watch live on the Curling Channel at https://t.co/fy3vfdBx89#WWCC2023 #curling pic.twitter.com/N5VHNGV8KX
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
Highlights available
While the action continues on ice, remember you can catch up on highlights from earlier games.
Click here to do so.
Blank heaven
From the opening two ends across the rinks, we’ve had five blanked ends. A cautious start on ice.
As previously mentioned, we are approaching the business end of the round-robin stage rapidly. So maybe, with plenty on the line, will we see a different mindset today?
Co and co
A full slate of games today for me from 🇸🇪 and the #wwcc2023 #curling. It starts with @JoCourtney89 and I on the call for front running @TeamTirinzoni 🇨🇭 taking on the newcomers from New Zealand 🇳🇿. https://t.co/EvOtmnabXd pic.twitter.com/krQOLlFF2c
— Luke Coley (@ColeysNotes) March 22, 2023
What's happened before?
This’ll be the first time this New Zealand quartet will face the three-time world champions in Switzerland’s Team Silvana Tirinzoni. Both rinks sit at the opposite ends of the standings – can Bridget Becker skip her team to a memorable win?
Norway’s Marianne Roervik will face Team Anna Hasselborg of Sweden for a sixth time today, and for a fifth time this season. The Olympic champions have won four of the ties but the Norwegians did run out victors in their last encounter a few weeks ago.
Neighbours Denmark and Germany have squared off 13 times before with Daniela Jentsch’s rink edging it 7-6 in their head-to-heads overall. However, Madeleine Dupont did get the better over her German opponents on the way to winning gold at the Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships earlier this season.
Play-off target
What a ride it has been so far in Sandviken. We’ve got another 12 games coming your way today.
All eyes are on those top six play-off spots – who can further their claim to join us in the Göransson Arena on Saturday? Let’s find out…
Coming up shortly
Are you ready for yet another exciting day at the #WWCC2023?
Morning games at 9 am🕘
🇹🇷 Türkiye v Korea 🇰🇷
🇳🇴 Norway v Sweden 🇸🇪
🇩🇰 Denmark v Germany 🇩🇪
🇨🇭Switzerland v New Zealand 🇳🇿✍️: https://t.co/jBJzmixHKC
📺: https://t.co/fy3vfdC4XH📸 WCF / Jeffrey Au#Curling pic.twitter.com/zC5rgo2y1Z
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 22, 2023
Good morning!
Welcome to Day 5 at the LGT World Women’s Curling Championship 2023 in Sandviken!
