Medal games set in Stevenston

The penultimate day of the World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2025 saw two sessions of play. In the morning, quarter-finals were played, in the evening, the semi-finals took place between the quarter-final winners.

Quarter-finals

Korea finished on top of the merged round-robin standings and played eighth-placed Slovakia. Korea were leading, 3-2, after three. In the fourth, Slovakia had two stones in scoring position before Korea’s Kim Hyemin played her last. She couldn’t make any contact with the shot stones, Slovakia stole two and were leading at the break, 4-3.

After six, Slovakia were leading, 5-4. In the seventh, Monika Kunkelova had a complete miss on her take-out and Slovakia gave up a steal of three. Korea eventually won, 8-5, to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Korea’s Kim Hyemin © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

Norway were ranked second after the round robin, and played seventh-placed Estonia for a place in the semi-finals. Estonia had a flying start to the game and were leading, 4-0 after two. Norway scored a single in the third and then stole a single after a perfect draw by Mia Larsen Sveberg in the fourth to reduce their deficit. 4-2 to Estonia at the break.

Estonia were leading, 5-3, after six. In the seventh, Mia Larsen Sveberg missed her last take-out to give up a steal of two to Estonia. The Estonians eventually won by 7-3 to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Afterwards, a very happy Katlin Riidebach said, “There are so many emotions, but I’m satisfied and I’m just happy. We have done so many trainings, we have been learning so much about our technique to make it better, to not play with your feelings and stay calm, even though you see the time is running out. Stay focused, there is no secret behind it. Just practice, training, stay calm.”

Geir Arne Skogstad and Katlin Riidebach after their game © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

Canada came third in the merged round-robin rankings and met sixth-ranked Japan. Japan were leading, 3-0, after two. Canada’s Mark Ideson had an open hit for four in the third to take the lead for the first time, 4-3.

After a single for Japan, the teams went into the break tied at 4-4. After a missed take-out by Ideson in the fifth, Japan stole a single. In the sixth, Ideson made a difficult take-out for one, 5-5 after six. In the seventh, Japan put two on the board after a take-out by Ogawa Aki. Canada could only score a single in the last end, and Japan won, 7-6, to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Japan after their win © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

Czechia finished the round robin in fourth position overall and met fifth-ranked Scotland. Scotland were leading, 5-0 after two. In the third, Czechia had a shot for three, but Eva Homolova’s last stone came up short and Czechia needed to settle for two. In the fourth, Scotland’s last draw for one came up heavy and Czechia stole a single. Scotland were leading, 5-3, at the break. In the fifth, Czechia’s Homolova made an excellent draw with her last, and Charlotte McKenna couldn’t remove it with hers. It meant a stolen point for Czechia.

Czechia’s Eva Homolova © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

Scotland had a great sixth end and put three on the board. Homolova wrecked on a guard with her last draw attempt in the seventh to give Scotland two stolen points. Scotland eventually won, 10-4.

Afterwards, Charlotte McKenna said, “I’m just super happy, it’s an amazing feeling, it’s the first for me. Got a chance for a medal, so I’m happy!”

Scotland celebrate their semi-final qualification © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

Semi-finals

Scotland played Korea in the semi-finals. The teams were tied at 1-1 after two. In the third, Korea could have scored three, but Kim Hyemin came up short with her last, and they needed to settle for two. In the fourth, McKenna was heavy with her last draw attempt, and Korea stole a single. Korea were leading, 4-1, at the break.

In the fifth, Scotland scored two to reduce their deficit to a single point. In the sixth, Scotland stole a single to tie the game, 4-4. In the seventh, Korea put a single on the board to lead, 5-4, going into the eighth.

In the last end, Scotland scored two to win the game, 6-5, and secure their spot in the world championship final.

Afterwards, Hugh Nibloe said, “I’m absolutely over the moon! Absolutely delighted!”

Scotland celebrate their semi-final win © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

Talking about his expectations for the final, he added, “Hopefully a faster start than in the semi-final! Japan is one of the best countries in the world, it’s gonna be really tough. We’ve gonna give it everything we’ve got.”

Charlotte McKenna added, “I’m so happy, I think I’ve never been this happy in my life! I’m ecstatic! I’m so glad we’ve qualified for the Paralympics now. The support here has been amazing!”

Estonia met Japan in the other semi-final. Japan were leading by 2-0 after two. In the third, Estonia scored three back to lead the game for the first time, 3-2. In the fourth, Japan needed to settle for two after a missed take-out by Ogawa Aki. 4-3 for the Japanese at the break.

In the fifth end, Japan were sitting three before Riidebach’s last stone. She accidentally pushed one more Japanese stone into scoring position, and Japan stole four. In the sixth, Riidebach’s take-out attempt didn’t work out as she planned it, and Japan stole a single to lead, 9-3. In the seventh, Riidebach had a perfect shot against five with her last to score a single. Japan eventually won, 9-4 to qualify for the gold medal game.

Afterwards, Japan’s Ogawa Aki said, “I can’t express my feelings now. So far so many people were cheering for us and that makes me powerful and excited!”

Nakajima Yoji © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

Scotland and Japan will play in the gold medal game, Korea and Estonia will meet in the bronze medal game. Both medal games will take place on Sunday 16 March. The bronze medal game is set for 10:00, the gold medal final will take place at 14:00.

All times are GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) which is the same as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Find all the results from the championship here.

The final round-robin standings are available here.

Broadcast information about the event can be found here.

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