18 April 2025
Korea and Germany earn semi-final spots
Another day of action at the World Junior Curling Championships 2025 saw Korea and Germany’s women become the first to qualify for the play-offs that take place on Sunday (20 April). In the men’s competition, Norway joined Italy as the second team to secure their spot in the play-offs.
Women’s competition
Korea earned the first play-off spot when they beat Italy 9-5 in the morning draw. In just the second end, an attempt to draw by Italy was unsuccessful, and Korea stole four points. By the ninth end, Korea were 9-4 leaders, and despite Italy putting one more point on the board, it wasn’t enough, and Korea claimed the win.
Germany were next to qualify for the semi-finals when they beat Switzerland 8-6 in their evening session. In the eighth end, Switzerland were 5-3 leaders until Germany set up play so they could draw with their last stone and score four. Switzerland scored another point in the ninth end, but Germany sealed their win by scoring a final one in the tenth with a raise takeout.
After their win, Germany’s skip Sara Messenzehl said, “It’s an amazing feeling to have secured our spot in the play-offs. That’s what we worked so hard for all week, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see our efforts pay off.”
In Canada’s only game of the day, they faced Latvia in the evening draw. By the tenth end, Canada trailed 8-9, but in the tenth and final end, Latvia skip Evelina Barone’s attempt to draw was too light, meaning Canada would steal three points and claim a 11-9 win.
Earlier in the day, Latvia also suffered an 8-6 loss against Japan.
Japan’s evening game against Italy was the only game of the day to go to an extra end. The score was level 7-7 to finish the tenth end, and in the extra, Italy’s skip Rebecca Mariani played an open hit for the 9-7 win.
After, Italy’s skip Rebecca Mariani said, “We went into an extra end after starting the game very strong, but in the middle, we lost some momentum, which allowed Japan to catch up. In the end, we managed to secure the win, and that’s what truly matters.”
Norway also had one game on Friday in which they won 8-5 against China. In the fourth end, China attempted a take-out, but it ticked a Norway guard, allowing their opponents a steal of three. After the eighth end, the score sat 8-3 and despite scoring two in the ninth, Norway ran the Chinese out of stones.
China redeemed themselves in their evening game when they left the ice with an 8-7 win against Sweden. China had an 8-4 lead by the ninth end, and despite Sweden clawing back, they ran out of stones.
Men’s competition
Norway were the second men’s team to qualify when they beat Denmark 8-2 in the afternoon session. Denmark levelled the score to 2-2 in the third end, but Norway grew their lead, and by the seventh end, were ahead by 7-2. The Norwegians stole a final point in the seventh end when Denmark skip Jacob Schmidt attempted a hit-and-roll but was unsuccessful.
After the game, Norway skip Lukas Hoestmaelingen said, “This was our best game so far, and we hope to carry that momentum into the play-offs. The play-offs are all or nothing, so we need to be fully prepared. First, we’ll take some time to recover from this game, and then we’ll focus on delivering our best performance in every match.”
Switzerland added their second win of the championship when they took on Germany, finishing the game 11-4 winners. The game started with a two point steal by Germany after a Swiss attempt to draw was heavy, but Switzerland immediately fought back, playing a draw to score two in the second end. The Swiss took control from there, ending the game in eight ends.
Canada beat Scotland 9-7 in their afternoon session. By the eighth end, Canada were ahead by 7-6 and played a raise to secure two more points. Scotland attempted a double in the ninth for a multiple score, but settled with one. In the tenth end, Canada ran the Scots out of stones.
Following their win, Canada’s third Ky Macaulay said, “This was a big one! We knew it would be a tough challenge, so scoring those three points right off the bat was huge. It was a bit deflating when they immediately answered with three points of their own, but we regrouped, came together as a team, and pushed forward. It felt amazing to see everyone give their best.”
United States were victorious when they faced Japan in the afternoon draw, leaving the ice with a 10-2 win.
Find the women’s and men’s standings after day five here.
Find the results and playing schedule here.
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