Italy, Canada and Scotland secure play-off spots

The play-off field is starting to take shape in the mixed doubles, with Italy, Canada and Scotland now qualified. Similarly, in the seniors competition, more teams are securing their places in the qualification games.

Mixed Doubles

Group A

With two Group A wins on Wednesday — a 13-2 defeat of Finland and a 9-4 win over China — Canada have made it to the weekend play-offs. Also, after beating Germany 7-1 in their evening draw, Scotland have earned their qualification spot. They both join Italy, who became the first team to qualify on Wednesday morning, after winning their eighth game in a row.

In the game against Finland, Canada had built an 8-2 lead by the sixth end when Jocelyn Peterman played a double take-out to add five more points to the Canadian score and bring their score to 13-2. Finland then conceded.

Later, despite being down by 2-3 at the fourth-end break, Peterman scored three points with a draw into the house in the fifth end, to take a 5-3 lead. Canada never looked back, and went on to win by 9-4 and secure their play-off place.

Team Canada thank fans © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

Meanwhile Italy continued undefeated. In the morning, they faced China and in the fourth end, already holding a 3-1 lead, Italy’s Stefania Constantini played a draw to score three more points and improve her team’s score to 6-1. Italy then went on to win by 8-2.

They faced Sweden in their evening game, and, by the fourth end, Italy were ahead by 3-1. Then, when Constantini played a double take-out to score two more points, they extended their lead to 5-1. Italy went on to win by 6-4, a result that guarantees them first place on the rankings and a direct route to the semi-finals.

Team Italy © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Scotland now sit in third place on the rankings and have earned their place in the play-offs, thanks to a morning 7-6 win over Sweden and a comfortable six-end 7-1 defeat of Germany in their evening game.

As Scotland and Sweden played the eighth end of their morning game, the Scots held a 7-5 lead. Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg then attempted a tap-up into a cluster of stones to score two and force an extra end, but could only score one point to give Scotland a crucial 7-6 victory.

In the evening game, the Scots dominated to lead by 7-0 as the teams played the sixth end. Germany scored a consolation single point in that end and conceded, with a final score of 7-1.

Team Scotland’s Bruce Mouat © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

Finland bounced back from their early loss to Canada with a 10-3 win over Denmark in their evening game. Finland held a 5-3 lead as the teams played the seventh end. In that end, Finland’s Lotta Immonen played a draw into a cluster of stones in the house to score five points and move her team onto a 10-3 win. Denmark then conceded.

Korea had two wins on Wednesday. In the morning, they faced Denmark and, by the time the game reached the sixth end, the score was tied at 3-3. Korea’s Kim Kyeongae then played a nose-hit on a Danish stone to score two points and give her team a 5-3 lead. Korea then went on to win by 6-4.

The Koreans then came back out to face the Netherlands and, in this game, they led by 7-5 in the seventh end when Kim played a run-back double take-out to score two more points and take a 9-4 lead. They went on to win by 9-5.

After these two wins, Korea’s Kim Kyeongae said, “Playing in a world championship in Canada, there’s always a big audience. There are some Koreans in the audience cheering for us, so that all helps.” Meanwhile her partner Seong Jihoon said, “It was rough for us in the beginning, but we’re gaining momentum, and the last few games have been better. I think the key now is to forget about all the past games, and just come out and play the next games.”

Team Korea’s Kim Kyeongae © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

In the morning session, the Netherlands gained their first win, beating Germany by 7-5. In the eighth end of this game, the Dutch held a 6-5 lead and then, with the last stone, Lisenka Bomas scored one more point with a draw-shot, to give the Netherlands their first win. Afterwards, Wouter Goesgens said, “I think mostly we feel proud for staying focused and playing game by game. We knew we were getting closer and closer and now we finally have a ‘W’.”

Group B

Group B had only one session of play on Wednesday. Australia were joint leaders in this group when they came onto the ice to face Norway.

In the fifth end of the game, with Australia leading by 4-2, Tahli Gill played a raise double take-out to score two more points and improve Australia’s lead to 6-2. After this, the Australians went on to win by 8-7 without having to play their last stone in the eighth end. This result puts Australia into a clear lead at the top of the Group B rankings.

Afterwards, Tahli Gill said, “That was definitely a roller-coaster. We had to stay in there, we knew that they would bring it and we had to come out fighting. Mixed doubles is always fun, but it’s definitely nerve-wracking.”

Meanwhile her partner, Dean Hewitt, added, “We went into that last end pretty focused and made all our shots, so we’re pretty happy.”

Team Estonia © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

Estonia faced United States in this session. This game was tied at 6-6 as the teams played the eighth end, until Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee played a hit to score the one point needed to give her team a 7-6 win. They now sit joint second place, alongside the Americans.

After the game, Estonia’s Harri Lill said, “I think Marie chose the more difficult option for that last stone — but as long as she made it, that’s fine. There are really good players here, so if you’re playing at a good level, you have a chance, if not, there’s no chance.”

Japan played Türkiye, and by the sixth end, Japan had built an 8-2 lead. Türkiye’s Dilsat Yildiz then tried to score two with a hit, but could only score one point to reduce Japan’s lead to 8-3. After this, Japan went on to win by 9-3, a result that puts them into a three-way tie in fourth place.

Japan’s Tanida Yasumasa said after the game, “That was a pretty good game. It can be tough to keep going, but that was very comfortable for us.” He added, “We’ve found good speed and good control with the ice and we feel pretty comfortable.”

Team Japan © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

Switzerland were up against New Zealand in this session and this game was tied at 7-7 as they played the eighth end. New Zealand’s Jessica Smith then played a draw into position to score one point and win the game by 8-7, a victory that keeps New Zealand’s play-off hopes alive as they sit in the fourth place tie.

After her victory, a smiling Jessica Smith said, “That was a win! I’m feeling pretty good about that. We kept our composure through the whole game and didn’t make any silly mistakes.” And speaking about her tense last stone draw, she said, “I was nervous, my heart was racing! It would be nice to make this winning a habit.”

In the fifth game of the session, Spain — still looking for their first win — played Czechia. In the fifth end, Czechia led by 3-1 when Spain’s Oihane Otaegi attempted a run-back double take-out. However, she missed to give Czechia a steal of two points and a 5-1 lead. The Czechs then went on to win by 6-2.

Team Czechia © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Find the mixed doubles standings after day five here.

Find the mixed doubles results and playing schedule here.

Seniors

After 19 sessions of round-robin play, the qualification scenario in the World Senior Curling Championships 2025 continues to emerge.

In the women’s event, both Canada in Group A and Scotland in Group B have already made the play-offs.

Canada beat New Zealand by 13-1 in their most recent game to retain their unbeaten record so far, on four wins. Scotland have the same 4-0 record, beating Finland by 8-1 in their most recent game.

Ireland lead Group C, on three wins, but have not yet sealed play-off qualification.

Team Scotland © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

In the men’s event, already-qualified Canada still lead Group A on five wins and no losses, their most recent win being a 9-4 victory over Ireland.

In Group B, Finland and the United States share the same won four, lost none record and both have now qualified for the play-offs.

Group C sees Norway and Sweden qualified, both on the same won four, lost one record.

Leaders Germany have now qualified from Group D, while Group E has Czechia and Switzerland as joint leaders, on three wins and one loss, although neither has yet guaranteed play-off qualification.

Find all of the seniors results from day five and the schedule here.