Three women’s teams secure playoff spots at Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships 2026

Day three of the Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships 2026 in Ostrava, Czechia got underway, as three women’s teams confirmed their places in the playoffs, while three men’s teams remain undefeated at the day’s end.

WOMEN’S COMPETITION

Scotland, Sweden and Switzerland were the first teams to secure qualification for the playoffs.

After a 10-2 win over Scotland in the morning session, Sweden secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 10-4 victory against Lithuania.

Afterwards, Sweden skip Isabella Wranaa said,

“It feels amazing to qualify, we can just relax and find our form tomorrow. We can learn from the ice and play a good game ahead of the playoffs on Saturday.”

Beginning the morning session by beating Italy 8-4, Switzerland’s spot in the next round was confirmed after they defeated Norway 7-3.

Speaking after qualification, Switzerland skip Alina Paetz said,

“It’s such a good feeling, especially after that game [against Norway]. I think it was our best of the week so far, we were solid and had to think about our performance. We will still approach the final round-robin game tomorrow in the same way.”

Scotland bounced back from their earlier defeat with a 9-8 extra-end win over Estonia. Trailing in the seventh end, they scored three points before stealing a further two in the eighth to force an extra end. They went on to steal a single in the extra end when Estonia skip Marie Kaldvee was unable to clear a Scottish shot stone with a raise-takeout attempt.

This win confirmed Scotland would earn the second semi-final place from Group B.

Speaking afterwards, Scotland skip Fay Henderson said,

“It’s an absolute dream, it’s our first Euros as a team and we came here to win this week. I think that fight back [against Estonia] showed what we’re capable of as a team. We go out there to win every game, and that’s what we will do tomorrow.”

Both of Denmark’s games on day three went to extra ends. The first saw them claim an 8-7 win without having to throw their final stone. In the evening session, they were beaten 8-7 by Türkiye.

All women’s results and standings.

MEN’S COMPETITION

Czechia, Scotland and Sweden made it three wins from three, as they all claimed victories on Thursday.

The Scots were 7-3 winners over Germany, scoring two points in the third end before adding four in the sixth on the way to their win.

Sweden also remain unbeaten but had to work for their win as they edged past Switzerland 5-4. Skip Oskar Eriksson played a double take-out with his last stone in the eighth end to score a single point and clinch victory.

The hosts, Czechia, faced Norway in their third game of the round-robin, coming out on top with a score of 7-3 in the evening session.

Elsewhere on day three of the event, both Netherlands and Italy claimed respective second wins.

Netherlands scored points in ends three, six and eight as they were 5-3 winners against Austria.

Italy defeated Belgium 10-7. The two sides traded two-point ends to start, before Italy scored five just before the break. A three-point sixth end cemented victory.

Spain also won their first game of the event, defeating Poland 8-3. They started brightly, scoring three points in the opening end, before stealing back-to-back points.

All men’s results and standings.