At the Arctic Curling Cup 2018 tournament in Dudinka the group stage games finished today.
In group A in the morning played Czech Republic team (gaikova/Paul) and Russia 1 (Bryzgalova/Timofeev). The Czechs had a strong middle of the game, when they won 4 ends in a row with a total score of 7-0. Before the 8th end, they were up 7-6 and had the last rock in reserve. Despite the efforts of the Russians to steal this game, it ended in favor of the Czechs (1-0 and 8:6 in the match). In the parallel match Canadians Courtney and Carruthers gained 1st victory, they beat the Swedes 10:4.
Thus, the fate of the places in the semifinals were decided in the last matches of group A. Russia 1 needed either their own victory over the Canadians or, in case of defeat, the victory of the Czechs over the Scots. In this case, Bryzgalova and Timofeev would go to the semifinals for the best training shots. In Canada-Russia 1 match the fate of the match was decided in the middle – 5 consecutive ends won by Canadians with a total score of 7-0. Before the last end, they were up 7-4 and didn’t give any chances for opponents. After that the Russians went to watch the parallel match. Czechs after the defeat of the Russians secured a place in the semifinals, but played in full force. Before the last end, they were up 6-4, but the Scots managed to even the score. In the extra end, the last stone was the Czech Republic, but the excellent last throw of the Scots put the Czechs in almost a stalemate, from which they could not get out. As a result, the victory of the Scots who came out of the group from the first place, and the Czechs – from the second. Russians and Canadians failed to make it to the playoffs.
In the other group, the intrigue also remained until the last match. In the morning Maria Komarova and Daniil Goryachev had a great start of the match against the Finns – 4 victorious ends with a total score of 5-0; the Finns managed to answer with three consecutive ends with a score of 4-0, but in the last end the Russians did not miss the victory – 2-0 and 7:4 in the match. In another match, Niklas Edin and Rachel Homan showed a good game-a victory over Switzerland with a score of 10:5 after 7 ends. Thus, Niklas and Rachel needed a victory over the Russians in the last match to reach the semifinals, but the Finns who showed a good game in Dudinka in this case lost their place in the semifinals, even in the case of a victory over the curlers of the Krasnoyarsk Krai.
The decisive matches of group B were played in the evening session. Edin and Homan won 4 stones in the first end, the Russians managed not only to catch up with the titled rivals, but also to come ahead before the last end. Niklas Edin showed his best – he performed so well the penultimate throw of his team that put the Russians were in a virtually hopeless position. As a result, Homan did not even have to throw the final stone. Canada/Sweden won 8:7. Thus, the parallel match did not matter. Finland won first three ends with a total score of 5-0, and then lost to Venevtseva and Groshev 4 ends in a row (0-6). In the last end, the Finns managed to win two points (the second – after the measurement) and won, which, however, did not help them to pass on. Three teams in this group had three victories and one defeat, but in training throws above all were Homan and Edin, in second place – Russia 2, and Finland only on the third.
The opening ceremony was held on afternoon. Aerial acrobats, figure skaters, gymnasts, children dancers performed on the ice of arena “Taymyr”. A tribute to the homeland of curling - Scotland - was the performance of a group of bagpipers and drummers dressed in national costumes. After that, the parade of participants of the tournament, who were brought to the ice by volunteers in the costumes of the Taimyr people.
Another event of the day was the beginning of the children's tournament, which was attended by students of the Taimyr school of curling. The coaches of the guys were Russian curlers taking part in the Arctic Curling Cup, they shared with the guys the secrets of skill.
The final of the children's tournament will be held tomorrow, just before the final of the main tournament.
In the semi-finals of the Arctic Curing Cup tomorrow morning (at 9:00 local time) will play the team of Russia 2 and Scotland, as well as the Czech Republic and Canada/Sweden.
The final of the tournament and the match for the third place will be played at 14:00 local time. The winners of the tournament will receive $ 10,000 in prize money.
May 26. Results
Czech Republic-Russia-8:6
Canada-Sweden-10:4
Russia 2-Finland-7:4
Canada/Sweden-Switzerland-10: 5
Canada-Russia 1-7:4
Scotland-Czech Republic-7 :6 (extra end)
Canada/Sweden – Russia 2 – 8:7
Finland-Krasnoyarsk region-7:6
Group A
1. Scotland-3 victories, 1 defeat
2. Czech Republic-3 wins, 1 defeat
3. Russia 1 – 2 wins, 2 losses
4. Canada-2 wins, 2 losses
5. Sweden-0 wins, 4 losses
Group B
1. Canada – Sweden-3 wins, 1 defeat (training shots 33,86)
2. Russia-3 victories, 1 defeat (76,71)
3. Finland-3 wins, 1 loss (84.93)
4. Switzerland-1 victory, 3 defeats
5. Krasnoyarsk region-0 wins, 4 losses
May 27
09:00 UTC +7. Semifinal. Russia 2-Scotland
09:00. Semifinal. Czech Republic – Canada/Sweden
14:00. The match for third place
14:00. Final