Scotland Defeats Switzerland to Set Up Men’s Final with Germany

Scotland will face Germany in the men’s final at the European Curling Championships after a tense semi-final win over Switzerland. Defending champions Scotland led by Bruce Mouat had a 8-5 lead going into the final end, but a rare mistake from Mouat allowed Switzerland to level the score. Despite the wobble, Scotland recovered and triumphed 10-8 after an extra end. Germany, who lost to Scotland 12-5 in the round-robin earlier in the tournament secured their spot in the final with a dominant 8-2 victory over Norway in just eight ends.

Scotland with Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie and Hammy McMillan are aiming to extend an impressive streak of four consecutive European Championship victories. Meanwhile, Scotland’s women’s team will play in Friday’s bronze medal match against Italy after a heartbreaking 6-4 loss to Sweden in the semi-finals.

Swedish skip Anna Hasselborg made a crucial draw in the final end to secure the win for her team. Despite Scotland’s Rebecca Morrison, Jen Dodds, Sophie Sinclair and Sophie Jackson statistically outplaying their opponents and leading with two ends to go, they couldn’t hold off the experienced Hasselborg in the final moments.

Morrison expressed disappointment but optimism, saying, “We’ve been playing well throughout the tournament. We’ve just got to regroup for the bronze medal game and give ourselves a good chance.” Sweden will face Switzerland in the women’s final, as the tournament heads into its final stages.