Russia romp to gold

Skip Ludmila Privivkova, the defending world junior champion, added the prestigious European title to her trophy case by scoring three points in the third end and stealing the sixth and seventh ends. Italy's Diana Gaspari scored three in the second end but could only muster a single point the rest of the way.

Privivkova and teammates Olga Jarkova, Nkeirouka Ezekh, Ekaterina Galkina and Margarita Fomina went undefeated in the round-robin with a 9-0 record against a strong field of Olympic champions and medallists. Russia then lost to the Italians in the first "Page" playoff game 7-5 but recovered to defeat Switzerland's Mirjam Ott 7-5 in the semi-final.

"It's so very great, so amazing," said the 20-year-old Privivkova, a student in Moscow. "I'm so very happy for the team.

"We hope to win more medals in the next events but it will be difficult. All the teams are very strong."

In January Privivkova will lead her team into the 2007 Winter University Games (Universiade) in Pinerolo, Italy, the same venue where her team finished fifth at last February's Olympic Winter Games. In March, the squad will travel to Aomori, Japan for the World Women's Curling Championship.

Privivkova believes the European Championship gold medal will increase curling interest in Russia.

"Curling is more popular back home after the Olympics and now it will be even bigger. It was shown on TV and this event is also on TV."

In addition to last year's world junior championship, Russia's women have only won the 2003 Universiade and a couple of junior challenge tournaments. Their presence in this final, along with Italy, has ushered in a new era of European women's curling.

For Italy's Gaspari, the 2007 Euro titleshoot was sweet redemption following a dissapointing performance at the Olympics.

"In Pinerolo, we thought we had a stronger team," said Gaspari. "Here we had two new players and we didn't know how the team would come together. To win six games and then a playoff to be in the final is great."

Gaspari's run to the final captured the attention of major newspapers and TV networks in Italy. On Sunday she will travel to Milan for a TV interview with Sky Sports.

"This medal will help Italian curling for sure," Gaspari said. "After Pinerolo, Italy needs something to continue the curling wave. Hopefully this is it."

Italy also qualified with Russia for the World Championships in Aomori, along with the remaining top six finishers: Switzerland, who were awarded bronze, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and the Czech Republic, who beat back a challenge from Austria, the women's B-pool champion.

Finland earned the B-pool silver and England captured bronze.

At next year's Le Gruyère European Curling Championship in Fussen, Germany, B-pool qualifiers Austria and Finland graduate to the A-division, while Norway, skipped by two-time World and European champion Dordi Nordby of Norway, falls to the B-pool, along with the Netherlands.

1. Russia, 11-1, Gold
2. Italy, 7-4, Silver
3. Switzerland, 7-4, Bronze
4. Scotland, 7-5
5. Germany, 5-5
6. Sweden, 5-5
7. Denmark, 4-5
8. Czech Republic, 3-6
9. Norway, 2-7
10. Netherlands, 0-9