Sweden win gold
ByReuters
Published 23/02/2006 at 19:57 GMT
Sweden's women won curling gold on Thursday with a 7-6 extra end thriller over Switzerland to retain their Olympic title. Switzerland had fought back to level with the final stone of the ten ends but Sweden bettered that with a last-gasp double split at t
CURLING 2006 Torino 2006 Sweden Schweden Anette Norberg
Image credit: dpa
Their victory means they are the first rink to hold the Olympic, world and European titles at the same time.
For the second consecutive Olympics, Switzerland return home with the silver. Earlier, Canada routed Norway 11-5 in eight ends to claim the bronze.
Leading 6-4 heading into the 10th end, Sweden had looked poised for comfortable win until Swiss skip Mirjam Ott scored two with her final rock to force extra ends.
The Swiss kept the pressure on the six-time European champions in the 11th end that came down to a pressure packed final shot.
Sweden's skip Anette Norberg managed to hit a nervy double takeout and stick for one.
As Norberg's stone slowed to a stop, the Swedish rink tossed their brooms into the air and embraced each other.
Among those cheering for the gold medallists back in Sweden was heavy metal band Hammerfall, who featured the telegenic quintet in their "Heart of Fire" music video.
"It's an amazing feeling," said Swedish lead Anna Svared. "The team really deserved it, we so deserved it because we are mentally so strong and have the best team spirit.
TOTALLY PREPARED
"We were totally prepared for the extra end. We were confident and secure with each other and knew we were going to win."
"We've not had a call from them (Hammerfall) yet but they have probably e-mailed us. They have been e-mailing us every day this week," added Svared.
Sweden drew first blood when Norberg took two in the second end only to watch the Swiss immediately answer back with a pair in the third.
The world champions retook the lead 3-2 with one in the fourth then stole a point in each of the sixth and seventh ends to seize control 5-2.
Just as the Swedes looked set to cruise to an easy win, Switzerland clawed their way back, Ott drawing to the button for two in the eighth trimming the deficit to 5-4.
But Norberg, too could play that game nailing a pinpoint draw the very next end to restore a two point cushion heading into the 10th.
"We could have won the gold, it was so close we could touch it," said Swiss third Binia Beeli. "After we came back, I thought we can win, we will win.
"At the moment it is disappointing but I think tomorrow we will feel better about the silver."
In Friday's men's final Canada play Finland.
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