Battle for World Curling Championship play-off places heats up

PyeongChang bronze medallists Switzerland beat the Norwegians 8-6 as they took the game to an extra end, scoring two in each of the tenth and eleventh to seal a crucial victory.

The loss moved Norway off top spot they had shared with Olympic silver medallists Sweden, as they slipped into fourth place following convincing wins from Scotland and Canada.

The Scots thrashed Japan 9-2 in just seven ends to join Sweden and Canada in the top spot, while Canada beat the Netherlands 8-5, a three-point haul in the fifth end giving them the momentum they needed to seal victory in the ninth.

Germany continued their losing streak with a 10-6 loss to Korea, leaving them firmly in last place behind Japan and Olympic champions the United States, who have won just two of their eight games and are languishing in tenth place.

The battle for a qualifying place in the top six heats up today, as Norway and Scotland clash, while Sweden will be expecting a win against China.

Switzerland will be looking to cement the fifth-place spot they are sharing with Russia currently as they face the Netherlands, and strugglers Italy face Korea.

Sportsbeat 2018