Italy failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup 2024 mixed doubles curling, currently taking place on the ice in Oestersund (Sweden). Stefania Constantini and Francesco De Zanna they needed a series of combinations to be able to continue their adventure in this world championship: they had to beat Germany, cheer for France’s feat against Estonia and hope that Japan did not defeat Switzerland.
The Azzurri got the better of the Germans with the score 8-6 and they have so scored his sixth victory in the tournament, but the Transalpines didn’t perform their magic against the Baltics and the Japanese managed to get the better of the Swiss. The Italian pair thus closed the round robin at fourth place in the general classification with six successes and three defeats, behind Norway (7-2), Switzerland (6-3) and Estonia (6-3).
Unfortunately, the defeats achieved in the direct clashes against Norway, Switzerland and Estonia were decisive, who thus managed to prevail with equal successes. For the second consecutive edition, Italy remains out of the fight for medals. We remind you that the first place (Norway) qualified for the semi-finals, while the second and third place (Switzerland and Estonia) will play a qualification game which will offer the last passes to the semi-finals.
MATCH REPORT
Lena Kapp and Sixten Totzek started well and scored two points in the first end, repeating the same in the third half and thus taking the lead to 4-1. The Azzurri change pace immediately afterwards: they score two points to close the gap before the break (4-3), then they break the ball from their opponents twice in a row, taking home first three points and then another point.
Italy leads 7-4 at the end of the sixth set and thus forces Germany to use the power play, i.e. the advantage that allows you to move the fixed stones. The Teutonic team are good at building a good game and score two points, useful to get closer to the Azzurri at 6-7. However, the Italian pair only needed to manage the last end with the advantage of the final shot to close the score.
WORLD CURLING RESULTS TODAY
Switzerland vs Japan 7-8
France vs Estonia 3-8
Spain vs Norway 3-9
Italy vs Germany 8-6
Türkiye vs Denmark 7-5
WORLD CURLING RANKINGS
1. Norway 7 wins
2. Switzerland 6 victories
3. Estonia 6 wins
4. Italy 6 victories
5. Japan 6 victories
6. Germany 4 victories
7. Denmark 4 wins
8. Türkiye 3 wins
9. France 2 wins
10. Spain 1 win
