British curling duo prepare for battle with Norwegian foes

Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat are relishing the prospect of immediate revenge as they prepare to face Norway for a place in the mixed curling gold medal match at the Beijing Olympics on Monday.

Dodds and Mouat rounded off their round-robin programme with a 8-4 win over the United States on Monday morning, a result which confirmed a semi-final meeting with Norway, to whom they lost 6-2 on Sunday night.

Dodds and Mouat beat the Norwegian duo – Kristen Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten – 9-7 in the final of last year’s World Championship in Aberdeen.

“It’s going to be a battle out there tonight,” said Dodds. “If we tighten up the errors we made against them last night, it will be a close game – every time we have played them so far has always been close.

“Obviously we didn’t play our best against them last night, but after that performance against the USA, I think we can take a lot of confidence into tonight’s match.”

Dodds and Mouat had the luxury of going into their final game secure in the knowledge that their semi-final berth – and with it a guaranteed shot at a medal – was secured by virtue of their overall record.

It's going to be a battle out there tonight. If we tighten up the errors we made against them last night, it will be a close game - every time we have played them so far as always been close.- Jennifer Dodds

The British duo ended the round-robin phase in third place with six wins from their nine games, behind the Norwegians and Italy, who won all nine of their group matches and will face fourth-placed Sweden in the last four.

Despite a strong start, Dodds and Mouat have struggled for consistency throughout the tournament but will be bolstered by the manner of their win over the US, and also by a proven