Men's curling at Beijing 2022 Olympics Day 4 round-up: Undefeated Sweden top Canada as US fall to Norway

Pre-tournament favourites Canada and United States were felled by Sweden and Norway on a titillating fourth day of action in the men’s curling tournament at Beijing 2022 on Saturday (12 February).

Skip Niklas Edin continued his unbeaten run in the Ice Cube after downing his Canadian counterpart Brad Gushue 7-4 in today's hotly anticipated round-robin match-up.

A series of critical misses from Canada's skip all but handed the game to Sweden.

On three occasions in the eighth, ninth and tenth ends – the so-called business ‘ends’ of the game – Gushue failed to transform opportunities to score big and go in front.

Deep into the ninth, a heavy final draw shot from the Canadian left the button free and Edin didn’t hesitate to claim the spot and the one-point score to go up 6-4 into final end.

Needing a score of two or more to force an extra end, or to claim the win, the Canadian once more had the chance to seize control. But once again, a failed double take-out shot from with the last rock of the game meant it was Sweden with the steal and the win.

Edin is currently on the hunt for an Olympic gold – the one accolade missing from his extensive medal collection - and today’s victory over curling powerhouse Canada marked an important step towards that goal.

For Gushue, however, the loss marks his second in-a-row after falling yesterday to Switzerland. The 41-year-old is back in Canadian colours after skipping his country to gold at Turin 2006.

MORE: Niklas Edin, the skip with unfinished business still searching for Olympic glory

Defending Olympic champions United States also suffered a second shock blow to their title defence campaign after coming short in a tense battle against Norway.

The Norwegians, who lost to Great Britain in