Men's curling at Beijing 2022 Olympics Day 8 round-up: Canada progress to semi-finals as Switzerland lose to China

Canada join Sweden and Great Britain to become the third team to qualify for the men’s curling semi-finals at Beijing 2022 on Wednesday (February 16).

The Canadians, who were on a rest-day and did not compete, were granted passage after top four contenders Switzerland were beaten by People’s Republic of China 6-5.

Though both teams looked evenly matched throughout the enthralling encounter the game was ultimately decided by a well-executed tenth end from the Chinese rink.

Down 5-6 the hosts needed a score of two to win the game, or at least one to force the extra end.

With Switzerland lying one ahead of the last shot of the game the pressure fell on Chinese skip Ma Xiuyue to capitalise on the hammer.

Rising to the occasion Ma delivered a precision takeout to send the Swiss stone out of the house, and crucially, keep his shooter in to score a dramatic two points and take the win.

The knock-on effect of this game means that Switzerland are now out of the hunt for the top four.

Though they could still finish the round-robin 4-5 yesterday’s loss to defending champions Team USA, in addition to today’s results, means their chances of matching or bettering their bronze medal are now officially over.

ROC were also eliminated from the top four race after they were felled by Team GB 8-6. Like Switzerland, a prior loss to the US rink mean their time in the "Ice Cube" is now over.

The Britons, riding high after defeating a previously unbeaten Sweden, got off to a roaring start.

A score of three in the first end, backed by two one-point ends in the third and fourth meant at the halfway point Bruce Mouat and his men were sitting comfortably 5-2 up.

ROC responded brightly in the seventh and ninth ends to cut the deficit to within one