Winter Olympics 2022 - GB men beat ROC to secure hammer for curling semi-finals

Great Britain will have the crucial hammer for the start of their men’s curling semi-final at the Winter Olympics after securing a top two finish in the round robin phase with one game to spare by beating the Russian Olympic Committee 8-6. Bruce Mouat’s rink cannot drop lower than second, meaning they will have the last stone advantage at the beginning of their last four tie. GB are now top of the standings with one match remaining against Canada.

First will play fourth, with second taking on third, meaning Britain are currently on course to face the USA — the only team they have lost to. Ad/> GB showed why having the hammer is so crucial at the start of their game with the ROC, taking three from the opening end. Grant Hardie placed a red stone right on the button with the 12th throw of the end and Mouat followed that up with a take-out of a Russian stone and a well placed draw with his last go, to help GB go 3-0 up.

/> Beijing 2022‘The slimmest of margins’ – Fans ‘thrilled’ after China deal GB disappointing defeatAN HOUR AGO ROC got on the board in the second end, as skip Sergei Glukhov drew expertly on to a red stone to secure one, but Britain restored their three-stone advantage in the third. Glukhov did well to limit the damage with a successful double take-out as he threw his last stone, but Mouat had an empty house to aim for an easy draw. The task was to get more difficult for the Russians in the fourth.

Hammy McMillan’s opening throw for GB was landed right on the centre and it was never dislodged. Anton Kalalb drew a stone on to the British rock, but it was still GB who had the advantage. That began a tactical battle of guard and counter-guard, but ROC could not get through and Britain achieved a steal to go 5-1